CardioExchange Archive

August 21st, 2014

The Niacin Controversy: What Do You Say to Your Patient?

Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM

In this scenario based on the HPS2-THRIVE study, Harlan Krumholz asks, “What do you say to your patient?”

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July 28th, 2014

Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: July 28th

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include a comparison of catheter-directed thrombolysis plus anticoagulation and anticoagulation alone to treat DVT, several papers on dabigatran and bleeding risk, and more.

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July 16th, 2014

HPS2-THRIVE: The Final Chapter in the Niacin Story?

Nicholas Downing, MD and Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM

Findings from HPS2-THRIVE raise uncomfortable questions for physicians.

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March 9th, 2013

HPS2-THRIVE: A ‘Disappointing But Clear’ Result

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. The results of HPS2-THRIVE were “disappointing but clear,”  said Jane Armitage, who presented the results this morning at the ACC […]

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February 27th, 2013

HPS2-THRIVE Coming Attraction: What Went Wrong with Niacin?

Larry Husten, PHD

In less than two weeks, on March 9, the main results of the HPS2-THRIVE (Heart Protection Study 2-Treatment of HDL to Reduce the Incidence of Vascular Events) study will be presented in San Francisco at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology. The results have been eagerly awaited since Merck’s brief announcement in December that the trial had not met its primary endpoint and that it […]

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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 […]

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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.

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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 […]

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January 9th, 2013

Niacin Therapy in the Crossfire

William Edward Boden, MD and Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM

William E. Boden, lead investigator of the AIM-HIGH trial, and CardioExchange’s Harlan M. Krumholz debate the current state of research on niacin therapy.

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January 4th, 2013

Why Has Niacin Therapy Failed to THRIVE?

William Edward Boden, MD and John Ryan, MD

In the wake of HPS2-THRIVE, John Ryan asks William E. Boden, lead investigator of the AIM-HIGH trial, for his perspective on niacin and other HDL-modifying therapies.

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