Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association

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'Moderate alcohol intake prevents weight gains' - The HinduThursday, March 11th, 2010

'Moderate alcohol intake prevents weight gains'
The Hindu
PTI The Hindu The research showed women who consumed two to three servings of beer or wine each day were less likely to gain extra pounds as they get older. Photo: R. Ravindran Women are often advised to stop drinking to avoid extra calories but a new ...
Cheers, Ladies! A Drink A Day May Keep the Pounds Away ABC News
Wine may help women keep weight in check Reuters
Women who drink wine 'less likely to gain weight' BBC News
Los Angeles Times - U.S. News & World Report (blog) - CNN
all 401 news articles »

CVN: Heart MinuteWednesday, March 10th, 2010

Red Yeast Rice or Statins? Read more...

Journal Scan: Endovascular Stenting for Vertebral Artery Stenosis (J Am Coll Cardiol 2010;55:538-542.)Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

One-hundred five patients from 1995-2006 with symptomatic VAS (112 arteries, 71% male) underwent stent placement for extracranial (91%) and intracranial (9%), primarily in the V1 segment (83%). By angiography, 57 patients (54%) had bilateral VAS, 71 patients (68%) had concomitant carotid disease, an. . . Read more...

Journal Scan: Metformin: Safety in Cardiac Patients (Heart 2010;96:99-102.)Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Noninvasive testing adds little to risk-factor screening for predicting obstructive CADWednesday, March 10th, 2010

An NCDR study of diagnostic yield of coronary angiography finds only about a third of patients undergoing elective cardiac catheterization have obstructive disease.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Eprotirome further reduces cholesterol levels in statin-treated patientsWednesday, March 10th, 2010

The thyroid hormone analog further reduced total- and LDL-cholesterol levels, as well as triglycerides, without any adverse effects. Commonly observed side effects of past thyroid hormone mimetics...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Warfarin-treated patients at higher risk of ICH following tPA for strokeWednesday, March 10th, 2010

Researchers say their study provides important new information about a group of patients excluded from major trials of tPA for stroke, who yet represent a growing proportion of patients.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

RESPOND: Ticagrelor improves platelet inhibition in both clopidogrel responders and nonrespondersWednesday, March 10th, 2010

The authors of the study also suggest that ticagrelor may inhibit platelets more effectively than prasugrel.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Fingertip stress test promising in proof-of-concept studyWednesday, March 10th, 2010

A simple, noninvasive, fingertip stress test has shown promise distinguishing between patients who have significant coronary artery disease and those who do not in a small proof-of-concept study. A...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Long-Term Health Risks Low for Kidney Donors - WebMDWednesday, March 10th, 2010

Long-Term Health Risks Low for Kidney Donors
WebMD
March 9, 2010 -- Kidney donors fare just as well as non-donors over the long term, according to a new study. Researchers compared survival rates of kidney donors to healthy adults who were not kidney donors and found kidney donation ...
Live kidney donors do not die sooner: study Reuters
Donating a kidney doesn't shorten donor's life msnbc.com
Researchers confirm safety of kidney donations Los Angeles Times
WRAL.com - BusinessWeek - BBC News
all 119 news articles »

Coffee associated with lower risk of arrhythmiasTuesday, March 9th, 2010

Drinking four or more cups of java per day is associated with an 18% lower risk of hospitalization for arrhythmias, new research shows. While the data are observational and researchers don't advocate...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Components of metabolic syndrome linked to plaque progressionTuesday, March 9th, 2010

A new IVUS study has found that although the metabolic syndrome is associated with accelerated plaque progression, this can be attributed to its individual component risk factors rather than the...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Going regional? Think local. New study probes overlap between PCI and non-PCI hospitalsTuesday, March 9th, 2010

A Medicare analysis looking at 30-day mortality between hospitals offering PCI and those that don't hints that policy-makers looking to regionalize AMI care need to take into account what works and...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

"Warranty period" for zero calcium score is at least four yearsMonday, March 8th, 2010

Patients with zero coronary calcium scores are extremely unlikely to develop CAC within four years, and no clinical factor seems to mandate earlier screening, a new study shows.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Overweight, obese gain greater benefit from BP loweringMonday, March 8th, 2010

The overweight and obese should be more aggressively treated with antihypertensive therapy than normal-weight individuals, because they will derive greater benefit, a new analysis of the PROGRESS...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

ECG screening found cost-effective in kids with ADHD considered for stimulant drugsMonday, March 8th, 2010

Adding electrocardiography to the clinical evaluation in kids with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder considered for stimulant drug therapy—so it can be avoided in those with heart...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Dieting by DNA? Popular diets work best by genotype, research showsMonday, March 8th, 2010

Data presented last week suggest the secret to weight loss might lie in DNA and that the best way to shed excessive pounds is to diet according to genotype.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

What's going to be hot at ACC 2010?Friday, March 5th, 2010

Pack this up for your patients: program chairs say a patient-care focus means results of this year's line-up of late-breaking clinical trials will have immediate relevance to clinical practice....

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Thomas Medical recalls transseptal sheathsFriday, March 5th, 2010

Five adverse events reports of tip fragmentation and separation prompted the company action.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Weekend admission delays major cardiac proceduresFriday, March 5th, 2010

New figures from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality show that patients admitted to US hospitals on weekends tend to experience significant delays in receiving major cardiac procedures.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

OLIVUS: Olmesartan reduces atheroma progression?Friday, March 5th, 2010

ARBs may have a role in reducing coronary atheroma progression in patients with stable angina, a new study suggests.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Weight fluctuations among normal-weight individuals increases CVD riskFriday, March 5th, 2010

Normal-weight individuals whose weight fluctuated, defined as a change in one BMI unit over a two-year period, had a risk of cardiovascular-disease events similar to individuals who were overweight....

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Apixaban better than European enoxaparin regimen for preventing VTEThursday, March 4th, 2010

The investigational anticoagulant apixaban is more effective than the dose of enoxaparin commonly used in Europe for preventing venous thromboembolism in those undergoing knee replacement, according...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

End-systolic volume may hold key to SVR successThursday, March 4th, 2010

A single-center trial shows that left-ventricular end-systolic volume index is an independent predictor of survival in patients undergoing surgical ventricular reduction.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Most hospices ill-equipped to deal with ICDsThursday, March 4th, 2010

In a nationwide US survey, few hospices routinely queried incoming patients about having implantable defibrillators. Most said at least one of their patients had recently received shocks, but only a...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Vigorous physical activity modestly more protective than moderate activityThursday, March 4th, 2010

Researchers say the incremental benefit of vigorous activity over moderate physical activity is small and that as long as individuals are burning a certain number of calories per week they lower...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

HbA1c in nondiabetics a potent mortality, CV risk marker in ARIC analysisWednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Glycated hemoglobin, even at levels in the normal range, independently predicted heart-disease events, stroke, and death in people initially without diabetes followed for a median of 14 years. As a...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

RE-LY subanalysis suggests similar benefit, fewer bleeds with dabigatran in AF patients with prior stroke or TIAWednesday, March 3rd, 2010

