ESC at a Glance: The Trials Were Largely Negative, The Science Was Positive

The Canadian SCAD Study

The Canadian SCAD study investigated the risk factors and outcomes of spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). This prospective observational study enrolled 750 non-atherosclerotic SCAD patients from 22 cardiac centers in North America. Continue reading →

Cancelled Cath Lab Activation Based on Prehospital EKG, A Single Center Study

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 →

Greater Cholesterol Variability Is a Predictor for Atheroma Progression

“The variation in cholesterol levels is associated with an increase in the percentage of atheroma volume and worse clinical outcomes,” says a new meta-analysis in the European Heart Journal. Continue reading →

The Use of Supplemental Oxygen in Suspected Acute MI is of no Benefit

The use of supplemental oxygen in normoxemic patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction is of no clinical benefit, says a new article in the British Medical Journal. Continue reading →

Does Operator PCI Volume Influence Mortality?

The number of procedures performed by the operator of a Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) in the previous year has no impact on the 30-day mortality, according to a recent UK study published in the European Heart Journal. Continue reading →

Should Patients with Acute Chest Pain Undergo Noninvasive Testing After the Clinical Diagnosis is Made?

The use of noninvasive cardiac tests such as coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) or stress testing for patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain is not associated with a better clinical outcome when compared to the conventional method for diagnosing acute coronary syndrome, according to a recent study published in the Journal of American Medical Association. Continue reading →

Using High Sensitivity Troponin T in Ruling Out Acute Coronary Syndrome

High sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) can be a reliable tool for excluding acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in very low-risk patients, according to a recent study published in the Journal of American Medical Association. Continue reading →

Thrombectomy Done Beyond 6 Hours has a Favorable Prognosis in Stroke Patients

In a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, it was found that endovascular thrombectomy for ischemic stroke that is performed 6 to 16 hours after the onset of symptoms resulted in better functional outcomes than standard medical therapy alone among patients with a proximal middle cerebral artery or internal carotid artery occlusion. Continue reading →

D-dimer Level is Associated With Increased Long-term Cancer Incidence and All-cause Mortality

According to a recently published article in Circulation, it was found that D-dimer level is an independent predictor of the long-term (up to 16 years) risk of arterial and venous events, cause-specific mortality, and the incidence of new cancers. The results of the study are based on a subanalysis of the LIPID trial. Continue reading →