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Varenicline, the smoking-cessation drug marketed as Chantix, might increase the risk for myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular events in patients with existing cardiovascular disease, the FDA cautioned on Thursday.

The warning follows the review of a clinical trial in which 700 smokers with documented cardiovascular disease were randomized to varenicline or placebo. Those treated with varenicline were more likely to have an adverse cardiovascular event, such as nonfatal MI, angina pectoris, or peripheral vascular disease diagnosis, than those on placebo.

The FDA has asked the manufacturer to conduct a meta-analysis of data from existing varenicline studies.

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Videoconferencing with specialists allows primary care providers to provide hepatitis C treatment as effective as that found in academic centers, according to a study.

Researchers followed outcomes in some 400 patients with untreated chronic hepatitis C. Roughly two thirds were living in rural areas of New Mexico or in its prisons; they received care facilitated by weekly videoconferences and teleconferences between PCPs and specialists called the “ECHO” program. The remainder of the patients received care directly at a University of New Mexico hepatitis C clinic.

The outcome of interest, a sustained virologic response, occurred with almost identical frequency in both treatment settings (ECHO, 58.2%; academic center, 57.5%).

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A major government study has been stopped early because it showed no benefit to raising HDL levels with niacin in patients at high risk for cardiovascular events, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute announced Thursday.

In the AIM-HIGH trial, the rate of MI, stroke, hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome, or revascularization among some 3400 patients did not differ between a group taking statin plus high-dose niacin and one taking statin plus placebo during 32 months’ follow-up. All patients had well-controlled LDL levels at entry, but had low HDL levels and high triglycerides.

Asked to comment, Dr. Harlan Krumholz of wrote “This study reinforces that medications that change a risk factor do not necessarily change patient risk.

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OWNERS of a care home facing a police probe into the death of a disabled resident moved to shut down the business last night just hours before a deadline for “urgent and immediate improvements” came into force.

Authorities launched an investigation into the Elsie Inglis Care Home in Edinburgh after a 59-year-old woman fell ill and died earlier this month, and the owners were given until last night to comply with demands for improvement.

The couple behind the business, Dr Nawal Bagaria and his wife Dr Susheela Bagaria, were unavailable for comment, but The Herald understands that they voluntarily de-registered the home because they would have been unable to meet the requirements imposed in time. The

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