January 11th, 2012
ASSERT Sheds Light on the Role of Subclinical AF in Stroke
Larry Husten, PHD
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine sheds some much-needed light on the precise role of subclinical atrial fibrillation (AF) in the prognosis and development of ischemic stroke. ASSERT (Asymptomatic Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke Evaluation in Pacemaker Patients and the Atrial Fibrillation Reduction Atrial Pacing Trial) followed 2580 patients with a newly implanted pacemaker or ICD […]
January 10th, 2012
Researchers Find Lower Sweet Spot for Potassium Levels in MI
Larry Husten, PHD
Current guidelines for the treatment of acute MI recommend that serum potassium be maintained between 4.0 and 5.0 mEq/L, and some believe that the upper limit could be raised to 5.5, but evidence is based on small, outdated studies. Now a study published in JAMA suggests that the ideal potassium range should be adjusted downward. Abhinav Goyal and […]
January 9th, 2012
Excess Risk for Cardiac Events Associated with Dabigatran
Larry Husten, PHD
A new meta-analysis finds that dabigatran is associated with a higher risk of myocardial infarction and acute coronary syndromes. An editorial raises questions about the enthusiasm to embrace new drugs.
January 5th, 2012
Coach Wants Me to Play. Will You Let Me, Doc?
Tariq Ahmad, MD, MPH and James Fang, MD
A 21-year-old Division I college football player presented with palpitations that had started during athletic practice. He was referred to a cardiologist for further evaluation. Vital signs and physical exam were normal. An EKG showed prominent R waves, inverted T waves in leads V1–V2, along with a biphasic T wave in lead V3. QRS axis and QTc […]
December 19th, 2011
FDA Adds New Warnings to Dronedarone (Multaq) Label
Larry Husten, PHD
In an updated safety communication, the FDA announced on Monday that it is adding new warnings to the dronedarone (Multaq, Sanofi) label. On the basis of results from the PALLAS trial, which was discontinued early due to safety concerns, the drug label will now warn: Healthcare professionals should not prescribe Multaq to patients with AF who cannot […]
December 7th, 2011
FDA Undertakes Safety Review of Dabigatran (Pradaxa)
Larry Husten, PHD
The FDA announced today that it is initiating a safety review of dabigatran (Pradaxa, Boehringer Ingelheim). The review was prompted by reports of serious bleeding events in people taking the drug. Bleeding complications, the FDA acknowledges, are a “a well-recognized complication of all anticoagulant therapies.” The agency says it is “working to determine whether the reports of bleeding […]
December 5th, 2011
CMS Tightening the Screws on Unnecessary Procedures in Florida and 10 Other States
Larry Husten, PHD
After years of criticism that it has paid billions of dollars for unnecessary procedures, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will soon ramp up efforts to rein in costs for unnecessary procedures. In 2012, CMS will perform an audit before paying for several big ticket cardiology and orthopedic procedures in certain key states. The news has […]
November 14th, 2011
PALLAS Intrigue: What Role Remains for Dronedarone?
CardioExchange Editors, Staff
John Mandrola, Eric Prystowsky, and Sanjay Kaul weigh in on PALLAS and the present and future of Multaq.
November 14th, 2011
PALLAS: Poor Results for Dronedarone in Permanent AF
Larry Husten, PHD
After a brief announcement earlier this year that the trial had been terminated early, the full results of PALLAS (Permanent Atrial Fibrillation Outcomes Study Using Dronedarone on Top of Standard Therapy) have now been presented at the AHA and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine. PALLAS shows that dronedarone (Multaq, Sanofi) should not be used in patients […]
November 8th, 2011
Financial Incentives Increase Use of Stress Tests
Larry Husten, PHD
Following coronary revascularization, patients are more likely to undergo cardiac stress testing if their physician has a financial interest in the test, according to a new study published in JAMA. Bimal Shah and colleagues examined insurance data from 17,847 patients who underwent revascularization, dividing their physicians into three groups: those who billed for technical and professional fees, […]
NEJM Journal Watch — Recent Cardiology Articles- To Lower Stroke Risk in Patients Undergoing Atrial Fibrillation Ablation, Is a Device or a Medication Better?
- Intensive vs. Standard Blood Pressure Lowering in Patients with Diabetes
- Anticoagulation in Patients with Cancer-Associated Pulmonary Embolism: How Long is Long Enough?
- Spironolactone Use After Percutaneous Intervention for Acute Myocardial Infarction
- CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing for Transthyretin Cardiomyopathy