Lipid/Metabolic

Clinical cardiology

Generic drugs in CVD: Just as effective as brand-name pills

5 COMMENTS - Dec 2, 2008 16:00 EST

Twenty years of research show that generic CVD drugs across nine classes are just as good as brand-name agents, yet editorials often boost superiority of brand-name agents. (Kesselheim AS et al. JAMA 2008; 300:2514-2526.)

Lipid/Metabolic

New research reveals how binge drinking could drive atherosclerosis

Dec 2, 2008 13:30 EST

It's not just the amount of alcohol is drunk, but the way that it is drunk that is important when it comes to cardiovascular health. New research suggests a precise mechanism by which binge drinking might contribute to atherosclerosis. (Redmond EM et al. Atherosclerosis; published online before print October 18, 2008.)

Hypertension

Off-target toxicity of torcetrapib explained, but questions about future of CETP inhibition linger

Nov 27, 2008 17:00 EST

Two new studies published online this week help shed light on the off-target toxicity of the CETP inhibitor torcetrapib, but the studies conflict regarding the atheroprotective functionality of the HDL cholesterol resulting with the drug. (Vergeer M et al. Nicholls SJ et al. Circulation; published online before print November 25, 2008.)

Lipid/Metabolic

Diabetics with poor glycemic control and 9p21 variant at high risk of CAD

Nov 25, 2008 17:00 EST

New research has found that type 2 diabetics who carry two copies of the variant 9p21 allele are at higher risk of coronary artery disease and that this risk is amplified if they also have poor glycemic control. The findings may have prognostic implications for such patients, say the researchers. (Doria A et al. JAMA 2008; 300:2389-2397.)

Heart failure

Older patients face higher mortality, CHF hospitalizations with rosiglitazone over pioglitazone

14 COMMENTS - Nov 24, 2008 18:00 EST

A retrospective analysis of Medicare beneficiaries found all-cause mortality to be increased by 15% in patients taking rosiglitazone, while congestive heart failure hospitalizations were 13% higher. Stroke and MI, however, were no different between the treatment groups. (Winkelmayer WC et al. Arch Intern Med 2008; 168:2368-2375.)

Dr JC Tardif

Acute Coronary Syndrome

New anti-inflammatory compound promising in ACS

1 COMMENT - Nov 24, 2008 13:30 EST

UPDATED WITH COMMENTARY // A new anti-inflammatory compound, VIA-2291, has shown promise in a phase 2 trial in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The results provide sufficient basis to move forward with additional studies of the drug, says the lead investigator, but another expert disagrees. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Clinical cardiology

Music, like laughter, benefits heart health

1 COMMENT - Nov 14, 2008 09:15 EST

Listening to enjoyable music may be good for cardiovascular health in the same way that laughter is beneficial, new research suggests. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Dr Richard W Nesto

Lipid/Metabolic

APPROACH: Rosiglitazone doesn't affect atherosclerosis progression in diabetics with CV disease

19 COMMENTS - Nov 13, 2008 15:00 EST

The thiazolidinedione, given for 18 months, didn't appear to reverse or slow disease progression compared with the same duration of treatment with a sulfonylurea, according to the IVUS-based study. Investigators point to hints that that rosiglitazone may have slowed atherosclerosis in such patients with longer-established diabetes. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Prevention

FIT HEART: Novel family-based intervention a good idea, but better methods needed

Nov 12, 2008 15:00 EST

A new study in which the family members of patients hospitalized for cardiovascular disease were given CVD risk screening and lifestyle advice has shown that it is useful to take advantage of such "motivational moments." But the results could be improved upon, illustrating that it is difficult to change behavior in the "toxic environment" of the US, said the discussant. She stressed that better interventions—such as adopting the Mediterranean diet—are urgently needed. (Mosca L et al. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes; published online before print November 12, 2008. American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Lipid/Metabolic

Higher nonfasting triglycerides associated with increased ischemic stroke risk

1 COMMENT - Nov 12, 2008 09:00 EST

A new observational study finds an association between higher levels of nonfasting triglycerides and increasing risk for ischemic stroke. (Freiberg JJ et al. JAMA 2008; 300:2142-2152. American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Hypertension

Hibiscus tea reduces blood pressure

7 COMMENTS - Nov 11, 2008 13:30 EST

Results of a small randomized trial show that hibiscus tea given three times daily reduced systolic blood pressure by about 7 mm Hg in prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive subjects. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Interventional/Surgery

Revascularization, MI, and mortality benefits at three years in diabetic patients treated with drug-eluting stents

2 COMMENTS - Nov 10, 2008 15:45 EST

The results highlight the preserved efficacy of drug-eluting stents observed in other randomized trials and also point to no increased safety concerns in long-term follow-up. Investigators say drug-eluting stents should be favored over bare-metal stents on a patient-by-patient basis, with their ability to take dual antiplatelet therapy the primary caveat. (Garg P et al. Circulation; published online before print November 10, 2008. American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Lipid/Metabolic

