Clinical Cardiology Alert – February 1, 2010
February 1, 2010
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Contraindicated Medications Increase Risk of PCI in Dialysis Patients
Anticoagulation during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), although necessary to prevent thrombus formation on the interventional equipment, can lead to significant morbidity from bleeding complications, particularly if the dosage is excessive. -
Intensive Lipid Lowering in ACS Patients Undergoing PCI
Intensive lipid lowering with statin therapy (atorvastatin 80 mg) in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) resulted in improved outcomes compared to treatment with moderate lipid lowering (pravastatin 40 mg) in the PROVE-IT TIMI-22 study (Cannon et al. N Engl J Med. -
Niacin and Vascular Diseases
Two recent studies have demonstrated the bene-ficial effects of nicotinic acid (niacin) on carotid artery atherosclerosis. -
Off-pump Coronary Bypass Surgery vs. Traditional CABG — Is There a Winner?
Coronary revascularization without cardiopul-monary bypass has become quite successful, in part because of the belief that off-pump coronary bypass procedures are safer than on-pump surgery. -
Value of VT Ablation Prior to ICD Placement
The ventricular tachycardia ablation in coronary Heart Disease (VTACH) study tested the hypothesis that mapping and prophylactic catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia prior to implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) insertion in patients with hemodynamically stable ventricular tachycardia (VT) would improve clinical outcomes. -
FDA and Medical Devices
In this paper, Dhruva et al examine the types of studies that were involved in premarket approval (PMA) of cardiovascular devices by the FDA over a seven-year period. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement
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Pharmacology Watch
Results from a Phase 3 study of dabigatran, intensive lipid-lowering in CVD, H1N1 vaccine dosing and efficacy, and FDA Actions