Clinical Cardiology Alert – January 1, 2010
January 1, 2010
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Clopidogrel for Two Years after Drug-eluting Stents?
The optimal duration for dual anti-platelet therapy (DAT) after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation remains unknown. -
Left Main Stenting
Stenosis of the left main coronary artery has traditionally been an indication for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. However, recent studies have shown that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of unprotected left main (ULM) lesions can achieve similar short- and medium-term results to CABG. -
Statins and Bypass Surgery — Is There a Benefit?
Statins have been used in an increasing number and variety of conditions. This large, 10-year cohort study from John Hopkins Neurology Department and Cardiac Surgery Group uses a post-hoc analysis to examine the issue of whether statin use prior to Coronary Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG) would decrease post-op morbidity, specifically stroke and encephalopathy, as well as cognitive decline. -
ACE Inhibitors and CABG Outcomes
The preoperative use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is controversial. Thus, these investigators from the United Kingdom performed a retrospective, observational study of patients undergoing isolated CABG who did not have cardiogenic shock. -
Bi-ventricular vs. RV Apical Pacing
Yu et al report a multi-center trial evaluating the relative benefits of right ventricular apical pacing compared to biventricular pacing in patients with a standard indication for pacing and a baseline preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. -
Appropriate Utilization of ICDs
In this paper, Packer et al report on the modes of death in patients in the Sudden Cardiac Death-Heart Failure Trial (SCD-HeFT). -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement
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Pharmacology Watch
Statin and niacin increase HDL-C, omeprazole reduces effectiveness of clopidogrel, darbe-poetin increases risk of stroke, statins decrease risk of gallstone disease, FDA Actions