Therapeutic drug monitoring of mexiletine at a large academic medical center.

Introduction: The therapeutic trough range for mexiletine (0.8-2 mcg/mL) was largely established in the setting of arrhythmia prophylaxis following myocardial infarction.

Objective: Describe the usage patterns of serum mexiletine concentrations and the impact of these concentrations on mexiletine dosing in modern practice for ventricular arrhythmia treatment.

Safety of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in the management of a variety of conditions, but their prevalence is likely underreported as a result of widespread availability and the perception that nonprescription therapies are unnecessary to report during medication history taking. However, NSAIDs are associated with a number of adverse effects, especially in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Patients with CVD and comorbidities for which NSAIDs may provide symptomatic relief (e.

The effect of cardiovascular credentialed pharmacists on process measures and outcomes in myocardial infarction and heart failure.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if institutions with inpatient cardiovascular credentialed pharmacists exhibit improved quality measures for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and heart failure (HF) care compared with institutions without inpatient cardiovascular credentialed pharmacists.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective, cross-sectional, matched case-control study. Hospitals with at least one Added Qualification in Cardiology (AQCV) inpatient pharmacist were included in the case group.

Evaluation of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9: focus on potential clinical and therapeutic implications for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering.

Reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is associated with a decrease in coronary heart disease (CHD). Statins are currently the most effective medications for LDL-C lowering; however, there continues to be a residual risk for cardiovascular events. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a protease that promotes LDL receptor degradation, leading to an increase in LDL-C blood levels.