CardioExchange Archive

November 12th, 2011

AHA.11: An Orlando Eating Tour

John Ryan, MD

As at previous major cardiology meetings, CardioExchange has fellows from around the country blogging about their experiences at the Scientific Sessions at the AHA. Revathi Balakrishnan, first-year fellow at NYU; Eiman Jahangir, third-year fellow from Vanderbilt; Amit Shah, second-year fellow at Emory; and John Ryan, third-year fellow at University of Chicago will be sharing us with […]

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November 10th, 2011

What’s This Fellow Looking Forward to at AHA?

John Ryan, MD

Fellowship Training co-moderator John Ryan discusses the studies he’s most looking forward to checking out at the AHA Scientific Sessions 2011 meeting. See what he has to say and share your own suggestions and comments. ADOPT: The past twelve months have seen the now famous introduction of novel anticoagulants for AFib. The potential for these […]

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November 10th, 2011

The AHA in Orlando: A Preview

Larry Husten, PHD

The AHA 2011 Scientific Sessions start this weekend in Orlando. CardioExchange received a preview of some of the many expected highlights of the meeting from Program Chair Elliott Antman. (Click here to view AHA videos of Antman’s meeting previews.) Antman stressed the sheer size and magnitude of the meeting: 742 individual sessions, 4238 abstracts selected out […]

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November 9th, 2011

18 Months After ACCORD, FDA Says Fenofibrate May Not Lower Risk for MI or Stroke

Larry Husten, PHD

Eighteen months after the ACCORD (Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes ) trial found no benefit for the addition of fenofibrate to simvastatin in patients with type 2 diabetes, the FDA has issued a safety communication. The agency changed the label for Trilipix (fenofibric acid, Abbott) and is notifying healthcare professionals that the drug “may […]

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November 9th, 2011

How to Prep for AHA: An Expert’s Advice for Fellows

John Ryan, MD and Thomas Ryan, MD

Dr. Thomas Ryan explains how fellows can get the most from the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, both as attendees and as presenters. Dr. Ryan is Professor of Medicine (Emeritus) at Boston University, a former AHA president (1984–1986), a former Chief of Cardiology at Boston University (1971–1994), and a recipient of the AHA Chairman’s Award […]

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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 […]

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November 8th, 2011

Wrestling with Uncertainty in Clinical Practice

John E Brush, MD

About a week ago I was asked to consult on a patient I’ll call Betty. This delightful 92-year-old woman, who lived alone, was admitted during the night with pain in the upper chest and shoulders. She had been feeling this discomfort off and on for 2 days, and when it woke her from sleep, she […]

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November 3rd, 2011

FDA Approves TAVR But Remains in the Crosshairs

Richard A. Lange, MD, MBA

I participated in the panel that recommended approval of the Sapien Transcatheter Heart Valve (THV) for patients with inoperable severe aortic stenosis: so-called transaortic valve replacement (TAVR). The recommendation for approval was based on (a) the perceived strength of the results of the PARTNER study; (b) collaboration and support of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons […]

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November 1st, 2011

No Increased Risk for CV Events with ADHD Drugs, Large Study Finds

Larry Husten, PHD

A large new study may help lay to rest concerns that the widely prescribed ADHD drugs may increase the risk for cardiovascular (CV) events. In a study funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the FDA and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, William Cooper and colleagues analyzed data from 1.2 […]

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October 27th, 2011

The Art of Arriving at a Diagnosis

John E Brush, MD

A 55-year-old man came to the emergency room complaining of aching chest pain radiating to the back. The pain had started the day before and recurred several times. It seemed to worsen with exertion and resolve with rest. One resting episode was associated with diaphoresis. Exam, EKG, and cardiac enzymes were normal. A portable chest […]

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