April 2011 references and further reading

Patel M, Kim M, Karajgikar R, et al. Outcomes of patients discharged the same day following percutaneous coronary intervention. JACC Cardiovascular Interventions 2010; 3:851-8. Chambers CE, Dehmer GJ, Cox DA, et al. Defining the length of stay following percutaneous coronary intervention: an expert consensus document from the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. Endorsed by the American College of Cardiology Foundation. Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions 2009; 73:847-58. Schermerhorn ML, O'Malley AJ, Jhaveri A, Cotterill P, Pomposelli F, Landon BE. Endovascular vs. open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms in the Medicare population. New England Journal of Medicine 2008; 358:464-74. (Locked) More »

Same-day angioplasty feasible, safe

People who undergo an angioplasty typically stay in the hospital overnight, but at some hospitals patients who meet strict criteria are now being allowed to go home the same day. At Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York, the Mt. Sinai team used these criteria to determine who might safely go home the same day of angioplasty: More »

Long-term look at aneurysm repair

A study comparing the two methods of repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm found differences in survival rates after the first month, but after several years survival rates for both groups were approximately the same. (Locked) More »

Study suggests caution on statins after a bleeding stroke

People who take a statin after a hemorrhagic stroke may be at a slightly higher risk of having another stroke, but this potential risk may be outweighed by the protection against heart attack provided by a statin. Talk with your doctor to find out where you stand. (Locked) More »

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Optimism tinged with caution

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a thickening of the heart's inner dividing wall that can weaken the heart's ability to pump blood effectively. Though its effects vary considerably, many people are able to live normally with the condition. Here are a few general guidelines for living with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: (Locked) More »

In Brief

Brief reports on temporary heart damage caused by running marathons, the effect of kidney disease on the necessary dose of warfarin, and a possible increased risk of heart trouble for women taking a breast cancer drug. (Locked) More »