CHICAGO—In patients aged 80 years and older, antihypertensive treatment reduces morbidity and mortality according to results from the Hypertension in the Very Elderly (HYVET) trial.

CHICAGO—Most patients with renovascular hypertension experience improved BP control and improved or stabilized renal function following renal artery angioplasty and stent placement, according to findings presented here at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting.

CHICAGO—Iso-osmolar and low-osmolar contrast agents showed similar nephrotoxicity in a study of patients with impaired renal function undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), according to findings presented here at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting.

CHICAGO—Routine use of contrast agents for evaluating chest pain carries a risk of contrast- induced nephropathy (CIN).

CHICAGO—Revascularization provides no advantage over medical treatment for renal function in patients with renal artery stenosis (RAS), data suggest.

ORLANDO—High-dose atorvastatin may preserve renal function in patients with cerebrovascular disease, a study shows.

CHICAGO—N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may be superior to ascorbic acid in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with renal insufficiency, Korean researchers reported here at the American Heart Association annual scientific sessions.

CHICAGO—Aliskiren, the first in a new class of direct renin inhibitors, is a useful adjunct to other antihypertensive agents for patients with mild to moderate hypertension, data suggest.

NEW YORK CITY—Results of the largest clinical trial ever conducted in non-metastatic prostate cancer suggest that bicalutamide (Casodex) added to standard care may improve overall survival in men with locally advanced disease undergoing radiotherapy.

CHICAGO—Hypertension that develops during pregnancy places women at higher risk for the condition when they get older, researchers reported at the American Heart Association 2006 Scientific Sessions.