Table of contents
March 2007 Volume 4 No 3
Editorial
Viewpoint
Can the ESPRIT results end the antiplatelet battle between neurologists and cardiologists?
118Cardiologists have been hesitant to prescribe extended-release dipyridamole and aspirin for stroke prevention in patients with cardiovascular disease because of concerns that this combination might increase the risk of cardiac events. Here, Gregory Albers reviews new ESPRIT data, which demonstrate that the combination is more effective than aspirin alone for the prevention of stroke in patients with a recent cerebrovascular event, and does not increase cardiac risk. Cardiologists should now be reassured that dipyridamole and aspirin is appropriate for patients with recent stroke and cardiovascular disease.
Research Highlights
Novel mutations in CAV3 associate with long QT syndrome
120Paclitaxel-coated balloon catheters reduce restenosis
120Late reperfusion does not provide benefit after myocardial infarction
120Multipotent embryonic cardiac progenitor cells implicated in cardiogenesis
121Volumetric optical microscopy prototype shows promise for optical biopsy in vivo
121Bivalirudin lessens incidence of major bleeding in acute coronary syndromes
122Statins beneficial for primary prevention of CVD
122Statin therapy for prevention of vascular events should be offered to lower-risk subjects
123Practice Points
Do ACE inhibitors improve outcome in patients with stable vascular disease?
124Is migraine with aura associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease?
126The SPARCL study: extending the indications of statin therapy for stroke?
128Is a multidrug regimen cost-effective for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in resource-poor countries?
130How important is screening angiography for CAS in diabetic patients awaiting transplant? A cardiologist's view
132Reviews
The effect of HapMap on cardiovascular research and clinical practice
136In this instructive Review, Skelding et al. explain how the recently published Haplotype Genetic Map (HapMap) has the potential to revolutionize our genetic discoveries. By cataloguing common haplotypes in the human genome, the HapMap will help elucidate the multiple genetic variants underlying common complex processes, such as in-stent restenosis. Jargon-free and informative, this Review provides insight into the relevance of HapMap to cardiovascular practice.
doi:10.1038/ncpcardio0830 | Full Text | PDF (211K)
Therapy Insight: diabetes and drug-eluting stents
143Individuals with diabetes mellitus have worse outcomes, and particularly a higher rate of restenosis, following revascularization than those without diabetes. The advent of drug-eluting stents has, however, reignited enthusiasm for percutaneous coronary intervention in individuals with diabetes. In this Review, Victor Legrand evaluates drug-eluting stents as an alternative revascularization strategy to surgery in diabetic patients.
doi:10.1038/ncpcardio0804 | Full Text | PDF (232K)
Therapy Insight: peripheral arterial disease and diabetes—from pathogenesis to treatment guidelines
151Approximately one-third of patients with diabetes have peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and concomitant diabetes amplifies the already high risk of atherothrombotic events present in those with PAD. Here, Emile R Mohler III discusses atherothrombosis and PAD in patients with diabetes in the context of the 2006 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines for PAD management.
doi:10.1038/ncpcardio0823 | Full Text | PDF (402K)
Case Studies
Ischemic stroke complicating pediatric cardiovascular disease
163doi:10.1038/ncpcardio0825 | Full Text | PDF (180K)
Severe aortic and arterial aneurysms associated with a TGFBR2 mutation
167doi:10.1038/ncpcardio0797 | Full Text | PDF (599K)
Article Responses
Authors' response to "Drug Insight: aspirin resistance—fact or fashion?"
E2doi:10.1038/ncpcardio0835 | Full Text
