According to a new nationwide study,  new onset left bundle branch block (LBBB) post transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), a recently established therapy for intermediate risk surgical candidates with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis, is associated with adverse long term clinical outcomes in patients without baseline conduction disturbances or pacemaker.  Based on the findings published in the European Heart Journal, these outcomes include cardiovascular mortality, re-hospitalization, new pacemaker implantation, and worsened left ventricular systolic function in intermediate risk patients.

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In the largest updated meta-analysis study conducted to understand the inverse association between low serum vitamin D supplementation and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks, vitamin D supplementation was not associated with reduced major adverse cardiovascular events, individual CVD end points (myocardial infarction, stroke, CVD mortality) or all-cause mortality.  The findings published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Cardiology suggest vitamin D supplementation may not confer cardiovascular protection and may not be indicated for this purpose. Continue reading →

According to a nationwide cross-sectional study, protein biomarkers along with specific dietary patterns are linked to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). These findings, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, suggest associations between dietary patterns and protein biomarkers have a role in the pathways related to inflammation, endothelial and immune function, cell adhesion and metabolism. Over the years, the role of diet in the prevention of CVD has been scientifically proven; unhealthy dietary components are important risk factors for the total global burden of this comorbidity. Continue reading →

According to a new national study led by Dr. Dima M. Qato that was recently published in JAMA Network Open, among 3.1 million Americans 50 years and older filling cardiovascular medications at pharmacies that eventually closed, there was a significant and immediate decline in medication adherence.  This change in adherence persisted over 12 months and was prominent among older adults living in neighborhoods with fewer pharmacies.

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The first nationwide comparison of the effectiveness and safety of warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in a large atrial fibrillation (AF) cohort with data on low body weight (LBW) was conducted.  The findings, published in JACC, showed that DOACs are associated with a reduced risk of ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, hospitalization for gastrointestinal or major bleeds, all-cause death or the composite outcome in patients with LBW (<60kg).  A consistent trend was observed in patients with extremely LBW (<50kg), with the exception of hospitalization for gastrointestinal bleeding. Continue reading →