The developing world is experiencing an epidemic of CAD which expects to continue to increase in the foreseeable future.
The use of automatic external defibrillators by trained volunteers is safe and effective, particularly in public locations where there is at least a moderate likelihood that an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest will be witnessed.
A calcium score < 100 eliminates the need for myocardial perfusion scans (MPS), but patients with a negative MPS often have coronary calcium. These findings imply a potential role for applying coronary artery calcium screening after MPS among patients manifesting normal MPS.
Issues July, August, and September 2004 were printed as Volume 21. They should read Volume 23.
A new, and as of yet unpublished study, has raised increased concern about the relationship between rofecoxib (Vioxx), Mercks blockbuster COX-2 inhibitor, and cardiovascular events. The study, which was presented at a meeting in Bordeaux France, was financed by the FDA in collaboration with Californias HMO giant Kaiser Permanente.
Elevated serum uric acid is a marker for cardiovascular mortality.
In patients with symptomatic nonerosive reflux disease, intermittent on-demand therapy with the PPI rabeprazole provided good symptom control with tablets taken on average approximately 1 day out of 4.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors decreased the number of defibrillation attempts needed and reduced hospitalization in patients with atrial fibrillation.
