The majority of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are not adequately receiving risk-lowering medications, such as statins, ACE inhibitors/ARBs or aspirin, which could increase their risk of mortality, according to a study published online June 20 in Circulation. The researchers noted that evaluating patients ankle brachial index could make physicians aware of the disease and more likely to prescribe medications. 

The number of acute ischemic stroke patients administered clot-busting drugs has doubled since 2005, from 3.4 to 5.2 percent in 2009. However, according to new research published in Stroke, the numbers of patients who receive thrombolytic drugs are still low.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects between eight and 12 million U.S. patients, who lose functionality quicker than those without the disease. New research has shown that a more sedentary lifestyle and slower walking speed can decrease a patients abilities and reduce calf muscle density; however, lifestyle interventions that promote exercise could possibly help prevent a quicker loss of functionality, according to research published in the June 7 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Referring patients to hospitals that have the largest volume of surgical procedures does not necessarily lead to improved outcomes for the overall population, according to a study in the February issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

After a recommendation from the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) following promising results, Covidien has stopped enrollment into its SWIFT trial, which is investigating the use of the Solitaire FR revascularization device. The company said it will take the trial data directly to the FDA in hopes of approval.

Renal artery stenosis patients who undergo percutaneous renal revascularization in addition to medical therapy could require less antihypertensive medications; however, this was not true for improvements in serum creatinine or clinical outcomes when compared with medical management over a mean 29-month follow-up, according to a study published in this month's American Heart Journal.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of the SAPPHIRE trial found that carotid artery stenting (CAS) with embolic protection may be more cost effective in the long run despite higher upfront costs when compared with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients at a high risk for adverse clinical outcomes. However, one procedure may not outweigh the other in terms of becoming the gold standard of treatment, and the procedures may be complementary, not competitive.

Patients who receive therapeutic hypothermia after resuscitation from cardiac arrest have favorable chances of surviving the event and recovering good functional status; however, the role of neuron-specific enolase is not clear, according to a study in the December 2010 issue of Annals of Neurology.