Arterial Disease of the Leg Frequently Overlooked in Patients with Heart Disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is prevalent in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and it is known that PAD is under diagnosed in the primary care setting, but a new study found that it is often overlooked even in patients with known heart disease who are under a cardiologist’s care. The study was published in the May issue of Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions, the official journal of The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI).
Results at a Glance:
- Approximately one out of six patients had previously unrecognized PAD, despite being under the care of a cardiovascular specialist.
- Most patients with PAD did not limp or have leg pain, two symptoms of the disease. “The combination of physician lack of awareness and lack of symptoms among patients results in failure to diagnose PAD, even in patients who are at high risk,” the researchers state. “Furthermore, clinical evaluation alone often lacks the sensitivity and specificity to optimally identify PAD particularly in less advanced stages and in hospitalized patients with CAD.”
- Missed PAD was more frequent in older patients and women, which goes against the conventional wisdom that PAD is more prevalent in men and suggests that PAD is more frequently overlooked in women than men in outpatient settings.
To read the complete study and results, click here.
Many physicians cite the lack of space, time and resources as barriers to implementing a systematic PAD screening program, however new guidelines by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology advocate screening for PAD in patients with CAD. The authors conclude that their findings present a compelling argument that screening for PAD should become standard of care in these patients.
Interested in more PAD studies? Then check out:
ESSENTIAL EVIDENCE:
Medicine that Matters
Brought to you by: InfoPOEMs from Essential Evidence Plus
www.essentialevidenceplus.com
Clinical Question:
Does dronedarone improve clinical outcomes in high risk patients with atrial fibrillation?
Bottom Line:
Dronedarone will prevent 1 hospitalization for every 14 high-risk, older patients with intermittent atrial fibrillation treated for 2 years. There is no impact on all-cause mortality, and adverse effects were more common in the dronedarone group.
Read the complete POEM synopsis.
Discover More about Essential Evidence Plus. Participate in one of our virtual demonstrations. Learn more.
| |
ICD therapy underutilized; with recent data showing greater under use in minorities & women
By Eric Prystowsky, MD
Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology (JCE)
Few issues in cardiology have undergone as many randomized clinical trials as has the implantable defibrillator (ICD). These data have demonstrated that the ICD is a powerful therapy to prevent sudden cardiac death and reduce overall mortality, especially in patients with heart failure and substantial reductions in left ventricular function.
Yet, this valuable therapy continues to be markedly underutilized, with most estimates suggesting about 15-20% of eligible patients being offered an ICD. To make matters worse, recent data show even greater under use in minorities and women. Further, recent studies have demonstrated a great disparity among physicians in prescribing a cardiac resynchronization ICD that not only can reduce mortality, but can substantially reduce the symptoms of heart faiure.
So, as the poet said, we truly have miles to go before we "rest" on this lack of patient care, and the JCE will continue to publish scientific studies in this area of research and hopefully care will improve soon".
Find interesting and thought-provoking articles about ICD therapy online, like the articles featured below, online at www.wiley.com/go/cardiology
|
Free access to featured articles ends 6/30/09!
|
|
Online submission site launched for the Journal of Clinical Hypertension (JCH)
Reach more than 42,000 cardiologists, internists, and family physicians in this ISI and MEDLINE indexed publication! Visit our new online submission site to submit your paper today.
Access exclusive online only content from Clinical Cardiology
In addition to hosting all articles in the print edition back to 1979—in free, full-text, searchable form—Clinical Cardiology’s online site now features exclusive online only content.
Take a look at content you’ll find only on www.clinical-cardiology.com
- Profiles in Cardiology
This popular feature profiles both living and deceased cardiologists who have made a significant and lasting impact in the field. Read about the history of your specialty or how a unique procedure evolved in this unique section.
Mark E. Silverman, MD, MACP, FRCP, FACC
- Case Reports
Read about the latest novel findings encapsulated in these succinct articles. View the images in fine detail as you enhance your knowledge about rare causes and effects related to your specialty.
Paclitaxel-induced ST-Segment Elevations
|
Journals
| To view a sample issue and sign up for FREE e-mail table of content alerts or RSS feeds, please click on the journal title below. |
Access all these journals with NO out-of-pocket expense!
|
Ask your library to subscribe! With access through your library, you'll get all the benefits of a personal subscription-without the personal expense. Use our convenient online form to recommend that your library subscribe and pocket the money you would have spent on a personal subscription.
For enquiries, please contact us at Email:
|
Look out for the following new and forthcoming titles, published from Wiley-Blackwell:
| |
Stay up-to-date between your newsletter briefings. Log onto
www.wiley.com/go/cardiology everyday!
From the most compelling cardiology research and reviews to best-selling books, online products, informative blogs, and continuing professional education opportunities, Wiley-Blackwell's Cardiology Supersite is your gateway to the latest clinical and scientific cardiology information.
|
Your Privacy:
This message was sent to #EMAILADDR#. Please do not reply to this email, if you would rather not receive future messages from us, unsubscribe at any time by emailing us at e-news@wiley.com with the subject line unsubscribe #emailaddr#.
Need Help:
Visit our Help page to find information on ordering, shipping/returns, your account, journal subscriptions, mailing lists and RSS feeds. You may also visit our Contact Us page to find a contact for additional assistance with a related product or service. Alternatively, contact us using one of the following links: Journals, Books, Subscriptions, Authors, Wiley Interscience. For technological problems e.g. accessing downloads etc please click here.
The Fine Print: Shipping and handling, applicable taxes, sale items, subscriptions, electronic products and sets (unless otherwise noted), and Pfeiffer Annuals excluded. Offers cannot be combined for additional discounts. Free shipping, when offered, is available only within the UK, Europe, Middle East or African markets unless otherwise specified and only via the cheapest service. Shipping and offers may not be available online outside the above stated markets. Please note that all prices are correct at time of going to press but are subject to change without notice. Please contact your local Wiley subsidiary if you have questions.
John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. | The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1243 779777 | Fax: +44 (0)1243 775878 | Registered Number: 641132 England
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. | 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ, 07030, USA
Tel: 201.748.6000 | Fax: 201.748.6088
Copyright © All rights reserved.
MSJ-09-02296 KM |
|
