Cardiology
Q&A
Ephedra and ephedrine: Modest short-term weight loss, with a price
BACKGROUND: The US Department of Health and Human Services requested an analysis of the past studies of products containing ephedrine and ephedra...
Practice Alert
Diagnosing coronary heart disease: When to use stress imaging studies
Q&A
ACE inhibitors are better than diuretics for treatment of hypertension in the elderly
BACKGROUND: The recent ALLHAT study compared the diuretic chlorthalidone with the ACE inhibitor lisinopril and the calcium-channel blocker...
Q&A
Not all fish products prevent heart disease
BACKGROUND: The protective effect of fish consumption on fatal ischemic heart disease may be related to the effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated...
Clinical Inquiries
What is the most effective beta-blocker for heart failure?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Three beta-blockers—carvedilol, metoprolol, and bisoprolol—reduce mortality in chronic heart failure caused by left...
Commentary
Tools for rapid preoperative cardiovascular risk assessment
Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future.—Niels Bohr
Q&A
What are the risks of long-term NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors?
BACKGROUND: Much of the widespread use of COX-2 inhibitors is due to the perception that they are safer than traditional NSAIDs.
Q&A
Is rate control better than rhythm control for atrial fibrillation in older high-risk patients?
BACKGROUND: The goal for managing high-risk patients who have atrial fibrillation traditionally has been to achieve and maintain normal sinus...
Q&A
Does magnesium therapy early in acute MI reduce mortality?
BACKGROUND: Research is conflicting regarding the usefulness of magnesium therapy in patients with acute MI. An early study of 2316 patients and a...
Q&A
Does C-reactive protein predict cardiovascular events in women better than LDL?
BACKGROUND: A growing body of evidence suggests an important role for inflammation in cardiovascular disease. Nested case-control studies have...
Q&A
Detriments of tPA for acute stroke in routine clinical practice
BACKGROUND: What are the benefits and harms of tPA in routine clinical practice? Thrombolytic agents have been used in acute stroke to limit the...