CardioExchange Archive

November 17th, 2010

Anacetrapib: “Knock-Your-Socks-Off Effect on HDL and a Jaw-Dropping Effect on LDL”

Larry Husten, PHD

Following the failure of torcetrapib in 2006, the future of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors appeared quite troubled. Now, with the results of  DEFINE (Determining the Efficacy and Tolerability of CETP Inhibition with Anacetrapib), presented at the AHA in Chicago and published online in the New England Journal of Medicine, the future for this novel […]

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November 15th, 2010

Let’s Bring CLOSURE to This Debate About PFO Treatment

Richard A. Lange, MD, MBA

In this blog, Rick Lange tells us how he would answer FAQs about PFO closure to prevent stroke. The controversy: Based on retrospective and nonrandomized studies, many physicians are convinced that percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure can reduce rates of cryptogenic stroke and transient ischemic attack. Although PFO closure devices are approved for stroke prevention in Europe […]

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November 10th, 2010

Alzheimer’s Disease and Cholesterol: A Tricky Relationship

Larry Husten, PHD

A recent study in Neurology found that cholesterol levels in mid-life were not linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease in older age. In fact, the study by Michelle Mielke and colleagues found that large drops in cholesterol levels in old age were a harbinger of Alzheimer’s. CardioExchange asked Cynthia Carlsson, Assistant Professor and Alzheimer’s researcher […]

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November 9th, 2010

Intensive Statin Therapy Examined in Meta-Analysis and SEARCH Trial

Larry Husten, PHD

A new meta-analysis and a large clinical trial shed new light on the additive effects of intensive statin therapy over standard therapy. The meta-analysis from the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists’ Collaboration and the results from SEARCH (Study of the Effectiveness of Additional Reductions in Cholesterol and Homocysteine) are published online in the Lancet. The meta-analysis examined individual […]

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November 5th, 2010

Meta-Analysis Turns Up Mixed Results for Vitamin E on Stroke Subtypes

Larry Husten, PHD

In a meta-analysis appearing in BMJ, vitamin E supplements had no effect on the overall rate of stroke but were associated with a small reduction in the risk of ischemic stroke and a slightly larger increase in the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Markus Schürks and colleagues analyzed data from 9 trials including 118,765 subjects. Although […]

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November 2nd, 2010

Is Dabigatran More Cost-Effective Than Warfarin in AF?

Amy Herman

Dabigatran, newly approved by the FDA to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), might turn out to be a cost-effective alternative to warfarin, according to an Annals of Internal Medicine study. Using data from the RE-LY trial, James Freeman and colleagues modeled the quality-adjusted survival and cost-effectiveness of dabigatran compared with high- or low-dose warfarin […]

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November 1st, 2010

ROCKET AF: Is Rivaroxaban Ready for Blast Off?

Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM

With the approval of dabigatran and now the preliminary and partial results of ROCKET AF, we’ll  need to be familiar with much more than just warfarin to address the anticoagulation needs of our patients. The early word on ROCKET AF, which will be presented at AHA, is that rivaroxaban is at least as effective as warfarin […]

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November 1st, 2010

Rivaroxaban Equals Warfarin in ROCKET AF

Larry Husten, PHD

Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) was as effective as warfarin in patients with AF in the ROCKET AF study, according to an announcement released by Bayer on Sunday ahead of the  trial’s scheduled presentation at the AHA on November 15. ROCKET AF randomized more than 14,000 patients with nonvalvular AF to either rivaroxaban or warfarin. The goal of the […]

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October 26th, 2010

Dabigatran to Cost $237 per Month at the Drugstore

Larry Husten, PHD

It looks like Pradaxa (dabigatran) will cost about $237 a month at the drugstore counter. A Boehringer Ingelheim representative says the wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) of the drug is set at $6.75 per day for 2 pills. The price will apply to both the 150-mg and the 75-mg capsules.  According to knowledgeable experts, the retail […]

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October 25th, 2010

Can Barbers Help Fight High Blood Pressure in Black Men?

Larry Husten, PHD

A very long time ago, barbers performed surgical procedures. Now, once again, barbers may have a role to play in the health care of their community. In the BARBER-1 trial, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, Ronald Victor and colleagues compared two hypertension monitoring and referral programs based in 17 black-owned barbershops in Texas. Following […]

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