Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Lowering With Evolocumab and Outcomes in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease: Insights From the FOURIER Trial

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are at increased risk of major CV events, however this area is comparatively understudied with only a few well-powered prospective randomized clinical trials of LDL-C lowering. In this high risk group, Evolocumab significantly lowered the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and major adverse limb events (MALE) with an LDL-C reduction of 59% after 48 weeks. When looking at the composite of MACE/MALE in patients with symptomatic PAD and no prior myocardial infarction or stroke, Evolocumab resulted in an absolute risk reduction of 6.3% at 2.5 years, yielding a NNT of 16. This sub analysis of the FOURIER trial demonstrates that reducing LDL cholesterol to very low levels should be a core focus of therapy in patients with symptomatic lower extremity PAD, including those without concomitant coronary or cerebrovascular disease. Read more

Drowsy Without Feeling Lousy

Choosing Wisely Canada is an organization committed to helping clinicians and patients engage in conversations about unnecessary tests and treatments. Choosing Wisely Canada has developed a toolkit for reducing inappropriate use of benzodiazepines and sedative-hypnotics (BSH) among older adults in primary care. Choosing Wisely Canada Read more

Calcium Channel Blockers May Increase Pancreatic Cancer Risk in Women

A study presented at the 2018 AACR Annual Meeting showed that calcium channel blockers (CCBs), specifically short-acting forms, were associated with a higher risk of pancreatic cancer in postmenopausal women. As antihypertensive medication use has increased significantly, it is important to address the potential association between CCB use and increased risk of pancreatic cancer. American Association for Cancer Research Read more

Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy Linked to ADHD, ASD, Hyperactivity

A number of studies have assessed acetaminophen’s neuro-disruptive properties, with inconsistent results. Researchers conducted a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis to assess the association between pre-natal exposure to acetaminophen and ADHD, ASD and hyperactivity. American Journal of Epidemiology Read more

Hypertension Canada’s 2018 Guidelines for Diagnosis, Risk Assessment, Prevention, and Treatment of Hypertension in Adults and Children

Canadian Journal of Cardiology

Diabetes Canada 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada

Canadian Journal of Diabetes

Zika Virus Prevention and Treatment Recommendations

Government of Canada