Cardiovascular
Chronic Stable Angina: Should ESC Guidelines on Clopidogrel as Pre-Treatment to Planned Coronary Angiography be Changed?
Petr Widimsky
Eckhart Fleck
REFERENCE: Hot Line II Monday 3rd Sept, European Society of Cardiology Congress, 2007, 1-5 September, Vienna, Austria
PETR WIDIMSKY, Charles University, Prague
COMMENT: ECKART FLECK, Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin
The ESC guideline suggesting all patients with chronic stable angina having coronary angiography should have clopidogrel pre-treatment is now being questioned following findings of the PRAGUE-8 Study, which randomized patients to receive the anti-platelet agent either non selectively before angiography, or selectively after angiography in those considered to need PCI. The PRAGUE investigators concluded that the ESC guideline was unjustified for the treatment of elective angiography in chronic stable angina, and that the previous practice of selective administration of clopidogrel should be resumed. Nicola Solomon talked with Petr Widimsky at the ESC Congress in Vienna. Derek Thorne heard comments on the findings from Eckart Fleck.
PETR WIDIMSKY, Charles University, Prague
COMMENT: ECKART FLECK, Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin
The ESC guideline suggesting all patients with chronic stable angina having coronary angiography should have clopidogrel pre-treatment is now being questioned following findings of the PRAGUE-8 Study, which randomized patients to receive the anti-platelet agent either non selectively before angiography, or selectively after angiography in those considered to need PCI. The PRAGUE investigators concluded that the ESC guideline was unjustified for the treatment of elective angiography in chronic stable angina, and that the previous practice of selective administration of clopidogrel should be resumed. Nicola Solomon talked with Petr Widimsky at the ESC Congress in Vienna. Derek Thorne heard comments on the findings from Eckart Fleck.
Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: Important to Look at Social Deprivation
Hugh Tunstall-Pedoe
REFERENCE: Abstract 1075, European Society of Cardiology Congress, 2007, 1-5 September, Vienna, Austria
HUGH TUNSTALL-PEDOE, University of Dundee
New data presented at the ESC congress suggests that social deprivation should be considered when considering a cardiac risk score – not just smoking, blood pressure, HDL and cholesterol. Derek Thorne got the details and implications from Hugh Tunstall-Pedoe of Dundee University.
HUGH TUNSTALL-PEDOE, University of Dundee
New data presented at the ESC congress suggests that social deprivation should be considered when considering a cardiac risk score – not just smoking, blood pressure, HDL and cholesterol. Derek Thorne got the details and implications from Hugh Tunstall-Pedoe of Dundee University.
Drug Eluting Stent Shows Great Benefit in Chronic Total Occlusions
Gerald Werner
REFERENCE: Abstract 925, European Society of Cardiology Congress, 2007, 1-5 September, Vienna, Austria
GERALD WERNER, Klinikum Darmstadt, Germany
The ESC congress in Vienna heard that drug eluting stents are highly effective in chronically occluded arteries, when compared with bare metal stents. Derek Thorne got more on this German study from Gerald Werner, of Klinikum Darmstadt in Germany.
GERALD WERNER, Klinikum Darmstadt, Germany
The ESC congress in Vienna heard that drug eluting stents are highly effective in chronically occluded arteries, when compared with bare metal stents. Derek Thorne got more on this German study from Gerald Werner, of Klinikum Darmstadt in Germany.
Enoxaparin Superior to Unfractionated Heparin for STEMI at 12 months Follow Up: ExTRACT-TIMI 25 Trial
David Morrow
REFERENCE: Abstract 1027, Clinical Trial Update I, European Society of Cardiology Congress, 2007, 1-5 September, Vienna, Austria
DAVID MORROW, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston
Further data to support the use of enoxaparin has come out of the latest update from the ExTRACT-TIMI 25 study. It shows at 12 months follow up, that the benefits of enoxaparin are durable and still superior to unfractionated heparin for patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction undergoing fibrinolytic therapy. Sarah Maxwell interviewed David Morrow at the Vienna meeting.
DAVID MORROW, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston
Further data to support the use of enoxaparin has come out of the latest update from the ExTRACT-TIMI 25 study. It shows at 12 months follow up, that the benefits of enoxaparin are durable and still superior to unfractionated heparin for patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction undergoing fibrinolytic therapy. Sarah Maxwell interviewed David Morrow at the Vienna meeting.
BNP Test: Key Diagnostic Step for Heart Failure (PEP Study)
John Cleland
Maarten Simoons
REFERENCE: Hot Line 1 Sunday 11:00 2 Sept, European Society of Cardiology Congress, 2007, 1-5 September, Vienna, Austria
JOHN CLELAND, University of Hull
COMMENT: MAARTEN SIMOONS, Erasmus University, Rotterdam
A new blood test using brain natriuretic peptide or BNP could become the primary step for diagnosing heart failure. This is according to the latest results from the Perindopril for Elderly People with Chronic Heart Failure or PEP-CHF study that measured levels of BNP in heart failure patients who had previously had echocardiograms. It found that many patients had been misdiagnosed. These results suggest that the BNP test should go before the echocardiogram for diagnosing patients with heart failure. Sarah Maxwell discussed the findings with study author John Cleland at the ESC meeting in Vienna.
