In a recent study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions, Pracon et al. suggested that the incidence of device related thrombosis (DRT) among patients undergoing percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion is related to patient  (history of thromboembolic events and lower left ventricular ejection fraction) and procedural (deep implantation and larger occluder size) characteristics.

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A contemporary cohort study recently published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology  highlighted the clinical significance of age and other associated comorbidities in determining the clinical outcome in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). The 10-year mortality rate was found to be considerably high in elderly SAVR recipients of a bioprosthetic valve and almost one-third of the population exhibited subclinical structural valve degeneration (SVD). Continue reading →

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 →

A recent study, published in the Journal of American College of Cardiology, concluded that there is a strong association of high sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) with the risk of new-onset heart failure (HF), independent of population at risk, cardiovascular risk factors, and natriuretic peptide levels. Continue reading →

A nationally representative, cross-sectional study published in Circulation highlighted the importance of cholesterol screening and statin prescription in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and other forms of severe dyslipidemia. It was found that despite the high prevalence of cholesterol screening and awareness, only ≈50% of adults with FH are on statin therapy, with even fewer prescribed a high-intensity statin. Continue reading →

According to a post-hoc analysis of the PIONEER AF-PCI trial that was recently published in the Journal of American College of Cardiology,  there was no impact of complex coronary lesions, stent characteristics, or vascular approach on efficacy or safety outcomes among stented atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who received either rivaroxaban or Vitamin K Antagonists (VKA)-based dual or triple therapy. Continue reading →

A multicenter, international, North American study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology has indicated that N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) testing may be valuable in the identification or exclusion of heart failure in emergency department patients with shortness of breath.

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In a recent article published in The Circulation, it has been found that the use of a loading dose while switching between P2Y₁₂ inhibitors in patients with coronary artery disease is associated with mitigation of the reactivity of platelets. The study has also emphasized that timing of administration of loading dose has no impact on platelet reactivity.

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In a recently published study in the Journal of American College of Cardiology, it was suggested that myocarditis following administration of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) for various cancers is underestimated. Myocarditis occurs early in the course of treatment (~ 30 days), with the majority of cases presenting within 3 months of initiation of therapy. ICI-associated myocarditis responded to high doses (1000 mg) of steroids.

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According to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, a fully magnetically levitated centrifugal- flow pump has been found to be superior to a mechanical-bearing axial-flow pump in advanced heart failure patients in terms of survival free of disabling stroke or reoperation for removal in case of device malfunction.

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The first randomized trial of the Wearable Cardiac Defibrillator (WCD) was conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Olgin and his colleagues from the University of California and presented at the ACC 2018 in Orlando, Florida. The trial showed that prescribing the WCD was reasonable to protect high-risk patients with a low LVEF (Left ventricular ejection fraction) post-MI until evaluation for an ICD at 40-90 days.

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In a recent article, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the rates of major cardiovascular events with febuxosat were similar to allopurinol in patients with gout and concomitant cardiovascular disease. However, the mortality rates either due to cardiovascular deaths or any other cause were higher with febuxostat than allopurinol. Continue reading →

The usage of combined risk models of frailty and conventional risk scores significantly enhances prediction of one-year mortality in patients undergoing TAVR, according to a recent publication in the Journal of American College of Cardiology.

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The results of a cluster-randomized trial conducted in black barbershops have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine and were presented by Dr Ronald G. Victor from Los Angeles, California at the ACC 2018 Conference in Orlando. The study showed that health promotion by barbers along with medication management in barbershops by pharmacists, resulted in a larger blood pressure reduction in black male barbershop patrons with uncontrolled hypertension as compared to lifestyle modifications and doctor appointments.

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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 →

In a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, it was found that amongst patients undergoing angiography, sodium bicarbonate is not better than sodium chloride  and neither is acetylcysteine better than oral placebo in the prevention of a composite outcome of death, need for dialysis, or persistent kidney injury. The treatment was also ineffective in reducing the risk of contrast-associated acute kidney injury.

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In a recent study published in The Lancet, it was found that there is a mortality benefit for patients with multivessel disease undergoing CABG compared to PCI. However, the reduction in mortality was not statistically significant in patients with only left main artery disease. With recent advancements in stenting techniques, the benefit of using CABG over PCI has been debatable. Prior to this , no study was powered to compare the mortality benefits between these interventions.

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On Monday, March 12^th at ACC 2018 in Orlando, Florida, an interim analysis from the ongoing ANNEXA-4 study demonstrated that the first- in-class reversal drug for direct and indirect factor Xa inhibitors, Andexanet alfa, was able to effectively reverse the anti-factor Xa activity and control major bleeding events among patients taking one of four Factor Xa inhibitors (apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban or enoxaparin). Continue reading →

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 →

Results of the much anticipated ODYSSEY Outcomes trial were presented today by Professor Phillipe Gabriel Steg, who is the chief of cardiology at Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital, at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Sessions in Orlando. Alirocumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against PCSK9, reduced major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), myocardial infarction (MI), ischemic stroke and all-cause mortality in patients post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS), who were on high-intensity statin therapy. Continue reading →