JPAD: No effect of aspirin primary-CV-event prevention in diabetics

11 COMMENTS - Nov 9, 2008 21:30 EST

Low-dose aspirin didn't cut the risk of cardiovascular events but may have reduced CV mortality, a secondary end point, in the randomized but open-label trial conducted in Japan; clinical events were unexpectedly few, compromising the study's statistical power. (Ogawa H et al. JAMA 2008; 300:2180-2181. American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Lipid/Metabolic

SEARCH me: Null trial "morphed" into positive meta-analysis

Nov 9, 2008 20:30 EST

The SEARCH trial showed no effect on major vascular events with either an intensive 80-mg dose of simvastatin compared with a 20-mg dose or with homocysteine lowering using folic acid and vitamin B₁₂. But the statin data fit with other trials in the field, showing a "clear picture" emerging when it comes to the more-vs-less data on statins, say the UK investigators. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Clinical cardiology

JUPITER casts a large shadow: Moving from efficacy data to the big picture

35 COMMENTS - Nov 9, 2008 19:30 EST

Some back-of-the-envelope analyses suggest that the public-health implications of using statins in primary prevention, especially among individuals considered "healthy" by conventional definitions, is weighing heavily on the minds of some cardiologists. heartwire spoke with many experts to get their take on the new JUPITER data. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Clinical cardiology

JUPITER hits New Orleans: Landmark study shows statins benefit healthy individuals with high CRP levels

72 COMMENTS - Nov 9, 2008 09:00 EST

There are a number of adjectives being thrown at the JUPITER study—groundbreaking and paradigm shifting are just two—but many experts believe the study, which showed significant cardiovascular risk reduction among healthy individuals with elevated CRP levels, is likely going to shake up the field of primary prevention. (Ridker PM et al. New Engl J Med; published online before print November 9, 2008. American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Prevention

Eliminating inequalities in CHD: Focus on classic risk factors

Nov 6, 2008 18:30 EST

Focusing on the classic risk factors for coronary heart disease and ensuring that best-practice interventions to reduce absolute risk are implemented across the board could largely eliminate socioeconomic differences in CHD deaths, a new British study predicts (Kivimäki M et al. Lancet 2008; 372:1648-1654.)

Clinical cardiology

Sanofi-Aventis scraps ongoing rimonabant research

Nov 5, 2008 17:30 EST

The company announced its decision after regulatory agencies asked for a discontinuation of the company's clinical trials.

Lipid/Metabolic

Mixed findings cast doubt on HRT timing hypothesis

1 COMMENT - Nov 5, 2008 12:45 EST

A new study has shown mixed results with regard to the effects of hormone-replacement therapy on lipids in women around the time of menopause and also shows that HRT unfavorably affects inflammatory markers. The results muddy the waters somewhat for the so-called "time window" for the use of HRT, say the researchers. (Sowers MR et al. Arch Int Med 2008; 168:2146-2153.)

Lipid/Metabolic

Eyes trained on JUPITER: Cardiologists seek details to understand how statin use may expand

7 COMMENTS - Nov 4, 2008 16:45 EST

Full results from the JUPITER trial will be released during the opening late-breaking clinical-trials session at the American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.

Prevention

Doctors and lawyers butt heads over statins for primary prevention in women

9 COMMENTS - Nov 3, 2008 17:00 EST

The data do not support statin use in primary prevention of cardiovascular events for women, and any advertising claims made by drugmakers are vulnerable to legal action, according to one legal expert. Cardiologists, however, argue that the absence of information doesn't mean the drugs don't work in women, and they continue to prescribe them. (Eisenberg T et al. J Empir Leg Stud 2008; 5:507-550.)

Lipid/Metabolic

Genetic study undermines case for CRP as cause of vascular disease

Oct 29, 2008 17:00 EDT

Genetically elevated CRP levels were associated with but probably didn't influence cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk in a huge combined analysis of four Danish cohort studies, researchers say. (Zacho J et al. N Engl J Med 2008; 359:1897-1908.)

Lipid/Metabolic

Metformin top oral antidiabetic for CV-risk reduction, says meta-analysis

Oct 27, 2008 16:00 EDT

Of all such agents used in 40 select clinical trials, only metformin significantly reduced cardiovascular mortality. An accompanying editorial highlights limitations of meta-analyses and the shortfalls in knowledge about the CV effects of these agents. (Selvin E et al. Arch Intern Med 2008; 168:2070-2080.)

Lipid/Metabolic

Statin use reduces mortality after hospitalization for pneumonia

9 COMMENTS - Oct 27, 2008 16:00 EDT

The decreased mortality rates among those pretreated with statin therapy became evident during the first weeks of hospitalization for pneumonia and persisted to at least 90 days, report investigators. (Thomsen R et al. Arch Intern Med 2008; 168:2081-2087.)

Brain/Kidney/Peripheral

Promising percutaneous CoreValve data from Europe leave US trialists itching for green light from the FDA

Oct 24, 2008 18:00 EDT

New data from 18 European countries on the fully percutaneous aortic valve speak to low 30-day mortality and improved valve function sustained over the longer term. So why the holdup in the US, where nary a feasibility study has been conducted? (TCT 2008.)

	All patients
	Statin-naïve patients
	Those with normal lipids & 1 other risk factor
	Intermediate risk patients