January 30th, 2013
Small Study Suggests Yoga May Benefit AF Patients
Larry Husten, PHD
A study published online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that yoga may benefit people who have atrial fibrillation. The study, which the authors describe as “a small, proof-of-concept study,” is the first of its kind. The findings raise the possibility that yoga may reduce AF symptoms and arrhythmia burden. Other physiological and […]
January 30th, 2013
How Insurance Status Affects Treatment for Patients with CAD
Kim G. Smolderen, PhD, Paul S. Chan, MD, MS and John Ryan, MD
Does a patient’s insurance status affect a physician’s decision to prescribe evidence-based therapies for CAD?
January 29th, 2013
FDA Approves Mipomersen for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Larry Husten, PHD
The FDA said today that it had granted approval to the novel cholesterol-lowering drug mipomersen sodium for use as an adjunct to diet and drug therapy in patients with homozygous hypercholesterolemia. The drug, which was developed by Isis Pharmaceuticals, will be marketed under the brand name of Kynamro by Genzyme. Kynamro was approved as an orphan drug, which the […]
January 29th, 2013
In REGARDS to Depression, MI, and Death in Patients with CHD
monikasafford393
Monika Safford discusses the behavioral mechanisms that most contribute to the association between depression and MI or death in those with CHD.
January 28th, 2013
Study Warns Against Dual Blockade of Renin-Angiotensin System in Heart Failure and Hypertension
Larry Husten, PHD
The enormous success of ACE inhibitors in hypertension and heart failure spurred hope that adding a second drug to block the renin-angiotensin system would yield improved outcomes. Although definitive evidence supporting dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin system has never been found, more than 200,000 patients in the U.S. currently receive this therapy. Now a large new meta-analysis […]
January 22nd, 2013
Trials of Niacin and AF Device Will Headline American College of Cardiology Program
Larry Husten, PHD
Two big trials will highlight this year’s American College of Cardiology (ACC) meeting in March in San Francisco. First is the PREVAIL trial testing Boston Scientific’s long-anticipated Watchman left atrial appendage closure device for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Second is the detailed presentation of the controversial failed HPS2-THRIVE trial of extended-release niacin and laropiprant. The […]
January 15th, 2013
Large Meta-Analysis Finds No Harm Associated with Eggs
Larry Husten, PHD
No food has had more ups and downs over the last century or so than the common egg. Following a long period in which eggs were ubiquitous and highly regarded, eggs fell from favor with the rise of concerns over cholesterol. Currently, the American Heart Association recommends that people restrict dietary cholesterol to 300 mg per day, which […]
January 15th, 2013
Is HDL Fool’s Gold?
Peter Paul Toth, MD, PhD
Peter P. Toth offers his perspective on recent trials of niacin, including HPS2-THRIVE and AIM-HIGH.
January 11th, 2013
Merck Starts to Suspend Worldwide Availability of Tredaptive
Larry Husten, PHD
In the wake of the negative HPS2-THRIVE study announced last month, Merck said today that it was beginning to suspend the worldwide availability of Tredaptive, its combination of extended-release niacin and laropiprant. Merck described its decision as being “aligned” with that of the European Medicines Agency’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC), which recommended on Thursday that drugs containing extended-release niacin and laropiprant should be suspended. The drug […]
January 10th, 2013
Acute Kidney Injury Associated With Dual Antihypertensive Therapy And NSAIDs
Larry Husten, PHD
NSAIDs seem to increase the risks for acute kidney injury when taken along with antihypertensive therapy consisting of a diuretic plus an ACE inhibitior or an ARB.