Two alternatives to heart surgery, the Edwards and the CoreValve heart valves, offer a less invasive alternative to surgery but do so is very different ways.

The Edwards unit is bigger and is deployed when a heart specialist blows up a balloon to position it. The Corevalve heart valve expands into its original shape, giving structure to the the valve.

Specialists claim that the Edwards unit is more durable yet the Corvevalve unit is easier to use. The ease of use can costly though; many patients have had to recieve pace makers to restore the heart's rhythm. Concerns about the durability of the Corvevalve, which is made of a nickel and titanium alloy -- in contrast to the steel Edwards unit -- are also on the surface.

"For its part, the Edwards device also encountered problems during its development. In 2005, the company stopped an early study after several patients died. The company then revised the implant procedure."

To read the full article, including a nunmber of comments from doctors and physicians worldwide, click here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/01/business/01valveside.html?scp=9&sq=October+1+2009&st=nyt

By now, most people in the medical profession are aware of the American Academy of Pediatric’s recommendation for wider cholesterol screening for children and more aggressive use of cholesterol-lowering drugs for kids, starting as early as age eight. The controversy of the recommendation stems from the fact that the AAP’s statement comes from mere speculation of how statins work in adults. According to an article in The New York Times, AAP’s doctors believe that statins will function the same in children as they do in adults, a speculation that is absent of any evidence-based medicine and clear data.

The importance of evidence-based medicine is clear in this controversial mishap. Just two days after issuing the recommendation, AAP retracted the statement, offering apologies for unclear thinking and lack of evidence-based medicine. Relying on evidence-based medicine is a sure-fire way to make the best decisions for a treatment. An independent review organization bases its decisions and recommendations on evidence-based medicine in order to determine medical necessity and increase patient safety.
Read the initial article about the American Academy of Pediatric’s recommendation