Cardiology (all articles)

SGLT2 agents may reduce cardiovascular risk in diabetics

16 Aug, 2017 | 12:52h | UTC

Cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in patients with type 2 diabetes following initiation of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors versus other glucose-lowering drugs (CVD-REAL Nordic): a multinational observational analysis – The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology (link to abstract – $ for full-text)

Commentary: SGLT2 Agents Cut CV Events in ‘Real-World’ Analysis – MedPage Today (free registration required) AND Cardiovascular disease and mortality appear lower in patients on SGLT2 inhibitors – ACP Diabetes (free)

Another observational study suggests this class of drugs may reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in patients with diabeties.

Relationship of Alcohol Consumption to All-Cause, Cardiovascular, and Cancer-Related Mortality

15 Aug, 2017 | 22:44h | UTC

Relationship of Alcohol Consumption to All-Cause, Cardiovascular, and Cancer-Related Mortality in U.S. Adults – Journal of The American College of Cardiology (link to abstract and infographic – $ for full-text)

Commentaries: Consuming Alcohol in Moderation Can Lower Mortality Risks – American College of Cardiology, Latest in Cardiology (free) AND Alcohol Consumption and All-Cause, CV, and Cancer-Related Mortality – American College of Cardiology, Latest in Cardiology (free) AND Can drinking a little bit help you live longer? – Reuters (free)

The 10-Year Prognostic Value of Zero and Minimal CAC

15 Aug, 2017 | 20:54h | UTC

The 10-Year Prognostic Value of Zero and Minimal CAC – Journal of The American College of Cardiology (no abstract – $ for full text)

Commentary: Calcium in Arteries Influences Heart Attack Risk – UT Southwestern Medical Center, via NewsWise (free) AND Study: Calcium in arteries influences heart attack risk – UPI (free)

“Half of the participants had no calcium deposits in their arteries or a zero coronary artery calcium, or CAC, score, and had less than a 3 percent chance of a cardiovascular event over a 10-year period despite having other risk factors for heart disease and stroke such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high bad cholesterol levels” (from UPI)

Longer sleep is associated with lower BMI and favorable metabolic profiles

15 Aug, 2017 | 19:45h | UTC

Longer sleep is associated with lower BMI and favorable metabolic profiles in UK adults: Findings from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey – PLOS One (free)

Commentaries: Short sleep linked to body mass, waist size – Reuters (free) AND Insufficient sleep may be adding to your waistline – University of Leeds, via Science Daily (free)

Increasing Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation and Permanent Atrial Arrhythmias in Congenital Heart Disease

15 Aug, 2017 | 20:17h | UTC

Increasing Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation and Permanent Atrial Arrhythmias in Congenital Heart Disease – Journal of The American College of Cardiology (link to abstract and infographic – $ for full-text)

Commentary: Atrial Fibrillation in Congenital Heart Disease – American College of Cardiology, Latest in Cardiology (free)

Blood pressure targets for hypertension in older adults

15 Aug, 2017 | 19:55h | UTC

Blood pressure targets for hypertension in older adults – Cochrane Library (free)

Full review: Blood pressure targets for hypertension in older adults – Cochrane Library (link to abstract – $ for full-text)

“At the present time there is insufficient evidence to know whether a higher BP target (less than150 to 160/95 to 105 mmHg) or a lower BP target (less than 140/90 mmHg) is better for older adults with high BP”

Pharma Phantasy: The $30 Billion PCSK9 Inhibitor Market

15 Aug, 2017 | 16:41h | UTC

Pharma Phantasy: The $30 Billion PCSK9 Inhibitor Market – Cardiobrief (free)

The effect of high-flow nasal cannula in reducing the mortality and the rate of endotracheal intubation

15 Aug, 2017 | 16:26h | UTC

The effect of high-flow nasal cannula in reducing the mortality and the rate of endotracheal intubation when used before mechanical ventilation compared with conventional oxygen therapy and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation. A systematic review and meta-analysis – American Journal of Emergency Medicine (link to abstract – $ for full-text)

Source: Hospital Medicine Virtual Journal Club

“When used before mechanical ventilation, high-flow nasal cannula can improve the prognosis of patients compared both with the conventional oxygen therapy and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation”

The Future of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging

15 Aug, 2017 | 15:46h | UTC

Review: The Future of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging – European Heart Journal (free)

Source: Medscape

Midlife Vascular Risk Factors and Incident Dementia

14 Aug, 2017 | 18:08h | UTC

Associations Between Midlife Vascular Risk Factors and 25-Year Incident Dementia in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Cohort – JAMA Neurology (link to abstract – $ for full-text)

