Hypertension
Adding fuel to the J-curve fire; debate is reignited
2 COMMENTS - Nov 4, 2009 14:30 EST
More discussion about the J-curve in hypertension is published this week; one expert believes the undue attention being paid to this subject might discourage doctors from treating high blood pressure aggressively.

New York, NY and Leicester, UK - Hypertension doctors are once again clashing over the phenomenon of the J-curve, the concept that there is a "normal" blood pressure below which it is dangerous to lower it any further [1,2].

Among the latter camp are Drs Franz Messerli (St Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York) and Gurusher S Panjrath (Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD), who, in their new viewpoint in the November 10, 2009 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, note that "careful scrutiny of the available data seems to show a J-shaped relationship between diastolic BP and coronary heart disease in high-risk patients." There is no evidence of a similarly shaped curve with regard to other target organs, however, such as the brain and kidney, they note. Read full article »

Inside: Thrombosis Risk
Accredited educational programs, supported by industry, developed by theheart.org

More
More
Thrombosis Risk
North American Thrombosis Forum (NATF)
3 COMMENTS - Jan 12, 2009 02:02 EST
NATF's vision is to improve patient care, outcomes, and public health by utilizing a multidisciplinary approach to advance thrombosis research and education. NATF's legacy will be the improvement of patient care, outcomes, and public health by supporting thrombosis-related programs, such as novel research projects, innovative educational programs, public policy initiatives, regulatory issues and advocacy. NATF also seeks to broaden training opportunities for physicians, scientists, and other health professionals.
 
Acute Coronary Syndromes
Latest European and US STEMI guidelines compared and contrasted
Nov 6, 2009 17:15 EST
The latest recommendations for the treatment of ST-elevation MI issued by American cardiology associations and the European Society of Cardiology are compared and contrasted in a new paper.
Interventional/Surgery
VELETI in print: Plaque sealing of SVGs a strategy "ahead of its time"?
Nov 4, 2009 15:30 EST
The imaging study was the first to show that stenting a non-flow-limiting stenosis of an SVG may help slow or halt the accelerated atherosclerosis that takes place in these vessels. An accompanying editorial cautions that the study does little more than "infer a trend toward anatomic benefit."
Interventional/Surgery
US updates advice on perioperative beta-blocker use in noncardiac surgery
5 COMMENTS - Nov 3, 2009 14:30 EST
A US update on the perioperative use of beta blockers for noncardiac surgery is, says the lead author, "similar" to recent European guidance on this issue.
Hypertension
Combined home/GP hypertension control program successful in Pakistan
3 COMMENTS - Nov 2, 2009 17:00 EST
A synergistic approach of educating general practitioners about hypertension control together with a program to send lay workers into people's homes to educate them about the management of high blood pressure has proven successful in low- to middle-income households in Pakistan.
Imaging
Imaging study shows plaque regression with niacin vs placebo
15 COMMENTS - Oct 30, 2009 16:00 EDT
Just weeks before ARBITER-HALTS 6 results come out at AHA 2009, an MRI study suggests that niacin is better than placebo in statin-treated patients with low HDL, at least for reducing carotid wall area. Experts say they'd also like to see insights into niacin effects on lipid-rich plaque volumes—the more commonly seen end point with MRI.
heartbriefs
Distribution of body fat important in VTE
Oct 26, 2009 16:00 EDT
The distribution of body fat, as well as the amount, is important when it comes to the risk of venous thromboembolism, Danish researchers have discovered.
Clinical cardiology
Cardiovascular disease increases risk of hip fracture
Oct 20, 2009 16:00 EDT
Swedish researchers have confirmed a link between stroke and subsequent hip fracture in older people and identified for the first time that a diagnosis of heart failure also increases the risk for this fracture. They also identify a large genetic component to this association, via their use of a twin registry.
Clinical cardiology
ACE inhibitors of benefit in ischemic heart disease patients with preserved LV function
8 COMMENTS - Oct 19, 2009 17:00 EDT
Patients with ischemic heart disease and preserved LV function on standard therapy will gain additional benefit from taking ACE inhibitors, a new review concludes. The same cannot be said for ARBs, a drug class for which the evidence is much weaker, but these are a good substitute in those who cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors, the authors say.
Thrombosis Risk
TYCOON: One year of dual-antiplatelet therapy with DES isn't enough
3 COMMENTS - Oct 19, 2009 12:45 EDT
New results from an Italian registry reopen the question of how long drug-eluting stent recipients should stay on a dual antiplatelet regimen to prevent late thrombosis.
Heart failure
Transfusion in acute HF: No extra mortality risk
Oct 19, 2009 11:00 EDT
Blood transfusions for anemia in acute decompensated heart failure don't exacerbate outcomes, as may happen in some ACS cases, suggests a one-year experience of hospitals in Israel. On the contrary . . . 
Imaging
Zero CAC score not 100% reassuring in those presenting to ER with chest pain
14 COMMENTS - Oct 16, 2009 12:45 EDT
In those presenting to the ER with chest pain, a prior zero calcium score cannot completely rule out a coronary obstruction, a new analysis of the MESA study has shown. This is likely due to the presence of soft plaques not detected by calcium screening, the researchers say.
View all »
Editorial Programs
Editorial series
Life and times of leading cardiologists with Rob Califf. Guest: Bob Harrington
Nov 6, 2009 09:50 EST
Raised in a blue-collar neighborhood of Somerville, MA, Dr Bob Harrington was blessed to have a strong family and the Jesuits on his side as he traveled from "Yankee" Boston to Duke University. Join him as he tells his story to Dr Rob Califf.
Editorial series
Clinical research: Comparing regulatory pathways in US and UK
Oct 30, 2009 12:35 EDT
How do regulatory pathways differ in the US and UK? Drs Harrington, Bhatt, and Cleland share their experiences and offer insight on how to support innovative research.
Editorial series
Life and times of leading cardiologists with Rob Califf. Guest: Peter Sleight
2 COMMENTS - Oct 13, 2009 10:15 EDT
With the ISIS-1 trial, Dr Peter Sleight and his team at Oxford changed the approach to cardiovascular research. Join Dr Robert Califf as he talks to Dr Sleight about his journey from London to San Francisco to Oxford and finally to Italy, where he discovered the music of the heart.
button
Previews
View all CME programs >>
Poll
Would you feel comfortable stopping clopidogrel for 5-10 days if a patient with a DES required surgery?
See: Shelley Wood. Five-to-10 day cessation of thienopyridine likely safe for surgery if aspirin maintained, post-DES.
Yes
No

Vote
View all »
Info from Industry