Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency may not be associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), contrary to a widely held belief. A study published online Oct. 9 in The Lancet found chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency in very small percentages of people with MS, their healthy siblings and unrelated people who do not have MS.

The FDA has approved riociguat for adults with two forms of pulmonary hypertension under its priority review program.

Data from a study led by researchers at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute<http://globalmessaging1.prnewswire.com/clickthrough/servlet/clickthrough?msg_id=7563978&adr_order=59&url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5zYWludGx1a2VzaGVhbHRoc3lzdGVtLm9yZy9zZXJ2aWNlcy9oZWFydC1hbmQt%0AdmFzY3VsYXItY2FyZGlvdmFzY3VsYXItc2VydmljZXM%3D> showed marked, long-term improvement in health status in patients suffering from peripheral artery disease treated with the S.M.A.R.T. Nitinol Self-Expandable Stent. The study was sponsored by Cordis Corporation, (Fremont, Calif.), manufacturer of the S.M.A.R.T. Stent.

The effect of statins on cholesterol levels is well known, but it turns out the lipid-lowering drugs may have another benefit. A study published online Sept. 25 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that a high dose of atorvastatin reduced periodontal disease inflammation.

Using clopidogrel monotherapy over a long period of time may be a safer option than long-term dual-antiplatelet therapy for stroke prevention in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. A study published in the Oct. 1 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine found that dual-antiplatelet therapy did not reduce overall risk of stroke compared with clopidogrel alone or aspirin alone, but was associated with a higher risk of intracranial hemorrhage.

Statins may offer a dementia prevention advantage in people with no history of cognitive dysfunction. In a meta-analysis published in the October issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, researchers found that short-term data suggest statins do not adversely affect cognition and long-term data suggest some preventive benefit.&nbsp;

Closing a patent foramen ovale (PFO) using certain devices may be a better option than medication in preventing cryptogenic stroke or transient ischemic attack, according to a meta-analysis published online Sept. 16 in the International Journal of Cardiology.

In the assessment of peripheral artery disease (PAD), the initial test requires only a blood pressure cuff and CT angiography (CTA) to noninvasively image small vessels. This would seem to leave MRI to play a bit part, but as techniques improve, MR&rsquo;s role in both clinical use and research grows more important.