March 10th, 2014
Can Decision Support Tools Actually Harm Patients?
Christine Sinsky, MD
Christine Sinsky questions whether a decision support tool that she’s required to use is helpful (as intended) or harmful to her patients.
March 10th, 2014
Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: March 10th
Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP
This week’s topics include cognitive function and brain structure in type 2 diabetics after intensive lowering of BP and lipid levels, the association of β-blocker therapy with risks of adverse CV events and deaths in those with ischemic heart disease undergoing noncardiac surgery, and more.
March 4th, 2014
AF Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Also Benefit from Warfarin
Larry Husten, PHD
Anticoagulation is a cornerstone of therapy for atrial fibrillation because it lowers the heightened risk for stroke in this population. People with chronic kidney disease are also at increased risk for stroke, but the benefits of anticoagulation are less clear in this group, and anticoagulation is used less often in AF patients who have CKD. […]
March 3rd, 2014
A New Approach for the Statin-Intolerant Patient?
Andrew M. Kates, MD
Andy Kates wonders if a new type of individual patient trial can help to identify whether a patient’s myalgia is caused by statin use.
March 3rd, 2014
Pfizer Starts Testing for Over-the-Counter Atorvastatin
Larry Husten, PHD
Looking backward to improve its future, Pfizer will once again try to gain FDA approval to market its blockbuster drug, atorvastatin (Lipitor), over-the-counter (OTC). Peter Loftus reports in the Wall Street Journal that the company has started a clinical study to support the application for low-dose atorvastatin (10 mg). Over-the-counter statins have been unsuccessfully proposed in the past. […]
February 27th, 2014
Tooth Extraction Prior to Cardiac Surgery May Not Be a Good Idea
Larry Husten, PHD
People with an infected or abscessed tooth are at elevated risk for cardiovascular disease. They are at particular risk for developing a serious infection during surgery, including endocarditis. Because of this risk, in order to reduce the risk of infection many patients undergo dental extraction prior to having a planned cardiac surgery. Now, however, a […]
February 27th, 2014
Steve Jobs Rejected the First Medical App in 1977
Larry Husten, PHD
There’s been a lot of speculation that future Apple products will include health-related apps and biometric sensors. Here’s the story of what might have been the first Apple medical app, except for the fact that in 1977 Steve Jobs had absolutely no interest in going in that direction. George Diamond is now retired after a long and very distinguished career as a cardiologist […]
February 27th, 2014
Save the Date!
CardioExchange Editors, Staff
Join Us! CardioExchange Cocktail Reception at the ACC Sunday, March 30, 2014 6:30 pm Renaissance Hotel Room #12 Washington, DC • Participate in a discussion about CardioExchange, social media, and community in cardiology • Meet Harlan Krumholz and other members of the CardioExchange community • Share drinks and appetizers [gravityform id=”5″ name=”CardioExchange Cocktail […]
February 27th, 2014
Poor Medical Research: What Has Changed in 20 Years?
Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
A recent blog and a 20-year-old editorial has Harlan Krumholz wondering: Why there is so much poor medical research?
February 25th, 2014
Study Raises Questions About Transfusions in PCI Patients
Larry Husten, PHD
A very large observational study raises important questions about the role of transfusions in PCI patients in the U.S. In a study published in JAMA, researchers from Duke and Yale analyzed data from more than 2.25 million percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures at more than 1400 hospitals. The data came from the CathPCI Registry, a large ongoing […]
