MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'american college of cardiology'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:28:40 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5169546&cid=t_107608_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fresearch-shows-decrease-in-time-from-hospital-arrival-to-heart-attack-treatment%2F2011.08.27 Heart attack patients are now being treated on average 32 minutes faster than they were five years ago, and medical societies are touting it as evidence of the success of national campaigns to treat heart attacks more quickly. The study, “Improvements in Door-to-Balloon Time in the United States: 2005-2010,” found that the average time from hospital arrival to treatment declined from 96 minutes in 2005 to just 64 minutes in 2010. In addition, more than 90% of heart attack patients who required emergency angioplasty in 2010 received treatment within the recommended 90 minutes, up from 44% in 2005. Also, the study reported that (more…) *This blog post was originally published at ACP Hospitalist* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5169546 Sat, 27 Aug 2011 18:15:00 +0100 5169546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775390&cid=t_107608_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbig-brother-taken-to-another-level-physician-movements-tracked-with-rfid-tags-at-medical-conferences%2F2011.05.02 Not everything that counts can be measured. Not everything that can be measured counts. -Albert Einstein Recently, a disturbing trend of monitoring physician quality and accountability has taken another ominous turn: tracking physician’s movements at scientific conferences (so called “tag and release”) using RFID tags imbedded in attendees name badges at national scientific sessions. Having had personal experience with the recent American College of Cardiology meeting, this technology will also be imbedded in the name badges for attendees at the upcoming Heart Rhythm Society meeting to be held in San Francisco in May. On first blush, it shouldn’t be such a big deal, right? It was all just a great way for companies to obtain, for a fee, the names and institutions of ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4775390 Mon, 02 May 2011 16:00:00 +0100 4775390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4653602&cid=t_107608_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FdtWgguerbvk%2F Yet another study has found a conflict of interest among doctors. This time, conflicts were reported by 56 percent of 498 docs who helped write 17 guidelines for the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology between 2003 through 2008, according to the study published today in the Archives of Internal Medicine (see the abstract). And this finding matters because these panels typically wield considerable influence. “Panels are the select groups of experts who are assigned to evaluate science independently and issue their advice to other doctors on what to do in clinical practice,” the researchers write. Guidelines “play an important role in synthesizing information for clinicians, as well as increasing uniform practice to certain standards and avoiding t... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4653602 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:15:11 +0100 4653602 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3957916&cid=t_107608_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcovertrationingblog.com%2Fpodpress_trac%2Ffeed%2F906%2F0%2Fsuddendeathathletes.mp3 It’s the dog days of what seems to have been an unusually hot summer (though DrRich does not know whether it has been sufficiently warm to affect the global cooling trend we’ve been in for the past decade), and as is all too common at this time of year, we are seeing extraordinarily heartbreaking stories (like this one) about healthy, robust young athletes dying suddenly on the practice fields. Most of these tragic sudden deaths are due to a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy often does not produce any symptoms prior to causing sudden death. But it can be easily diagnosed, before exercise-induced sudden death occurs, by screening young athletes with electocardiograms (ECGs) and echocardiography. A couple of summers ago, the New York Times wr... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3957916 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:00:38 +0100 3957916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3876650&cid=t_107608_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdoctors-in-cubicles-a-barrier-to-patient-care%2F2010.08.17 I present interesting cases to colleagues often because it’s educational and good for patient care and because I like to. But it has been many years since I was mandated to present a case. It seems that I’m not the only doctor exasperated by a pesky new barrier to patient care: Doctors in cubicles. An old friend and mentor, Dr. Richard Kovacs, now chair of the American College of Cardiology’s Board of Governors (and IU guy), has written about these same pre-certification barriers. Dr. Kovacs, being a professor and distinguished ACC official, kindly terms these obstructionists “radiology benefit managers” (RBMs). (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Dr John M* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3876650 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 22:00:00 +0100 3876650 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3494549&cid=t_107608_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Faw9XrFxnwoI%2F The Council of Medical Specialty Societies, which includes 32 physician groups with some 650,000 members, has adopted a new ethics code designed to limit the influence that drug and device makers have over patient care. Among the groups represented are the American College of Cardiology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians. In doing so, the CMSS addresses an issue that has roiled the pharmaceutical industry and attracted withering attention from consumer groups and government officials, who have increasingly complained that conflicts can skew patient treatment. In recent years, the concerns have led to scrutiny of freebies, continuing medical education, research grants and fees for speaking and consulting. In ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3494549 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:38:34 +0100 3494549 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3416323&cid=t_107608_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FL5JLqz1QWAQ%2F File this under fabulous marketing. The recently launched Multaq drug for atrial fibrillation received some unusual treatment from the American College of Cardiology and the Heart Rhythm Society, which teamed to launch a new web site devoted to treating atrial fibrillation. As noted by CardioBrief, the Sanofi-Aventis logo appears in the lower right hand corner under “site sponsors” and no other companies are listed, but there is no specific mention of sponsorship, or the role of the sponsor. Here’s where it gets interesting. Last week, the site featured a “Learn From The Experts” lecture by Eric Prystowsky who showed slides on managing atrial fibrillation and made a case for off-label and off-guideline use of Multaq, CardioBrief writes. He “relies on subgroup a... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3416323 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:47:50 +0100 3416323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3374158&cid=t_107608_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fcould-this-be-acc-meeting-of-future.html Click image to enlargeI couldn't help but notice the "Heart Hub" at the American College of Cardiology Meeting this year, pictured above. There were doctors nicely nuzzled up to a bar in a relaxed atmosphere where a bartender served cranberry juice, soft drinks and perhaps a small snack, as doctors watched and interacted with any of four talks occurring simultaneously at the meeting. Some were interesting case discussions with a question and answer format where you could text message your answer to a multiple-choice question on your cell phone and, like American Idol, the results would be instantly displayed on the screen for the audience to view before the correct answer was given.Which made one wonder, with all the concern about industry influence that was aired publicly at the meeting w... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3374158 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:03:00 +0100 3374158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3374378&cid=t_107608_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FqUrzDZcDUAE%2F While speaking at the American College of Cardiology yesterday, Steve Nissen criticized the American Heart Association for its financial relationship with Coca-Cola. Why? He said their ties influenced AHA statements that a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks needs more study and the findings of a study linking sodas to obestiy weren’t conclusive, the Associated Press reports. Nissen blamed the AHA position on Diet Coke’s involvement in the AHA’s red dress campaign to raise awareness of heart disease among women. “Our societies have been bought, and it’s time to draw the line,” Nissen said. “When you take the money, you better accept the taint that goes with it.” However, the AP points out Nissen had the wrong red dress. The campaign he cited is cal... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3374378 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:13:23 +0100 3374378 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3370445&cid=t_107608_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fback-by-popular-demand-sex-heart-and-ed.html Today, I proved what I suspected: if you want readership, write or Tweet about sex and the heart. Needless to say, in a little over 30 minutes, I garnered 30 new Twitter followers by live-tweeting what I learned in the "Sex, the Heart, and Erectile Dysfunction (ED)" session at the American College of Cardiology meeting in Atlanta. For those who might have missed it, I have organized the tweets in chronicalogical order for your enjoyment benefit:Okay, at Sex/Heart session: Standing room only. Docs, pharma here. Um, will doctors attending please stand up? #acc10NEWS! Most people with CAD have ED! Up next: Cardiac response to sexual activity... #acc10 10 healthy married couples studied: all kinds of positions and O2 consumption measured. #acc10 orgasm rocks the heart rate up 72%!Guys on top: ... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3370445 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:39:00 +0100 3370445 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366223&cid=t_107608_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fboston-scientific-issues-new-icd.html Despite the excitement of the American College of Cardiology meeting in Atlanta, Boston Scientific issued a self-reported advisory about all of their high-voltage defibrillators (pacers are not affected) stopping sales until "administrative issues" regarding a change in manufacturing processes and changes of their IS-4 lead connector. This advisory does NOT affect existing implanted devices, but rather halts the sales of further devices:The Company has determined that some manufacturing process changes were not submitted for approval to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). At this time, the company has identified two instances of changes that, while successfully validated, were not submitted to the FDA. Boston Scientific has informed the FDA and plans to work closely with the agenc... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366223 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:44:00 +0100 3366223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366224&cid=t_107608_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fhow-to-follow-acc-meeting-in-near-real.html Both Sarah Clarke, MD (@doctorsarah), pictured above, and I (@doctorwes) will be trying to Twitter (is that a verb?) several of the ACC Sessions while providing running commentary on the meeting today. (Stopping to open a laptop as I run from session to session just isn't realistic, I'm finding.)If you have no idea how to get set up on Twitter, I explain it here. Also, comments made by ourselves and others in attendance can be viewed by searching for the hashtag "#ACC10" or "#acc10".See you there.-WesMusings of a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. (Source: Dr. Wes) Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366224 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:17:00 +0100 3366224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366226&cid=t_107608_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Facc10-march-14-2010-few-noteable.html "If we're going to count radiation exposure an adverse event, perhaps we should consider sternotomy one, too."-Ted Feldman, MDPrinciple Investigator of the Everest II Trial, responding to a critique of minimally invasive mitral valve repair compared to open chest valve repair surgery."This is one of the most amazing things I've ever done in medicine."Cardiologist - (Sorry, missed his name)Maine Medical Center investgiator from the Everest II trial "What 22 year-old wants to rack up $300,000 in debt to pursue medicine just to become a government employee?"-U.S. Congressman Paul Ryan"It is an outrage we keep doing this year after year, but the SGR (physcian payment formula) will NOT be fixed this year."Chris JenningsPresident, Jennings Policy Strategies, Inc.Former Senior Health Care Adviser... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366226 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 02:54:00 +0100 3366226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366228&cid=t_107608_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fwhy-acc-meeting-is-great.html The ACC Meeting in Atlanta is great because when you sit down for lunch, you get to meet nice people fresh off the treadmill with EKG stickers all over their, um, torso:Claire Nicholson, fitness model for Welsh Allen, having lunchYep, great meeting.Learning a lot.Really.-WesMusings of a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. (Source: Dr. Wes) Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366228 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:09:00 +0100 3366228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3363664&cid=t_107608_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fblogging-acc-note-from-unwashed.html Forgive me Lord, for I have sinned...I was a speaker for Medtronic a while back, I'm not sure when. I was paid a fee to do this, but I can't recall exactly how much. (No doubt Senator Grassley knows by now.) I'm not even sure if my contract with Medtronic is still in effect, but I disclosed that former relationship to the American College of Cardiology before their upcoming meeting since I am blogging the conference this year.And I was shunned.Oh sure, they paid my registration fee - that was the original agreement (my "pay" if you will) - but because of my unwashed status as a former speaker for a company, there will be no coffee and donuts, no access to cell phone rechargers, no sit-down laptop computer space, and no early access to press releases and interviews with investigators. *Sigh... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3363664 Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:13:00 +0100 3363664 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3359026&cid=t_107608_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fwaning-popularity-of-scientific.html What has the been the marketing impact of the American College of Cardiology's Scientific Sessions been each year?Just turn to Google Trends to see the answer:Click image to enlargeIt appears the search spikes for the American College of Cardiology" each March are shrinking in amplitude significantly while the news reference volume spikes are increasing as marketers try as hard as they can to ensure doctors get their message anyway. One wonders, given all that is transpiring in health care today, what it would take to reverse the trend? -WesMusings of a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. (Source: Dr. Wes) Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3359026 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:09:00 +0100 3359026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3126634&cid=t_107608_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fwhen-cardiologists-sue.html It's sad that cardiologists have had to sue as their last resort to save their practices:"Heart specialists on Monday filed suit against Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius in an effort to stave off steep Medicare fee cuts for routine office-based procedures such as nuclear stress tests and echocardiograms.The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, charges that the government's planned cutbacks will deal a major blow to medical care in the USA, forcing thousands of cardiologists to shutter their offices, sell diagnostic equipment and work for hospitals, which charge more for the same procedures.Perhaps other professional organizations will be forthcoming with similar suits as private doctors and their patients pay dearly for the ref... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3126634 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:48:00 +0100 3126634 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3067068&cid=t_107608_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fgetting-ready-for-cardiology-cuts.html There are potentially plenty of ways cardiologists will see their payments decline next year: from the loss of Medicare inpatient consultation code payments to the 2010 physician fee final rule issued last week by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) which threatens to cut to cardiology practice procedural payments an average of 27 percent.For those who want to calculate the potential impact to their practice, the American College of Cardiology has prepared a nifty Practice Impact Calculator that contains two worksheets: one for your practice and the other for the impact that loss of consultation codes will impart. Just enter this year's volumes and the calculator will do the rest.Try not to get too depressed filling it out and consider sending your results to the ACC.Oh, and... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3067068 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:14:00 +0100 3067068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2610914&cid=t_107608_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fagain-logical-fallacies-in-defense-of.html In conclusion, the first published rebuttal of Rothman and colleagues' suggestions for ensuring the independence of professional medical associations from outside vested interests was not based on evidence, but on logical fallacies rather than clear reasoning, and failed to disclose its authors' relevant financial relationships. We will see if anyone can make a better attempt.References1. Rothman DJ, McDonald WJ, Berkowitz CD et al. Professional medical associations and their relationships with industry. JAMA 2009; 301: 1367-1372. (Link here.)2. Bove AA. President's page: relations with industry: thoughts on claims of a broken system. J Am Coll Cardiol 2009; 54: 177-179. (Link here.)3. Somers VK, White DP, Amin R et al. Sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease: an American Heart Association/... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2610914 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:12:00 +0100 2610914 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1847902&cid=t_107608_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fanother-industry-supported-physician.html The President of the American College of Cardiology (ACC), W Douglas Weaver MD, has written a second editorial on relationships between the ACC and industry, continuing medical education, and conflicts of interest. In his first editorial [ Weaver WD. President's page: disclosures, transparency, and firewalls protect integrity. J Am Coll Cardiol 2008; 52(11): 964-965. Subscription required.] his major points were:Major activities of the ACC require industry funding - "the Annual Scientific Session would not be possible in its current form if it were not for industry grants and fees from the Exposition.""Firewalls" provided by the society prevent influence by industry on educational or scientific programs -Let me assure you that we have very strong firewalls around industry support.As part o... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1847902 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:36:00 +0100 1847902 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1347619&cid=t_107608_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F263262512%2F Harlan Krumholz made quite an impression at the American College of Cardiology meeting on Sunday. As the head of a four-doctor panel assembled to review the controversial Enhance trial, the Yale University professor recommended Vytorin should not be used as a first or second-line therapy, spooking investors. Schering-Plough ceo Fred Hassan is lashing out. Last night, he told analysts “we were very disappointed with the way ACC unfolded. We hoped to see an open and balanced scientific discussion, and this did not happen.” Hassan hoped for debate and questions. In response to criticism that he unfairly dominated the proceedings, Krumholz wrote us last night to say: “It is so interesting that they call the recommendations biased - they are simply that we should stick with dr... