title: Major recent trials in cardiovascular diseases.
abstract: This article provides information and commentary on recent clinical trials related to primary prevention in cardiovascular diseases including lipids, hypertension, and diabetes. It also focuses on novel therapeutic advances in heart failure with devices and therapeutic agents. In addition, we explore trials looking at the effects of the investigational agents azimilide and dronedarone in the treatment of arrhythmias, application of established therapies/devices to larger populations, and the impact of hypercoagulability and aortic arch plaques on the incidence of stroke. Finally, we conclude with trials from the interventional arena evaluating new agents in the treatment of myocardial infarction, comparing percutaneous coronary intervention with coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in patients with diabetes, and reporting registry data on long-term treatment with dual antiplatelet therapy. Some of the preliminary data presented are from unpublished reports and may be subject to change in the final publications.
authors.affiliation: Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA 70121-2483, USA.
authors.forename: Surya M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Artham
authors.forename: Carl J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lavie
authors.forename: Paul W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: McMullan