Maarten Simoons of Erasmus University in Rotterdam commented on the PEP study findings.
JOHN CLELAND, University of Hull
COMMENT: MAARTEN SIMOONS, Erasmus University, Rotterdam
A new blood test using brain natriuretic peptide or BNP could become the primary step for diagnosing heart failure. This is according to the latest results from the Perindopril for Elderly People with Chronic Heart Failure or PEP-CHF study that measured levels of BNP in heart failure patients who had previously had echocardiograms. It found that many patients had been misdiagnosed. These results suggest that the BNP test should go before the echocardiogram for diagnosing patients with heart failure. Sarah Maxwell discussed the findings with study author John Cleland at the ESC meeting in Vienna.
Maarten Simoons of Erasmus University in Rotterdam commented on the PEP study findings.
Immediate Angioplasty After Throbolysis Can Save Lives
Carlo Di Mario
Eckhart Fleck
REFERENCE: Hot Line II, European Society of Cardiology Congress, 2007, 1-5 September, Vienna, Austria
CARLO DI MARIO, Royal Brompton Hospital, London
COMMENT: ECKART FLECK, Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin
The CARESS study from Milan and London has shown that for younger, high-risk patients experiencing a myocardial infarction there can be a clear benefit from performing angioplasty as soon as it is available after using lytics with anti-platelet therapy in situations where primary angioplasty is not available. This answers a huge un-met need of what is best to do for patients who are admitted initially to a centre where primary percutaneous intervention is not an immediate option. At the cardiology congress in Vienna Carlo Di Mario told Peter Goodwin that patients at lower risk of bleeding who can proceed to angioplasty should do so.
Eckhart Fleck added his comments about following lytic therapy with angioplasty.
CARLO DI MARIO, Royal Brompton Hospital, London
COMMENT: ECKART FLECK, Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin
The CARESS study from Milan and London has shown that for younger, high-risk patients experiencing a myocardial infarction there can be a clear benefit from performing angioplasty as soon as it is available after using lytics with anti-platelet therapy in situations where primary angioplasty is not available. This answers a huge un-met need of what is best to do for patients who are admitted initially to a centre where primary percutaneous intervention is not an immediate option. At the cardiology congress in Vienna Carlo Di Mario told Peter Goodwin that patients at lower risk of bleeding who can proceed to angioplasty should do so.
Eckhart Fleck added his comments about following lytic therapy with angioplasty.
Audio Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine: Reduced Mortality and Repeat MI with Enoxaparin for Patients with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction
HARVEY WHITE, Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand
REFERENCE: European Heart Journal Advanced On-Line Publication April 24th, 2007
Enoxaparin could be the new standard anti-thrombotic therapy for patients receiving fibrinolysis for ST elevation myocardial infarction. This finding is from the double-blind EXTRACT-TIMI 25 Trial which compared the low molecular weight heparin with unfractionated heparin and saw a consistent treatment superiority from enoxaparin with a reduction in repeat myocardial infarction and mortality. Sarah Maxwell spoke with the principal investigator Harvey White at the Auckland City Hospital in New Zealand.
Enoxaparin could be the new standard anti-thrombotic therapy for patients receiving fibrinolysis for ST elevation myocardial infarction. This finding is from the double-blind EXTRACT-TIMI 25 Trial which compared the low molecular weight heparin with unfractionated heparin and saw a consistent treatment superiority from enoxaparin with a reduction in repeat myocardial infarction and mortality. Sarah Maxwell spoke with the principal investigator Harvey White at the Auckland City Hospital in New Zealand.
Fewer Major Bleeding Events with Bivalirudin For Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes: The ACUITY study
HARVEY WHITE, Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand
REFERENCE: ACUITY Trial, ACC.07 Scientific Session and i2 Innovations Summit. Presentation Number: 2414-5
Patients with acute coronary syndromes who take bivalirudin have fewer major bleeding events and a lower incidence of late stent thrombosis compared with those who receive standard heparin therapy. This is the finding of one year results from the ACUITY study announced by Gregg Stone of Columbia University, New York during the American College of Cardiology annual meeting that took place in New Orleans. Sarah Maxwell asked Harvey White at the Auckland City Hospital in New Zealand to comment about the ACUITY investigation.
Patients with acute coronary syndromes who take bivalirudin have fewer major bleeding events and a lower incidence of late stent thrombosis compared with those who receive standard heparin therapy. This is the finding of one year results from the ACUITY study announced by Gregg Stone of Columbia University, New York during the American College of Cardiology annual meeting that took place in New Orleans. Sarah Maxwell asked Harvey White at the Auckland City Hospital in New Zealand to comment about the ACUITY investigation.
Audio Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine: “COURAGE” Trial Assessed: New Guidelines for Patients with Stable Coronary Disease?
