Use of Lifestyle Modifications for Management of a Patient with Severely High Total Cholesterol (> 14 mmol/L) and Triglycerides (> 40 mmol/L).

In this report, we describe a case of a 37-year old man who presented with a history of total cholesterol > 14 mmol/L and triglyceride levels > 40 mmol/L. The patient was initially thought to have familial hypercholesterolemia due to his elevated total cholesterol, by his family physician. He was prescribed evolucumab, a proprotein convertase subtilisin/ kexin type 9 inhibitor drug which has shown efficacy for lowering low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, to reduce his high total cholesterol.

Development and validation of a decision aid for choosing among antithrombotic agents for atrial fibrillation.

Background: Multiple antithrombotic agents are available for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). A decision aid can assist patients in making informed decisions that best serves their needs.

Objective: To validate a decision aid to assist patients in choosing between antithrombotic agents (antiplatelets, warfarin, direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs)) for AF.

Validation of a patient decision aid for choosing between dabigatran and warfarin for atrial fibrillation.

Background: Decision aids have been helpful to support patients in decision-making including anticoagulation. With the introduction of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs), it will be important to assist patients and physicians in shared decision-making about NOACs and warfarin.

Objectives: To validate a patient decision aid (DA) for warfarin versus dabigatran, the first NOAC approved for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Shared electronic vascular risk decision support in primary care: Computerization of Medical Practices for the Enhancement of Therapeutic Effectiveness (COMPETE III) randomized trial.

Background: Computerized decision support systems (CDSSs) linked with electronic medical records (EMRs) are promoted as an effective means of improving patient care. However, very few high-quality studies are set in routine, community-based clinical care, and no consistent evidence of an effect on patient outcomes has been found.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial among EMR-using primary care practices in Ontario, Canada.

Determinants of masked hypertension in hypertensive patients treated in a primary care setting.

Background: Recent data suggest that masked hypertension (MH) carries a cardiovascular risk similar to that of uncontrolled hypertension.

Aims: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of MH in patients treated for hypertension in a Canadian primary care setting.

Methods: Office blood pressure (OBP) was measured at baseline and after 3 months of valsartan-based therapy in 5636 hypertensive patients who had recorded their home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) for seven consecutive days at month 3 using an Omron HEM-711 apparatus.