Medscape Cardiology Headlines

A Change in Upper Extremity Examination

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EDT

A 45-year-old woman suffers several complications during treatment for right pleural effusion. A change in her right hand is noticed; it is blistered, extremely swollen, and tense. The radial and ulnar pulses are not palpable. What is the underlying etiology?
eMedicine Case Presentations

Preeclampsia May Increase Risk for End-Stage Renal Disease

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT

A study shows that the absolute risk for end-stage renal disease in women who have had preeclampsia is low but that preeclampsia is a marker of increased risk for subsequent end-stage renal disease.
Medscape Medical News

Don't End It With WENBIT -- Details Needed on B Vitamins, Stroke, and Cancer

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT

A study shows no effects of folic acid/vitamin B12 on total mortality rates or cardiovascular events; however, a trend toward more cancers in patients taking these supplements needs to be clarified.
Medscape Medical News

Series of Tall T Waves (II)

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:50:25 EDT

Are the tall T waves indicative of hyperkalemia, myocardial ischemia, or are they simply a normal variant?
Medscape Cardiology

Direct Cardiotoxicity From Air Pollution Appreciated as Possible Hazard

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:00:55 EDT

Lab evidence suggests some breathed pollutants may directly impair coronary flow and heart contractility, according to a review.
Heartwire

Many US Adults, Especially High-Risk Individuals, Not at Recommended Lipid Targets

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:45:05 EDT

There remains a significant gap in overall lipid control, especially among individuals with cardiovascular comorbidities, say authors of a new study. Less than one in five high-risk individuals are meeting the recommended targets for all lipids, including LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Heartwire

Earlier and More Aggressive LDL Lowering, or Better Approaches for Targeting High-Risk Individuals?

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:02:00 EDT

A review by three renowned experts in cardiology suggests that efforts to treat elevated cholesterol levels are not exploiting the full potential of cholesterol-lowering strategies and current approaches to treatment are simply doing "too little, too late." Two experts, however, say the review ignores practical issues and other markers that are better able to identify high-risk individuals.
Heartwire

Monitoring and Managing Cardiotoxicities Associated with Cancer Therapies: An Expert Interview with Dr. Pamela S. Douglas

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:36:06 EDT

In this interview, Dr. Douglas discusses some of the key challenges facing oncologists today in monitoring and managing cardiotoxicities associated with cancer therapeutics.
NCCN Clinical Practice Oncology Forum

Complications in Oncology Practice: Venous Thromboembolism and Tumor Lysis Syndrome

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EDT

These interactive patient case simulations explore the management of VTE and TLS in patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Medscape Hematology-Oncology

Which Diet is Best? Have the Behaviorists Failed Us?

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:06:37 EDT

In his video blog, Dr. Black discusses the recent New England Journal of Medicine comparison of diets -- and makes several important observations about what this means for clinicians, going forward.
Medscape Cardiology

Should Statins Ever Be Prescribed in Children With Lipid Problems?

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:09:12 EDT

If children are prescribed statins, they may have to take these drugs for decades. Here, Dr. Black discusses whether clinicians should consider this approach, and what an alternative might be.
Medscape Cardiology

Why Should I Report an Adverse Drug Event?

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:14:52 EDT

Individual clinicians can play a vital role in detecting potentially serious adverse drug events -- and the safety of our drug supply depends on them.
Medscape Pharmacists

Sulfonylureas and Metformin May Increase Risk for Cardiovascular Hospitalization

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT

A meta-analysis shows that sulfonylureas and metformin increase the risk for cardiovascular hospitalization or mortality but not the risk for cardiovascular death or all-cause mortality alone.
Medscape Medical News

Does Your Patient's Race Affect the Care That You Deliver?

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:58:46 EDT

Carolyn Clancy, MD, Director, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, Maryland, describes how to eliminate racial disparities in your practice.
The Medscape Journal of Medicine

Tibolone Decreases Fracture, Breast Cancer, but Doubles Stroke Risk

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:59:00 EDT

Results of the randomized LIFT trial show that tibolone, approved for treatment of menopausal symptoms, has positive effects on fracture, breast cancer, and possibly colon cancer but increased stroke risk in women with osteoporosis and should not be used in those with stroke risk factors.
Medscape Medical News

Overall Healthy Lifestyle Significantly Reduces Stroke Risk

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT

A new analysis confirms that in addition to preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, an overall healthy lifestyle is associated with a significantly decreased stroke risk.
Medscape Medical News

Retinopathy Ups CHD Risk Even Without Diabetes

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:11:00 EDT

A new study has found that retinopathy is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, regardless of whether or not the person has diabetes.
Heartwire

ACCORD, ADVANCE, AVOID: What Do They Tell Us About Treating our Patients?

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:20:17 EDT

The ACCORD results were negative (for the primary endpoint), the ADVANCE results were positive. Dr. Black compares and contrasts these results with those of the AVOID study.
Medscape Cardiology

On-TIME 2 in Print: Acute STEMI Gains with Prehospital Triple Antiplatelet Therapy

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:56:00 EDT

Adding tirofiban to therapy with clopidogrel, aspirin, and heparin while the patient is in transit to a PCI center improves ST-segment resolution; outcomes may also improve, the trial hinted.
Heartwire

FDA and Boston Scientific Recall NexStent Carotid Stent System

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:26:00 EDT

The FDA and Boston Scientific announced a class 1 recall of the NexStent Monorail, NexStent carotid stent, and Monorail delivery system, distributed between June 2007 and May 2008, because the tip of the stent-delivery system may detach.
Medscape Medical News