Heart(y) News, April 3

April 4, 2010 by Raquel
Filed under HEART AND STROKE

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April 7 is World Health Day!

We’ll keep you posted of events planned for that day in the upcoming posts. In the meantime, here is your heart(y) news for this weekend. Apologies for the delay!

Controversial ezetimibe trial’s completion expected in June 2013
IMPROVE-IT is short for Improved Reduction of Outcomes: Vytorin Efficacy International Trial, which is a study testing the rather controversial anti-cholesterol drug Vytorin (ezetimibe). IMPROVE-IT is testing the efficacy and safety of ezetimibe as add-on to statin therapy and is expected to be finished in June 2013. An estimated 18,000 patients are expected to be enrolled in the trial by June 2010.

Boston Scientific Recall Under Investigation
The medical device manufacturer Boston Scientific is being investigated by the US Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in connection with the recent recall of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), according to the Wall Street Journal. The ICD recall was initiated in March when it was discovered that manufacturing changes implemented haven’t been approved by regulators.

UK NICE reverses decision on dronedarone for AF
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK decide to give dronedarone (Multaq) a go in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. A new draft guidance issued end of March “recommends limited use of the drug as a second-line treatment in patients with additional cardiovascular risk factors whose AF has not been controlled by first-line therapy (usually including beta blockers).” An earlier guidance did not recommend Multaq’s use of atrial fibrillation. The change is due to the fact that although NICE is not convinced that Multaq is more effective than other antiarrhythmic drugs, it has fewer long-term side effects that can impact quality of life.

Top 10 Choirs of the Most Powerful Voices Competition Selected
As part of the American Stroke Association’s Power to End Stroke campaign, this online singing competition is aimed to educate people about stroke. You have the chance to cast your vote and choose your favorite out of the top 10 until April 6. The winning choirs will perform at the Power Awards Show in New York City on May 7. The association hosts the annual event to honor people who increase stroke awareness among African Americans. In addition, one of the two choirs will be chosen by EMI Gospel as a grand prize winner and will receive a professional coaching session from a national EMI Gospel artist.