New data from the ILLUMINATE and ILLUSTRATE trials have shown that torcetrapib stimulates aldosterone, which possibly accounts for its adverse outcomes. In addition, both studies showed that patients with the largest HDL increases with the drug showed benefits, suggesting that the HDL produced was functional. Heartwire
Prehypertension and the factors that increase risk for hypertension are described. The JNC 7 guidelines are presented to guide appropriate diagnosis, management, and treatment of prehypertension. Medscape Primary Care
A new study shows a high rate of incidental findings, such as brain infarcts, aneurysms, and benign primary tumors, on protocol-driven MRIs taken in the Rotterdam Study performed in the general population. The natural history of these lesions will need to be studied to help guide management, the authors say. Medscape Medical News
Prostate cancer patients taking statins appear to have better outcomes after high-dose radiotherapy. Could popular cholesterol-lowering agents also have a role in oncology? Medscape Medical News
Results of a new trial with clevidipine, an investigational calcium-channel blocker with an ultrashort half-life of less than one minute, show the drug has promise in patients presenting to the emergency room with an acute severe episode of hypertension. Heartwire
Fragmentation of the QRS complexes on a 12-lead ECG appears to be a significant marker for future cardiac events in patients with coronary heart disease, a new study shows. Heartwire
The American Academy of Pediatrics issued recommendations and an accompanying technical report to assist pediatricians in use of automated external defibrillators in children. Medscape Medical News
Two new studies shed more light on the association between preeclampsia and cardiovascular disease. One, a meta-analysis, strengthens the findings of previous smaller studies, confirming that women with preeclampsia have a twofold higher risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. The second study shows that women with high blood pressure are seven times more likely to develop preeclampsia that those with normal BP. Heartwire
Further quality-of-life and economic analysis of the Occluded Artery Trial support and reinforce the original conclusions of the study--that it is best to treat stable post-MI patients with optimal medical therapy alone rather than PCI. Heartwire
