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
Whether human atheromata can regress is controversial. Animal model studies showing atheroma plaque shrinkage or reversal of atherosclerosis, and examples of plaque regression in humans are presented. Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine
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
Investigators report that 6.2% of patients prescribed clopidogrel filed at least one insurance claim for ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding. One expert, however, says the finding is simply hypothesis generating at this point. Heartwire
Long-term results have been reported on the emerging technique of cryoablation--which uses freezing rather than heat to ablate the pulmonary vein for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Heartwire
Chinese red yeast rice extract reduced the risk for major coronary events by almost 50% as well as the risk for cardiovascular and total mortality in patients with a previous myocardial infarction. Medscape Medical News
