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The effectiveness of off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OPCAB) is controversial. Thus, Hannan and colleagues from New York evaluated the short-term and long-term results of OPCAB with sternotomy vs on-pump CABG in New York State between 2001-2004.
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Are thiazolidinediones safe? New study shows Zometa reduces risk of hip fractures and improves survival; Merck HIV vaccine proven ineffective in clinical trials; no causal association found between exposure to mercury from thimerosal; and FDA approvals.
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Exceptional attention has been paid to the recent publication of the COURAGE Trial (April 2007) regarding the efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in stable coronary disease patients, whereas in acute coronary syndromes, including STEMI and unstable angina, there is reasonable consensus as to an interventional approach in patients with either PCI or CABG as opposed to medical therapy.
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Although ECG is the standard initial screening test for acute coronary syndromes, its value for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (MI) is difficult to determine because of the vagaries of serum biomarkers.
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These investigators describe the results of once a week rosuvastatin in 10 patients intolerant to once-a-day statins due to myalgias, high liver function tests and gastrointestinal side effects.
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Heart failure with normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function is thought to be due to diastolic dysfunction in most cases, but confirming LV diastolic dysfunction by echo Doppler techniques is often challenging.
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Surgical aortic valve replacement (avr) remains the gold standard treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). However, a number of patients are at increased risk of mortality during AVR due to advanced age or co-morbidities.
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The current polypharmacy management approach to chronic heart failure due to systolic dysfunction is of concern because it may lead to noncompliance
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Stopping statins, even briefly, after stroke or cardiovascular surgery increases vascular complications according to 3 new studies.