A subanalysis shows that dabigatran is at least as efficacious and may be even safer than warfarin in this higher-risk subgroup. A trend toward increased MI in the overall study with dabigatran was...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Call for increased awareness, identification of prediabetesWednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Less than 10% of adults in the US with prediabetes are aware that they are at high risk of developing diabetes, according to the first nationally representative survey of adults there. But gaining...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Even low-level smoke exposure increases atherosclerosis and lipid changes in adolescentsWednesday, March 3rd, 2010

The results suggest that children should not be exposed to tobacco smoke at all.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Rescue breathing improves CPR outcomes in kidsTuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Children suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrests from noncardiac causes were more likely to have a good outcome if they received bystander CPR with rescue breathing, according to a new study.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Ogling Obama's lipidsTuesday, March 2nd, 2010

According to almost every major American media outlet, Obama's total cholesterol levels have spiked from 173 in July 2008 to 209 in a recent checkup due to a rising LDL and a dipping HDL.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Weight loss, regardless of diet intervention, can reverse carotid diseaseTuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Improvements in carotid disease severity, as measured by conventional ultrasound but also a three-dimensional volumetric ultrasound technique, were independent of whether patients followed a low-fat,...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

AAA: Aspirin not warranted in healthy subjects with low ABI, based on population screeningTuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Authors of the study say their study does not rule out a role for ankle/brachial index screening in the clinic or for other CVD drugs to reduce risk in asymptomatic subjects. But for aspirin and for...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Obese kids as young as three have raised CRPTuesday, March 2nd, 2010

A new study has found that abnormal levels of C-reactive protein and two other inflammatory markers are associated with increasing weight in children, starting as young as age three.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

D is for discord: Not all studies support vitamin-D-CVD linkTuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Two new studies looking at the link between use of vitamin D or blood levels of the supplement tilt in favor of the vitamin playing a role in preventing cardiovascular disease or helping improve CV...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Adding ECG picks up abnormalities not detected by physical exam and medical historyTuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Researchers say the physical examination, medical history, and 12-lead ECG were "complementary," with the exam and history detecting individuals with valvular disease, while the ECG picked up...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Case Study: A 46-Year-Old Woman is Referred For Evaluation of her Dyslipidemia, Hypertension, and Borderline DiabetesMonday, March 1st, 2010

A 46-year-old woman is referred by her primary care physician for the evaluation of moderate hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, and borderline diabetes. Of particular relevance is a history of fasting triglycerides (TGs) ranging from 250-400 mg/dl over the last 6 months, with the high-density lipop. . . Read more...

Studies find disparities in stroke incidence and AF treatmentMonday, March 1st, 2010

Blacks are more likely than whites to suffer a stroke and less likely to be treated for atrial fibrillation, new research shows.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

US salt-reduction policy would save billions of dollarsMonday, March 1st, 2010

Adding more weight to the argument for a populationwide approach to reduce dietary sodium levels in the US is a new study suggesting such a move would save $32 billion in medical costs.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

COX-2 inhibitors blunt "preconditioning" effect of statinMonday, March 1st, 2010

The COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib completely abolished the beneficial preconditioning effect of rosuvastatin in a small mechanistic study in human volunteers.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

64-slice CT shows promise as cardiac risk-stratifierMonday, March 1st, 2010

CTA, CAD severity, LVEF, and total plaque add prognostic accuracy to routine clinical predictors.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Medicare will delay paying claims for two weeksMonday, March 1st, 2010

The move by Medicare is intended to blunt the effect of the 21.2% pay cut. If a fix is passed, CMS carriers will pay March claims that had been put on hold, at the current rate.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Illness Perceptions After Myocardial Infarction: Relations to Fatigue, Emotional Distress, and Health-Related Quality of LifeMonday, March 1st, 2010

Background and Research Objective: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is impaired in patients after a myocardial infarction (MI), and fatigue and depression are common health complaints among these patients. Patients' own beliefs about their illness (illness perceptions) influence health behavior and health outcomes. The aim of the present study was to examine illness perception and its association with self-reported HRQoL, fatigue, and emotional distress among patients with MI. Subjects and Methods: The sample consisted of 204 patients who had had MI and who completed the questionnaires during the first week in the hospital and 4 months after the MI. The questionnaires used were the Illness Perception Questionnaire, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Results: Patient's illness perception changed over time from a more acute to a more chronic perception of illness, and beliefs in personal and treatment control of MI had decreased. Furthermore, these negative beliefs were associated with worse experiences of fatigue and lowered HRQoL. Conclusions: Patients' illness perceptions influence health outcomes after an MI. Supporting MI patients in increasing their perception of personal control could be a primary nursing strategy in rehabilitation programs aimed at facilitating health behavior, decreasing experiences of fatigue, and increasing HRQoL. (C) 2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. Read more...

Sexual Problems in Cardiac Patients: How to Assess, When to ReferMonday, March 1st, 2010

It is increasingly realized that discussing sexuality is an important issue in the holistic care for cardiac patients. In this review article, the conditions of a good assessment of sexual problems are identified such as creating an appropriate environment, ensuring confidentiality, and using appropriate language. Second, we present different styles and approaches that can be used to start the assessment, differing between settings, persons, or disciplines. The PLISSIT (permission, limited information, specific suggestion, and intensive therapy) model can be helpful to initiate discussion about sexuality with the cardiac patient and his/her partner. This model is a stepwise approach using various levels of discussion or treatment. Open-ended question can facilitate discussion about sexual concerns, and validated questionnaires or diaries can be used to assess sexual problems. Patients with sexual concerns and problems should be counseled and/or treated appropriately, and adequate follow-up is needed. Additional training and research are needed to further improve the quality of sexual assessment and counseling in cardiac patients. (C) 2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. Read more...

Sexual Dysfunction in Women With Cardiovascular Disease: What Do We Know?Monday, March 1st, 2010

The problem of sexual dysfunction in cardiovascular disease has received attention in both professional and lay literature, particularly for men. There is only beginning awareness of the problem of sexual dysfunction in women in general and for those with cardiovascular disease. This evidence-based review focuses on the problem of sexual dysfunction in women in the general population compared with those women with cardiovascular disease. The underlying mechanisms of female sexual dysfunction are addressed, along with what is known about female sexual dysfunction in those with coronary artery disease, hypertension, and heart failure. The assessment and management of female sexual dysfunction in the presence of cardiovascular disease are addressed, although the strategies for management are controversial and evidence is lacking in some cases. Nurses can play a key role in initiating discussion with women related to sexual dysfunction and assisting them in finding appropriate resources and treatment. (C) 2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. Read more...

Foreword:Addressing Sexual Function in Cardiac Patients: Do We Need Guidelines?Monday, March 1st, 2010

No abstract available Read more...

Heart Failure Symptom Assessment and Management: Can Caregivers Serve as Proxy?Monday, March 1st, 2010

Background: Caregivers (CGs) of heart failure (HF) patients are increasingly assuming greater responsibilities in symptom assessment, evaluation, and decision making and may be asked to serve as proxies. The purpose of this study was to examine the degree of congruence between HF patients and their primary CG on symptom assessment and self-care management behaviors. Methods: The sample consisted of 70 HF patients receiving home healthcare and their designated CG. Patients were primarily between 40 and 85 years of age and female (60%). Caregivers were predominately female (76%) and spouses (43%). Congruence in symptom assessment and management between HF patients and their designated CGs was measured in this descriptive cross-sectional study using the Heart Failure Symptom Survey and Self-care of Heart Failure Index. Results: The Spearman correlation coefficient and concordance correlation coefficient were used to assess the degree of congruence on symptom evaluation scores from the Heart Failure Symptom Survey. Dyads had the strongest correlations on ratings of the HF patients' symptoms of extremity edema, difficulty concentrating, and dizziness. Lower congruence (Spearman correlation <0.40) was found on feeling depressed, shortness of breath at night, and shortness of breath when lying down. Scores on the Self-care of Heart Failure Index self-care management and self-care confidence scales were not significantly different within the HF dyads. Conclusions: Based on moderate levels of correlations on most HF symptoms in this study, the CG as proxy appears to be a reasonable substitute for patient responses in a community setting. However, greater family preparation for symptom assessment is warranted to improve congruence for future symptom assessment. (C) 2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. Read more...

The Efficacy of a Motivational Nursing Intervention Based on the Stages of Change on Self-care in Heart Failure PatientsMonday, March 1st, 2010

Background and Research Objective: Heart failure (HF) patients experience frequent episodes of decompensation. While medication and behavior change play a major role in maintaining physiological stability, patient adherence to self-care recommendations is not optimal. The Theory of Heart Failure Self-care helped to understand the concepts of self-care and chose a model of intervention. Conviction and confidence are central factors in facilitating self-care. Motivational interviewing (MI), which aims to strengthen conviction and confidence, has been shown to improve self-care. In addition, the Transtheoretical Model, based on patients' readiness to change, also has proven efficacy. The MI based on the stages of change (MISC), a combination of MI and Transtheoretical Model, offers promise for improving self-care. The goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the preliminary effect of an MISC intervention on HF patients' self-care behaviors. Subjects and Method: Thirty patients were recruited from an HF clinic and randomly assigned to an experimental (EG) or control group (n = 15/group). Patients from the EG received 3 interventions (1 in person, 2 on the phone). Data were collected at baseline and at 1 month after randomization. The effect of the intervention was assessed on 5 self-care outcomes using analysis-of-covariance models. Results and Conclusion: Significant results were obtained regarding the confidence in performing self-care behaviors specific to HF (P =.005). Although the results of the other hypotheses were not statistically significant, for the majority, trends were in the expected direction in favor of the EG. The study suggests that an MISC intervention is useful to increase patients' confidence in HF self-care and has potential to improve self-care. Further research is needed. (C) 2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. Read more...

Shared Medical Appointments After Cardiac Surgery-The Process of Implementing a Novel Pilot Paradigm to Enhance Comprehensive Postdischarge CareMonday, March 1st, 2010

To facilitate the physical and emotional needs of patients undergoing cardiac surgery and their families, our Cardiac Surgery Outpatient Clinic at Cleveland Clinic, a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center in Cleveland, Ohio, decided to implement a trial of a novel care delivery paradigm called Shared Medical Appointments (SMAs). The purpose of this venture was to facilitate timely access to care 3 to 5 days after hospital discharge, include family members in the education process and the care of the patient, and provide a forum for support and shared learning among patients who have been through like surgical experiences. The clinic system, which performed 3,597 open heart surgeries and 213 robotically assisted cardiac surgeries in 2008, already used family education classes to provide instruction to the patients and family prior to surgery. Because this medium was an effective way to disseminate knowledge, we theorized that using an SMA would be an effective strategy to provide timely medical care after discharge and garner support, education, and increased access to timely medical care after discharge. Although there were many physicians in subspecialties performing these types of clinic visits at our institution since 2002, by the spring of 2007, a group of cardiothoracic nurses decided to perform a trial on this model in this cohort of patients and be a fully nurse-led SMA to provide comprehensive care after discharge. Preliminary patient satisfaction surveys have revealed that 92% of post-cardiac surgery patients rated the experience as good or excellent, and 82% would prefer an SMA for their next clinic visit rather than an individual visit. These data are consistent with physician-led SMA satisfaction surveys in our organization to date. Although still in its relative infancy, an SMA for this cohort appears to have merit in enhancing the support and education as well as providing for the complex medical needs of these patients. (C) 2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. Read more...

Evidence That the Brief Symptom Inventory Can Be Used to Measure Anxiety Quickly and Reliably in Patients Hospitalized for Acute Myocardial InfarctionMonday, March 1st, 2010

Background: Anxiety is not routinely assessed in patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Failure to identify and treat patients who are anxious after AMI makes them more vulnerable to the adverse effects of anxiety, including higher complication rates. The anxiety subscale of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) is a simple, reliable measure of anxiety with minimal patient burden. However, there is limited evidence of reliability and validity of the BSI as a measure of anxiety in patients hospitalized for AMI. Objective: The aim of this study was to provide evidence for the reliability and validity of the BSI in hospitalized AMI patients. Method: A total of 536 patients admitted for AMI (62 +/- 14 years of age, 66% men, 85% white, 27% with previous myocardial infarction) completed the BSI and the state portion of the State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) within 72 hours of admission. Internal consistency reliability, criterion-related validity, and construct validity of the BSI were tested. Results: There was sufficient evidence of internal consistency (Cronbach [alpha] = .87), which supported the reliability of the BSI. There was evidence of criterion-related validity based on the Spearman [rho] correlation coefficient of 0.70 (P < .001) between BSI and SAI scores. Anxious patients had higher complication rates than did nonanxious patients (BSI, 1.31 +/- 0.13 vs 0.82 +/- 0.08, respectively, P < .001; SAI, 1.34 +/- 0.13 vs 0.80 +/- 0.07, respectively, P < .001), demonstrating adequate construct validity. In a logistic regression, BSI scores were independent predictors of in-hospital complications after controlling for sociodemographic and clinical variables, which further supported construct validity. Conclusion: These results provide support for the BSI as a reliable, valid instrument for measuring anxiety in patients hospitalized for AMI. (C) 2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. Read more...

Commentary: Time to Treatment for Acute Coronary Syndromes: The Cost of IndecisionMonday, March 1st, 2010

No abstract available Read more...

Time to Treatment for Acute Coronary Syndromes: The Cost of IndecisionMonday, March 1st, 2010

Background and Research Objectives: Multiple sociodemographic and environmental factors have been associated with urgent treatment-seeking behaviors for patients experiencing acute coronary syndromes (ACSs). However, variables that directly affect the decision to seek care in the emergency department (ED) have been less well defined. The objective of this study was to explore the factors associated with a decision to seek care for symptoms of ACSs and to describe patient characteristics associated with time to presentation. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive design was used. The nonprobability sample included 256 patients admitted to the hospital with ACSs. The study was conducted on cardiac step-down units at 2 large urban medical centers. Reasons for seeking care were elicited during structured interviews in the patient's room. These factors and other patient characteristics were treated as predictor variables in an analysis of time from symptom onset to arrival in the ED. Results and Conclusions: Five categories of decision making were identified through descriptive content analyses and were labeled new onset of chest pain, ongoing evaluation of symptom severity, symptoms other than chest pain that worsened or were unrelieved, externally motivated, and internally motivated. Median time from symptom onset to arrival in the ED was 9.5 hours for women and 6 hours for men. Patients who experienced constant pain (hazard ratio, 1.44; P =.01) and those with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (hazard ratio, 1.59; P = .004) sought treatment significantly sooner than patients with intermittent pain. Older patients sought treatment later (hazard ratio, 0.99; P = .02). Patients who are older and experience intermittent pain should be encouraged to seek emergent treatment for symptoms that may represent ACSs. New evidence of patients' decision-making processes and dangerous delay in time to treatment provides knowledge needed to counsel patients about the benefits of seeking care quickly when symptoms begin. (C) 2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. Read more...

High School Body Mass Index and Body Mass Index at Entry to a Cardiac Disease Risk Prevention Clinic and the Association to All-Cause Mortality and Coronary Heart Disease: A PreCIS Database StudyMonday, March 1st, 2010

Objective: To investigate overweight/obese patients (body mass index [BMI], >=25 kg/m2) at entry to a preventive cardiology clinic who had a high school (HS) BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater versus those with a BMI of less than 25 kg/m2 to determine coronary heart disease (CHD) prevalence, all-cause mortality. Methods: Patients (n = 4,597) who had a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater at the time of initial visit to the prevention clinic were asked to report their weight at graduation from HS. Patients with BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater in HS (n = 1,285) were compared with patients (n = 3,312) with a BMI of less than 25 kg/m2 in HS. Prevalent CHD was assessed at entry. Patient mortality was assessed using the Social Security Death Index for a maximum of 7 years after the initial visit. Results: Mean/median values for most CHD risk factors were higher in the group with an HS BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater, with the exception of low-density lipoprotein level (120 vs 132 mg/dL; P < .001), Lipoprotein (a) level (16 vs 19 mg/dL; P = .003), and systolic blood pressure (126 vs 128. 3 mm Hg; P < .001). Patients with an HS BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater had a higher mean BMI at initial visit (33.9 vs 30.1; P < .001) and hemoglobin A1c (6.8% vs 6.3%; P < .001) and glucose concentrations (93 vs 91 mg/dL; P = .004), with a lower mean high-density lipoprotein level (43.2 vs 46.5 mg/dL; P < .001) as well as greater prevalence of smoking (16.2% vs 11.4%; P < .001), diabetes mellitus (32.4% vs 21.8%; P < .001), CHD (47.1% vs 43%; P = .01), and specifically myocardial infarction (25.8% vs 21.1%; P = .001). Fibrinogen and urine albumin-to-creatinine levels were elevated. After adjusting for risk factors, an HS BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater was associated with a 21% higher prevalence of CHD (odds ratio, 1.20; P = .027). However, an HS BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater was not a significant predictor of 7-year mortality (hazard ratio, 1.03; P = .84). Conclusion: Patients with an HS BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater had more CHD risk factors compared with those with an HS BMI of less than 25 kg/m2. Prevalence of CHD was also significantly higher in this group. However, an HS BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater was not a significant predictor of mortality. (C) 2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. Read more...

Diabetes Mellitus and the Importance of Self-careMonday, March 1st, 2010

Self-care is believed to play an important role in diabetes mellitus (DM) management, and the relationship between DM self-care and glycemic control has been extensively examined in the literature. However, most existing DM self-care literature focuses on patients' routine health behaviors. The literature has not examined in detail the relationship between health outcomes and patient decision making/nonroutine responses to signs and symptoms of DM. This article adopted Riegel and Dickson's situation-specific theory of heart failure self-care [J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2008;23(3):190-196], which incorporates an examination of patient decision making and nonroutine behaviors in their working concept of self-care, and used it as a framework for reviewing the research literature relevant to how DM self-care influences health outcomes. (C) 2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. Read more...

PCNA: Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses AssociationMonday, March 1st, 2010

No abstract available Read more...

Implanted LA-pressure sensor guides HF meds, prevents decompensations in pilot studyFriday, February 26th, 2010

Patients with the device self-adjusted their daily diuretic intake based on left-atrial pressure readings according to instructions prepared for them by their physicians.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Medicare pay cut of 21.2% to take effect MondayFriday, February 26th, 2010

Senate Democrats will not introduce legislation creating a new effective date for the reduction until next week, according to a spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Diets high in fat, particularly trans fat, raise risk for ischemic strokeFriday, February 26th, 2010

Researchers say their study is the first to confirm a link between dietary fat and stroke in older women and should serve as a reminder to clinicians to educate their patients about food choices.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

CREST: Stenting and endarterectomy show similar net safety and efficacy for carotid stenosisFriday, February 26th, 2010

UPDATED // Results suggest some advantage for stenting in younger patients and for surgery in older patients.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Remote ischemic conditioning increases myocardial salvage during acute MIFriday, February 26th, 2010

Remote conditioning, which takes place in the ambulance during transfer to primary PCI, reduces perfusion injury and is an inexpensive and noninvasive adjunct to improve outcomes in patients with an...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

ICSS: Continued higher event rates with stenting vs surgery for symptomatic carotid stenosisFriday, February 26th, 2010

On the eve of presentation of the long-awaited CREST, 120-day results of the International Carotid Stenting Study show that, at least for now, endarterectomy should remain the treatment of choice.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Less is more: Small changes would improve heart-disease outcomes in USThursday, February 25th, 2010

Rather than concentrating primarily on medical technologies and greater use of pharmacotherapy, the US needs to seriously address lifestyle risk factors if it wants to properly tackle its...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Experts ponder expanding transcatheter valves indication to lower-risk patientsThursday, February 25th, 2010

A variety of experts at the CRT conference discuss what it will take to bring minimally invasive transcatheter-valve implants to patients beyond those ineligible for open-heart surgery.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

GlaxoSmithKline fires back in defense of rosiglitazoneThursday, February 25th, 2010

In its response, the company states it has been "proactive in investigating the safety data" of rosiglitazone and is critical of the Senate report that ignores other data, including DREAM, ADOPT, and...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

ADMIRE-HF published: How imaging sympathetic nerve function can assess risk in CHFThursday, February 25th, 2010

The study shows how imaging the sympathetic innervation of the heart can be used as a prognostic tool in heart-failure patients.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

US scientists begin to unravel the mystery of 9p21Thursday, February 25th, 2010

New research has shed some light on a hitherto-unsolved genetic mystery: how a common variation on chromosome 9p21, associated with an increased risk of early coronary artery disease, might exert its...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Is there too much excitement for ticagrelor?Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

One expert argues for a more cautious approach to the potent antiplatelet drug ticagrelor, but not everyone shares his trepidation.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Experts debate future of rosiglitazone in the wake of critical Senate reportWednesday, February 24th, 2010

After the release of the Senate report last weekend, experts had varying opinions on the future of the drug. Some, including FDA officials, called for it to be pulled from the market, while others...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

New details on potential adverse coumarin-clopidogrel interactionWednesday, February 24th, 2010

