Clinical Cardiology Alert – July 1, 2012
July 1, 2012
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Indication for Mitral Valve Repair with CABG
When and if mitral valve repair should be added to coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) remains controversial. -
Lipids vs Lipoproteins vs Particle Number
Conflicting results from prior studies have created controversy regarding the value of apolipoproteins and lipid particle measures in predicting the risk of atherosclerotic vascular disease in presumably healthy individuals. Thus, these investigators from the United Kingdom analyzed the Heart Protection Study (HPS) data to address this issue. -
Aspirin After Warfarin Prevents Recurrence of VTE
Approximately 20% of patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) have a recurrence within 2 years after the withdrawal of oral anticoagulant therapy. -
Coffee Consumption and Mortality
Coffee is widely consumed throughout the United States. Some prior studies have associated coffee consumption with increased rates of heart disease, whereas other studies have shown less heart disease in coffee drinkers. The data associating coffee consumption and total mortality have also been conflicting. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement
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Pharmacology Watch
Azithromycin and cardiac risk; warfarin and heart failure; aspirin and VTE; effectiveness of long-acting contraceptives; and FDA actions. -
New Insights into Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
This interesting study examined a new technique for exploring the mechanism(s) for atrial fibrillation (AF). Patients scheduled for catheter ablation of paroxysmal or persistent AF were recruited for the study. Antiarrhythmic drugs were stopped before the study was performed. -
Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death with Azithromycin
In this paper, the authors performed a pharmacoepidemiologic study on the relationship between azithromycin, a frequently used broad-spectrum macrolide antibiotic, and cardiovascular death. The authors analyzed data from the Tennessee Medicaid program. This database provides information on medical care encounters and dates and causes of death and is linked to death certificates and hospital discharge data. -
New Cardiomyopathy
These investigators from Australia present a case of isolated left ventricular (LV) apical hypoplasia with fatty infiltration confirmed by CT and MRI. The left anterior descending artery was small and truncated early on angiography. Echocardiography showed a large banana-shaped right ventricle (RV) that wrapped around the apex of the hypocontractile truncated LV. Also there was apical papillary muscle insertion.