RESEARCH AND CLINICAL TRIALS
Distinguished Scholar , Milton Packer , MD
Milton Packer , MD , Distinguished Scholar in Cardiovascular Science , has a lot to say about medicine and healthcare . That ’ s why he started Revolution and Revelation , a weekly blog on MedPages Today ’ s website .
“ It isn ’ t research , rather it ’ s a commentary on the state of affairs in medicine from my viewpoint ,” explained Dr . Packer . “ It is my political and philosophical commentary on the current state of medicine .” In his debut blog published on June 27 , 2017 , Dr . Packer said this to his readers , “ Here is my goal : I am going to really try very hard to get you to think . I hope not to provide facts , but to raise questions . My hope is to show you something unexpected and interesting , and have you reach your own conclusions . Hopefully , I will not only entertain you , but I will shed some enlightenment . If I get lucky , I will change how you think about some things . And maybe propose a few solutions . My goal is to open your eyes and make you smile – or even get you to laugh out loud . And sometimes to make you angry . I do not relish throwing a grenade into the midst of the cardiology community , because my goal is not to destroy things . But I do want to get their attention .”
Averaging between 20,000 to 80,000 readers per week , Dr . Packer has been pleasantly surprised by the acceptance of his blog . In fact , his innovative approach to blogging hasn ’ t gone unnoticed or unrewarded . Dr . Packer recently received the Jesse Neal Award for his writings . He describes it as the Pulitzer Prize in journalism for digital media . Dr . Packer said the blog gives him an opportunity to share his thoughts that couldn ’ t be shared in a medical journal .
In addition to writing his blog , Dr . Packer was busy with heart failure studies and journal publications in fiscal year 2018 . He cited one specific study related to heart failure – the EMPEROR study .
EMPEROR : a study continued from fiscal year 2017 that enrolls heart failure patients with a reduced and a preserved ejection fraction . The study evaluates an SGLT2 inhibitor , empagliflozin , which is already approved for use in diabetes . The trial ’ s projected completion date is 2022 .
THREE IMPORTANT PUBLICATIONS FOR WHICH DR . PACKER WAS A CO-AUTHOR WERE :
• Effect of neprilysin inhibition on renal function in patients with Type 2 diabetes and chronic heart failure who are receiving target doses of inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system : a secondary analysis of the PARADIGM-HF trial , Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol . 2018 Jul ; 6 ( 7 ): 547- 554 . doi : 10.1016 / S2213-8587 ( 18 ) 30100-1 . Epub 2018 Apr 13 , Packer M1 , Claggett B2 , Lefkowitz MP3 , McMurray JJV4 , Rouleau JL5 , Solomon SD2 , Zile MR6 .
• Long-Term Effects of Flosequinan on the Morbidity and Mortality of Patients With Severe Chronic Heart Failure : Primary Results of the PROFILE Trial After 24 Years , JACC Heart Fail . 2017 Jun ; 5 ( 6 ): 399-407 . doi : 10.1016 / j . jchf . 2017.03.003 . Epub 2017 May 10 , Packer M1 , Pitt B2 , Rouleau JL3 , Swedberg K4 , DeMets DL5 , Fisher L6 .
• Effect of Ularitide on Cardiovascular Mortality in Acute Heart Failure , N Engl J Med . 2017 May 18 ; 376 ( 20 ): 1956-1964 . doi : 10.1056 / NEJMoa1601895 . Epub 2017 Apr 12 , Packer M1 , O ’ Connor C1 , McMurray JJV1 , Wittes J1 , Abraham WT1 , Anker SD1 , Dickstein K1 , Filippatos G1 , Holcomb R1 , Krum H1 , Maggioni AP1 , Mebazaa A1 , Peacock WF1 , Petrie MC1 , Ponikowski P1 , Ruschitzka F1 , van Veldhuisen DJ1 , Kowarski LS1 , Schactman M1 , Holzmeister J1 ; TRUE-AHF Investigators .
Dr . Packer is in good company when it comes to publishing articles as most of the members of the Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital - Dallas medical staff are committed to sharing their expertise and insight gained from research and experience through articles in peer reviewed journals and other publications . Often , they join other cardiovascular specialists from around the country and across the globe as authors or co-authors for articles on significant findings in heart and vascular disease . In fiscal year 2018 , more than 150 articles were published by members of the medical staff , staff researchers and co-investigators . For a listing of recent articles , please check
BaylorHeartHospital . com / Publications .