Cardiology

Although many clinicians presumed patients with poor collateral blood vessel formation near their stroke site should have their blood pressure left high to prevent a second stroke, a study published in Neurology found lowering blood pressure to normal levels reduces subsequent stroke risk more effectively.

The FDA recently approved the Supera peripheral stent system to treat blocked blood vessels in the upper leg caused by peripheral artery disease.

A recent study found high-dose multivitamins and minerals taken after myocardial infarction do not significantly reduce subsequent cardiovascular events.

Up to 50% of patients who undergo bypass and heart valve surgeries develop postoperative atrial fibrillation, the result of which involves more postoperative complications, including stroke, longer hospital stays, and an increase in treatment costs.

Changes to the recommended use of various medications and catheter ablations rank among the highlights of comprehensive new guidelines for the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation.

Citing interim results that met parameters for efficacy in reducing cardiovascular mortality, an independent group of experts has put an early stop to a late-stage study on Novartis's novel oral medication for chronic heart failure.

To produce the greatest impact from the implementation of the new American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), physicians should counsel patients on the benefits and risks of medication intervention to prevent CVD, but also explain the absolute necessity of regular exercise and abstention from tobacco use.

Men receive treatment for premature acute coronary syndrome at faster rates than women, according to research published in the March issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).

Thoratec is initiating a worldwide recall of their HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist System.

Treatment with methylprednisolone was associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction in high-risk patients 30 days after bypass surgery.

Trial data presented at ACC.14 showed bariatric surgery was associated with much better long-term glycemic control in obese patients with diabetes compared with standard intensive medical therapy alone.

Trial results presented at ACC.14 demonstrated that treatment with metformin immediately after PCI in non-diabetic patients presenting with acute STEMI does not lead to improvements in left ventricular ejection fraction or other measure of cardiac function.

Darapladib, a novel agent targeting an enzyme known to be associated with increased instability of atherosclerotic plaque, failed to show real-world benefit in a large global trial examining mortality and coronary outcomes.

Researchers in the United Kingdom have shown a reduction in the rate of brain atrophy progression with use of 80-mg simvastatin daily in patients with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis over a 2-year period.

As more patients work in sedentary occupations, the health of the general population has declined. Some studies have revealed that sedentary workers rarely compensate for their inactivity by increasing their exercise levels and/or reducing their sedentary behavior during leisure time.

Trial results showed the anti-gout medication colchicine reduced the rate of pericarditis recurrence and hospitalization compared to placebo.

Results from the CHOICE trial presented at ACC.14 showed the Sapien balloon-expandable valve performed slightly better than the CoreValve self-expanding device according to a composite measure of "device success."

The AleCardio trial was halted early due to safety concerns and lack of efficacy. Investigators reported patients with diabetes and acute coronary syndrome experienced elevated risk of heart failure, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and renal dysfunction with no mitigating cardiovascular benefit.

Study results presented at ACC.14 show treatment with PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab significantly reduces LDL-cholesterol levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Collaboration between American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, Heart Rhythm Society, and the Society of Thoracic Surgery includes guidance on the use of new oral anticoagulants.

Patients with severe aortic stenosis deemed at high surgical risk who were treated with Medtronic's CoreValve self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve had higher one-year survival rates compared to patients treated with surgical aortic valve replacement.

Study data announced at ACC.14 demonstrate renal denervation does not significantly reduce blood pressure in resistant hypertension, contradicting previous studies showing the benefits of the procedure.

After FDA reviewers advocated for not accepting the acute heart failure drug, an advisory panel voted unanimously to reject serelaxin.

Critics allege several major errors in the results of a study that found testosterone therapy is associated with an increased risk for myocardial infarction and stroke.

Men with HIV have more noncalcified plaque in their arteries than their uninfected counterparts, according to a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

The FDA's Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee convenes today to discuss serelaxin after reviewers recommended against the approval of the heart failure drug.

A majority of anesthesiologists report using intraoperative neuroprotection for carotid endarterectomy, compared to a previous study that reported 22% of anesthesiologists used neuroprotection in 1995.

Subanalysis of a study comparing warfarin and apixaban in patients with atrial fibrillation found that uncontrolled hypertension increased the risk of stroke or systemic embolism in these patients.

A developmental drug lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia.

A new guidance document on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) cites the need for new safety and quality protocols to address the increasing number of PCIs performed at centers with no on-site cardiac surgery backup available.