Clinical Cardiology Alert – July 1, 2013
July 1, 2013
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Another Supplement for CAD Prevention Fails
N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 FA) from fish have been reputed to prevent the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and have demonstrated some benefits in secondary prevention studies. Thus, this community-based investigator group in Italy conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of subjects with multiple risk factors for CVD (at least four, or one if diabetic) or evidence of atherosclerotic vascular disease, but without myocardial infarction (MI). -
CVD Risk Calculators: Worth the Effort?
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk calculators are frequently used by clinicians to guide patient management. Unfortunately, there are more than 100 risk calculators and smaller studies have shown insistencies between them. -
Can CT Coronary Angiography Predict Future ACS?
Computed tomography (CT) has evolved significantly in recent years, and is now able to accurately assess coronary arteries for the presence of atherosclerosis in carefully selected patients. -
Brief, High-Dose Statin Therapy Reduces Lipid Content in Coronary Plaque
Statin therapy has multiple beneficial effects on coronary plaque, including prevention of plaque progression and reduction in thrombotic events. It is not clear if the beneficial effect on clinical events is due to reduction in lipid content of plaque. -
Heparin Bridging or Continued Warfarin for Device Surgery?
Many laboratories have changed their practice to perform some procedures without stopping warfarin anticoagulation, but trial evidence supporting this practice has been lacking. In this paper, investigators from 17 centers in Canada and one in Brazil report the results of a trial comparing continued warfarin with heparin bridging in high-risk patients undergoing device procedures. -
Air Travel Emergencies and the Physician Passenger
Most physicians who travel will encounter one or more emergencies during air travel. This paper reviews the experience of a medical communication center that serves five domestic and international airlines over a 34-month period. -
Pharmacology Watch: Is Naproxen the Safest NSAID for the Heart?
NSAIDs and cardiovascular risk; new antithrombotic guidelines; warfarin during surgery; Pfizer selling Viagra online; azithromycin and cardiovascular risk; and FDA actions. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement