by Eric Christianson | Feb 11, 2026 | Cardiovascular Medication and Disease State Clinical Pearls
Fibrates are lipid-lowering agents that are primarily used to reduce triglycerides. They are most beneficial in patients with significantly elevated triglyceride levels, particularly those above 500 mg/dL, where the primary clinical goal is reducing the risk of...
by Eric Christianson | Feb 4, 2026 | Cardiovascular Medication and Disease State Clinical Pearls
Rhabdomyolysis happens when muscle cells break down and release their contents into the blood. These substances can damage the kidneys and cause serious problems like kidney failure. It is often triggered by medications, injuries, extreme exercise, or drug...
by Eric Christianson | Jul 20, 2025 | Cardiovascular Medication and Disease State Clinical Pearls
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are widely used in a variety of conditions, including atrial fibrillation, pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis. Most DOACs are metabolized by CYP3A4 and utilize the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transporter. Thus, common...
by Eric Christianson | Jun 8, 2025 | Cardiovascular Medication and Disease State Clinical Pearls
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are widely used in managing hypertension, heart failure, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and diabetic nephropathy. While these agents share a common mechanism—blocking the angiotensin II type 1 (AT₁) receptor—not all ARBs are...
by Eric Christianson | May 14, 2025 | Cardiovascular Medication and Disease State Clinical Pearls, Polypharmacy Cases And The Prescribing Cascade
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that has a narrow therapeutic window. Because of this, we typically monitor digoxin levels. If levels get too high, we can run into adverse effects. In some cases, particularly geriatric patients, those adverse can be misinterpreted as...
by Eric Christianson | Feb 26, 2025 | Cardiovascular Medication and Disease State Clinical Pearls
Thiazide diuretics are commonly prescribed medications used to treat hypertension, edema, heart failure, and ascites. They work by removing excess salt and water from the body through the urine. This ultimately helps to reduce fluid retention and decrease blood...
