Clinical Cardiology Alert – March 1, 2009
March 1, 2009
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Accuracy of CT Coronary Angiography
Small studies with older equipment at single centers have shown that coronary CT angiography (CTA) is promising for evaluating coronary anatomy. New 64-slice CT scanners have improved spatial and temporal resolution. Thus, these investigators from the Netherlands conducted a prospective, multi-centered, multi-vendor study to assess the accuracy of 64-slice CTA for in dentifying significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in symptomatic patients undergoing conventional coronary angiography (CCA). -
Pre-hospital ECG May Reduce Reperfusion Times
The goal of treatment during ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is early reperfusion of the occluded coronary artery, as this has been shown to reduce mortality and morbidity. -
Newer Antipsychotic Drugs and Sudden Death
Ray et al examined the computerized files of Tennessee Medicaid recipients to estimate the effects of atypical antipsychotic drugs on the risk of sudden cardiac death. -
Nebivolol for Hypertension
Nebivolol is a new beta 1 selective blocker with vasodilatation properties via activation of the L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway. Short-term studies, and a long-term, open-label study, have shown excellent efficacy and safety in stages 1-11 hypertension. -
The Multicenter Thermo°Cool Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation Trial
In this paper, stevenson et al, from 18 centers with expertise in ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation, report the results of VT ablation using the Thermo°Cool-irrigated, tipped-radiofrequency ablation catheter. Patients were eligible for the study if they had multiple episodes of sustained monomorphic VT that had required either cardioversion or antiarrhythmic drug administration in the previous six months. -
Genetic Predictors of Cardiovascular Disease
Genetic research and results are playing an increasingly large role in clinical medicine. I suspect that most physicians are not adequately knowledgeable about genetics; nor am I. At present, the genetics of clopidogrel and warfarin are front and center, as well as an increasing number of genetic studies dealing with normal metabolism, as well as dyslipidemia. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement
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Pharmacology Watch
FDA warning on topical anesthetics; antipsychotics increase sudden cardiac death; the step up vs step down debate; treating pain, fatigue, mood, and sleep in fibromyalgia; FDA Actions.