'''February 17, 2009: New Data on Sudden Death in Young Athletes Published'''
*[http://cardiobrief.org (CardioBrief) - Barry Maron and colleagues have now provided the most clear and comprehensive perspective yet available on the rate and cause of sudden death in young athletes in the US. Examining data from 1980-2006, the investigators found, in a report published online in ''Circulation'', that cardiovascular disease accounted for 56% of all cases, with more than a third of these caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Over the last six years an average of 66 deaths have occurred each year. The authors conclude that “the absolute number of cardiovascular sudden deaths in young US athletes was somewhat higher than previous estimates but relatively low nevertheless.” (''Circulation'')]
'''February 17, 2009: PFO and Migraine: The Next Chapter'''
*[http://cardiobrief.org (CardioBrief) - A new study in ''JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions'' may revive interest in the idea of PFO closure for the treatment of migraines. This area has been highly controversial in recent years. Now a new study from Italy suggests that closure of large PFOs may in fact be beneficial in these patients. (''JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions'')]
'''February 17, 2009: Elderly in Cardiogenic Shock Benefit from Early PCI'''
*[http://cardiobrief.org (CardioBrief) - Elderly patients in cardiogenic shock may benefit from early use of PCI, according to a new study in ''JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions''. “Although mortality occurs in roughly half of patients in these high risk situations, without this aggressive treatment, the prospect of survival is very poor,” said David Clark, in an ''ACC'' press release. “A patient’s age in and of itself should not be used to deny someone more aggressive, invasive care with angioplasty for cardiogenic shock,” commented Judith Hochman, who is the author of an accompanying editorial. (''JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions'')]
'''February 17, 2009: Researchers Identify First Common Genes Variants that Regulate Blood Pressure'''
*[http://cardiobrief.org (CardioBrief) - Two gene variants that encode for natriuretic peptides are associated with significant differences in blood pressure, according to a new study published in ''Nature Genetics''. (''Nature Genetics'')]
'''February 17, 2009: SALT II: Letter Writers React to Alderman’s NY Times Op-Ed Piece'''
*[http://cardiobrief.org (CardioBrief) - Letter writers to the ''New York Times'', angry at Michael Alderman’s op-ed critique of proposed low salt regulations, are ready to turn him into a pillar of salt. Dr. Steven Havas notes that high sodium consumption causes at least 150,000 prematures deaths each year in the United States. Nephrologist Sheldon Hirsch responds to Alderman’s point that most people would not benefit from sodium restrictions: “But public policy is meant to advance the general welfare. It does not necessarily provide all individuals with equal (or even any) benefit, nor must it necessarily impinge on individual medical decisions.” But at least one writer expressed strong approval for Alderman’s position: “I’m not sure I like the idea of the government’s telling me what to eat. No, let me rephrase that: I do not want the government in my kitchen.”]
'''February 17, 2009: Stent Wars: Abbott Wins and Medtronic Loses'''
*[http://cardiobrief.org (CardioBrief) - A year after the launch of the second generation drug-eluting stents the clear winners and losers are emerging, according to a Dow Jones story by Jon Kamp.Medtronic’s Endeavor stent seems stuck with only a 10% market share, while Abbot’s Xience stent (also marketed by Boston Scientific) holds about half the market.)]
'''February 13, 2009: FDA Advisory Committee to Consider Dronedarone in March'''
'''February 13, 2009: FDA Advisory Committee to Consider Dronedarone in March'''
*[http://cardiobrief.org (CardioBrief) - Following fast on the heels of the publication of the ATHENA trial in the NEJM, the FDA announced it will hold a hearing of the Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee on March 18 to consider “the proposed indication in patients with a history of, or current atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, for the reduction of the risk of cardiovascular hospitalization or death.”]
*[http://cardiobrief.org (CardioBrief) - Following fast on the heels of the publication of the ATHENA trial in the NEJM, the FDA announced it will hold a hearing of the Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee on March 18 to consider “the proposed indication in patients with a history of, or current atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, for the reduction of the risk of cardiovascular hospitalization or death.”]
Revision as of 18:51, 17 February 2009
February 17, 2009: New Data on Sudden Death in Young Athletes Published
February 9, 2009: Increased Mortality and Cardiovascular Morbidity Associated with the Use of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Chronic Heart Failure by Dr. Michael W. Tempelhof