CardioExchange Archive

July 23rd, 2012

Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: July 23rd

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include studies on the effect of physical inactivity on worldwide health, transplantation of a vein bioengineered with autologous stem cells, flecainide for preventing AF after electrical cardioversion, and whether bevacizumab and ranibizumab increase certain CV risks.

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July 23rd, 2012

A Proposal To Improve The Value Of Observational Studies

Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM

I believe that observational studies can reveal important truths and have a critical place in the portfolio of clinical research. However, I sometimes wonder, when I see a study, just how it was conducted. Was the study question clearly defined before the analyses were begun…or did the study question emerge only after the investigator conducted […]

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July 18th, 2012

FDA Approves Another New Weight Loss Drug

Larry Husten, PHD

The US FDA approved on Tuesday a new weight loss drug that will be called Qsymia, the brand name for the combination of two previously approved drugs, phentermine and extended-release topiramate. The drug is manufactured by Vivus, Inc. In a press release, the FDA said Qsymia had been approved for use in obese adults (BMI of 30 […]

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July 17th, 2012

Still the One: Cleveland Clinic Retains Top Spot on U.S. News & World Report Heart Hospital Rankings

Larry Husten, PHD

U.S. News & World Report has published its 2012-13 “Best Hospitals” list. Once again, the Cleveland Clinic is the top hospital for heart and heart surgery. Massachusetts General was the top hospital overall, followed by Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, and the Cleveland Clinic. Here are the top 20 hospitals for heart and heart surgery: Cleveland Clinic Mayo […]

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July 16th, 2012

Ticagrelor Joins Clopidogrel and Prasugrel in Updated NSTEMI Guidelines

Larry Husten, PHD

Ticagrelor (Brilinta, AstraZeneca) gains equal standing with prasugrel (Effient, Lilly) and clopdiogrel in the newly released focused update of the ACCF/AHA guidelines for unstable angina and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The change had been widely anticipated since last year’s FDA approval of ticagrelor. “We have put it on equal footing with two other antiplatelet medications, […]

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July 16th, 2012

Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: July 16th

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include studies on rhythm vs. rate control in AF, thiazolidinediones and the risk for macular edema, and the effect of acadesine on morbidity and mortality associated with CABG.

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July 13th, 2012

Meta-Analysis: ACE Inhibitors Associated with Lower Pneumonia Risk

Angiotensin-converting–enzyme inhibitors may offer some protection against pneumonia, according to a BMJ meta-analysis. An editorialist isn’t so sure. Researchers looked at almost 40 studies — including cohort studies, case-control studies, and randomized trials — that reported pneumonia outcomes after use of ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, and control treatments. The data revealed that ACE inhibitors conferred a roughly […]

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July 12th, 2012

Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: July 12th

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include sex differences in the protective effect of statins, an action measure to lower BP among diabetics, a prediction tool for initial survivors of in-hospital cardiac arrest, the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary embolism, an intervention to prevent medication errors after hospital discharge, and rehospitalization after acute MI.

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July 12th, 2012

FDA Issues Class I Recall of Cardiovascular Diagnostic Tests

Kristin J. Kelley, CardioExchange Staff

The FDA announced on Wednesday a Class I recall of several lots of cardiovascular diagnostic tests aiding in the triage of heart failure, MI, and pulmonary embolism. According to the agency, the affected products do not provide the precision described in the package insert, which could lead to potentially fatal false-positive and false-negative test results. […]

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July 11th, 2012

Panel: How to Develop the Best Fellowship Application — Part II

Andrew M. Kates, MD, James De Lemos, MD and John Ryan, MD

In this two-part post, the moderators of the Fellowship Training blog advise residents on everything from what not to say in the personal statement to whether you need to know your future career path.

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