A new single-center study has shown that the catheterization laboratory (CCL) activation in response to a prehospital ECG interpreted as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) can be frequently canceled which represents an economic burden and affects the patient satisfaction negatively. Continue reading →

The 1-year results of a phase 2, sham-controlled RCT have confirmed the safety of a transcatheter interatrial shunt device (IASD; Corvia Medical) with no significant cardiovascular or renal events as compared to those receiving sham control treatment. It has also confirmed the long-term patency of the device. The findings were presented at the ESC and have also been simultaneously published in JAMA Cardiology. Continue reading →

A randomized trial in patients with diabetes without evidence of cardiovascular disease has shown there to be no significant difference in the risk of serious cardiovascular events in those administered omega−3 fatty acids as compared to placebo. Continue reading →

A randomized 15,480 patient strong UK based trial comparing Aspirin (ASA) versus placebo in diabetics has shown that the absolute reduction in cardiovascular events from aspirin is offset by a similar absolute increase in major bleeding. Continue reading →

A multicenter, prospective nation-wide French registry evaluated whether oral anticoagulation therapy was an independent correlate of long-term survival and early bioprosthetic valve dysfunction (BVD) in patients who underwent successful Transcatheter Valve Implantation (TAVI). The French registry was launched in 2007 and involved 11,469 patients with a mean duration follow-up was 495±3.5 days. This registry contained 11 years of data and analyzed patients from January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2015. Continue reading →

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an underdiagnosed, poorly misunderstood condition. The predisposing causes and management of this condition are still unclear. To throw light on this, the CANADIAN SCAD cohort study was a large, prospective, multicenter, observational, natural history study that enrolled 750 non-atherosclerotic SCAD patients from 22 centers (20 from Canada and 2 from the US). The key study objective was the analysis of cardiovascular outcomes within the hospital and long-term. Secondary outcomes included the assessment of clinical and angiographic characteristics of patients presenting with SCAD. Continue reading →

A recent study published in Circulation found that higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDLC) increased the relative risk of long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality by 50% to 80%, in healthy participants that were considered to be at a low 10-year risk prior to the beginning of the study. Continue reading →

Hypercholesterolemia is a major modifiable risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). Studies have consistently shown that atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk is correlated to the levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the body. The lower the LDL levels, the lower the risk of ASCVD; but a key question remains to be answered, how low can you go without being unsafe? It has been several years since the 2013 American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) published updated guidelines for the management of hypercholesterolemia. The more current American College of Endocrinology (AACE) guidelines make an attempt to update clinicians on clinical profile-based management in 2017. One of the most striking differences between the 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines and the AACE/ESC/EAS guidelines is the latter’s focus on specific target LDL-C levels. While there is little doubt that higher statin intensity lowers ASCVD risk, a new meta-analysis has now shown based upon the IMPROVE-IT (Examining Outcomes in Subjects With Acute Coronary Syndrome: Vytorin vs Simvastatin), FOURIER (Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research With PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects With Elevated Risk) and REVEAL trials that, lower is better when it comes to LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C). Continue reading →

A Swedish study has found that type 2 diabetics who have five risk-factor variables within the target ranges have little or no excess risk of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, as compared with the general population. Assessment of risk is based on the presence of five modifiable risk factors: smoking, elevated glycated hemoglobin, elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, elevated blood pressure and albuminuria. Continue reading →