The study showing an interaction between coumarin derivatives and the antiplatelet effects of clopidogrel has now been published.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Volume CTA scanning may slash radiation doseWednesday, February 24th, 2010

CT angiography using a volume-scanning approach instead of helical scanning may reduce the patient's exposure to radiation by as much as 91%, according to results of a simulation trial.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Un-POPULAR? Utility of platelet-function tests "modest"Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

The publication of the first head-to-head trial of platelet-function tests shows that three of the six assays examined helped indicate the likelihood of adverse cardiovascular events among patients...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

FDA warning: HIV drug combo and rhythm disturbancesTuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Preliminary data suggest that the combination of saquinavir and ritonavir may cause prolongation of the QT and PR intervals, leading to an increased risk of torsades de pointes and heart block,...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Worse prognosis for patients with proximal peripheral artery diseaseTuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Individuals with proximal lesions have a significantly greater risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease events, even after adjustment for multiple risk factors and comorbidities, than patients...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Avandia analysis: Authors with financial conflicts draw more positive conclusionsTuesday, February 23rd, 2010

An analysis of over 202 papers discussing the potential MI risks of rosiglitazone shows that almost half of authors had ties to the diabetes-drug industry and that those with ties were more likely to...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Walnuts may improve lipids, endothelial function in diabeticsMonday, February 22nd, 2010

A small randomized crossover trial showed that flow-mediated dilation improved in people with type 2 diabetes who added walnuts to their meals over an eight-week period.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

IOM report calls hypertension the "neglected disease"Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Most patients diagnosed with hypertension do not have their blood pressure adequately controlled, the report found. Physicians are also failing to adhere to guidelines for treating mild hypertension...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

New Senate report puts Avandia safety in spotlight againMonday, February 22nd, 2010

A new Senate report has rekindled debate about the cardiovascular safety of GlaxoSmithKline's diabetes agent rosiglitazone, stating that there are "serious health risks" associated with the drug. It...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Gene variants blur line between "lone" AF and typical AF presentationSunday, February 21st, 2010

Yet another set of genetic mutations has been linked to atrial fibrillation; the relation appears strongest in patients with symptomatic AF but no apparent structural heart disease. The function of...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

New MRI protocol for patients with implantable devices may eliminate defibrillation-threshold testingFriday, February 19th, 2010

UPDATED WITH COMMENTARY // Researchers have developed a new protocol for the safe MRI of patients with cardiovascular implantable devices.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Warfarin can be stopped at three to six months postablation of AF, but editorial urges cautionFriday, February 19th, 2010

Despite the positive findings, an editorial calls the study hypothesis-generating, noting that the AF field needs a prospective randomized clinical trial, one that includes standardized methods to...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Expert Opinion: Relevance of statin pleiotropism to cardiovascular outcomes after ACSThursday, February 18th, 2010

Latest Grassley letter seeks clarity on 510(k) loophole through which Myxo ring went to marketThursday, February 18th, 2010

The letter is the latest in a series from the senator's office probing the Myxo ETlogix annuloplasty ring—a device that made its way onto the market based on FDA guidance that Grassley has...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Hypertension may predict dementia in older adultsThursday, February 18th, 2010

Hypertension increases risk of progression from cognitive impairment to dementia in a subset of patient with a cognitive deficit known as executive dysfunction.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Amlodipine/benazepril best for slowing progression of chronic kidney diseaseWednesday, February 17th, 2010

An analysis of the ACCOMPLISH study showed that after a mean follow-up of three years, amlodipine and benazepril significantly reduced the progression to chronic kidney disease 48%, an absolute...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

ARTS II: DES and CABG have similar death, stroke, and MI out to five yearsWednesday, February 17th, 2010

In the ARTS II trial, the five-year composite safety end point of death, stroke, and MI are comparable for bypass surgery and intervention with a sirolimus-eluting stent, but major adverse events...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

More stroke patients are receiving guideline-recommended therapiesWednesday, February 17th, 2010

A new report using data from the Get With the Guidelines-Stroke initiative finds age-based treatment gaps may be narrowing.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Subcutaneous monitor 96% sensitive for AF in studyWednesday, February 17th, 2010

A small prospective study shows the Medtronic Reveal XT to be highly accurate in detecting and ruling out atrial fibrillation.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

New overview of 9p21 gene variants show significant but modest link with heart diseaseWednesday, February 17th, 2010

The results also suggest this association varies with age but less so with race.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Increased risk of diabetes observed among statin-treated patientsTuesday, February 16th, 2010

The researchers, along with other experts, stress that clinical practice should remain unchanged in patients with moderate or high cardiovascular risk, given the low absolute risk of diabetes,...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Broad genetic score adds nothing above traditional CV risk factorsTuesday, February 16th, 2010

Combining all known single nucleotide polymorphisms for heart disease—or at least all of the ones discovered by June of last year—results in a score that's no better than traditional risk...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Enoxaparin beneficial in primary PCI?Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Enoxaparin was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular outcomes compared with unfractionated heparin in a nonrandomized substudy of the FINESSE trial.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Dr Robert Hendel to lead expansion and coordination of cardiac imaging at U of MiamiTuesday, February 16th, 2010

Dr Robert Hendel, formerly with Midwest Heart Specialists, is now the director of cardiac imaging and outpatient cardiology at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

No benefit of HRT on CHD risk in recently menopausal womenMonday, February 15th, 2010

A new analysis of the Women's Health Initiative study has found that, among recently menopausal women, estrogen/progestin therapy slightly, but not significantly, increased the risk of coronary heart...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

ICD complications are more common in CRT, dual-chamber devicesMonday, February 15th, 2010

UPDATED WITH COMMENTARY // A prospective, detailed population-based registry in Ontario finds that complications rates after ICD implantation are strongly associated with the complexity of the device.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

DES in AMI: Benefits maintained at three years in SESAMIMonday, February 15th, 2010

One-year results had suggested sirolimus-eluting stents were superior, driven by a lower rate of repeat procedures; researchers now say that advantage has been maintained out to three years, with no...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Migraine with and without aura linked to CVD events and risk factorsMonday, February 15th, 2010

A new report from the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention study shows a strong relation between migraine and cardiovascular events and risk factors, including stroke, MI, and claudication.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

ACC backs cardiologist for Congress, tests political clout at pivotal time for US healthcareSunday, February 14th, 2010

The college's political action committee recently donated $5000 to the campaign of Georgia Republican Chris Cates. The conservative candidate has set his sights on blocking some of the proposed...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Chocolate linked to lower stroke and stroke mortality riskFriday, February 12th, 2010

Higher flavonoid intake from chocolate may reduce risk of incident stroke and stroke mortality, but the number of studies to date is limited.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

WSJ argues COURAGE is a missed opportunity for comparative effectiveness savingsFriday, February 12th, 2010

A feature in the Wall Street Journal investigates why stenting rates have rebounded following a brief decline after the COURAGE trial showed that stenting does not reduce adverse events in...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Study shows weight loss improves ventricular structureFriday, February 12th, 2010

Ventricular remodeling associated with obesity may be at least partially reversible with weight loss, a new study shows.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

