Stroke has continued to remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries. A case control study in 32 countries has identified hypertension, physical activity, apo-b/apoA1 ratio, diet, waist-to-hip ratio, psychological factors, smoking, cardiac causes, alcohol consumption, and diabetes collectively being responsible for 90.7 of attributable risks for all strokes worldwide.

Dr. Waksman and Dr. Simonton (Abbott Vascular – CMO) discussing the commercialization of bioresorbable stents (BRS) in the US. Investigator/clinician and industry leadership perspective.

The effect of omega-3 fatty acids in modifying cardiac structures following MI has not been addressed. A randomized study of 358 patients presenting with a MI has indicated that high-dose omega-3 fatty acids lead to reduction in LV systolic volume index, reductions in serum biomarkers of systemic inflammation and myocardial fibrosis.

The cardiovascular outcome of the glucagon-like peptide 1 analogue, liraglutide, as a combination therapy in type II diabetes has not been studied. A double-blind randomized study of type II diabetic and high cardiovascular risk patients has indicated that liraglutide is associated with a lower rate of the first occurrence of death from cardiovascular causes, non-fatal MI or non-fatal stroke.