CardioExchange Archive

March 14th, 2015

FDA Approves Watchman Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for AF

Larry Husten, PHD

The FDA has approved Boston Scientific’s long-delayed Watchman Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device. According to the company, the Watchman is indicated as an alternative to long-term warfarin therapy for the reduction of thromboembolism from the left atrial appendage in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation at increased risk for stroke and systemic embolism. Although an alternative to warfarin, […]

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November 24th, 2014

Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: November 24th

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include the PROTECT-AF trial, the association of inpatient vs. outpatient onset of STEMI with treatment and clinical outcomes, and more.

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October 7th, 2014

Another Reason for Open Access to Clinical Trial Data?

Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM

A correction to the RE-LY trial results, partly brought to light because of litigation, has Harlan Krumholz wondering if this is another example of why we should have open access to clinical trial data.

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July 23rd, 2014

More Questions Raised About Dabigatran

Larry Husten, PHD

Once again, dabigatran (Pradaxa) has raised the wrath of the critics. Several articles (see here, here, and here) and an editorial published today in The BMJ raise more questions and concerns about the drug, which is the first of the new oral anticoagulants. Relying on new evidence along with previously disclosed data, Deborah Cohen, the investigations editor for The […]

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March 24th, 2014

Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: March 24th

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include non-leg venous thrombosis in critically ill adults, a comparison of factor Xa inhibitors and warfarin for preventing stroke and thromboembolism in atrial fibrillation, and more.

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March 17th, 2014

Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: March 17th

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include a comparison of the safety and efficacy of the new oral anticoagulants with warfarin in patients with AF, a study on mortality from ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms, and more.

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March 10th, 2014

Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: March 10th

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include cognitive function and brain structure in type 2 diabetics after intensive lowering of BP and lipid levels, the association of β-blocker therapy with risks of adverse CV events and deaths in those with ischemic heart disease undergoing noncardiac surgery, and more.

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March 4th, 2014

AF Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Also Benefit from Warfarin

Larry Husten, PHD

Anticoagulation is a cornerstone of therapy for atrial fibrillation because it lowers the heightened risk for stroke in this population. People with chronic kidney disease are also at increased risk for stroke, but the benefits of anticoagulation are less clear in this group, and anticoagulation is used less often in AF patients who have CKD. […]

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December 19th, 2013

Early Doses of Warfarin Paradoxically Associated with Higher Stroke Risk

Patients with atrial fibrillation seem to be at increased risk for ischemic stroke when starting warfarin prophylaxis, according to a case-control study in the European Heart Journal. The study was undertaken after trials of both apixaban and rivaroxaban noted increased stroke risks among patients transitioning to open-label warfarin. This study was funded by the makers of apixaban. […]

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December 16th, 2013

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

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include several trials of genotyping to guide starting doses of vitamin K antagonists, statins for primary prevention of CVD, and more.

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