UK NICE issues guidance on VTE preventionFriday, February 12th, 2010

The UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has issued new guidance that will make risk assessment for venous thromboembolism mandatory for all patients going into the hospital. One...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Authors of case report on a rare defibrillator problem clash with company over claimsFriday, February 12th, 2010

A new report describes a single case of inappropriate shocks that the authors believe stemmed from a wobbly defibrillator head. The manufacturer rejects the theory and says the writers should have...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

President Bill Clinton gets two stents at ColumbiaThursday, February 11th, 2010

UPDATED // Clinton reportedly called the head of cardiology at Columbia two days ago saying he didn't feel well. The stent procedure was performed by Drs Mark Apfelbaum and Michael Collins.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Heart-disease awareness in women: Getting better but a long way to goThursday, February 11th, 2010

Awareness is still low in racial/ethnic minorities, and numerous misperceptions and barriers to prevention persist.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Possible link between H1N1 flu and myocarditisThursday, February 11th, 2010

Within a recent 30-day period, four cases of fulminant myocarditis, an atypical number compared with usual experiences, were documented, raising suspicions that the virus is more commonly associated...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

RECORD confirms climb in HF risk with rosiglitazoneThursday, February 11th, 2010

The secondary finding from the controversial trial is consistent with an interim analysis conducted several years ago.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Childhood obesity and glucose intolerance linked with premature deathWednesday, February 10th, 2010

Obesity, glucose intolerance, and hypertension in childhood are strongly linked with premature death in young adulthood and middle age, according to the results of a new epidemiological study....

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Cardiac Science recalls over 12 000 AEDsWednesday, February 10th, 2010

Cardiac Science is initiating a worldwide recall of eight models of automated external defibrillators after internal quality testing showed that they may not be able to deliver therapy during a...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Changing times: New approach needed in PAH trialsWednesday, February 10th, 2010

A new review concludes that current treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension have "uncertain" effects on long-term survival and concludes that a novel approach is needed for future clinical...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Novel biomarker-guided strategy hastens optimal dosing in highest-risk HF patientsWednesday, February 10th, 2010

Once higher-risk patients are identified by natriuretic-peptide testing, the assays can be used to accelerate their beta-blocker uptitration and optimize dosing of other drugs, researchers say.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Reassurance on enoxaparin anticoagulation in the cath labWednesday, February 10th, 2010

A new point-of-care test that can be used in the cath lab to monitor anticoagulation levels of enoxaparin has been shown to give reliable results and may persuade more cardiologists to use the...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

FDA approves expanded rosuvastatin labelTuesday, February 9th, 2010

UPDATED WITH COMMENTARY // The FDA decision was announced Monday. Eligible patients for statin therapy now include those who qualify based on age, elevated hs-CRP, and one additional cardiovascular...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Plaque composition may explain differences in men and women's cardiac event ratesTuesday, February 9th, 2010

Multidetector CT angiography shows that women are less likely to have calcified plaques than men, which may in part explain why women have a lower risk of cardiac events, the authors of a new study...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Aspirin's US REACH: 25% of secondary-prevention patients not treatedTuesday, February 9th, 2010

A new registry analysis should remind physicians to step up use of aspirin in patients proven to benefit but also gives a snapshot of aspirin use in primary prevention that may prove helpful when...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

New guidance for in-hospital torsades de pointesTuesday, February 9th, 2010

Hospitalized patients can be at increased risk of sudden death associated with torsades de pointes, a polymorphic VT that can be a side effect of certain drugs and promoted by a number of genetic...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Sirolimus-eluting stent beneficial for in-stent restenosisTuesday, February 9th, 2010

The overall rate of target lesion revascularization after sirolimus-eluting-stent implantation was 11% at four years, with an overall incidence of stent thrombosis of less than 1% annually, report...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Repeatedly telling patients of their coronary disease risk improves outcomesMonday, February 8th, 2010

Providing patients with their global coronary heart disease risk appears to improve the accuracy of their risk perception, and repeating risk information improves outcomes slightly, according to a...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Zero means nothing: "Gatekeeper" role of calcium scoring questionedMonday, February 8th, 2010

Zero coronary calcification does not exclude obstructive stenosis or the need for revascularization in patients referred for coronary angiography, according to a new substudy of the CORE 64 study.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

From the heart: Call for better African CV researchMonday, February 8th, 2010

Two doctors from Mozambique are calling for concerted efforts to foster multidisciplinary research into neglected cardiovascular diseases that predominantly occur in Africa. These include newly...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

African Americans have highest risk of peripartum cardiomyopathyMonday, February 8th, 2010

African American women have much higher odds of developing peripartum cardiomyopathy than non-African Americans, a new US study shows; the findings illustrate that race is by far the largest risk...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Higher risk of AMI in women with goutSunday, February 7th, 2010

UPDATED WITH COMMENTARY // A link between gout and AMI has been previously documented in men: now a new cohort study suggests gout may be even more important as a comorbidity in women.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Changes in diet and exercise can make a big difference within six months of ACSFriday, February 5th, 2010

Results of a large international study confirm that adherence to doctor's advice on diet, exercise, and smoking after an acute coronary syndrome can substantially lower the risk of recurrent...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Thomas recalls SafeSheath CSG introducersFriday, February 5th, 2010

Thomas Medical is recalling certain lots of its SafeSheath CSG lead introducers in response to reports of fragmentation and embolization of the tip.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

A good report card for laser-assisted pacemaker/ICD lead extractionFriday, February 5th, 2010

Non-procedure-related clinical issues, such as diabetes or device-related infection, are a major cause of poor procedural and clinical outcomes; still, the overall success rate is high, and...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Statins fail to slow progression of small AAAsThursday, February 4th, 2010

The negative results, according to researchers, highlight the need for more research to develop medications targeted specifically at reducing abdominal aortic aneurysm growth.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Religion, spirituality not associated with better cardiovascular healthThursday, February 4th, 2010

In fact, the researchers showed that greater religiosity was associated with obesity. At the present time, however, it is unknown whether the obese are more likely to seek out religion and...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

UK cardiologists petition NICE to reverse dronedarone decisionThursday, February 4th, 2010

Doctors and patient groups are petitioning the agency to change its recent draft guidance, which did not recommend the use of the new drug for AF.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Stand up and be counted: ECG-based test for long-QT syndrome proposedWednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Easily added to any other tests performed, a positive finding suggests the patient is susceptible to potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias, according to researchers.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Cardiologist may score "big" in Ohio whistleblower caseWednesday, February 3rd, 2010

According to news reports, Christ Hospital has now settled with the feds in a lawsuit alleging that cardiologists were allotted time in an outpatient testing unit based on the number of CABG...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Procedure volume is a close proxy for popular hospital quality rankingsWednesday, February 3rd, 2010

A study comparing cardiovascular outcomes at the "best hospitals," according to two popular hospital ranking systems, shows that the systems do identify high-quality hospitals, but not all of them.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Asymptomatic Brugada patients may not need ICDsWednesday, February 3rd, 2010

In the largest series of Brugada-syndrome patients studied to date, researchers have discovered that arrhythmic event rates appear to be low for asymptomatic patients. The decision as to whether or...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

