CardioExchange Archive

May 9th, 2013

Another Disappointing Study for Fish Oil Supplements

Larry Husten, PHD

Another large study has failed to find any benefits for fish oil supplements. The Italian Risk and Prevention Study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, enrolled 12,513 people who had not had a myocardial infarction but had evidence of atherosclerosis or had multiple cardiovascular risk factors. The patients were randomized to either a fish oil supplement […]

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November 5th, 2012

Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: November 5th

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include fish consumption, omega-3 fatty acids, and cerebrovascular disease; HRT and cardiovascular disease in recently menopausal women; and more.

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September 11th, 2012

Advertising That Falls Short — Part 1: Omega-3 Fatty-Acid Supplements

Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM

What is the role of a clinician in putting misleading ads in context for patients?

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July 27th, 2012

FDA Approves New Prescription Fish Oil Pill

Larry Husten, PHD

The FDA has approved a new prescription formulation of fish oils for treating very high triglyceride levels. The drug will be sold under the brand name Vascepa. According to Amarin, the manufacturer, it will be indicated as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride levels in adult patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia (>500 mg/dL). Vascepa contains ultra-purified ethyl EPA, an […]

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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 […]

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May 21st, 2012

Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: Week of May 21st

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include warfarin vs. aspirin for stroke prevention in HF, CVD risks and azithromycin, coffee’s benefits, the old news that statins work, the question of HDL-C, abdominal aortic aneurysm, omega-3 fatty acid supplements, and Abbott’s methods for staying ahead with fenofibrate prescriptions.

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April 9th, 2012

Meta-Analysis: No Secondary CV Prevention Benefits for Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements

Larry Husten, PHD

A new meta-analysis published in the Archives of Internal Medicine finds no evidence to support claims of a beneficial effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplements on secondary CV prevention. Sang Mi Kwak and colleagues in the Korean Meta-analysis Study Group analyzed data from more than 20,000 patients with a history of CV disease who were randomized in […]

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