Regular Exercise in Middle Age Can Build Heart Muscle
April 8th 2011Exercising at least 4 times a week can increase left ventricular mass and preserve elasticity, thereby reducing the risk of diastolic heart failure. Researchers from Texas presented their study results at the American College of Cardiology’s 60th Annual Scientific Session.
Shorter Antiplatelet Regimen Sufficient After Stenting
April 8th 2011What is the optimal duration for antiplatelet therapy after placement of drug-eluting stents? Initial results of the EXCELLENT study show that 6 months of antiplatelet therapy is as effective as the 12-month regimen recommended by current guidelines.
Chronic Heart Failure Outcomes Not Improved by NT-proBNP-Guided Treatment
April 6th 2011A Danish study found no clinical benefit from using NT-proBNP (b-type natriuretic peptide) to identify and monitor high-risk patients with chronic heart failure, according to research from the NorthStar study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 60th Annual Scientific Session in New Orleans.
CABG Bests Medical Therapy in Ischemic Heart Failure
April 6th 2011Compared with medical therapy alone, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) significantly reduced cardiovascular deaths and the composite end point of all-cause deaths and cardiovascular-related hospitalizations, reported investigators from the Surgical Treatment of Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) trial. However, the effect of the two management strategies on overall survival in patients with ischemic heart failure was similar.
What’s the Evidence Behind Updated ACC/AHA Guidelines on Unstable Angina/Non-STEMI?
April 5th 2011Recently, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) released a focused update to the 2007 guidelines for the management of patients with unstable angina (UA)/non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (non-STEMI).
Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Lessons From Three Cases
April 4th 2011The panel presented three challenging cases of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) (see Update on Diastolic Heart Failure). In an innovative twist, the panel solicited feedback from a standing-room-only audience through SmartPhone technology-attendees voted for their favored diagnostic approach, therapy, or final diagnosis, with voting results instantly integrated into the presenter’s Powerpoint display.
Update on Diastolic Heart Failure-and Implications for Primary Care
April 4th 2011Diastolic heart failure (or HFPEF-heart failure with preserved ejection fraction) is characterized by inadequate myocardial relaxation and diastolic filling ("stiff ventricle"), with heart failure signs and symptoms despite normal ejection fraction. The most common cause is long-standing hypertension.
Elevated C-Reactive Protein Predicts Myocardial Deterioration
April 4th 2011Systemic inflammation has been identified as a risk factor for the development of heart failure in population studies. In the 5-year prospective MESA study, researchers from Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore recorded a baseline nonspecific marker of systemic inflammation, C-reactive protein (CRP).
Serial ProBNP Measurement: A Cutting-Edge Approach to Systolic Heart Failure
April 4th 2011Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston presented results from the PROTECT (ProBNP Outpatient Tailored Chronic Heart Failure) study. NT-proBNP (b-type natriuretic peptide) is a biomarker released from myocardial tissue in response to high levels of wall stretch and has been studied as a marker for decompensated systolic heart failure.
High Intake of Fat and Protein Ups Risk of IBD
December 11th 2010A diet high in fats and protein increases the risk of developing ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, researchers found. Hou and colleagues performed a systematic review to evaluate the association between diet and risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
No Role for Routine Upper Endoscopy in Adults With Ulcerative Colitis
December 11th 2010Does upper endoscopy affect the diagnosis or management of adults with colitis? No, say investigators from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, although the procedure is routinely performed in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of the colon.
Quality of Life in Teens With IBD Addressed at Conference
December 11th 2010Quality of life in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a key focus of research presented at the 2010 Advances in IBD conference in Hollywood, Florida. Two of the top abstracts address social isolation and patient adherence to medication regimens among teenagers with IBD.
Ulcerative Colitis in Adults: Summary of the Latest Practice Guidelines
December 8th 2010Ulcerative colitis affects about 500,000 persons in the United States and accounts for more than 30,000 hospitalizations and 1 million workdays lost each year. The exacerbations and remissions that characterize the clinical course of the disease can make its management particularly challenging. What is the optimal approach to treatment? And which agents are most effective for maintenance therapy?