Clinical Cardiology Alert – August 1, 2009
August 1, 2009
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Routine Early PCI after Fibrinolysis for STEMI
Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) results in more complete reperfusion of the infarct artery and lower rates of re-occlusion than fibrinolysis in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, primary PCI is not performed at all centers, and fibrinolysis is still in widespread use. -
How Early Should we Intervene in Non-ST Elevation ACS?
Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefit of an early invasive strategy in patients presenting with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (ACS). -
Diabetes and CV Disease: An Uneasy Truce
The recent literature is filled with trials of type II diabetes (DM) treatment and cardiovascular (CV) disease, with conflicting conclusions. While intuitively reasonable, not all trials of intensive glucose management in diabetes have been found to reduce CV events nor decrease CV mortality. -
Individualized Medicine by Biomarkers
After the JUPITER trial showed that individuals with LDL cholesterols < 130 mg/dL, but high sensitivity CRP > 2.0 benefited from statin therapy, there has been considerable interest in using biomarkers for individualizing treatment. -
The Success of In-Hospital CPR in the Elderly
This paper describes the results of an epidemiologic survey of the results of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in U.S. hospitals. Ehlenbach et al analyzed the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) hospital claims database for the years from 1992-2005 and identified Medicare beneficiaries for whom a claim for in-hospital CPR had been made. -
The Canadian CV Society Function Score for Atrial Fibrillation
In this paper, Dorian et al attempt to validate a relatively simple symptom scoring system for use in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The proposed Canadian Cardiovascular Society Severity in Atrial Fibrillation (CCS-SAF) scale is based upon symptoms attributable to AF, the association between symptoms and documentation of AF or AF therapies, and the functional consequences of these symptoms on the patient's daily life. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement
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Pharmacology Watch
Comparing blood pressure medications, determining optimal length of androgen-deprivation therapy, red yeast rice for LDL reduction, and FDA Actions.