May 2nd, 2014
A New Tool to Discuss Primary Prevention with a Statin with Patients: Life Expectancy Gain
Darrel P Francis, MD FRCP
Darrel Francis describes how you can use life expectancy gain as a way to communicate with patients the pros and cons of taking a statin.
April 30th, 2014
Thinking About Risk
John E Brush, MD
John E. Brush discusses new ways to help patients consider their cardiovascular risk.
April 28th, 2014
Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: April 28th
Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP
This week’s topics include BP targets during septic shock, reducing time-to-needle times in acute ischemic stroke, and an increase in fat and calorie consumption in U.S. statin users.
April 28th, 2014
Calorie, Fat Consumption Up Among Statin Users
Nicholas Downing, MD
Calorie and fat consumption increased significantly from 1999 to 2010 among statin users — but not among nonusers — according to a JAMA Internal Medicine study. The researchers conclude that “the importance of dietary composition may need to be reemphasized for statin users.” The researchers evaluated 24-hour dietary recall data from nearly 28,000 adults participating in […]
April 15th, 2014
Case: Assessment of Cardiac Risk and Need for Preventive Medications
Seth Shay Martin, MD and James Fang, MD
A 68-year-old white woman with a history of obesity and depression is seen for cardiac risk assessment. The quality of her diet varies greatly, and she admits to many dietary indiscretions. She has tried several different diets, including low-carbohydrate/high-fat diets. She does not use the treadmill or stationary bicycle in her house or routinely exercise […]
April 8th, 2014
Some Thoughts on E-Communication and the Future of Medicine
Ahmad M Slim, M.D.
Dr. Ahmad Slim discusses the rise of digital communication between physicians and patients.
March 30th, 2014
Stage Set for Phase IV Trials of PCSK9 Inhibition
Seth Shay Martin, MD
Seth Martin, a fellow blogging at ACC.14, discusses some exciting developments taking place at the conference.
March 19th, 2014
New Statin Guidelines Recommend Therapy for 12.8 Million More Adults Than The Prior Guideline
Larry Husten, PHD
Millions more people are now eligible for statin therapy under the new cholesterol guideline published last year, according to a new estimate published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Under the earlier guideline statins were indicated for primary and secondary prevention based largely on LDL cholesterol levels. The new guideline, announced last year, places much less […]
March 17th, 2014
Meta-Analysis Finds Few Side Effects Caused by Statins
Larry Husten, PHD
Although clinical trials have consistently demonstrated the benefits of statins, especially in secondary prevention, the perception that the drugs can cause serious side effects has prompted some patients to discontinue or not take the drugs. Now, in a paper published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, a new meta-analysis of existing trials offers some […]
March 3rd, 2014
A New Approach for the Statin-Intolerant Patient?
Andrew M. Kates, MD
Andy Kates wonders if a new type of individual patient trial can help to identify whether a patient’s myalgia is caused by statin use.
NEJM Journal Watch — Recent Cardiology Articles- Is Diltiazem Safe in Patients with AF Taking Apixaban or Rivaroxaban?
- Does Lowering High Childhood Lipid Levels Prevent Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Adulthood?
- Self-Expanding Supraannular Valve vs. Balloon-Expandable Valve in TAVR for Small Aortic Annulus
- A New TAVR Prosthesis for Aortic Regurgitation Shows Promise
- Aprocitentan, a Newly Approved Drug for Resistant Hypertension