Hospital case volume and appropriate prescriptions at hospital discharge after acute myocardial infarction: a nationwide assessment
Source: Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes
Area: Evidence > Medicines Management > References
Background: In acute myocardial infarction, the relationship between volume and quality indicators (QIs) is poorly documented. Through a nationwide assessment of QIs at discharge repeated for 3 years, we aimed to quantify the relationship between volume and QIs in survivors after acute myocardial infarction.
Methods and Results: Almost all healthcare centres in France participated. Medical records were randomly selected. Data collection was performed by an independent group. QIs fo...
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - January 17, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Temporal trends in medical therapies for ST- and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction: (from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Surveillance Study)
Source: American Journal of Cardiology
Area: Evidence > Medicines Management > References
Reports from large studies using administrative data sets and event registries have characterised recent temporal trends and treatment patterns for acute myocardial infarction. However, few were population-based, and fewer examined differences in patterns of treatment for patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).
The aim of this study was to examine 22-year trends in the use of 10 medical therapies and procedures by STEMI an...
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - January 17, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Review: Acute pneumonia and the cardiovascular system
Source: Lancet
Area: News
The Lancet has published a review on the burden of cardiac complications in adults with acute pneumonia, the cardiovascular response to this infection, the potential effects of commonly used cardiovascular and anti-infective drugs on these associations, and possible directions for future research.
Results of recent studies show that about a quarter of adults admitted to hospital with pneumonia develop a major acute cardiac complication during their hospital stay, which is associated with a 60% increase in short-term mortality. (Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - January 16, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Using a venous thromboembolism checklist significantly improves VTE prevention: a junior doctor led intervention
Conclusions: Most physicans are aware of the risk of VTE to inpatients, ... (Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - January 14, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Research suggests optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy may vary depending on stent type
Source: Eur Heart J
Area: News
According to research published early online in the European Heart Journal, the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) may differ depending on the type of stent implanted.
The authors note that this currently remains a controversial issue due to the lack of prospective, randomised data. They conducted a pre-specified analysis of the PRODIGY study to assess device-specific outcomes relative to different duration of DAPT after everolimus- (EES), paclitaxel (PES), zotarolimus- (ZES-S) eluting, or bare metal stent (BMS) insertion.
The open-label PRODIGY ...
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - January 14, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Analysis of recurrent events in patients receiving ticagrelor or clopidogrel for ACS in the PLATO study
Source: Circulation
Area: News
According to an analysis of recurrent events in the PLATO study, ticagrelor reduces both the first and recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) compared with clopidogrel. Although it is associated with a slightly increased risk of having a first non-CABG major bleed, the bleeding risk appears to be similar to clopidogrel thereafter.
The authors note that censoring patients after the first occurrence of any primary endpoint event in clinical trials limits the information available on the effect of therapy on subsequent events, and leaves...
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - January 14, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
PRAC recommends suspension of marketing authorisations of extended-release niacin/laropiprant (Tredaptive®) across the EU
Source: European Medicines Agency
Area: News
The European Medicines Agency (EMA)'s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) has recommended that the marketing, supply and authorisations of extended-release niacin/laropiprant medicines (Tredaptive®) be suspended across the EU. This follows an assessment of the available data related to safety concerns, and the conclusion by the Committee that the risks are greater than the benefits in adults with dyslipidaemia. For further details, please see a related Q&A document at the link below.
The EMA recently advised that no new patients be started on tr...
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - January 14, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Relationship between urinary albumin excretion and blood pressure in the community pharmacy: the Palmera study
Source: American Journal of Hypertension
Area: Evidence > Medicines Management > References
Letter commenting on a paper by Andreadis et al. (Am J Hypertens Sep 2012;25(9):969-973) which showed that systolic and diastolic automated office blood pressure (BP) (AOBP) readings were independently associated with urine albumin and the presence of microalbuminuria. As part of the Palmera study in Spain, the writers collected data on urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) from 70 treated hypertensive patients (average age: 61.8 +/- 12.4 years; women: 44.3%). Blood pressure was measured by a physician ...
