CardioExchange Archive

July 23rd, 2012

Elevated Risk for Acute MI After Total-Hip or -Knee Replacement Surgery

Larry Husten, PHD

A large study reports a high increased risk for acute MI (AMI) in the first 6 weeks after total-hip replacement (THR) or total-knee replacement (TKR) surgery. Analyzing a nationwide cohort from Denmark that included 95,227 patients who underwent THR or TKR and matched controls, Arief Lalmohamed and colleagues calculated the adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for AMI. Their […]

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July 20th, 2012

The BMJ’s Amazing Shock and Awe Assault on Sport Drink Science

Yoni Freedhoff, MD

Yoni Freedhoff celebrates the BMJ’s publication of seven articles that are highly critical of sport and energy drinks, their manufacturers, and the researchers that are conflicted by them.

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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 or […]

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July 9th, 2012

AHA and ADA Cautiously Endorse Non-Nutritive Sweeteners

Larry Husten, PHD

In a newly released scientific statement, the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association offer a cautious endorsement of the use of non-nutritive sweeteners in the diet. But the statement notes that the products are not “magic bullets” and that there is no strong evidence demonstrating their beneficial effects. Sugar in the diet has been linked […]

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June 29th, 2012

Linagliptin and Glimepiride Compared in Type 2 Diabetes

Larry Husten, PHD

Sulfonylureas are often added to metformin to improve glycemic control, but at the known risk of increasing hypoglycemia and weight gain. In a report published in the Lancet, more than 1,500 patients with type 2 diabetes taking metformin were randomized to the addition of either linagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, or glimepiride, a sulfonylurea. After two years, the trial […]

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June 28th, 2012

What Reading That “Low-Carb Gives You Heart Disease” Paper Actually Told Me

Yoni Freedhoff, MD

A BMJ paper that concludes a low-carb diet can increase CV risk in women draws harsh words from Yoni Freedhoff.

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June 27th, 2012

FDA Approves a New Weight Loss Drug, Breaking a 13-Year Drought

Larry Husten, PHD

The FDA announced today that it has approved its first new weight loss drug in 13 years. Lorcaserin, which will be sold under the brand name of Belviq, is manufactured by Arena Pharmaceuticals and will be distributed in the U.S. by Eisai. Lorcaserin is indicated for use in obese adults (BMI 30 or above), or overweight […]

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June 25th, 2012

Are Statins Equally Effective in Women and in Men?

Larry Husten, PHD

Jose Gutierrez and colleagues performed a sex-based meta-analysis, seeking to determine if statins yield a similar protective effect on both men and women in preventing recurrent cardiovascular events. In a paper published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, they report the results of their meta-analysis of 11 secondary prevention, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials, which included 43, […]

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June 25th, 2012

What Constitutes a Professional Society’s Endorsement?

Harry Peled, md

Harry Peled directly questions the Heart Rhythm Society about its logo on a sudden cardiac arrest protocol that mentions wearable cardioverter-defibrillator vests.

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June 20th, 2012

Reality Check: The ORIGIN of Spin in a Randomized Trial

Steven Coca, DO, MS

When the facts from a randomized controlled trial don’t match the spin, what’s the takeaway for clinicians in the trenches?

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