theHeart.org - Thrombosis Risk

Bevacizumab significantly increases venous thromboembolism

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

The risk of venous thromboembolism was increased by 33%, compared with controls, concludes a new meta-analysis of 15 cancer trials. (Nalluri SR et al. JAMA 2008; 300:277-2285.)

OCT imaging suggests low rates of uncovered/malapposed struts following DES for AMI

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:30:36 EST

An OCT study conducted in a subset of HORIZONS-AMI patients suggests that exposed and malapposed stent struts in the setting of AMI are more common with drug-eluting stents than with bare-metal stents but still relatively rare. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Tailoring clopidogrel loading on the basis of responsiveness testing reduces stent thrombosis

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:30:03 EST

Investigators who adjusted clopidogrel dose on the basis of VASP index found they could reduce risk of stent thrombosis as well as MACE at 30 days. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

New factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban moves into phase 3 for ACS

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:15:09 EST

A phase 2 trial has demonstrated the feasibility of the novel oral factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban in patients with acute coronary syndromes already treated with aspirin and clopidogrel. A phase 3 study with the drug, beginning next month, will reveal whether the benefits outweigh the bleeding risks. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Flu shot linked to reduced risk of VTE

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 17:45:00 EST

The link between influenza vaccination and reduced pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis was particularly marked in younger subjects, researchers say. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Eliminating inequalities in CHD: Focus on classic risk factors

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:30:00 EST

Focusing on the classic risk factors for coronary heart disease and ensuring that best-practice interventions to reduce absolute risk are implemented across the board could largely eliminate socioeconomic differences in CHD deaths, a new British study predicts (Kivimäki M et al. Lancet 2008; 372:1648-1654.)

HF up in recent decades as MI deaths fall

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:45:04 EST

A decline in deaths from MI in recent decades appears to have been accompanied by an increase in the incidence of heart failure, according to a new analysis from the Framingham Heart Study. The likely explanation is that sicker patients, who would have died from MI in earlier years, are now surviving but going on to develop HF, say the researchers. (Velagaleti RS et al. Circulation; published online before print October 27, 2008.)

Endocarditis twice as likely to kill the elderly

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:30:18 EDT

The largest prospective multicenter study of infective endocarditis ever conducted has found that elderly patients with the disease have distinctive characteristics compared with their younger counterparts and that they are twice as likely to die from it. (Durante-Mangoni E et al. Arch Intern Med 2008; 168:2095-2103.)

FDA warns Bayer about "unlawful" marketing of aspirin-supplement combinations

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:15:34 EDT

An aspirin-calcium combination marketed for women and an aspirin-phytosterol combination that purports to reduce heart-disease risk are illegal, the FDA says. Bayer, in response, says it "stands behind" its claims but is working with the FDA.

Reducing heart rate in hypertension is harmfulor is it just atenolol?

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:15:39 EDT

Slowing the heart rate with beta blockers in people with hypertension is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and death, a new systematic review shows. But one expert points out the analysis was done mainly with studies that used atenolol and that it remains to be determined whether it is this drug per se or the reduction in heart rate that is harmful. (Bangalore S et al. J Am Coll Cardiol 2008; 52:1482-1489.)

BBC ONE: Fewer MACE with provisional T-stenting for bifurcations

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:30:29 EDT

Provisional T-stenting using the Taxus stent, instead of the crush or culotte techniques, is associated with a lower rate of death, MI, and target vessel failure at one year, results from the BBC ONE trial show. (TCT 2008.)

Is prophylaxis for endocarditis essential, or just a habit that's hard to break?

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:30:18 EDT

The issue of when, or even if, antibiotics should be given for the prevention of infective endocarditis has been hotly debated of late. heartwire interviewed one expert on the subject, Dr Bernard Prendergast, to gauge his views.

Aspirin: Should it be used for primary prevention in diabetics?

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:45:26 EDT

A new study, POPADAD, has found no evidence that aspirin or antioxidants are of any benefit in the primary prevention of cardiovascular events in diabetic patients with asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease. The authors and accompanying editorialist say guidelines should be changed; others say more evidence is needed. (Belch Jet al. BMJ; published online before print October 16, 2008.)

Senate committees seek specifics on industry payments to CRF physicians

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:30:16 EDT

The request came during the Cardiology Research Foundation's flagship event in the nation's capital, held mere blocks from the Senate offices.

