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Chest pain syndrome in women: A diagnostic dilemma

The ability to diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD) in women may be limited by the sensitivity and specificity of symptoms as well as of noninvasive testing. The choice of which test should be performed to evaluate the presence of CAD in women remains controversial. Currently American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines recommend initial evaluation with exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) testing. In a meta-analysis of 3721 women, however, exercise ECG had a sensitivity of 61% and a specificity of 70%1 as compared to 68% sensitivity and 77% specificity in men.

Antihypertensive Combination Drugs: Effectiveness, Adherence, and Pleiotropic Effects

The decreasing age of onset of hypertension in the general population paired with increasing life expectancy has resulted in an increased incidence of this disorder, which will likely culminate in higher rates of morbidity and mortality in the future.

Chest pain syndrome in women: A diagnostic dilemma

The ability to diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD) in women may be limited by the sensitivity and specificity of symptoms as well as of noninvasive testing. The choice of which test should be performed to evaluate the presence of CAD in women remains controversial. Currently American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines recommend initial evaluation with exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) testing. In a meta-analysis of 3721 women, however, exercise ECG had a sensitivity of 61% and a specificity of 70%1 as compared to 68% sensitivity and 77% specificity in men.

It's Time to Put a Stop to Step Therapy

A guest editorial by Cynthia Toussaint. "If the Affordable Care Act survives the impending legal challenges and is fully implemented, it will eliminate a major barrier to health care by increasing access to care for millions of Americans suffering with chronic pain."

Diabetes Amputation Risk Not Worsened by SGLT-2 Inhibitors

A 3 million-plus patient longitudinal study found the drug class was no worse for amputation risks than other diabetes therapies, despite recent conflicting studies.

Do we need to do a better job of undertaking antithrombotic therapy in the elderly?

The increasing prevalence of atrial fibrillation in the elderly, especially compared with younger age groups, is striking (8% in persons > 80 years compared with 1% in those < 60 years).

Can corticosteroids prevent atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery?

We conducted a prospective, double-blind, randomized, multicenter study among 241 patients who underwent their first on-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, aortic valve replacement (AVR), or combined CABG and AVR surgery to determine whether the use of hydrocortisone prevents atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery. Results showed that the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation was significantly lower in the hydrocortisone group compared with the placebo group.

Cholesterol fractions and heart disease mortality in older men

The importance of blood lipids in the risk of ischemic heart disease in older people is unclear; as a result, cholesterol-lowering drug therapy is not widely prescribed for older individuals without diagnosed cardiovascular disease. We conducted a study to determine the relationship between death from ischemic heart disease and the level of cholesterol, cholesterol fractions, and apolipoproteins

Phishing Scammer Caught in Net Swindle

Quick-Release Agent Cuts CV Events in Patients with Diabetes

Unusual appearance of a left ventricular mural thrombus

Postpartum cardiomyopathy is a serious disorder that can present from the third trimester to up to 5 months after pregnancy. Although spontaneous resolution of cardiac function occurs in more than half of patients (over a period of 6-12 months), the balance is left with persistent cardiac dysfunction. Cardiac dysfunction results in signs and symptoms of left heart failure, formation of apical or left ventricular thrombi, and arrhythmias and requires management similar to that in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.