CHICAGO — Cardiologists should scale back using ezetimibe and rely more on statins, according to the experts who participated in the panel discussion of the ENHANCE data, held at the 57th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology.

“This is a negative trial that should change practice. Yes, change practice, especially given the way that we … have been prescribing ezetimibe,” said Harlan Krumholz, MD, professor of medicine and epidemiology and public health at Yale.

“The consensus of the ACC panel was that physicians should try to maximize use of statins and reserve ezetimibe for patients who respond inadequately to statins or cannot tolerate statins,” Steve Nissen, MD, chairman of the department of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, told Cardiology Today.

John J.P. Kastelein, MD, PhD, presented the complete results of the Effect of Combination Ezetimibe and High-Dose Simvastatin vs. Simvastatin Alone on Atherosclerotic Process in Patients with Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (ENHANCE) trial at the meeting.

Framingham risk score may underestimate lifetime risk
The Framingingham risk score may have major limitations, according to Roger S. Blumenthal, MD.

CMS will not mandate CTA coverage
Local contractors can decide about reimbursement.

Women at risk from poor sleep
Sleep quality associated with cardiovascular risks.