One in five kids with abnormal lipidsWednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Also, nearly one-third of these youths are obese or overweight and based on their BMI are candidates for lipid screening, according to the CDC.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Opportunity lost: 400 000 US CHD deaths predicted for 2010, as risk-reduction goals fall shortTuesday, February 2nd, 2010

The number of deaths predicted would be half as high, if the US population met goals set out 10 years ago in the Healthy People 2010 report, researchers say. Obesity and diabetes have proved to be...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Déjà vu? Experts debate new data on diuretic/CCB combo and MI riskTuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Low-risk hypertensive patients taking a combination of diuretics and calcium-channel blockers had a higher risk of MI than users of other common two-drug BP-lowering regimens in a new case-control...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

New advisory warns of CV risk with common prostate-cancer treatmentTuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Androgen-deprivation therapy is a "mainstay" in prostate-cancer treatment, but a possible link between certain hormone therapies and cardiovascular events has moved the American Heart Association,...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

POPE published: Avoid NSAIDs for asymptomatic pericardial effusionsMonday, February 1st, 2010

Diclofenac does not reduce pericardial effusions, according to the POPE study. This should signal the end of routine use of NSAIDs in this indication, comments an expert.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

No rebound effect with platelets after stopping clopidogrelMonday, February 1st, 2010

Tapering off clopidogrel treatment after the implantation of a drug-eluting stent does not result in lower platelet-aggregation values than those seen after the antiplatelet medication is abruptly...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Herbal heartache: New review reminds cardiologists to query supplement useMonday, February 1st, 2010

More than 15 million people in the US alone take herbal remedies and/or vitamins at doses that may be interacting with their cardiovascular medications, potentially putting them at risk.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

CT more accurate than MRI for ruling out coronary artery diseaseMonday, February 1st, 2010

Results from a new meta-analysis showed that CT has better sensitivity and specificity than MRI, leading researchers to conclude that it is more advantageous for detecting and ruling out clinically...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

No time like the present: Study supports early mitral-valve repair in asymptomatic patientsMonday, February 1st, 2010

In a study of 4586 patients with severe degenerative mitral regurgitation, even mild heart-failure symptoms are associated with decline in cardiac function, suggesting that early valve surgery will...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Best timing of surgery for active mitral endocarditis remains controversialMonday, February 1st, 2010

A small study suggests supports the safety of early surgery for mitral regurgitation in the setting of endocarditis, instead of waiting for the usual six weeks for antibiotics to work.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Ripe for change: US ponders populationwide salt-reduction policiesFriday, January 29th, 2010

Messages to limit the amount of salt added to food have had little impact on sodium intake in the West, where more than 75% of salt in the diet there is contained in readily prepared foods. The UK...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

OCT finds additional at-risk lesions in AMI patientsFriday, January 29th, 2010

The study is one of the first to compare rates of thin-cap, or vulnerable, plaques in AMI survivors and stable-angina patients, identifying important differences.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

The atrial septal poucha new source of thrombus?Friday, January 29th, 2010

This structure could be a source of thrombi and could explain the occurrence of many ischemic strokes, particularly in younger patients, researchers believe.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Looking after their own: Surgeons may provide better care than intensivists in ICUThursday, January 28th, 2010

A single-center study suggests that physicians trained as cardiac surgeons are better suited to care for cardiac critical-care patients than general intensivists.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Beta blockers: Less effect on pulse pressure than diureticsThursday, January 28th, 2010

A new review of the use of beta blockers as second-line therapy for primary hypertension has shown that they appear to lower BP differently from thiazide diuretics, with less of an effect on pulse...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

ARBs, ACE inhibitors, and Alzheimer'sThursday, January 28th, 2010

Although ARBs bested ACE inhibitors in this observational cohort, the data suggest that the lowest risks for Alzheimer's disease and nursing-home admission were seen in those taking both agents.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Study finds delaying surgery after PCI prevents kidney injuryWednesday, January 27th, 2010

An observational study in Maine finds that patients who went home between PCI and cardiac surgery had a significantly lower risk of acute kidney injury than patients undergoing PCI and surgery in the...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Scared healthy? Not quite: Mixed results for changing behavior with imagingWednesday, January 27th, 2010

Does seeing the physical damage caused by an unhealthy lifestyle get individuals to change their behavior? Results are mixed, according to researchers, with behavior changing in certain...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Weight loss important in BP management: ENCORE publishedWednesday, January 27th, 2010

The ENCORE study, illustrating how weight management augments the blood-pressure-lowering effects of the DASH diet, has been published.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

New UK data support ACCORD findings, emphasize need for individualization of blood glucose controlTuesday, January 26th, 2010

A new study in type 2 diabetes patients has found that the lowest and highest glycated HbA1c levels were associated with increased all-cause mortality and cardiac events. While the results suggest...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Now in 3D! Automated three-dimensional X-ray angiography shows promise in small trialTuesday, January 26th, 2010

A fully automated three-dimensional reconstruction of rotational coronary X-ray angiograms is feasible and overcomes some of the limitations of traditional 2D angiography, a pilot study shows.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Ablation bests antiarrhythmic drug therapy in recurrent paroxysmal AF: THERMACOOL AFTuesday, January 26th, 2010

The use of catheter ablation compared with antiarrhythmic drug therapy resulted in a longer time to treatment failure, an end point that included recurrent AF, during the nine-month follow-up period,...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

BMJ feature story peers into MIST controversyTuesday, January 26th, 2010

The four-page article chronicles the acrimonious falling-out between cardiologist Dr Peter Wilmshurst and NMT Medical over the Migraine Intervention with STARflex Technology trial, including details...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Liraglutide approved for type 2 diabetesTuesday, January 26th, 2010

Liraglutide, a first-in-class once-daily human glucagonlike peptide-1 analog, has received approval as second-line therapy for type 2 diabetes.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Society of Thoracic Surgeons' national database effort comes of ageTuesday, January 26th, 2010

Researchers have successfully "linked" the Society of Thoracic Surgeons' national surgery database to CMS records to facilitate the study of long-term outcomes of cardiothoracic surgery.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

FDA clears percutaneous valve for RVOT conduitMonday, January 25th, 2010

Anomalies of the right ventricular outflow tract require surgical intervention, but the percutaneous valve implant allows patients to undergo a less invasive procedure, delaying the need for further...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Serial natriuretic-peptide testing unmasks shifts in CV risk in the elderlyMonday, January 25th, 2010

The findings in a community-based cohort of people aged >65 highlight the dynamic nature of cardiovascular risk in that population; a substantial jump in levels from the first to the second test...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

How to get "clinically significant" randomized trialsMonday, January 25th, 2010

A new review notes that unlike well-established standards for statistical significance, no guidelines exist for deciding what magnitude of difference is clinically meaningful or practically...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Same weight loss, better BP with low-carb diet vs drug/diet comboMonday, January 25th, 2010

The one-year randomized study is the first to compare the low-carb diet with a low-fat strategy in combination with a diet drug. While lipid changes were similar, diastolic and systolic BP improved...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

New variant linked to platelet response and bleeding events with clopidogrelMonday, January 25th, 2010

