CardioExchange Archive

May 19th, 2014

Lytics in STEMI: A New Analysis of Data from FAST-MI

Nicolas Danchin, MD, PhD and John Ryan, MD

French researchers analyze data from FAST-MI and conclude that a fibrinolysis-based strategy may be valid for some patients with STEMI.

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April 22nd, 2014

Large French Registry Lends Support To Pharmaco-Invasive Strategy For STEMI

Larry Husten, PHD

It is generally agreed that the best treatment for STEMI patients is immediate reperfusion with PCI. But for many patients primary PCI is not available within the time frame leading to the greatest benefit. Previous studies have found good short-term outcomes in patients who receive a pharmaco-invasive strategy, in which patients first receive fibrinolytic therapy and […]

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April 14th, 2014

Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: April 14th

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include TOPCAT, fibrinolysis for those with intermediate-risk PE, and more.

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May 7th, 2013

Burton Sobel, Towering Cardiologist, Dead at 75

Larry Husten, PHD

Burton Sobel, a towering scientist and cardiologist, died at home on May 3 at the age of 75. Sobel had been treated in the past for prostate cancer and had suffered a recurrence, but it is not known if this was the immediate cause of his death. Sobel was among the most powerful and influential cardiologists […]

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April 16th, 2013

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

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include fibrinolysis or primary PCI in STEMI, the effect of lower sodium intake on health, and the effect of increased potassium intake on CV risk factors and disease.

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March 14th, 2013

Fibrinolysis Now or Primary PCI Later?

Frans Van de Werf, MD,PhD, Richard A. Lange, MD, MBA and L. David Hillis, MD

CardioExchange’s Rick Lange and David Hillis ask Frans Van de Werf, principal investigator for the STREAM study, about his study group’s findings and their implications for clinical practice. THE STUDY In the STREAM trial, investigators compared two treatment strategies in STEMI patients presenting early after symptom onset who were unable to undergo primary PCI within 1 hour: […]

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March 10th, 2013

Fibrinolysis May Benefit Late-Arriving STEMI Patients

Larry Husten, PHD

For more of our ACC.13 coverage of late-breaking clinical trials, interviews with the authors of the most important research, and blogs from our fellows on the most interesting presentations at the meeting, check out our Coverage Headquarters. Although primary PCI has emerged as the best treatment for STEMI, most patients don’t receive this treatment within the […]

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November 30th, 2011

Thrombolysis Instead of Primary PCI

Sanjiv Shah, MD

The latest analysis of 2009 CMS data for 13,776 STEMI patients of door-in to door-out (DIDO) time by Herrin and colleagues does not bring encouraging news. After many years of hard work to reduce DIDO time for patients who present at facilities without primary PCI capability, only a small fraction of patients (<10%) are transferred […]

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November 28th, 2011

Long Transfer Delays for STEMI Patients at Most Hospitals Without Primary PCI

Larry Husten, PHD

Fewer than 10% of STEMI patients eligible for PCI who arrive at a hospital without PCI capability are transferred within the recommended times, according to a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Although dramatic improvements in door-to-balloon times have been achieved in recent years in PCI-capable hospitals, the new report suggests that […]

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