Cardiology Month in Review: November 2022

The last weekend of each month, our editorial team compiles a list of our most popular cardiology content from the past month for a month in review recap. The November 2022 cardiology month in review features the top content from AHA Scientific Sessions 2022, new data related to use of direct oral anticoagulation, and an FDA warning to companies over violations of the FD&C Act.

AHA Scientific Sessions 2022 Highlights

Each year, the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions serves as the year’s final showcase for advances and updates in the world of cardiovascular and cardiometabolic health. the AHA Scientific Sessions 2022 was the first in-person iteration of the AHA’s annual meeting since 2019 and was held in Chicago, Il from November 4-7, 2022. While on-site at the meeting, our editorial team brought our audience up to the minute coverage of late breaking sessions and other presentations from the meeting, including interviews with key opinion and trial leaders. For the month in review, we are highlighting the 3 most popular pieces of content from the past month related the AHA Scientific Sessions 2022, which includes the STRONG-HF trial, RESPECT-EPA, OCEAN(a)-DOSE, and our AHA Highlights recap.

STRONG-HF: In-Hospital Initiation of GDMT Reduces Rehospitalization, Mortality Risk in Heart Failure Patients

Results of the STRONG-HF trial provide the first evidence from a randomized clinical trial that rapid, in-hospital initiation of guideline-directed medical therapy in heart failure can improve patient outcomes.

EPA Reaches Borderline Statistical Significance in RESPECT-EPA Trial

The late-breaking findings suggest the potential prognostic benefit of highly purified EPA in patients with chronic CAD with a low EPA/AA ratio.

Ocean(a)-DOSE: Olpasiran Shows Promise for Lowering Lipoprotein(a)

Results of the Ocean(a)-DOSE trial, a phase 2 dose-finding study presented at AHA 22, suggests use of olpasiran dosed at 75 mg or higher every 12 weeks was associated with a reduction of Lp(a) among 95% of patients.

AHA 2022 Top Data Review

This listicle highlights a dozen articles and videos to come from our on-site coverage of the AHA Scientific Sessions 2022, with a specific focus on new data in heart failure, hypertension, and lipid management.

Updates in Oral Anticoagulation Therapy

The advent of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) altered the world of antithrombotic therapy. Now, more than a decade after the first approval of an agent within the class, new research into optimal integration of individual DOACs among various patient populations continues to emerge on a regular basis. A trio of stories related to DOACs were among the most popular content of the month among our audience and are highlighted below as part of the November month in review.

Apixaban Trumps Other DOACs in Comparative Analysis of More than 500k AFib Patients

A comparative analysis leveraging EHR data from more than 500k new DOAC users from Europe and the US suggests apixaban use was associated with the lowest risk of gastrointestinal bleeding among agents within the class, with similar rates of thromboembolic events and mortality observed among the class.

Extending Anticoagulation with Rivaroxaban After DVT Could Further Reduce Recurrent Thrombosis Risk

Results of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled RIDTS trial, which compared a 6- vs 12-week course of rivaroxaban in patients with symptomatic isolated DVT, suggests adherence to a 12-week course reduced the relative risk of recurrent VTE by 41% without increasing risk of major bleeding.

Edoxaban Could Safely Reduce Risk of Thromboembolism in Pediatric Patient Populations

Data from a phase 3 trial presented at AHA 22 suggests use of edoxaban could be a safe and effective method for reducing risk of thromboembolism in pediatric patients with cardiovascular disease considered to be at increased risk of thrombosis.

FDA Sends Warning

FDA Warns 7 Companies Over Illegal Claims of Cardiovascular Benefits from Supplements

The final portion of our month in review highlights a warning from the US Food and Drug Administration calls attention to 7 companies for being in violation Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and urged consumers not to use these or similar products because they have not been evaluated by the FDA to be safe or effective for their intended use and may be harmful. In the warning, which was released on November 17, the FDA cited the companies for what they claim is the illegal sale and marketing of dietary supplements with claims to cure, treat, mitigate, or prevent cardiovascular disease or related conditions, such as stroke, atherosclerosis, or heart failure.