Cheney's AF recurs, electrical defibrillation scheduled

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:00:03 EDT

New rofecoxib data will help inform treatment decisions with other coxibs, NSAIDs

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:30:00 EDT

New results from the extended follow-up of the APPROVE trial provide a more complete assessment of the cardiovascular toxicity of the COX-2 inhibitor rofecoxib than previously reported. The findings are still very relevant, because this is a class effect, say the researchers and editorialists. (Baron JA et al. Lancet; published online before print October 13, 2008.)

Carotid stenting safe and effective with experienced operators, European registry suggests

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:15:09 EDT

Investigators caution that the data are preliminary, but the 30-day risk of stroke and death observed in clinical trials is lower when more experienced operators perform the procedure. (TCT 2008.)

Warfarin warning: Shortfalls in anticoagulation for AF up risks of ICH and embolic stroke

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:45:00 EDT

Documentation of the care of patients in a nationwide health plan suggests that less than half of patients with atrial fibrillation are prescribed an anticoagulant. (Walker AM, Bennett D. Heart Rhythm 2008; 5:1365-1372.)

Stem cells for AMI: New review finds same old story

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:00:00 EDT

A familiar message has emerged from a new review of stem-cell therapy for acute MI—a moderate improvement was seen, but much more research is needed. (Martin-Rendon E et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2008; 4: CD006536. Eur Heart J 2008; 29:1807-1818.)

Ultrasound-based strategies comparable for DVT diagnosis, treatment guidance

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:30:00 EDT

A randomized trial found that two ultrasound-based strategies were similarly effective at determining the need for anticoagulation in symptomatic patients with suspected deep-vein thrombosis; both have strengths and weaknesses. (Bernardi E et al. JAMA 2008; 300:1653-1659.)

Societies confront GI risks of antiplatelets, NSAIDs in consensus document

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:00:38 EDT

It addresses a common clinical problem for which there is little clinical-trial-quality data for guidance and gives a starring role to proton-pump inhibitors in treating GI ulcers and bleeding and, in high-risk groups, in their prevention. (Bhatt DL et al. J Am Coll Cardiol; Circulation; published online before print October 3, 2008.)

Elective PCI possible without "safety net" of anticoagulation

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EDT

Low-risk patients with uncomplicated lesions can have elective PCI safely performed using dual antiplatelet therapy without systemic anticoagulation, according to a new randomized study. An accompanying editorial begs to differ, however. (Stabile E et al. J Am Coll Cardiol 2008; 1293-1298.)

India attempts to impose world's biggest smoking ban

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:30:39 EDT

The Indian government appears to have heeded the warnings of medical experts highlighting the immense problem of smoking in the country, with the introduction this week of a nationwide ban on smoking in public places.

Pfizer to drop development of drugs for hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and heart failure

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:00:34 EDT

UPDATED // Forbes reported the news online after obtaining an internal Pfizer memo.

New study finds type of HRT is key with regard to MI risk

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:45:14 EDT

Important new information on HRT and the risk of MI has emerged from a Danish observational study, which finds that the type of HRT used could be key when it comes to the likelihood of a heart attack. (Lokkegaard E et al. Eur Heart J; published online before print September 30, 2008.)

Miniaturized heart pumps: Difference between life and death in small children

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:45:10 EDT

Reporting on his own initial experience with a miniaturized ventricular assist device used as a bridge to transplant in small children, a leading pediatric heart surgeon is hoping that the pump—widely available in Europe—will soon be approved for use in the US. (Gandhi SK et al. Circulation 2008; 118:S89-S93.)

Eating dark chocolate reduces CRP

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:30:32 EDT

A new Italian study has shown, for the first time, that consuming moderate amounts of dark chocolate can significantly reduce CRP levels. (di Giuseppe R et al. J Nutr 2008; 138:1939-1945.)

FDA once again postpones decision on prasugrel

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:00:27 EDT

Two-year Massachusetts registry results support mortality benefit of DES in AMI

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EDT

Whether the benefits are due to restenosis reduction, the additional months of dual antiplatelet therapy, or other effects of the DES itself are unclear, authors note. (Mauri L et al. N Engl J Med 2008; 359:1330-1342.)

Passive smoking ups risk of PAD by 50%

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Chinese researchers have reported, for the first time, a link between exposure to passive smoke and peripheral arterial disease in a cohort of women who have never smoked. They call for urgent public-health measures to protect individuals from secondhand smoke. (He Y et al. Circulation: published online before print September 22, 2008.)