-
The 6 articles in the December 1, 2004, issue of JAMA represent a detailed overview of drug safety in the United States. The withdrawal of cerivastatin reflects the current situation, and problems with antidepressants in youngsters and, more recently, the identification of adverse reactions with the 3 Cox-2 inhibitors, raise important questions regarding the ability of the FDA to effectively police adverse drug reactions after release of a drug.
-
-
The addition of niacin to patients with known coronary artery disease on statins raised HDL cholesterol and reduced atherosclerosis progression.
-
Chronic apical right ventricular pacing in patients with congenital heart block is associated with late findings consistent with deleterious left ventricular remodeling.
-
RSD1235 shows promise as an agent for the management of atrial fibrillation.
-
The most commonly prescribed statins have a low incidence of rhabdomyolysis, according to the results a new study of more than 250,000 patients.
-
The Use of Prophylactic Antibiotics for Neutropenia; Is It Hot In Here?; Homeopathy vs Conventional Medicine; FDA Actions
-
-
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: Amiodarone and sotalol have a similar efficacy for converting atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm, that the drugs do not significantly impair electrical cardioversion and that amiodarone is superior to sotalol which, in turn, is better than placebo, for maintaining sinus rhythm.
Source: Singh BN, et al. Amiodarone Versus Sotalol for Atrial Fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 2005;352:1861-1872.
-
By John P. DiMarco, MD, PhD
Synopsis: The absolute risk for sudden death or cardiac arrest is greatest in the early period after myocardial infarction, and the event rate declines significantly over time.
Source: Solomon SD, et al. Sudden Death in Patients With Myocardial Infarction and Left Ventricular Dysfunction, Heart Failure, or Both. N Engl J Med. 2005;352:2581-2588.
