Enhanced Vasospasm And Reduced Vasodilator Function Linked To Worse Outcomes In Patients With Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries In patients with vasospastic angina, high IMR (≥ 18) correlated with increased incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events

A single center study that included 187 patients who presented with angina-like chest pain and nonobstructive coronary arteries on diagnostic angiography, has shown that co-existence of high microvascular resistance index (IMR) and vasospasm is associated with an increased incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE – defined as cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and hospitalizations). Rho-kinase activation thought to underlie mechanisms leading to high IMR in this patient population.
The 187 patients included in the study had a median follow-up of 893 days. Continue reading →

STOPDAPT-2 Explores Safety and Efficacy of 1-month DAPT Followed by Clopidogrel Monotherapy vs Standard 12-month DAPT After Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation

The results of the STOP-DAPT 2 randomized controlled trial were presented by Dr. Hirotoshi Watanabe at the American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session (ACC 2019), at New Orleans, LA. According to the findings, 1-month DAPT was superior to 12-month DAPT in the prevention of net adverse ischemic events. Continue reading →

TAVR Using Balloon Expandable Valve Superior To Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement In Low Risk Patients With Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis 1-year trial results presented at the ACC 2019 annual scientific session, New Orleans

A randomized multi-center trial which enrolled 1000 patients from 71 centers around the world has shown that in patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at low surgical risk, the rate of the composite of death, stroke, or rehospitalization at 1 year is significantly lower with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) than with surgery. Continue reading →