CardioExchange Archive

May 26th, 2011

NHLBI Stops the AIM-HIGH Trial of Niacin

Larry Husten, PHD

The AIM-HIGH (Atherothrombosis Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome with Low HDL/High Triglycerides: Impact on Global Health) trial of niacin has been stopped early by the NHLBI. The trial was designed to test the addition of high-dose, extended-release niacin to statins in people at risk for CV events who had well-controlled LDL but low HDL and elevated […]

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May 24th, 2011

Stent BioWars: Erode or Absorb?

Richard A. Lange, MD, MBA and L. David Hillis, MD

In January 2011, we blogged about ABSORB, a  bioresorbable stent, when it received CE approval for use in Europe. Drug-eluting stents (DES) are composed of a metal scaffold that is coated with a polymer containing an antiproliferative agent , which is released gradually over the weeks to months after the stent is inserted.  The durable polymer residue […]

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May 23rd, 2011

What Is the Impact of Screening Low-Risk Patients with CT Angiography?

Larry Husten, PHD

In a study published online in Archives of Internal Medicine, John McEvoy and colleagues examine the impact of screening low-risk patients with coronary CT angiography (CCTA). They compared 1000 South Korean patients who underwent CCTA with 1000 matched controls. CCTA identified 215 people with coronary atherosclerosis. At 90 days and at 18 months, statins and […]

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May 20th, 2011

Data from Our International Survey of Medical School Grads

John Ryan, MD

Earlier this year we at CardioExchange surveyed international medical school graduates from our online community. We sent out a questionnaire to 850 internationally based physicians from around the globe and received 29 responses (a 3.4% survey-response rate) from 6 continents. The largest group of respondents (19%) was from India, then 12% each from Brazil and […]

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May 18th, 2011

FDA Announces Details of Severe New Restrictions on Rosiglitazone

Larry Husten, PHD

The FDA has announced the details of the updated REMS (risk evaluation and mitigation strategy) for rosiglitazone, the embattled and highly controversial diabetes drug. The new REMS will sharply restrict access to and distribution of drugs containing rosiglitazone (Avandia, Avandamet, Avandaryl). In order for physicians to prescribe and for patients to receive rosiglitazone, they will […]

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May 18th, 2011

The Curse of the Mummy: Coronary Artery Disease?

Larry Husten, PHD

Could the real curse of the mummy be coronary artery disease? Despite strict adherence to the original Mediterranean diet and a complete lack of tobacco, trans fats, and refined sugars, an Egyptian princess who died around 1550 BC is the first person in history to receive a diagnosis of coronary artery disease. A CT scan […]

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May 17th, 2011

FDA Reviewers Scrutinize ACCORD and Trilipix

Larry Husten, PHD

The FDA has released the agenda, questions, roster, and briefing materials for Thursday’s meeting of the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee in which the ACCORD trial and the fate of Abbott’s Trilipix (fenofibric acid) will be discussed. The key questions on which the advisory committee members will be asked to vote are: Should the […]

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May 13th, 2011

ProPublica Takes Aim at SCAI

Larry Husten, PHD

Now it’s SCAI’s turn. Following its investigation of the Heart Rhythm Society’s ties to industry last week, ProPublica has now focused its attention on the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions (SCAI). In the latest installment of ProPublica’s Dollars for Doctors series, Charles Ornstein writes that SCAI “received 57 percent of its revenues in 2009 […]

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May 11th, 2011

Optimal Medical Therapy and the Lack of COURAGE

William Borden, MD and John Spertus, MD, MPH

We welcome William Borden and John Spertus to answer questions from CardioExchange Editor-in-Chief Harlan Krumholz about their JAMA paper showing that optimal medical therapy (OMT) for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) did not receive a meaningful boost from the publication of the COURAGE trial, despite the trial’s clear message showing the benefits of OMT. […]

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May 10th, 2011

Short-Term NSAID Use Linked to Increased CV Risk

Larry Husten, PHD

Short-term use of NSAIDs, including diclofenac, is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, according to a very large study published online in Circulation. Danish researchers used a national registry to study more than 83,000 patients who were admitted to the hospital for a first MI from 1997 to 2006. Some 42% of the patients received NSAIDs […]

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