Doubling up cardiology coverage

It is no surprise that this month’s Cardiology Review contains a variety of interesting articles, but in an unusual twist, most of the contributions cover multiple topical areas. For example, a combined article in the lipid and diabetes sections by German authors Drs Thomas Forst and Markolf Hanefeld describes the complementary effects of statins and thiazolidinediones (antidiabetic drugs) in reducing cardiovascular risks in nondiabetic patients, similar to what has been shown previously in diabetic patients. In this three-arm, doubleblind randomized trial, 135 patients were enrolled. The positive conclusions from this study are applauded by Dr Ira Goldberg in his commentary. In our second combined study in the CAD and imaging sections, Drs John J. Mahmarian and Craig Pratt evaluate the role of quantitative adenosine myocardial perfusion imaging as an initial testing method for risk stratification after an acute myocardial infarction (MI). They enrolled 728 patients in their study, which concluded that state-of-the art imaging performed early after an acute MI can identify a low-risk cohort in whom aggressive invasive therapy is not indicated. Dr Steven Borzak comments on the clinical implications of the study. This month’s issue also features 2 articles in the hypertension section. In the first, Dr Gian Paolo Rossi of Italy analyzed the prevalence of primary aldosteronism in 1125 consecutive hypertensive patients. The high rate (4.8%) of this condition—as well as the implications for managing hypertension— is the subject of Dr Samuel Mann’s commentary. In the second, Dr Arthur Klatsky sought to determine if alcohol-associated hypertension is similar to nonalcohol associated hypertension in terms of subsequent cardiovascular events. Dr John Maesaka and Bill Miyawaki have their own thoughts on this subject, which they offer in their commentary. In our final combined contribution (in the heart failure and arrhythmia sections), Drs Salam Sbaity and associates have submitted an overview article concerning a puzzling syndrome that is being seen more and more by clinicians— “tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy.” The long-term risk for sudden death is not negligible and warrants consideration for aggressive control of heart rate in affected individuals. Finally, we recently received a number of letters to the editor regarding articles in Cardiology Review, and you can read the first of this correspondence on the following page. Other letters will follow in the months ahead. Whether you are impressed, disappointed, or simply have an observation about this publication, we encourage all readers to tell us what’s on their mind.