Acute alcohol consumption is known to induce a systemic inflammatory reaction that might lead to alcohol-induced myocardial inflammation. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is capable of detecting both acute inflammation and fibrosis of the myocardium; the authors of this paper therefore set out to investigate whether binge drinking could indeed induce myocardial inflammation. […]
Category: General cardiology
Genetic score improves cardiovascular risk prediction
Genome-wide association studies have found single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at 13 genomic regions that are associated with coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, or both. However, genetic discovery studies have the potential for several types of bias, therefore this prospective cohort study attempted to determine whether precise risk estimates could be made using these genetic association […]
Optimal doses for aspirin and clopidogrel
Despite the ubiquitous use of aspirin and clopidogrel in acute coronary syndromes for over a decade there remains a lack of consensus over optimal dosing strategies and a paucity of modern data to guide clinicians in this most pertinent of issues. As compared with the standard dose of clopidogrel used in early trials, more recent […]
Long-term benefits of CEA for asymptomatic stenosis
Severe stenosis of the carotid artery (60–90%) has been associated with an increased long-term risk of ischaemic stroke. Although carotid endarterectomy can remove the narrowing, the procedure itself is associated with a significant risk of stroke or death. […]
Evidence mounts to RE-LY on dabigatran
Dabigatran etecxilate is a novel anti-coagulant that acts a direct thrombin inhibitor and provides stable anticoagulation at a fixed dose without any need for a laboratory control. In the RE-LY trial (Randomised Evaluation of Long-term Anticoagulation Therapy), dabigatran was shown to reduced strokes and peripheral embolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation when compared to […]
Hypertension targets in the elderly
Successful hypertension treatment decreases risk for adverse outcomes among lower-risk and younger patient groups; however, for the very old (>80 years), results have been conflicting. Additionally, for the very old with hypertension and coronary disease, information is very limited. […]
Clinical descriptors identify high risk for cardiovascular events
The Reduction of Atherosclerosis for Continued Health registry (REACH) is a contemporary cohort of patients with various stages of atherosclerosis, from asymptomatic patients with risk factors to patients who have had previous ischaemic events. The aim of this 4-year follow-up study was to determine the risk of cardiovascular events in stable outpatients with various initial […]
Fibrosis markers in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Fibrosis markers in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) HCM is the commonest cardiac single-gene disorder, with a prevalence of approximately 1 in 500 in the general population. The diagnosis depends on the identification of unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy, but this finding is present only in people with established disease and is typically absent in childhood. In contrast, […]
Rimonabant fails to reach a CRESCENDO
Rimonabant is a selective cannabinoid-1 receptor antagonist that has previously been shown to reduce waist circumference and body weight, in addition to improving metabolic factors such as high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, adiponectin, triglyceride, insulin and leptin levels. However, no previous trial has been adequately powered to assess whether this can lead to improved clinical outcomes. […]
Fibrosis markers in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
HCM is the commonest cardiac single-gene disorder, with a prevalence of approximately 1 in 500 in the general population. The diagnosis depends on the identification of unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy, but this finding is present only in people with established disease and is typically absent in childhood. In contrast, genetic diagnosis can identify carriers without […]