Prevention

Arrhythmia/EP

Female heavy drinkers have increased risk of AF

Dec 2, 2008 16:00 EST

Beware that extra glass of wine—women consuming more than two alcoholic drinks per day are at increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation compared with their nondrinking counterparts, a new US study has found. (Conen D et al. JAMA 2008; 300:2489-2496.)

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.)

Prevention

Rapid-response teams may not reduce hospital codes or mortality rate

1 COMMENT - Dec 2, 2008 16:00 EST

Specialized teams trained to recognize and respond to early signs of cardiopulmonary arrest, thereby preventing "code blues" before they happen, are popping up at hospitals around the US, but a new study suggests there may be no evidence to support their use. (Chan PS et al. JAMA 2008; 300:2506-2513.)

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.)

MediaPulse

New York Times looks back at minimal impact of massive ALLHAT trial

10 COMMENTS - Nov 28, 2008 15:30 EST

Six years after the 44 000-patient trial was reported, use of generic diuretics never reached the levels that investigators expected. Reasons include patents ending, new drugs emerging, and the advent of combination pills, but also the millions of dollars spent by companies making brand-name antihypertensives.

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.)

Clinical cardiology

CORE 64 published as debate over trial progress, technology proliferation continues

1 COMMENT - Nov 26, 2008 17:00 EST

Investigators say CORE 64 shows that CT angiography can accurately identify the presence and severity of obstructive CAD in symptomatic patients but that it is not yet at the point where it can replace invasive coronary angiography. Others focus on the widespread use of CT tests, despite no randomized clinical-trial data supporting its use. (Miller JM et al. Redberg R and Walsh J. N Engl J Med 2008; 359:2324-2336, 2309-2310.)

Clinical cardiology

Lack of exercise, other bad behaviors explain link between depression and CVD, study suggests

Nov 25, 2008 16:00 EST

Physical inactivity, smoking, and poor adherence to medication probably explain why people with depression are at higher risk of CV events, and not "fancy physiological mediators," investigators for the Heart and Soul Study say. (Whooley MA et al. JAMA 2008; 300:2379-2388.)

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.)

Heart failure

An emerging picture of heart failure in Africa

Nov 24, 2008 16:00 EST

One of the largest and most comprehensive studies of heart failure to date in Africa has shown that the disease is a big problem and that although the traditional causes of HF—which differ from those seen in Western nations—still predominate, there are signs that the range of etiologies is broadening (Stewart S et al. Circulation 2008; published online before print November 24, 2008.)

Clinical cardiology

Change in heart rate over time predicts mortality

Nov 21, 2008 13:00 EST

The first study to ever assess the prognostic value of a change in heart rate over a number of years has found that increasing HR over time can increase mortality, by around 20%. Conversely, a decline in HR was accompanied by reduced rate of death over the five-year study period. (Jouven et al. Am J Cardiol; published online before print November 7, 2008.)

Prevention

Cardiovascular effects of air pollution, even in the comfort of home

Nov 14, 2008 16:45 EST

Researchers who fitted study subjects with "air-pollution vests" to continuously monitor exposure to both indoor and outdoor air pollutants say that people are probably exposed to much higher levels of pollutants than community monitoring stations typically indicate and that this exposure affects both endothelial function and systolic blood pressure. (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.)

Interventional/Surgery

New meta-analysis of beta blockers in noncardiac surgery: Time to abandon their use, or not?

3 COMMENTS - Nov 12, 2008 14:00 EST

The use of beta blockers perioperatively to prevent cardiovascular events in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery is not justified by current evidence, according to the authors of a new meta-analysis. An update to the guidelines on this issue is under way, says one member of the writing committee, who incidentally does not agree with this overall conclusion. (Bangalore S et al. Lancet; published online before print November 12, 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

No benefit of vitamin C or E for prevention of major cardiovascular events: Physicians' Health Study II

8 COMMENTS - Nov 9, 2008 17:45 EST

Randomized results from the Physicians' Health Study II found no effect of either supplement on a composite of nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death after eight years of treatment. (Sesso HD et al. JAMA 2008; 300:2123-2133. American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Brain/Kidney/Peripheral

Flu shot linked to reduced risk of VTE

Nov 9, 2008 17:45 EST

The link between influenza vaccination and reduced pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis was particularly marked in younger subjects, researchers say. (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.)

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.)

Clinical cardiology

Endothelial dysfunction seen in "minimally symptomatic" obstructive sleep apnea

5 COMMENTS - Oct 31, 2008 18:15 EDT

OSA not accompanied by daytime symptoms might still suggest increased cardiovascular risk, according to researchers. (Kohler M et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008; 178:984-988.)

	Yes, vitamin E
	Yes, vitamin C
	Yes, both
	Neither