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Four-Year Invasive Follow-Up of Drug-Eluting Stents

Professor of Medicine, Chief of Clinical Cardiology, University of California, San Francisco Synopsis: The beneficial effects of drug-eluting stents on coronary artery lumen enhancement are preserved for 4 years after implantation. Source: Sousa JE, et al. Four-Year Angiographic and Intravascular Ultrasound Follow-Up of Patients Treated with Sirolimus-Eluting Stents. Circulation. 2005:111:2326-29.

Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation Post Device Placement

By Michael H. Crawford, MD Synopsis: Damage to the tricuspid valve caused by electrophysiologic device leads may be a cause of predominant right heart failure due to severe TR and may not be recognized on routine echocardiography. Source: Lin G, et al. Severe Symptomatic Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation Due to Permanent Pacemaker or Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Leads. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005; 45:1672-1675.

Ablation vs Antiarrhythmic for Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation

By John P. DiMarco, MD, PhD Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville Dr. DiMarco is a consultant for Novartis and does research for Medtronic and Guidant. Synopsis: Pulmonary vein isolation is a feasible first-line approach for this treatment of selected patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Source: Wazni OM, et.al. Radiofrequency Ablation vs Antiarrhthymic Drugs as First-Line Treatment of Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation: A Randomized Trial. JAMA. 2005; 293:2634-2640.

Heart Rate Profile During Exercise as a Predictor of Sudden Death

By John P. DiMarco, MD, PhD Synopsis: Data are consistent with the concept that autonomic imbalance predisposes persons to life-threatening arrhythmias. Source: Jouven X, et.al. Heart-Rate Profile During Exercise as a Predictor of Sudden Death. N Engl J Med. 2005;352:1951-1958.

The Gender Specific Impact of Diabetes and Myocardial Infarction at Baseline and During Follow-Up on Mortality From All Causes and Coronary Heart Disease

By Jonathan Abrams, MD Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque Dr. Abrams serves on the speakers bureau for Merck, Pfizer, and Parke-Davis. Synopsis: In order to reduce CVD mortality, more active management and prevention of diabetes is needed. Source: Hu G, et al. The Gender-Specific Impact of Diabetes and Myocardial Infarction at Baseline and During Follow-Up on Mortality From All Causes and Coronary Heart Disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005;45:1413-1418.

BNP in Mitral Regurgitation

By Michael H. Crawford, MD Synopsis: Higher BNP levels predict worse outcomes under medical management and may be useful for decisions regarding surgery. Source: Detaint D, et al. B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Organic Mitral Regurgitation. Circulation. 2005;111:2391-2397.

Pharmacology Watch: Rifamixin for the Prevention of Traveler’s Diarrhea?

Rifamixin, a nonabsorbed oral antibiotic, is effective for preventing traveler's diarrhea, according to new research.

Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement

Clinical Cardiology Alert – July 1, 2005

July 1, 2005