Clinical Cardiology Alert 2007-10-01

Warfarin vs Aspirin for Atrial Fibrillation in the Elderly

Over half of patients with atrial fibrillation are over age 75 years, yet there is concern about the risk of serious hemorrhage in these patients on warfarin.

Medicine Compliance and Survival in Heart Failure

The current polypharmacy management approach to chronic heart failure due to systolic dysfunction is of concern because it may lead to noncompliance

Percutaneous Aortic Valve Replacement

Surgical aortic valve replacement (avr) remains the gold standard treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). However, a number of patients are at increased risk of mortality during AVR due to advanced age or co-morbidities.

Detection of Diastolic Dysfunction

Heart failure with normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function is thought to be due to diastolic dysfunction in most cases, but confirming LV diastolic dysfunction by echo Doppler techniques is often challenging.

Aortic Root Size in Athletes

Little is known about aortic root size in strength trained athletes, yet the transient increase in central aortic pressure during weight lifting could increase aortic size over time and lead to aortic regurgitation.

Bradycardia Pacing Induced VT/VF

Sweeney et al analyzed the initiation of ventricular arrhythmias on stored event electrograms from 1055 patients enrolled in 2 large ICD trials. (PainFREE Rx II and EnTrust).

Significance of Short QT Intervals

Anttonen and his colleagues analyzed the prevalence and long-term prognostic significance of a short QT interval in a sample of the Finnish population.

Weekly Statins

These investigators describe the results of once a week rosuvastatin in 10 patients intolerant to once-a-day statins due to myalgias, high liver function tests and gastrointestinal side effects.

Pharmacology Watch

Stopping statins, even briefly, after stroke or cardiovascular surgery increases vascular complications according to 3 new studies.

Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement

Clinical Cardiology Alert – October 1, 2007

October 1, 2007