Clinical Cardiology Alert – August 1, 2012
August 1, 2012
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Invasive or Conservative Strategy in Diabetics with ACS?
atients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at increased risk of developing acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Furthermore, after hospitalization with ACS, patients with DM are at increased risk of suffering repeat hospitalization for ACS. In recent years, a number of trials have tested the strategy of routine early invasive approach (i.e., diagnostic angiography with a view to revascularization) vs an early conservative strategy (i.e., medical management with coronary angiography only performed in cases of refractory ischemia). -
TEE Before Cardioversion of AF
In an effort to reduce unnecessary testing, these investigators performed a retrospective observational study of 671 TEE-guided direct current cardioversions (DCC) for atrial fibrillation (AF) to evaluate the indications used for TEE and the outcomes with regard to thromboembolism post DCC. -
A Randomized Trial of Early Surgery for Infective Endocarditis
Early surgery for infective endocarditis (IE) has been supported by several observational studies, but the lack of randomized, controlled data has led to conflicting recommendations by major societies. -
Survival After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
In this paper, the authors reviewed long-term survival data from a large population of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients who were discharged alive after their arrest. All patients who have a cardiac arrest in Seattle and King County, Washington, are entered into a registry organized to follow the Utstein guidelines for reporting cardiac arrest. -
Rapid Rule Out for Patients with Chest Pain
Chest pain presentations to the emergency department (ED) are common and very costly to the health care system. Although the event rates are low in patients with a low clinical risk profile, the price of a missed diagnosis is high. Some low-risk patients who are discharged from the ED may suffer a myocardial infarction (MI) and potentially even die. -
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Who Responds?
This study examines the patterns of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) among patients enrolled in the MADIT-CRT (Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial With Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy) trial. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement
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Pharmacology Watch: FDA Approves First New Anti-Obesity Drug in Years
Lorcaserin for weight loss; statins and fatigue; treatment-resistant gonorrhea; hydrocodone classification changes; USPSTF recommendations; and FDA actions.