SAN FRANCISCODespite highly publicized observational studies that prematurely lead to societal warnings and regulatory changes regarding proton pump inhibitors, the first randomized, placebo-controlled trial, COGENT, found that the combination of proton pump inhibitors and clopidogrel did not lead to adverse events. The results were presented during the late breaking clinical trials session at the 2009 Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium.

SAN FRANCISCOMid-term valve-related complications are exceptionally low, and the gradient release after transcatheter aortic valve prosthesis implantation is stable up to one year of follow up, according to a study presented this week at the 2009 Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics meeting.

SAN FRANSISCOAn estimated 10,000 transcatheter heart valves have been implanted in patients with critical valvular aortic stenosis, and the researchers, who have their eyes on U.S. approval, are now seeking to standardize the techniques and trial expectations, according to a presentation by Martin B. Leon, MD, at the 21st annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) symposium.

The chance that a person in cardiac arrest will survive increases when rescuers doing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) spend more time giving chest compressions, according to a multi-center study reported Sept. 14 in Circulation.

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) has sent a letter to the deputy director for health information privacy, Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, arguing that that expanded privacy rules could create significant problems for community pharmacies

In a recent study, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia found that the use of cooling blankets upon arrival at the hospital for sudden cardiac arrest patients was cost effective. Cardiovascular Business News asked lead author Raina Merchant, MD, to discuss the topic.

In Western Europe, 96 percent of physicians agree that their patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) on oral antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and aspirin plus ADP inhibitors, such as clopidogrel) are still at significant risk for having another cardiovascular event, according to results of a new Harris Interactive survey, sponsored by Schering-Plough.

Pfizer settled an investigation Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) with a $2.3 billion payment, regarding past off-label promotional practices related to several drugs, including the steroidal anti-inflammatory pain medication Bextra, which Pfizer withdrew from the market in 2005, due to reports that it caused heart attacks and strokes.