Medscape Cardiology Headlines

Progenitor Cells Identified From Human Fetal Hearts

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:18:49 EDT

Human cardiovascular progenitor cells isolated from human fetal hearts can give rise to striated- and smooth-muscle cells as well as endothelial cells, researchers report.
Heartwire

FDA Approves Dronedarone for Atrial Fibrillation

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:18:49 EDT

Dronedarone is envisioned as a safer alternative to amiodarone, a widely used antiarrhythmic agent in patients with AF.
Heartwire

ARMYDA-RECAPTURE Published: Statin Reload Before PCI

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:18:49 EDT

The rate of major adverse cardiac events was significantly lower among patients "reloaded" with atorvastatin 80 mg 12 hours prior to PCI and 40 mg just before the procedure than in those who did not receive the additional statin boost.
Heartwire

New Meta-Analysis: Statins of Benefit in Primary Prevention

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:18:49 EDT

A new meta-analysis including some of the more contemporary statin trials has found that the agents significantly improve survival and reduce coronary and cardiovascular end points in primary-prevention populations, a benefit that extends to all subgroups.
Heartwire

Barriers to Optimal Termination of Resuscitation in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Identified

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 22:18:48 EDT

Insurance-reimbursement rules, state laws, and the public's false perceptions of survival after cardiac arrest may impede emergency medical workers from using best resuscitation attempts, a study finds.
Heartwire

Prolong Your Life. Run Hard, Run Fast -- If You Can.

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 12:04:51 EDT

Henry Black, MD reports from a study in Hypertension that exercsie capacity is the strongest predictor of all-cause mortality.
Medscape Cardiology

Aspirin or Anticoagulation? Preventing Cerebral Ischemic Events After Carotid Artery Dissection

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 11:38:54 EDT

In this video blog, Dr. Mark Alberts discusses the results of a study comparing the efficacy of aspirin and anticoagulation treatment in patients with dissection involving the carotid artery.
Medscape Neurology & Neurosurgery

On the RECORD: Rosiglitazone Safer Than Previously Thought

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:36:17 EDT

: In this video blog, Dr. Anne Peters discusses findings of the RECORD trial, which compared the cardiovascular risks for rosiglitazone with a combination of metformin and sulfonylureas.
Medscape Diabetes & Endocrinology

Survival After in-Hospital CPR Static Since 1992

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 17:23:08 EDT

An analysis of Medicare records for over 433 000 patients who received CPR between 1992 and 2005 showed that the rate of survival to hospital discharge hovered at around 18%, in spite of efforts to improve CPR delivery.
Heartwire

Nobel-Honored Surgeons: From Discovery of Antibiotics to Organ Transplantation

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 15:20:30 EDT

Since the Nobel prize was first presented 100 years ago, only 10 surgeons have been honored. Their contributions range from the discovery of antibiotics to the first organ transplantation. Dr. Albert Lowenfels surveys their lives and accomplishments.
Medscape General Surgery

Enalapril, Losartan May Have Retinal, but Not Renal, Benefits in Type 1 Diabetes

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 12:38:52 EDT

In a controlled trial, early blockade of the renin-angiotensin system did not slow the progression of nephropathy but slowed the progression of retinopathy in patients with type 1 diabetes.
Medscape Medical News

Neurologist Ralph Sacco President-Elect of the American Heart Association

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 10:45:56 EDT

Dr. Sacco is the first neurologist to take the presidency of AHA.
Medscape Medical News

CRP, Other Biomarkers, Not Clinically Useful to Predict CVD Risk

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:29:04 EDT

Screening for contemporary biomarkers, such as CRP, will not add much to conventional cardiovascular risk factors in terms of helping to predict future events in the primary-prevention setting, say the authors of a new study.
Heartwire

Alogliptin Delayed; Cancer Concerns With Insulin Glargine

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:29:04 EDT

The makers of alogliptin say it will be two years before they have the cardiovascular data needed by the FDA, while the EASD raises concerns over a possible cancer risk with insulin glargine.
Heartwire

Mainly Medical Unknowns Regarding Michael Jackson's Apparent Cardiac Arrest

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:29:04 EDT

With concerns raised about the use of prescription painkillers in Jackson's death, as well as the stress he was under with an impending world tour, Dr Douglas Zipes, from the ACC, and Dr Vinay Nadkarmi, from the AHA, both weigh in on some of the speculation.
Heartwire

Anxiety, Depression Linked to Angina Frequency in Heart Patients

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:18:51 EDT

New research shows that ischemic heart disease patients who suffer significant anxiety have close to a 5-fold increased risk of experiencing frequent angina.
Medscape Medical News

Massive Vitamin-D/Omega-3 Trial for CVD, Cancer Prevention

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:56:05 EDT

Study participants will be randomized to one of four groups: daily vitamin D (2000 IU) and fish oil (1 g); daily vitamin D and fish-oil placebo; daily vitamin-D placebo and fish oil; or daily vitamin-D placebo and fish-oil placebo and followed for five years.
Heartwire

Wolves in Sheep's Clothing: Don't Ignore White-Coat and Masked Hypertension

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:56:05 EDT

White-coat hypertension and masked hypertension should not be regarded as benign, say the authors of a new 10-year study. The risk of developing sustained hypertension is higher in people with the above two conditions than in those who have normal blood pressure, they found.
Heartwire

Experts Debate Benefits and Risks of Stimulants for Healthy People

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:09:06 EDT

Two editorials present opposing views on the merits and safety risks of making stimulants, particularly methylphenidate, freely available for enhancing cognitive performance in healthy adults.
Medscape Medical News

Statin Use Not Linked to Decreased Risk for Pneumonia in Immunocompetent Elderly

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:44:45 EDT

In a case-control study, statin use was not associated with a decreased risk for pneumonia in immunocompetent, community-dwelling older people.
Medscape Medical News