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Comparing blood pressure medications, determining optimal length of androgen-deprivation therapy, red yeast rice for LDL reduction, and FDA Actions.
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This paper describes the results of an epidemiologic survey of the results of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in U.S. hospitals. Ehlenbach et al analyzed the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) hospital claims database for the years from 1992-2005 and identified Medicare beneficiaries for whom a claim for in-hospital CPR had been made.
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After the JUPITER trial showed that individuals with LDL cholesterols < 130 mg/dL, but high sensitivity CRP > 2.0 benefited from statin therapy, there has been considerable interest in using biomarkers for individualizing treatment.
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In this paper, Dorian et al attempt to validate a relatively simple symptom scoring system for use in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The proposed Canadian Cardiovascular Society Severity in Atrial Fibrillation (CCS-SAF) scale is based upon symptoms attributable to AF, the association between symptoms and documentation of AF or AF therapies, and the functional consequences of these symptoms on the patient's daily life.
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The recent literature is filled with trials of type II diabetes (DM) treatment and cardiovascular (CV) disease, with conflicting conclusions. While intuitively reasonable, not all trials of intensive glucose management in diabetes have been found to reduce CV events nor decrease CV mortality.
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The ACTIVE Investigators. Effect of clopidogrel added to aspirin in patients with atrial fibrillation.
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The FDA has approved the first oral, selective vasopressin V2-receptor antagonist for the treatment of hypervolemic and euvolemic hyponatremia.
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A polypill consisting of low doses of thiazide, atenolol, ramipril, simvastatin, and aspirin administered to 2053 subjects in 50 centers in India was effective in reducing multiple risk factors and cardiovascular risk.
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A review of large randomized clinical trials for type 2 diabetes controlling HbA1c as low as 6.5-7.0% showed many consequences, but uncertain benefits. A new approach to type 2 diabetes should include individualized HbA1c targets along with cardiovascular risk reduction reflecting patients' values and preferences, and caution is urged in using these HbA1c values as performance measures to indicate inadequate care.
