Cardiology

Jay Edelberg, MD, PhD, of Sanofi and Robert Sanchez, PhD, of Regeneron shared about the recent ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial of alirocumab (Praluent) and accompanying cost-effectiveness study.

“Reassuring” results from a study of 11,692 individuals show that statin use does not affect the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine.

The FDA has expanded Novartis’ eltrombopag (Promacta) to include first-line treatment for adults and pediatric patients aged 2 years and older with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) in combination with standard immunosuppressive therapy (IST).

In analysis, the therapy plus standard immunosuppressive therapy resulted in a complete response rate 27% greater than that historically observed in patients treated with lone IST, over 6 months.

About 21% to 74% of patients with AF will also have obstructive sleep apnea. What is one medical center doing to find these patients in their cardiology department?

Investigators have found that lowering LDL cholesterol may not be the only way to reduce cardiovascular events—reducing inflammation may be the key to improving outcomes.

A popularizing procedure among stroke centers was the basis of clinical research for the medical center, and is now improving in practice.

Using relevant clinical trial data, investigators created a price tag of about $6300 annually for the very effective, often costly inhibitor.

James Januzzi, MD, discusses trial results from the PIONEER-HF trial and what cardiologists and hospitalists should know about sacubitril-valsartan.

How surgeons' duties surround the entire invasive process, and therefore make them something closer to specialists.

Strengths of the DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial included a large primary prevention population, while the nature of the study meant that adherence was likely higher than it would be in a standard setting.

Steven Nissen, MD, discusses the updates to the cholesterol guidelines and how the risk calculator should not be considered an end-all be-all.

The study showed noninferiority with relation to major adverse cardiovascular events and a reduction of heart failure, though no difference in cardiovascular death compared to placebo. There appear to be renal benefits to dapagliflozin as well.

Investigators have found a pair of increased biomarker levels indicate patients with AF are at a greater risk of neurodegeneration.

“These guidelines bring back the concept of adjusting therapy for cholesterol levels, and they recommend more aggressive treatment targets for people in very high risk,” said Cleveland Clinic’s Steven Nissen.

The US Department of Health and Human Services updated guidelines feature key recommendations for young children aged 3-5, youths aged 6-17, adults, older adults, pregnant and post-partum women, as well as adults with chronic health conditions and disabilities.

When compared with enalapril, in patients with acute decompensated heart failure, sacubitril–valsartan led to greater reduction in N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and reduced re-hospitalization for heart failure, and was well tolerated.

In addition to a 25% reduction of risk of future cardiovascular events, icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) lowered the risk of cardiovascular death by 20%.

Ezetimibe 10 mg/day significantly reduced the incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events in elderly patients with high LDL cholesterol compared to control.

Anthony Rosenzweig, MD, Chief of Cardiology at Massachusetts General Hospital discusses how exercise can protect the heart and its potential role in cardiac regeneration.

In the VITAL study, investigators found that supplementation with omega-3s and vitamin D did not meet the primary endpoint of significantly reducing major cardiovascular events or total invasive cancer.

PTSD was associated with a 3-fold increased risk of all-cause mortality or a major heart event in 12 months following cardiac arrest.

The updated cholesterol guidelines continue to emphasize a healthy lifestyle for people of all ages and the need for personalized treatment plans. They also lay out a path for escalating treatment when statins aren’t sufficient.

In visits with overweight or obese children with high blood pressure, pediatricians either provide no communication about BP or unclear or dismissive statements, unless SBP is ≥120 mmHg.

Data from a new study indicate that trauma is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in sexual minority women, suggesting it should be screened for as a risk factor in this population.

Investigators have found an association between opioid use and cardiovascular mortality.

Not sure what’s been recalled, withdrawn from the market, or had safety updates? Catch up on the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA's) recalls and safety news from this past week.

Who is the best candidate for invasive treatment in the GERD population?

The FDA has approved Johnson & Johnson’s canagliflozin (INVOKANA) for patients with type 2 diabetes who have established cardiovascular disease in order to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, or death.

Patients with renal disease are poorly represented in studies of treatment for STEMI but, a new study finds, are at much greater risk for MACE and death.