Heart Failure

A new study found the annual top-50 ranking is a reliable indicator of cardiovascular disease mortality and patient satisfaction.

Topline data shows that the diabetes medication is non-inferior to placebo with regard to a composite outcome of major adverse cardiovascular events.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Not sure what’s been recalled, withdrawn from the market, or had safety updates?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.

The new Medtronic device is capable of repairing thoracic aortic aneurysms, blunt thoracic aortic injuries, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers, intramural hematomas, and aortic type B dissections.

Investigators found that treating for CSA in the patient population significantly decreases mortality risk—despite previous clinical warnings.

The supplemental BLA seeks FDA approval for alirocumab (Praulent) as a treatment to reduce overall risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.

Interestingly, increased distress led to a higher risk of stroke for women, while distressed men had a higher risk of heart attack.

The risk of acute coronary syndrome recurring after hospitalization was not found to be increased in individuals infected with HIV.

Though previous research showed telemonitoring and pharmacist consultation helped patients manage blood pressure for about one year, researchers have been unsure whether it would provide sustained, long-term benefits in at-risk patients.

Patients administered the FDA-approved therapy reported tripled rates of weight-loss, along with noninferiority for risk of major cardiovascular events, over 1 year and an extension period.

The update reported significant improvements in future cardiovascular risks in patients at risk for chronic angina initially referred for CTA plus standard care, versus those only referred to standard care.

In an analysis of 118 clinical trials since 2001, investigators found females and minorities comprised just 27% and 22% of the total patient population, respectively.

For patients with acute coronary syndrome and depression, taking escitalopram to treat depression resulted in significantly fewer major cardiac events compared to patients given placebo.

Women and men are more likely to survive when treated by female doctors compared to male doctors, but the difference in heart attack survival is greater for women.

Researchers were able to rule out myocardial infarction in 30% of patients immediately, and another 25% of patients at 1 hour. By 3 hours, the assay had successfully ruled out MI in 83.8% of patients, versus the 80.4% ruled out under the conventional assay.

The PocketECG Cardiac Rehabilitation System provides electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring and alerts during cardiac rehabilitation.