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1347619 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:09:09 +0100 1347619 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1346249&cid=t_107608_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F262770902%2F The answer may not be known for weeks, even months, but already one big insurer is pulling back and two big pharmacy benefits managers will review their reimbursement policies. In other words, the money machine that was Vytorin may be on the verge of unraveling. For instance, Cigna will no longer recommend Vytorin as an alternative for patients who currently use higher-priced cholesterol drugs that aren’t covered. “That particular step therapy is being suspended,” a Cigna spokeswoman tells The Star-Ledger of New Jersey. The insurer’s pharmacy and therapeutics committee will decide later about any further changes. And UnitedHealth will also conduct a review. “As of now we aren’t making any changes but we’ll clearly review the evidence as it’s ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1346249 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:44:21 +0100 1346249 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1344610&cid=t_107608_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F262602842%2F Over the past several years, a big stink has been raised about conflicts of interest, such as when doctors write papers about a particular drug and also serve as a consultant in some fashion to the company who makes the medicine. Right or wrong, pharma regularly defends such situations by explaining that the best specialists are in demand. Generally, drugmakers shrug off the criticism. Now, though, Fred Hassan is trying to use such a situation to his advantage to deflect the controversy over the Vytorin cholesterol pill. A panel at the American College of Cardiology conference on Sunday was largely dominated by Yale University’s Harlan Krumholz, who skewered the results of the controversial Enhance trial by saying the drug shouldn’t be used as a first or second-line therapy. Th... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1344610 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:36:06 +0100 1344610 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1340924&cid=t_107608_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F261580582%2F As part of its ongoing investigation into the Vytorin controversy, the Senate Finance Committee is disclosing angry notes written by John Kastelein, who was the primary investigator for the Enhance trial, which found the cholesterol pill was something of a dud. The costly combination of Merck’s Zocor and Schering-Plough’s Zetia failed to show a benefit over the much cheaper Zocor in reducing plaque in the carotid artery, and even showed a statistically insignificant buildup, although it did a better job of lowering LDL in patients with an inherited form of high cholesterol. In other words, Vytorin may not be of much use as a first or second-line therapy, a fact underscored by several prominent docs when the complete Enhance data was dissected at the American College of Cardiolo... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1340924 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:09:57 +0100 1340924 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1208100&cid=t_107608_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F229576175%2F Maybe before the American College of Cardiology meeting in late March? The bottom-line results, of course, were released on Jan. 14, and set off a firestorm - the pricey cholesterol med failed to show any benefit over the much cheaper Zocor in reducing plaque in the carotid artery, and even showed a statistically insignificant buildup, even though the pill did a better job of lowering LDL. Then there was the way Schering-Plough and Merck, which jointly market Vytorin, handled the trial. The results of the study, known as Enhance, were delayed nearly two years; the primary endpoint was briefly changed without consulting the lead investigator, and an independent panel tapped to review the data wasn’t really independent - three members have financial ties to the drugmakers but nobody kn... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1208100 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:08:16 +0100 1208100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1177893&cid=t_107608_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F223033612%2F In an e-mail to its 34,000 members, the American College of Cardiology tries to walk a fine line. In its statement last week, the ACC urged doctors and patients not to panic over the results of the controversial Vytorin trial, which found no statistical difference in plaque in arteries being measured. Since then, the ACC has become ensnared in investigations by the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Finance Committee as they probe how Schering-Plough and Merck handled the release of Vytorin trial data and the marketing of the widely promoted and expensive cholesterol med. In particular, the committees want to know the interplay between the drugmakers and the ACC, as well as the American Heart Association, both of which receive support from pharma. Among those involved in dr... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1177893 Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:34:53 +0100 1177893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1175042&cid=t_107608_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F222473058%2F The Republican from Iowa, who is the ranking member of the US Senate Finance Committee, is asking Schering-Plough and Merck to explain when they first unblinded their controversial Enhance study data, and to account for sales and payments made for the cholesterol drug to Medicaid. “In Iowa City, generic (Zocor) costs $54.54 for a month’s supply while Vytorin costs $112.46. It’s fair to assume the public would have benefited from knowing that a less expensive drug works just as well. Instead, people in Iowa and elsewhere paid more for nearly two years, while industry leaders sat on a scientific study that would have revealed this information,” he says in a statement. Like the House Energy & Commerce Committee, Grassley is responding to the scandal over the two-year delay in rel... