heartwire
Dr JC Tardif
Acute Coronary Syndromes
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.)
Arrhythmia/EP
Remote ICD monitoring safely cuts clinic visits in large randomized trial
Nov 24, 2008 10:30 EST
There had previously been few prospective data to support the increasingly common strategy for following patients with the devices. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)
Heart failure
Gender-matched heart transplants lead to better survival
Nov 20, 2008 17:30 EST
Drawing on data from over 18 000 transplant recipients, researchers say their findings support a policy of matching donor hearts to recipients, "if all else is equal." (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)
Arrhythmia/EP
ATHENA secondary results: Dronedarone for AF may cut hospital admissions regardless of cause
1 COMMENT - Nov 19, 2008 10:45 EST
In the large randomized trial that compared the drug with placebo, even patients who never achieved sinus rhythm on the drug had a reduced risk of hospitalization. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)
Interventional/Surgery
OCT imaging suggests low rates of uncovered/malapposed struts following DES for AMI
Nov 18, 2008 11:30 EST
An OCT study conducted in a subset of HORIZONS-AMI patients suggests that exposed and malapposed stent struts in the setting of AMI are more common with drug-eluting stents than with bare-metal stents but still relatively rare. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)
Heart failure
Negative thinking predicts depression in heart-failure patients
Nov 17, 2008 18:00 EST
Negative thinking may play a major role in the development of depression in patients with heart failure, new research suggests. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)
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.)
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
24 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.)
Murmurs
heartwire journalist wins American Heart Association writing award
4 COMMENTS - Nov 13, 2008 14:00 EST
Arrhythmia/EP
THINRS: Home INR monitoring as effective as clinic-based care
4 COMMENTS - Nov 13, 2008 13:30 EST
A randomized comparison shows weekly home monitoring is safe but did not reduce stroke, major bleeds, or death vs monthly clinic INR testing, as had been suggested by previous studies. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)
Interventional/Surgery
Patients believe elective PCI prevents MI and saves lives, but who's to blame?
15 COMMENTS - Nov 12, 2008 16:15 EST
Two-thirds of patients surveyed after undergoing elective PCI for angina relief said they believed the procedure would save their lives; still more believed they'd avoid a future MI. Experts say patients may not be digesting information appropriately, but doctors are also at fault. Indeed, the majority of patients also said they were not offered any therapy other than PCI. (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.)
Heart failure
I-PRESERVE: Strike three for RAAS inhibition in preserved-LVEF heart failure
7 COMMENTS - Nov 12, 2008 10:45 EST
Four years of treatment with irbesartan, usually on top of other drugs that affect the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, didn't improve outcomes in patients with the common but poorly understood form of heart failure. The trial follows previous negative studies of an ACE inhibitor and a different angiotensin-receptor blocker, respectively, in similar populations. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)
Lipid/Metabolic
Higher nonfasting triglycerides associated with increased ischemic stroke risk
2 COMMENTS - 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.)
Heart failure
MR-proADM better prognostic tool than BNP, but not everybody convinced of biomarker's merit
Nov 11, 2008 16:15 EST
A novel biomarker of vascular status is a better predictor of mortality at three months than brain natriuretic peptide among acute heart-failure patients presenting at the emergency department with shortness of breath. One expert, however, said it doesn't matter if the high-risk patients are separated from very high-risk patients—they should all be receiving optimal medical therapy. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)
Heart failure
Interferon hope for chronic viral cardiomyopathy
4 COMMENTS - Nov 11, 2008 15:15 EST
A phase 2 trial has shown that interferon beta-1b—a drug currently used to treat multiple sclerosis—may be effective in chronic viral cardiomyopathy. But a phase 3 trial is needed for definitive proof of concept, say the study investigators and discussant. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)
Heart failure
HF-ACTION misses, but experts say results support intensive exercise in HF patients
5 COMMENTS - Nov 11, 2008 14:30 EST
Investigators failed to show a difference in the primary end point of all-cause mortality and all-cause hospitalizations, but a secondary analysis that took into account prognostic factors did show significant reductions in hard clinical events. One expert believes it should strengthen exercise guidelines. (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.)
Acute Coronary Syndromes
TIMACS: Early invasive management safe in non-ST-elevation ACS, improves outcomes in high-risk cases
Nov 11, 2008 09:00 EST
The findings appear to mandate early intervention in high-risk cases and to support the use of either an early or delayed strategy for patients considered at low to intermediate risk. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)
Thrombosis Risk
Tailoring clopidogrel loading on the basis of responsiveness testing reduces stent thrombosis
9 COMMENTS - Nov 10, 2008 16:30 EST
Investigators who adjusted clopidogrel dose on the basis of VASP index found they could reduce risk of stent thrombosis as well as MACE at 30 days. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)
Acute Coronary Syndromes
New factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban moves into phase 3 for ACS
Nov 10, 2008 14:15 EST
A phase 2 trial has demonstrated the feasibility of the novel oral factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban in patients with acute coronary syndromes already treated with aspirin and clopidogrel. A phase 3 study with the drug, beginning next month, will reveal whether the benefits outweigh the bleeding risks. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)
Arrhythmia/EP
Rock on: Keep iPod headphones away from pacemakers/ICDs to avoid interference
2 COMMENTS - Nov 10, 2008 12:30 EST
Investigators say that as long as patients keep their headphones on their ears and out of their breast pockets, there is no chance of causing damage to their devices that could have clinical repercussions. (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
73 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.)