HARVEY WHITE, Auckland City Hospital
REFERENCE: ACC 2007 & N Engl J Med 356: March 2007
The finding from the COURAGE trial: that angioplasty adds no benefits to optimal medical therapy alone for patients with stable coronary disease, should give pause for thought among clinicians all over the world, according to Harvey White, who discussed the new data with Peter Goodwin.
The finding from the COURAGE trial: that angioplasty adds no benefits to optimal medical therapy alone for patients with stable coronary disease, should give pause for thought among clinicians all over the world, according to Harvey White, who discussed the new data with Peter Goodwin.
Audio Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine: “EXACT” Study: Carotid Stenting Benefits Are Maintained in the Real World
WILLIAM GRAY, Columbia University, New York
REFERENCE: Abstract 2409-5, American College of Cardiolgy New Orleans
The benefits of carotid stenting as compared with surgery have been maintained in real-world settings since USA-approval of the technique in 2004, according to William Gray who reported findings from the EXACT study of 1500 patients to the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology. He discussed his conclusions and recommendations with Peter Goodwin.
The benefits of carotid stenting as compared with surgery have been maintained in real-world settings since USA-approval of the technique in 2004, according to William Gray who reported findings from the EXACT study of 1500 patients to the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology. He discussed his conclusions and recommendations with Peter Goodwin.
Direct Renin Inhibitor Combined with Angiotensin Receptor Blockade Gives Additional Blood Pressure Lowering
SUZANNE OPARIL, University of Alabama, Birmingham
REFERENCE: Abstract 405-12, American College of Cardiolgy New Orleans
A combination of two antihypertensive agents has given improved blood pressure control in a study with nearly 2000 patients reported to the ACC meeting in New Orleans by a group from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Suzanne Oparil presented findings on the use of the direct rennin inhibitor, aliskiren, combined with the angiotensin receptor blocker, valsartan. She explained to Peter Goodwin how this “dual renin system blockade” gave enhanced blood pressure lowering in patients with mild to moderate hypertension who were followed with ambulatory monitoring.
A combination of two antihypertensive agents has given improved blood pressure control in a study with nearly 2000 patients reported to the ACC meeting in New Orleans by a group from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Suzanne Oparil presented findings on the use of the direct rennin inhibitor, aliskiren, combined with the angiotensin receptor blocker, valsartan. She explained to Peter Goodwin how this “dual renin system blockade” gave enhanced blood pressure lowering in patients with mild to moderate hypertension who were followed with ambulatory monitoring.
“RADIANCE-1″ Study: Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein Inhibitor Fails to Benefit Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia
JOHN KASTELEIN, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam
REFERENCE: Abstract 407-7, American College of Cardiolgy New Orleans
A drug which raises HDL and reduces circulating levels of LDL has nevertheless failed to reduce atherosclerotic progression in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia. This disappointing outcome of a study using the cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor (CETP), torcetrapib, was announced at the American College of Cardiology meeting in New Orleans. John Kastelein discussed the findings, and their implications for therapies targeting HDL, with Peter Goodwin.
A drug which raises HDL and reduces circulating levels of LDL has nevertheless failed to reduce atherosclerotic progression in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia. This disappointing outcome of a study using the cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor (CETP), torcetrapib, was announced at the American College of Cardiology meeting in New Orleans. John Kastelein discussed the findings, and their implications for therapies targeting HDL, with Peter Goodwin.
Health For All 30 Years After Alma Ata? Mental Health And War»
AliaIbrahim Zai, Egbert Sondorp, Gill Walt, Lucy Gilson, Ravi Narayan, Richard Horton, Vikram Patel, Willem Van De Put
Two important symposia have been held in London to discuss healthcare issues posing significant dilemmas to world leaders in the 21st Century. "The Future of Primary Health Care" was attended by public health experts from around the Globe to assess the best options for improving primary health care in the future. It was held on the 30th anniversary of the Alma Ata Declaration made in 1977 which was intended as a blueprint for health provision and identified primary health care as the means through which the global goal of "Health for All" could be achieved. The second meeting, on "Mental Health in Fragile States", was held to raise the profile of mental health care in zones where conflict has taken place or is still happening. Analyses of the key issues and how to deal with them effectively were discussed by top experts from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and associated organisations. Peter Goodwin attended both meetings and talked with some of the key speakers.AliaIbrahim Zai, Egbert Sondorp, Gill Walt, Lucy Gilson, Ravi Narayan, Richard Horton, Vikram Patel, Willem Van De Put
LSHTM Audio News: British Association Special Edition»
Astrid Fletcher, Jo Lines, Sari Kovats, Colin Sutherland, Michel Coleman
Peter Goodwin hears from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine experts speaking at the annual science festival of the British Association for the Advancement of Science held in Liverpool, September 6-10, 2008, and from recent scientific publications on: the health impact of global warming, a tropical virus reaching temperate zones, inequalities in cancer outcomes, how eating oily fish can save your eyesight, and free internet publishing scientific journals.Astrid Fletcher, Jo Lines, Sari Kovats, Colin Sutherland, Michel Coleman
© 2008 Audio Medica - Medical Audio News Interviews & Podcasts. 