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1175042 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:03:17 +0100 1175042 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1156043&cid=t_107608_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F217741153%2F Last night, the American College of Cardiology issued a statement urging docs and patients not to panic over the results of the controversial Vytorin trial, which found no statistical difference in plaque in arteries being measured. The findings generated tremendous publicity this week because Merck and Schering-Plough delayed releasing the results for two years and then, briefly, changed the primary endpoint - without consulting the lead researcher. Congress is investigating the delay. Steve Nissen called for a moratorium on Vytorin. Investors sold Merck and Schering-Plough stock. Here’s a curious side note - the ACC statement was issued in response to numerous queries from docs, nurses and the media, according to an ACC spokeswoman. It was drafted by an unnamed group of ACC leaders... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1156043 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:18:54 +0100 1156043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1156044&cid=t_107608_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F217702175%2F The counteroffensive is gaining steam. Last night, the American College of Cardiology issued a statement urging docs and patients not to panic over the results of the controversial Vytorin trial released - two years late - by Merck and Schering-Plough, and the widely publicized remarks by the Cleveland Clinic’s Steve Nissen that Vytorin (and Zetia, which is one-half of the med) should be used only as a last resort. The trial compared Vytorin with Zocor, the other drug in the combo. This morning, the American Heart Association issues a similar statement, prompting Tim Anderson, an analyst at Sanford Bernstein, to write that “the two biggest organizations representing cardiovascular medicine have now weighed in on the matter, in support of Vytorin. This should help to quell the h... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1156044 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:57:07 +0100 1156044 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1154084&cid=t_107608_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F217340015%2F The controversial Vytorin trial released by Merck and Schering-Plough yesterday was quickly interpreted by Cleveland Clinic cardiology star Steve Nissen (pictured left) as a reason to use the drug as a last resort (he said the same thing about Zetia, which along with Zocor, is contained in Vytorin). His remarks apparently contributed to a sell-off in Merck and Schering-Plough stock, prompting Wall Street wags to call his reaction an overreaction. This evening, the American College of Cardiology released a statement saying the same thing - prescribers and patients should think twice before switching off either med. This is a slap in the face for Nissen, who stirred controversy last year with his meta-analysis of Glaxo’s Avandia diabetes pill. Moreover, “this is a major win for S... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1154084 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:49:57 +0100 1154084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=918866&cid=t_107608_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F10%2F2%2Fnew-technology-to-determine-risk-of-heart-attack.html by Bill Bestermann, MDIn my last post, I discussed the untimely death of Wake Forest Basketball coach Skip Prosser and the relationship of vulnerable plaque to sudden cardiac death and myocardial infarction. Only 14% of heart attacks are caused by a fixed artery blockage of 70% or greater. For 70% of heart attack patients, the blockage in the coronary artery is less than 50% (non-obstructive). A non-obstructive plaque causes no symptoms and usually would not produce a positive stress test. Since the 50% blockage typically causes no symptoms, for 70% of myocardial infarction patients, the heart attack or sudden death is their first symptom. We try to overcome this by using the Framingham risk score, assigning points for risk factors including HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, age, t... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=918866 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 02:17:52 +0100 918866 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=682486&cid=t_107608_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F6%2F19%2Fwise-up-when-is-comes-to-heart-disease-women-are-different-f.html This is Dr. Bill Bestermann's first post as one of the TDWI writers (A Big Welcome, Bill!).   Dr. Bestermann makes it clear that there is a long way to go, baby, before the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in women gets to where it should be...hey! ladies, let's WISE up!  Here you go: The evidence has become irrefutable that life-style change and medications aimed at vascular risk factors outperform bypass surgery and stenting in prevention of heart attack. Not only that, but non-invasive strategies have positive benefits on the entire vasculature that prevent stroke, nerve damage, eye damage, kidney damage and amputation. Women are different These differences may be even more important for females. For some time now, there has been discussion of women being di... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=682486 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 19:07:41 +0100 682486