Lipid/Metabolic
New meta-analysis: Statins of benefit in primary prevention
9 COMMENTS - Jun 30, 2009 19:01 EDT
A new meta-analysis including some of the more contemporary statin trials has found that the agents significantly improve survival and reduce coronary and cardiovascular end points in primary-prevention populations, a benefit that extends to all subgroups. But the exact cost/benefit equation for each group remains to be determined.

Rotterdam, the Netherlands - Use of statins is associated with significantly improved survival and large reductions in the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients who have risk factors but who do not have established cardiovascular disease, according to a new meta-analysis of major statin trials published online June 30 in BMJ [1].

It shows that the relative risk reduction from long-term statin use in a primary-care setting is comparable to that observed in secondary prevention and confirms the results of the JUPITER study regarding the beneficial effects of statins across a range of patient groups, say the researchers.Read full article »

Inside: Clinical cardiology
Accredited educational programs, supported by industry, developed by theheart.org

More
More
Clinical cardiology
Safety of Implantable Defibrillators: Lead Fractures
Apr 17, 2009 11:41 EDT
Recent data among heart patients have suggested that approximately 2.3% of patients with a defected implant lead attached to their defibrillator will experience lead fracture within 30 months of having the device implanted. What are your thoughts and is this happening in your clinical practice?
More
 
Clinical cardiology
ACC aghast at proposed cuts to cardiology payments in Medicare physician fee schedule for 2010
2 COMMENTS - Jul 3, 2009 14:00 EDT
The CMS announced its planned 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule this week, which includes proposals that could result in cuts ranging from 10% to more than 40% in Medicare payments for various cardiology services, says the ACC.
heartbriefs
Warnings for smoking-cessation drugs varenicline, bupropion
Jul 2, 2009 12:45 EDT
Smoking-cessation drugs varenicline and bupropion must carry a boxed warning in their labeling stating that use of the drugs has been associated with serious mental-health events, the US FDA has announced.
heartbriefs
ARMYDA-RECAPTURE published: Statin reload before PCI
Jul 2, 2009 11:30 EDT
The rate of major adverse cardiac events was significantly lower among patients "reloaded" with atorvastatin 80 mg 12 hours prior to PCI and 40 mg just before the procedure than in those who did not receive the additional statin boost.
Clinical cardiology
Progenitor cells identified from human fetal hearts
Jul 1, 2009 13:00 EDT
Human cardiovascular progenitor cells isolated from human fetal hearts can give rise to striated- and smooth-muscle cells as well as endothelial cells, researchers report.
Clinical cardiology
CRP, other biomarkers, not clinically useful to predict CVD risk
4 COMMENTS - Jun 30, 2009 16:00 EDT
Screening for contemporary biomarkers, such as CRP, will not add much to conventional cardiovascular risk factors in terms of helping to predict future events in the primary-prevention setting, say the authors of a new study.
Clinical cardiology
Cardiac rhythms synchronize with music
Jun 30, 2009 14:45 EDT
Music, particularly pieces that contain crescendos or gradual increases in volume, elicits synchronized cardiovascular and respiratory responses in young people, a new study finds.
Clinical cardiology
Anxiety, depression, linked to angina frequency
Jun 30, 2009 10:45 EDT
New research shows that ischemic heart disease patients who suffer significant anxiety have close to a fivefold increased risk of experiencing frequent angina and those with depression have more than a threefold increased risk for these episodes.
Hypertension
Wolves in sheep's clothing: Don't ignore white-coat and masked hypertension
1 COMMENT - Jun 29, 2009 16:00 EDT
White-coat hypertension and masked hypertension should not be regarded as benign, say the authors of a new 10-year study. The risk of developing sustained hypertension is higher in people with the above two conditions than in those who have normal blood pressure, they found.
Clinical cardiology
CVD risks of HIV infection underestimated
Jun 26, 2009 12:00 EDT
HIV infection per se is an independent risk factor for preclinical atherosclerosis, with the magnitude of the effect being similar to that of known risk factors, such as smoking and diabetes, a new study has shown.
Acute Coronary Syndromes
TRANSFER AMI published: Finding the optimal window for PCI postlysis
Jun 25, 2009 13:45 EDT
Experts suggest that early PCI is beneficial in STEMI patients already treated with fibrinolysis, as long as it is performed at least two hours after the lytic is given.
heartbriefs
Intensive LDL lowering improves carotid plaque stability
3 COMMENTS - Jun 24, 2009 16:30 EDT
Investigators report that echogenicity, an ultrasound-based measure of plaque stability, was significantly improved among patients treated to very low LDL-cholesterol levels.
Educational partnerships
Clinical cardiology
What happened at AHA 2008?: The Perspective from DUKE Heart Center and DUKE Clinical Research Institute
1 COMMENT - Dec 2, 2008 08:22 EST
Join Drs Harrington, Newby and Peterson as they discuss what they found interesting at the AHA 2008 Annual Meeting in New Orleans.
Clinical cardiology
What Happened at AHA 2008?: The Cleveland Clinic Perspective
Nov 27, 2008 10:17 EST
Join Drs Nissen, Griffin, Galla, and Gorodeski as they give The Cleveland Clinic's perspective of what happened at the AHA 2008 Annual Meeting.
The Heart of a Woman
Drs. Hayes and Foody and a committee of experts address the gaps and correct the misconception that CVD is more common in men than women.
  • Primary and Secondary Prevention of CVD and Stroke in Women
    Primary Prevention in Women: The Role of Lipids
    Jul 2, 2009 00:00 EDT
    The role of lipids in women for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease is a challenging issue for all providers. Join Drs. Foody, Mora, and Welty as they discuss limitations to current risk stratification models, recent clinical trial data, and the changing paradigm in the management of lipids in women.
  • Foundational programs
    Battle of the Sexes: Disparities in the Care of Men & Women With CVD
    1 COMMENT - May 29, 2009 00:00 EDT
    Despite increased awareness of CVD in women, contemporary studies demonstrate gender differences in outcomes. Differences in age and comorbidities account for some, but not all of these disparities. Join Dr. Foody as she discusses these issues with Drs. Mieres and Redberg.
View all programs »
View all »
Editorial Programs
Editorial series
Understanding SYNTAX
Jun 29, 2009 11:00 EDT
Dr Robert Harrington talks to Drs Sanjay Kaul and Harlan Kurmholz about the SYNTAX trial in light of the recent quality-of-life and cost analysis.
Editorial series
Getting to the bottom of BARI 2D
Jun 25, 2009 00:03 EDT
Join Drs Valentin Fuster, William E Boden, and George D Dangas as they discuss the results, plus the evolution of therapy over the last forty years, the mechanisms of coronary artery disease progression in diabetic patients, and what is perhaps one of the most fundamental problems in the field: that patients today are still not treated to target with best medical therapy.
Editorial series
After TIPS: What's next for the polypill?
Jun 15, 2009 09:30 EDT
Join Drs Salim Yusuf and Sanjay Kaul for an in-depth discussion on the promise and prospects of the polypill moderated by heartwire's Lisa Nainggolan.
button
Previews
View all CME programs >>
View all »
Info from Industry
Promotional educational programs

Resource center
CLINICAL CARDIOLOGY
A venue for information, slides, articles, tools, and support material for physicians and healthcare providers.
Poll
Would you advocate a “polypill” approach for primary CVD prevention?
See: Very low LDL and normal BP result in slowest progression of atherosclerosis
No
Yes

Vote