CardioBreak: Rush Hour, INR System Warnings
Recent developments of interest in cardiovascular medicine.
Heart disease patients should avoid being outside in rush hour traffic due the risk posed by air pollution, the European Society of Cardiology warned in a position paper.
Don't use the Alere INRatio or INRatio2 PT/INR system to monitor warfarin (Coumadin) treatment for any patients with the following conditions, the manufacturer warned in an FDA safety alert:
- Anemia of any type with hematocrit less than 30%
- Any conditions associated with elevated fibrinogen levels, including acute inflammatory conditions like pneumonia or influenza, chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or hepatitis, severe infection like sepsis
- Hospitalized or advanced stage cancer or end stage renal disease patients requiring hemodialysis
- Any bleeding or unusual bruising, whether observed in the clinic or reported by the patient
Frequent echo monitoring isn't needed for asymptomatic moderate-to-severe aortic or mitral valve regurgitation unless clinical status changes, a study suggested.
Stem-cell infusions might one day be able to treat atherosclerosis by repairing the endothelium, a mouse model study suggested.
Pivotal trial data were released regarding a new drug-coated balloon for peripheral artery disease that is under FDA review.
More data on reversal agents for newer oral anticoagulants apixaban (Eliquis) and dabigatran (Pradaxa) came out at the American Society of Hematology.
The American College of Cardiology's app with clinical guidelines and related tools for smartphone and tablet now includes valvular heart disease and atrial fibrillation, the group announced. An update to address obesity and lifestyle management guidelines is expected in March.
The FDA approved two new left ventricular quadripolar leads to go with the Viva cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator devices for heart failure patients, Medtronic announced.
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CardioBreak is a guide to what's new and interesting on the Web for cardiologists and other healthcare professionals with an interest in cardiovascular disease, powered by the MedPage Todaycommunity. Got a tip? Send it to us: c.phend@medpagetoday.com.
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