Discussion and opinions
Blogs
The Bob Harrington Show
Episode #3: The JUPITER trial - a home run for science and public health
Nov 17, 2008 13:30 EST
Heartfelt with Dr Melissa Walton-Shirley
AHA wrap up
Nov 16, 2008 16:33 EST
Heartfelt with Dr Melissa Walton-Shirley
THINRS--- Study of HOME INR monitoring MISSES the POINT : the need for UNIVERSAL "point...
Nov 12, 2008 12:16 EST
Heartfelt with Dr Melissa Walton-Shirley
I-PRESERVE trial: I-PROTEST!! DOE and large ankles : A "normal EF" in wolves' clothing?
Nov 11, 2008 12:10 EST
Heartfelt with Dr Melissa Walton-Shirley
TIMACS-another reason to be on time to the office.
Nov 11, 2008 00:54 EST
Heartfelt with Dr Melissa Walton-Shirley
MASS-PAC Registry
Nov 11, 2008 00:38 EST
Heartfelt with Dr Melissa Walton-Shirley
AHA Day 2-Atlas ACS TIMI
Nov 11, 2008 00:01 EST
Heartfelt with Dr Melissa Walton-Shirley
AHA DAY 1-continued: Physicians Health Study II AND SEARCH
Nov 10, 2008 12:18 EST
Heartfelt with Dr Melissa Walton-Shirley
More from AHA Day 1-JPAD: Aspirin fails in primary prevention trial for elderly Japanese diabetics
Nov 10, 2008 11:40 EST
Heartfelt with Dr Melissa Walton-Shirley
Space---the final frontier? Likely just the beginning with JUPITER
Nov 09, 2008 18:50 EST
Topolog
JUPITER: How will it change your practice?
Nov 09, 2008 15:50 EST
Topolog
Welcome to AHA 2007
Nov 02, 2007 12:57 EDT
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Editorial programs
Editorial series
Beyond Natriuretic Peptides: ST2 in Heart Failure
Mar 9, 2009 08:00 EDT
What role is there for new biomarkers in the biological management of heart failure? Join Dr James Januzzi as he discusses the role of ST2 in this rapidly expanding field and how ST2 can help to improve the care of patients with heart failure.
Cardiology panels
Putting HF-ACTION into practice
Feb 27, 2009 10:00 EST
Join Dr Melissa Walton-Shirley as she talks to Drs Mariell Jessup and Clyde Yancy about the importance of the HF-ACTION study and how the quality-of-life results should affect practice.
Editorial series
Get Moving: The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
2 COMMENTS - Feb 20, 2009 09:00 EST
The US government has issued the first-ever Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Join our expert panel, Steven Blair PED, Drs Timothy Church, and William Kraus, as they discuss the implications and strategies for using these guidelines in clinical practice.
Editorial series
Structured exercise for your heart-failure patients?
1 COMMENT - Feb 13, 2009 13:53 EST
What is the role of a structured exercise program for your patients with NYHA class 2/3 heart failure? Join Dr Ileana Pińa's presentation of the results of HF-ACTION, presented at AHA, and the implications of the findings for patient care.
Cardiology panels
CRP strategy post-JUPITER
Feb 6, 2009 10:25 EST
Join heartwire's Michael O'Riordan as he talks to Dr Roger Blumenthal about the potential pitfalls of jumping on the CRP bandwagon post-JUPITER and what can be done to reduce risk factors from a preventive point of view.
Cardiology panels
What patients believe about PCI: Misunderstanding or misinformation?
1 COMMENT - Jan 28, 2009 09:00 EST
Drs Gregg Stone and William Weintraub discuss the misconceptions some patients have about the benefits and purpose of elective PCI and what can be done to rectify them in a candid discussion moderated by heartwire's Shelley Wood.
HeartWire clips
Face-to-face with Dr Melissa Walton-Shirley: From the AHA with Dr Sidney Smith
Dec 16, 2008 13:00 EST
Join theheart.org's forum moderator in these in-depth interviews filmed on location at major congresses
Cardiology panels
Beyond COURAGE
Dec 12, 2008 17:00 EST
Join Drs Harrington, Stone, and Weintraub as they discuss the world of revascularization from COURAGE and beyond, including lessons learned from SYNTAX and FAME, and the questions they hope will be answered by the ongoing PROSPECT trial.
Editorial series
Lipid lowering: The end or the means?
4 COMMENTS - Dec 9, 2008 16:46 EST
Dr Blumenthal talks to Drs Krumholz, Ridker, and Smith about how to approach target guidelines for LDL in the wake of JUPITER, SEARCH, and other lipid-lowering studies.
Cardiology panels
Cardiovascular implications of treating type 2 diabetes, post-APPROACH
5 COMMENTS - Dec 3, 2008 09:30 EST
How best to treat patients presenting with both coronary disease and diabetes? Join Drs Nesto and Fonseca on this rather slippery slope as they examine the data and provide practical guidance for treatment.
The Cardiology Show
AHA 2008: The AHA Flies to JUPITER
3 COMMENTS - Nov 14, 2008 12:00 EST
Join Drs Krumholz, Blumenthal, Harrington, Jessup, Ridker, Smith, Stone, Weintraub, and Yancy as they dissect the results of the JUPITER and debate the far-reaching clinical implications of this landmark study in Part 1 of the program. In Part 2, the panelists look at the positive sides of HF-Action and TIMACS and deliberate the real lessons learned from these negative trials.
Previews