Those homozygous for the CYP2C19*17 polymorphism had significantly reduced platelet aggregation and significantly greater risks of bleeding than individuals without the variant, although there was no...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Obesity by any measure linked to increased ischemic-stroke riskFriday, January 22nd, 2010

Researchers say their findings, which were consistent across sex, race, and different tools for gauging obesity, should serve as a reminder to physicians that stroke, in addition to MI, is increased...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

FDA adds contraindication to sibutramine; Europe moves to yank it altogetherFriday, January 22nd, 2010

The FDA's Medwatch sent an alert yesterday announcing that the diet drug labeling will now include contraindications for people with a history of CVD. Meanwhile, Europe's EMEA announced it plans to...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Prehospital ECG speeds STEMI patients' route to cath labThursday, January 21st, 2010

EMS deployment of prehospital ECG allows STEMI patients to bypass triage in the ER and go directly to the cath lab.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Red yeast rice comparable to pravastatin for statin-intolerant patientsThursday, January 21st, 2010

Red-yeast-rice and pravastatin treatment arms both had low withdrawal rates and achieved comparable reductions in LDL-cholesterol levels, report researchers.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Canadian transcatheter-valve series offers insights into highest-risk patientsThursday, January 21st, 2010

While it is impossible to compare the transfemoral and transapical outcomes from the nonrandomized, multicenter study, investigators note that the survival rates for both groups were similar at one...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Don't get greedy: Registry data support treating culprit lesion only in initial PCI for STEMIThursday, January 21st, 2010

The first long-term comparison of multivessel and culprit-only PCI in STEMI patients favors treating just the culprit lesion during the initial admission.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Mild emphysema tied to subclinical LV diastolic dysfunction in population-based studyThursday, January 21st, 2010

The findings have implications for the workup of patients presenting with dyspnea for whom heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is one potential diagnosis, according to researchers.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

New data prompt renewed calls for public-health initiative to cut salt in US dietWednesday, January 20th, 2010

New statistical projections suggest that slashing salt in the US diet by 3 g per day would have huge benefits, reducing cardiovascular events and deaths to the same extent as interventions such as...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

FDA approves Thoratec's HeartMate II LVAD for destination therapyWednesday, January 20th, 2010

FDA approves Thoratec's HeartMate II continuous-flow left ventricular assist device for severe heart-failure patients who are not eligible for a heart transplant.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

EVAR beats open surgery for ruptured AAAsWednesday, January 20th, 2010

Repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms with a minimally invasive endovascular approach is associated with a greater reduction in mortality than an open-surgery approach, according to a new...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

ADA exalts HbA1c for diabetes diagnosis, updates aspirin recommendationsWednesday, January 20th, 2010

In new guidelines from the American Diabetes Association, elevated glycosylated hemoglobin can, for the first time, suffice for a diagnosis of diabetes; the recommendations also tighten up on the age...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

ED predicts future CVD but doesn't add beyond traditional risk factorsTuesday, January 19th, 2010

After adjustment for conventional risk factors, men with ED are at a 40% greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease than men without ED. Still, the addition of ED did not improve the...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Use of preventive medications declines rapidly after strokeTuesday, January 19th, 2010

A new study shows persistent use of secondary-prevention medications, including antihypertensive agents, antiplatelets, statins, and warfarin, quickly falls off during first two years after a stroke.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Telomere length could explain effects of fish oil in CHDTuesday, January 19th, 2010

A new study in patients with heart disease shows an inverse association between blood levels of fish oil and the rate of telomere shortening—an indication of biological aging—over five...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Acceptable primary-PCI delay time may depend on patient baseline riskTuesday, January 19th, 2010

The acceptable time delay in transferring STEMI patients for primary PCI needs to be adjusted according to the overall risk of the patient, a new study has suggested.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

A-bomb survivor data affirm radiation/CVD risk linkTuesday, January 19th, 2010

The latest data from Japanese atomic-bomb survivors show that even moderate radiation-dose levels may increase the risk of stroke and heart disease.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Tailored statin approach targeting baseline risk best for preventing CADMonday, January 18th, 2010

The tailored approach, where a moderate- or high-dose statin is prescribed depending on the patient's overall cardiovascular risk, is more efficient than a treat-to-target approach, preventing more...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and beta blockers reduce risk of AFMonday, January 18th, 2010

Hypertensive patients receiving long-term monotherapy with ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or beta blockers were less likely to develop new-onset atrial fibrillation than those who received only...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

DNA methylation observed for first time in heart failureMonday, January 18th, 2010

UK scientists have shown for the first time that cardiac tissue from patients with end-stage heart failure shows signs of DNA methylation, a process that is thought to explain why cells with the same...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Guidelines survey aims for flexible design of CV-risk screening programsMonday, January 18th, 2010

It's intended as a kind of one-stop shopping for primary-care physicians and health-system managers looking for cardiovascular-risk screening criteria who might be confused by separate and...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Court declines to hear ACC Medicare payment lawsuitFriday, January 15th, 2010

A Florida judge has slammed the door on the lawsuit, citing jurisdictional grounds. The ACC vows to fight on.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Japanese study finds CT plaque analysis predicts post-PCI myocardial injuryFriday, January 15th, 2010

Postprocedural myocardial injury is associated with both the total volume and fraction of low-attenuation plaque detected by multidetector tomography angiography, a new study shows.

For complete story visit theheart.org.

TAVI has low acute renal injury rate, compares favorably with surgical valve replacementFriday, January 15th, 2010

The first comprehensive assessment of the incidence of acute renal injury following transcatheter aortic-valve implantation for severe aortic stenosis finds a low rate of this adverse effect, one...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

US healthcare reform bills inspire fear and hope in cardiologistsFriday, January 15th, 2010

Cardiologists hope US health reform will improve patient access to life-saving therapies but fear good intentions could shift costs onto hospitals and providers, without fully tackling the thorny...

For complete story visit theheart.org.

Cardiac CT angiography points to preclinical atherosclerosis in HIV+ menFriday, January 15th, 2010

Men with longer duration of HIV infection were more likely to have a higher prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis and a higher overall plaque volume.

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Weekend stroke patients more likely to receive tPAFriday, January 15th, 2010

Mortality outcomes were similar in patients admitted on weekends to those admitted on weekdays, the study found.

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Call for regional systems of care for out-of-hospital cardiac arrestThursday, January 14th, 2010

These systems of care would involve everybody from the EMS to dedicated, experienced centers that treat cardiac-arrest survivors and would be capable of performing PCI, mechanical interventions, and...

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PLATO-Invasive in print, with new data on stent thrombosis for ticagrelorWednesday, January 13th, 2010

Findings for the analysis mirror those of the overall trial and those reported by heartwire when the substudy was first presented. The paper also includes new subset analysis details that may help...

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Most Americans overweight, and one-third are obese: NHANESWednesday, January 13th, 2010

More than two-thirds of US adults are considered overweight or obese, while more than 10% of children and adolescents are also considered too heavy for their age. The good news, however, is that the...

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Cocaine-related sudden death not so rareWednesday, January 13th, 2010

Cocaine-associated sudden deaths are not so rare, and the majority are cardiac in nature, according to a Spanish postmortem case-control study. The findings also indicate there is no such thing as...

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