Prevention
India attempts to impose world's biggest smoking ban
1 COMMENT - Oct 3, 2008 11:30 EDT
The Indian government appears to have heeded the warnings of medical experts highlighting the immense problem of smoking in the country, with the introduction this week of a nationwide ban on smoking in public places.

New Delhi, India - India is attempting to impose the world's largest smoking ban, with a nationwide edict prohibiting smoking in all public places that came into effect yesterday, to commemorate Gandhi's birthday [1,2].

The initiative is supported by a massive public-awareness campaign, with pamphlets being given out and articles and advertisements in all major Indian newspapers [3]. For the first few days, smokers caught flouting the ban will be given a warning; thereafter they will be fined 200 rupees (approximately $5), more than the average person's daily wage. Read full article »

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Prevention
Preventing Microvascular Complications of Diabetes
Oct 10, 2008 10:10 EDT
Can we prevent the microvascular complications from developing and worsening in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes? Join Drs Sheldon Tobe, David Lau, and Bernard Zinman as they discuss new data from EASD 2008.
 
Brain/Kidney/Peripheral
NOMAS: Just a 2% overlap for PFO and migraine; St Jude shuts down ESCAPE trial
Oct 9, 2008 14:30 EDT
While both migraine and PFO occurred in roughly 15% of the NOMAS participants, the two were rarely found together. Experts agree: hopes are dimming that PFO closure may help migraineurs. Indeed, only one company is still testing this hypothesis in randomized trials. (Rundek T et al. Circulation 2008; 118:1419-1424.)
Clinical cardiology
CT angiography predicts mortality from coronary disease, EBT scans show
5 COMMENTS - Oct 8, 2008 17:15 EDT
The study, using EBT scans taken as long as 12 years ago, provides some of the first data suggesting that noninvasive angiography using CT can provide prognostic information. Similar outcome data for the newer CT scanners are likely many years away. (Ostrom M et al. J Am Coll Cardiol 2008; 52:1335-1343.)
Thrombosis Risk
Ultrasound-based strategies comparable for DVT diagnosis, treatment guidance
Oct 7, 2008 17:30 EDT
A randomized trial found that two ultrasound-based strategies were similarly effective at determining the need for anticoagulation in symptomatic patients with suspected deep-vein thrombosis; both have strengths and weaknesses. (Bernardi E et al. JAMA 2008; 300:1653-1659.)
Prevention
Societies confront GI risks of antiplatelets, NSAIDs in consensus document
1 COMMENT - Oct 7, 2008 10:00 EDT
It addresses a common clinical problem for which there is little clinical-trial-quality data for guidance and gives a starring role to proton-pump inhibitors in treating GI ulcers and bleeding and, in high-risk groups, in their prevention. (Bhatt DL et al. J Am Coll Cardiol; Circulation; published online before print October 3, 2008.)
Clinical cardiology
Pfizer to drop development of drugs for hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and heart failure
14 COMMENTS - Oct 2, 2008 17:00 EDT
UPDATED // Forbes reported the news online after obtaining an internal Pfizer memo.
Lipid/Metabolic
FDA finds no link between statin use and ALS
1 COMMENT - Oct 1, 2008 16:00 EDT
The meta-analysis, which included 41 clinical trials, revealed similar rates of ALS in the statin-treated and placebo-treated patients. The agency said further monitoring is still needed, however, because of the expansive use of the drugs and the dire consequences of this neurodegenerative disorder. (Colman E et al. Pharmacolepidemiol Drug Saf; published online September 29, 2008.)
Prevention
Eating dark chocolate reduces CRP
1 COMMENT - Sep 29, 2008 13:30 EDT
A new Italian study has shown, for the first time, that consuming moderate amounts of dark chocolate can significantly reduce CRP levels. (di Giuseppe R et al. J Nutr 2008; 138:1939-1945.)
Brain/Kidney/Peripheral
Inhaled anticholinergics for COPD raise CV-event risk in meta-analysis
7 COMMENTS - Sep 23, 2008 16:00 EDT
Chronic use of inhaled ipratropium or tiotropium bromide independently increased the risk of CV death by 80%; patients who took them for at least six months appeared the most vulnerable. A forthcoming randomized trial may provide more authoritative guidance on the issue. (Singh S et al. JAMA 2008; 300:1439-1450.)
Features
Live what you advocate: The exercise habits of busy cardiologists
8 COMMENTS - Sep 23, 2008 10:15 EDT
Sure, it's easy to throw the book at a patient, telling them to eat better and to get active, but are cardiologists practicing what they preach? And if they are, just what are they doing to stay in shape? heartwire has a look at the athletic lives of some cardiologists.
Brain/Kidney/Peripheral
Passive smoking ups risk of PAD by 50%
Sep 22, 2008 16:00 EDT
Chinese researchers have reported, for the first time, a link between exposure to passive smoke and peripheral arterial disease in a cohort of women who have never smoked. They call for urgent public-health measures to protect individuals from secondhand smoke. (He Y et al. Circulation: published online before print September 22, 2008.)
Acute Coronary Syndrome
Indian Asians with ACS present younger, have more aggressive disease
12 COMMENTS - Sep 19, 2008 13:30 EDT
A new prospective British study has found that Indian Asians with acute coronary syndrome presenting to a chest pain clinic were, on average, almost 10 years younger than white Europeans presenting for the same reason, and they also had a much higher incidence of triple-vessel disease. (European Society of Cardiology Congress 2008.)
Lipid/Metabolic
Sir Richard Peto responds to government questions about Vytorin cancer analysis
Sep 18, 2008 18:00 EDT
In addition to laying out the sequence of events that led to the analysis of available cancer data, Peto's tersely worded response to the committee makes clear he is paid by Oxford University and not by the pharmaceutical companies that fund his research.
Clinical cardiology
Early enzyme treatment best in Fabry's disease
Sep 17, 2008 09:45 EDT
A new study has found that in patients with Fabry's disease, the extent of myocardial fibrosis at baseline is crucial in determining how well they will respond to enzyme-replacement therapy. (European Society of Cardiology Congress 2008.)
Poll
Patients should take ezetemibe:

If they are statin intolerant
If on max. tolerated statin dose & >LDL-C goal
If on max recommended statin dose & >LDL-C goal
With statin if >LDL-C goal on >2 other statins

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