Further information: Classification of Genetic Disorders (see p2551) from Cardiovascular Medicine, 3rd Edn*

In order to conduct a somewhat novel experiment, the investigators in a multicenter case-control study titled the Precocious Coronary Artery Disease (PROCARDIS) study [1] used a newly available chip designed to assay single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to examine genetic associations in coronary artery disease (CAD) and to assess the associations of LPA gene variants with Lp(a) lipoprotein levels. From four European countries, 3145 patients with CAD and 3352 control subjects were recruited, and a novel …

SECTION IV; Chapter 44
Platelet Inhibition with Cangrelor in PCI
Further information: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Acute Myocardial Infarction (see p1021) http://bit.ly/58Ung from Cardiovascular Medicine, 3rd Edn*
The same group of investigators conducted two large, phase 3, randomized clinical trials that compared cangrelor, a rapid-acting, reversible adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor antagonist with clopidogrel, both P2Y12 antagonists. In one trial, “Cangrelor versus Standard Therapy …

Further information: Venous Disease (see p1705) from Cardiovascular Medicine, 3rd Edn*

After myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke, venous thromboembolism (VT) is the third most common cause of vascular death. The anticoagulant warfarin is the current standard treatment for VT, but it requires constant monitoring and is subject to interactions with foods and other drugs. In this study, the investigators for the RE-COVER study [1] conducted a double-blind, double-dummy, randomized trial to compare the use of dabigatran, as an alternate therapy, with warfarin for patients with AVT. From …

Further information: Surgical Treatment of Advanced Heart Failure (see p1461) from Cardiovascular Medicine, 3rd Edn*

In this study for advanced heart failure patients who were ineligible for heart transplantation [1], patients were randomized to receive either a pulsatile-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) or a continuous-flow LVAD in an effort to determine which device showed more improvement in rate of survival, quality of life, and functional capacity of patients. Conducted at 38 cities in the US, a total of 200 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to …

Further information: Coronary Risk Factors: An Overview (see p2609) and Management of Cholesterol Disorders (see p2667) from Cardiovascular Medicine, 3rd Edn*

In a presentation of results from a controversial late-breaking clinical trial at the November 2009 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Florida, Dr. Allen Taylor reported that the ARBITER6-HALTS (Arterial Biology for the Investigation of the Treatment Effects of Reducing Cholesterol 6-HDL and LDL Treatment Strategies) trial had been terminated early. The full results are summarized in the first paper […

Further information: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (see p1261) and Muscular Dystrophies Affecting the Heart (see p2567) from Cardiovascular Medicine, 3rd Edn*

Over the past 25 years, infertility has become an increasing problem in the US as couples have delayed marriage and childbearing years. Among other efforts to solve infertility issues, sperm banks have been created to provide a woman a means to achieve pregnancy when her partner is infertile. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has in place an inspection process for the purpose of preventing the spread of infectious diseases, but at …

Further information: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (see p1285) and Autonomic Dysfunction and Hypotension (see p1883) from Cardiovascular Medicine, 3rd Edn*

From a pool of 233 patients who presented with systemic amyloidosis between 1990 and May 2008 to centers in Bologna and Pavia, Italy, the investigators of this study [1] compared the diagnostic/clinical profiles of the three types of systemic cardiac amyloidoses, namely acquired monoclonal immunoglobulin light-chain (AL); hereditary, mutated, transthyretin-related (ATTRm); and wild-type …

I believe that Dr. Paul Ridker and his colleagues and Dr. Steve Nissen and his colleagues have provided very persuasive clinical evidence that reducing CRP is additive to the beneficial result of reducing LDL levels. The most recent contribution of Dr. Ridker et al is the JUPITER trial that once again shows that reducing both LDL and CRP substantially lowers cardiovascular death, frequency of recurrent MI, and the need to further revascularization and men and women. I want to reduce both elevated LDL and CRP levels in patients with coronary heart disease.

Further information: Coronary Risk Factors: An Overview (see p2609) from Cardiovascular Medicine, 3rd Edn*

The Clinical Guidelines section of the October 6, 2009 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine contained three articles reporting the recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) regarding the addition of non-traditional risk factors in determining patients’ risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). This review summarizes the paper reporting on the use of C-reactive protein (CRP) [1].

Forty percent of deaths in the US can be attributed to cardiovascular (CV) …