The other day, I had the pleasure of being corrected by ever-impressive Milton Packer and I feel obliged to share his teachings with you. The…
James Stein Interview with SAMSON senior author Darrel Francis: Statin Side Effects – The Symptoms are Real
The SAMSON trial recruited patients who had given up statins for good due to side effects. Why was the trial needed and what do the…
SAMSON and the Future of Clinical Trials in Cardiology
The most interesting and impactful trial presented at the AHA this week (and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine) was the SAMSON trial,…
Statin Critic Accused Of Image Manipulation In Earlier Research
A journalist who has been a frequent critic of statins has been publicly accused of scientific misconduct involving image manipulation in an earlier research paper.…
More Mini-Trials And Fewer Mega-Trials?
Just as dinosaurs ruled the earth for millions of years, for more than 30 years now cardiology has been ruled by mega-trials. Over the years…
New Economic Analyses Fail To Make Case For PCSK9 Inhibitors
(Updated) –PCSK9 inhibitors have ‘the dubious distinction of being the most expensive preventive therapies by far in the history of cardiovascular medicine’ Two new economic…
Pharma Phantasy: The $30 Billion PCSK9 Inhibitor Market
–Drug company dreams up a study showing all the benefits and none of the costs or risks of PCSK9 inhibitors. Here’s a pro tip for…
How Statins Make Some People Crazy
–Intelligent discussion about statins is threatened by zealous partisans. What is it about statins that causes so many people to go crazy? I’m not talking…
Nissen Calls Statin Denialism A Deadly Internet-Driven Cult
–“We are losing the battle for the hearts and minds of our patients.” A leading cardiologist has unleashed a blistering attack on “statin denial,” which…
Study Estimates Benefits Of Broad Primary Prevention Strategies With Statins
–But the benefits may be substantially diminished when patient preferences are considered. A new analysis provides staunch support for the use of statins for the…