Superior Efficacy of Sacubitril-Valsartan Compared to Enalapril for lowering NT Pro-BNP in Patients Hospitalized for HFrEF Pioneering a new strategy for managing acute decompensation in HFrEF (Results from the PIONEER-HF trial)

Results from a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, double dummy, parallel group clinical trial which enrolled 881 patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF-left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% or less) have shown superior efficacy of Sacubitril–Valsartan combination (Entresto; Novartis) in reducing N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide compared to Enalapril alone. The patients were hospitalized for acute decompensation of HF, and treatment with Sacubitril–Valsartan achieved a greater reduction in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations without any significant offsetting serious adverse events. Findings from the trial were presented at the 2018 AHA Scientific Session and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Continue reading →

Saphenous Vein Graft Harvesting for CABG: Endoscopic Vs Open Technique Results from the REGROUP trial

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed no significant difference in the risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) between patients undergoing endoscopic and open harvest of the saphenous vein grafts for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Continue reading →