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - January 14, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
RCT of oral treprostinil monotherapy for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension
Source: Circulation
Area: News
Parenteral and inhaled prostacyclin analogue therapies are effective for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but complicated administration requirements can limit the use of these therapies in patients with less severe disease.
The Freedom-M trial study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the oral prostacyclin analogue, treprostinil diolamine, as initial treatment for de novo PAH. The study involved 349 patients (intent-to-treat population [ITT]) who were randomised to treprostinil, (n=233) or placebo (n=116). Study drug was administered every ...
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - January 11, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
European Medicines Agency update on combined contraceptives and risk of venous thromboembolism
Source: Eur Meds Agency
Area: News
The European Medicines Agency has issuing this update in response to growing media reports about combined contraceptives and venous thromboembolism (VTE). The Agency states it is well-established that these agents carry a very rare risk of VTW, and this risk differs between types of combined contraceptives. It stresses that these products are constantly and rigorously kept under close monitoring and there is currently no new evidence that would suggest any change to the known safety profile of any combined contraceptives marketed at present. Therefore, there is no reason for any woman to...
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - January 11, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
MSD provides update on next steps for suspension of TredaptiveT (nicotinic acid/laropiprant)
Source: MSD
Area: News
MSD has announced that it is taking steps to suspend the availability of TredaptiveT (nicotinic acid/laropiprant, MSD) modified-release tablets worldwide. This action follows company the release of preliminary data from the HPS2-THRIVE (Heart Protection Study 2-Treatment of HDL to Reduce the Incidence of Vascular Events) study, and in consultation with regulatory authorities.
HPS2-THRIVE did not achieve its primary endpoint of reduction of major vascular events, and there was a statistically significant increase in the incidence of some types of non-fatal serious adverse events in the gr...
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - January 11, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Review: Cardioprotection- chances and challenges of its translation to the clinic
Source: Lancet
Area: News
Cardioprotection is a broad term that refers to all strategies aimed at the attenuation of injurious results of myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion. Such injury consists of arrhythmias, impairment of cardiac contractile function and coronary blood flow, and myocardial infarction. In this review, the author focuses on the reduction of myocardial infarct size, which is not only an unambiguous endpoint of studies into cardioprotection, but also a major determinant of prognosis. (Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - January 11, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
NHS Evidence expert commentary: Benefits of drug therapy are unclear for mild hypertension
Source: NHS Evidence
Area: News
The January edition of 'Eyes on Evidence', the free monthly e-bulletin from NHS Evidence covering major new published evidence as it emerges with an explanation about what it means for current practice, includes an expert commentary on new data from a Cochrane review that aimed to quantify the effects of antihypertensive drug therapy versus no treatment on mortality and morbidity in adults with mild hypertension and no evidence of cardiovascular disease. It included four RCTs with 8912 participants. The review concluded that, compared with placebo, antihypertensive treatment does not reduce...
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - January 10, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Factors associated with non-adherence to three hypertension self-management behaviors: preliminary data for a new instrument
Source: Journal of General Internal Medicine
Area: Evidence > Medicines Management > References
Background: Clinicians have difficulty in identifying patients who are unlikely to adhere to hypertension self-management. Identifying non-adherence is essential to addressing suboptimal blood pressure control and high costs.
Objectives: 1) To identify risk factors associated with non-adherence to three key self-management behaviours in patients with hypertension: proper medication use, diet and exercise; 2) To evaluate the extent to which an instrument designed to identify the number of risk factors presen...
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - January 10, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
RPS assessment of research into effects of lycopene on the risk of heart attack, stroke and cancer
Source: Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Area: News
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has featured a report on a small study in which scientists claim a single pill which contains a chemical found in tomato skin (lycopene) could cut the risk of heart attacks, stroke and even slow down the development of cancer.
The two-month study looked at 36 patients with pre-existing heart disease, who were already taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, and 36 healthy volunteers. Tests showed that the natural remedy boosts the elasticity and efficiency of blood vessels; in turn this reduces the hardening of the arteries which...
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - January 8, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
