Nissen, Steven E., M.D.
Steven E. Nissen is chairman of the department of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic and former president of the American College of Cardiology, the professional society representing American cardiologists. His research has focused on intravascular ultrasound, an imaging technique that uses tiny probes to measure the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries. He has also written extensively on drug safety. In 2001, he was co-author of the first manuscript that raised concerns about the safety of Vioxx, which was withdrawn from the market three years later. In 2007, he reported that the widely used diabetes drug Avandia raised the risk of heart attack, resulting in a warning by the Food and Drug Administration six months later. In 2007, Dr. Nissen was named by Time magazine as one of the “100 most influential people in the world.”
Articles by Nissen, Steven E., M.D.
The decision between a stent or bypass surgery is complex and must be individualized for each patient.
Obesity and genetics contribute; diet, exercise, and weight loss can help.
Some perspective on the diabetes drug, as the FDA prepares to consider its heart risks
Yes, many physicians have switched patients without harm.
There is evidence that statins can reduce the amount of cholesterol plaque in the arteries in some patients.
At the minimum, children should see their pediatrician.
The choices include generics, medium-potency statins, and high-powered Lipitor and Crestor.
They may be a sign of metabolic syndrome, which means trouble for the heart.
