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.

While your facility likely has robust measures in place to dodge contamination, recent developments provide a valuable reminder to examine current practices.

In atrial fibrillation patients, dabigatran (Pradaxa) administered at 110 mg was associated with similar rates of stroke and systemic embolism as with warfarin, as well as lower rates of major hemorrhage, based on the RE-LY trial presented Sunday at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Yet, dabigatran administered at 150 mg, compared with warfarin, was associated with lower rates of stroke and systemic embolism but similar rates of major hemorrhage.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and its U.S. subsidiary Takeda Global Research & Development Center in Deerfield, Ill., have received notification that the FDA has agreed to the study design for EXAMINE, a cardiovascular outcomes trial for alogliptin, a selective dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor under investigation for the treatment of type 2 diabetes as an adjunct to diet and exercise.

Researchers may have uncovered the reason why beta blockers are less effective at preventing stroke in older people with high blood pressure, when compared to other drugs for high blood pressure.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and blood pressure measures can remain controlled in most patients discharged from a cardiac disease management program, according to a randomized study in Augusts American Journal of Managed Care.