June 19th, 2012
Is Chronic Kidney Disease a CHD Risk Equivalent?
Larry Husten, PHD
A study published in the Lancet provides new data about whether chronic kidney disease (CKD) should, like diabetes, be considered a coronary heart disease (CHD) risk equivalent. Marcello Tonelli and colleagues analyzed data from a population of 1.25 million people in Alberta, Canada. During a median follow-up of 4 years, 11,340 people were admitted to the hospital […]
June 19th, 2012
New Uses Found for a Traditional Walking Test
Larry Husten, PHD
The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) can improve risk prediction in people with stable coronary disease, according to a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. The 6MWT may also be cost-effective and — and may help physicians motivate their patients to exercise, suggest the authors. Alexis Beatty and colleagues performed a 6MWT and a treadmill exercise […]
June 18th, 2012
The Grim Impact of Loneliness and Living Alone
Larry Husten, PHD
Two new reports published in the Archives of Internal Medicine throw a spotlight on the grim effects of loneliness and living alone on health. As part of the Health and Retirement Study, 1604 people were followed for 6 years after answering a questionnaire about loneliness. Some 43% reported feeling lonely. Loneliness was associated with significantly increased risks […]
June 12th, 2012
ACC Releases Appropriate Use Criteria for Noninvasive Peripheral Vascular Tests
Larry Husten, PHD
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has published appropriate use criteria (AUC) for peripheral vascular ultrasound and physiological testing. The criteria were developed in coordination with 10 other medical societies. “This is the first systematic and comprehensive evaluation looking at appropriate indications for vascular testing, such as ultrasound or functional testing,” said Emile Mohler III, the chair […]
June 11th, 2012
Basal Insulin and Omega-3 Fatty Acids Fail to Improve Outcomes in Diabetics and Prediabetics
Larry Husten, PHD
A large new study has found no evidence of cardiovascular (CV) benefits for either basal insulin or omega-3 fatty acids in a population of people with diabetes or at risk for diabetes. Results of the ORIGIN (Outcome Reduction with Initial Glargine Intervention) study were presented today at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association […]
June 9th, 2012
Transient Glucose Regulation Helps Prevent Progression to Diabetes in Prediabetics
Larry Husten, PHD
Prediabetics — people with impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance — can reduce their high risk for progressing to diabetes if they achieve even a transient return to normal glucose regulation, according to results of the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study (DPPOS), presented at the American Diabetes Association meeting and published simultaneously online in the Lancet. Leigh Perreault […]
June 7th, 2012
Growing Popularity of Dabigatran Leads to Increased Complications
Larry Husten, PHD
Since its approval in the United States in October 2010, dabigatran (Pradaxa) has been prescribed 3.2 million times to more than 600,000 patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF), according to its manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim. The company also announced that, based on the pivotal RE-LY trial, the “Clinical Studies” section of the drug’s prescribing information now includes the statement […]
June 6th, 2012
Real-World Bleeding Risk with Aspirin in Primary Prevention Examined
Larry Husten, PHD
A new study published in JAMA provides substantial new evidence about the real-world effects of aspirin, including the risk for bleeding, in a broad population. The study also sheds important new light on the effects of aspirin in a diabetic population. Giorgia De Berardis and colleagues analyzed data from more than 4 million people in Puglia, Italy […]
June 5th, 2012
Troponin T Test Helps Assess Mortality Risk Following Noncardiac Surgery
Larry Husten, PHD
A new study in JAMA finds that postoperative troponin T (TnT) tests can independently improve 30-day-mortality risk assessment among patients who have undergone noncardiac surgery. The VISION (Vascular Events in Noncardiac Surgery Patients Cohort Evaluation) study investigators evaluated the prognostic power of postoperative fourth-generation TnT testing in 15,133 patients. Overall mortality at 30 days was 1.9%. Some 11.6% of patients […]
June 5th, 2012
Subway Meals Get American Heart Association Endorsement
Larry Husten, PHD
The American Heart Association (AHA) announced yesterday that it had initiated a new program to help people choose healthy meals at restaurants. The Subway restaurant chain will be the first to display the Heart-Check Meal Certification logo next to certain selected meals. In a press release the AHA’s president, Gordon Tomaselli said the program would make “it easy […]
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