A first look at just under 100 patients who received drug-eluting stents for significant intracranial stenosis shows that their use appears to be feasible in this indication, and they seem to be safe and produce more favorable outcomes than medical therapy or bare metal stents. However, further randomized trials are needed, say the researchers. Heartwire
Mineral bone disorder and vascular calcification are major risk factors for CVD morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD. Emerging data on the role of vitamin D analogues are reported. Medscape Nephrology
Clinicians routinely underestimate the prevalence of limited health literacy among their patients and frequently overestimate the ability of individual patients to understand the information they provide. Medscape Nurses
Mirroring the results from the recent CORE 64 study, a new multicenter trial has found CTA using a 64-slice scanner can reliably identify stenosis >50% and >70%. Heartwire
The effects of vitamin D analogues on renin suppression could explain the apparent survival advantage for dialysis patients treated with vitamin D analogues. Medscape Nephrology
In a recent study of aging individuals, increased measures of arterial stiffness — pulse pressure and pulse wave velocity — were linked with decline in memory and concentration. Medscape Medical News
New study results imply that a 50-year-old man who learns that his "cardiovascular age" is 55 years may be more motivated to continue using his lipid-lowering drugs. Medscape Medical News
PFOs are likely not just "innocent bystanders" in older subjects, and paradoxical embolism should be considered as a possible cause of stroke in this group, experts say. Heartwire
Results of a small study offer hope that atrial fibrillation may some day be removed as a contraindication for coronary computed tomographic angiography. Medscape Medical News