Commentaries: Midlife cardiovascular risk factors may increase chances of dementia – NIH News Releases (free) AND Midlife smoking, diabetes, and hypertension associated with late life dementia – 2 Minute Medicine (free) AND Heart-healthy middle age tied to lower risk of dementia – Medical News Today (free) AND Heart disease risk in middle age tied to dementia later – Reuters (free)

Effect of 0.5 mg versus 1 mg varenicline for smoking cessation

14 Aug, 2017 | 15:55h | UTC

Effect of 0.5 mg versus 1 mg varenicline for smoking cessation: a randomized controlled trial – Addiction (link to abstract – $ for full-text)

“No difference in smoking cessation effectiveness between 1 mg and 0.5 mg twice daily varenicline” (46.5% vs 46.4%) (RT @JorgeMTamayo see Tweet)

Eliminating CK–MB Testing in Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome

15 Aug, 2017 | 00:50h | UTC

Eliminating Creatine Kinase–Myocardial Band Testing in Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Value-Based Quality Improvement – JAMA Internal Medicine (free) (RT @EricTopol see Tweet)

Author interview: Eliminating Creatine Kinase–Myocardial Band Testing in Suspected ACS (free)

Commentaries: Eliminating CK-MB Testing in Suspected ACS – American College of Cardiology, Latest in Cardiology (free) AND Research review recommends eliminating widely ordered blood test for diagnosing heart attacks – Johns Hopkins Medicine, via Science Daily (free)

“Review is first publication from national consortium of academic medical centers working to eliminate unnecessary medical tests, treatments and procedures” (from Science Daily)

Day-to-Day Blood Pressure Variability and Risk of Dementia

14 Aug, 2017 | 16:12h | UTC

Day-to-Day Blood Pressure Variability and Risk of Dementia in a General Japanese Elderly Population: The Hisayama Study – Circulation (free)

Commentaries: Fluctuations in home-monitored blood pressure may raise dementia risk – Circulation Journal Report (free) AND Fluctuations in Blood Pressure Linked to Vascular Dementia – MedPage Today (free registration required) AND Fluctuating Home Blood Pressure Linked to Dementia – Medscape (free registration required) AND Blood pressure fluctuations linked to dementia – Reuters (free)

Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients with an Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

11 Aug, 2017 | 15:27h | UTC

Systematic review: Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients with an Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention – The American Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ for full-text)

Related narrative review: Duration of dual antiplatelet therapy in acute coronary syndrome – Heart (free)

Source: EvidenceAlerts

Aspirin Does Not Increase Heart Failure Events in Heart Failure Patients

11 Aug, 2017 | 15:17h | UTC

Aspirin Does Not Increase Heart Failure Events in Heart Failure Patients – JACC: Heart Failure (link to abstract – $ for full-text)

Commentaries: Study: Aspirin Safe for HF Patients – MedPage Today (free registration required) AND New data show aspirin safe for heart failure patients – Clinical Advisor (free)

Mechanical Thrombectomy Outcomes With and Without Intravenous Thrombolysis in Stroke Patients

11 Aug, 2017 | 13:41h | UTC

Mechanical Thrombectomy Outcomes With and Without Intravenous Thrombolysis in Stroke Patients: A Meta-Analysis – Stroke (link to abstract – $ for full-text)

Commentary: Better outcomes seen in patients who received IV thrombolysis before thrombectomy – ACP Hospitalist (free)

“The results support current guideline recommendations to give intravenous thrombolysis to eligible patients even if they are being considered for mechanical thrombectomy, according to the meta-analysis authors” (from ACP)

Anticoagulation for stroke prevention in very elderly patients with atrial fibrillation

11 Aug, 2017 | 13:04h | UTC

Thromboembolic Risk, Bleeding Outcomes and Effect of Different Antithrombotic Strategies in Very Elderly Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Sub‐Analysis From the PREFER in AF (PREvention oF Thromboembolic Events–European Registry in Atrial Fibrillation) – Journal of The American Heart Association (free)

Observational study suggests anticoagulation for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation is beneficial even for very elderly subjects.

Left atrial appendage occlusion for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation

11 Aug, 2017 | 12:47h | UTC

Review: Left atrial appendage occlusion for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation – Clinical Cardiology (free)

Depression and risk of death following coronary artery disease diagnosis

10 Aug, 2017 | 22:33h | UTC

The association of depression at any time to the risk of death following coronary artery disease diagnosis – European Heart Journal – Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes (link to abstract – $ for full-text)

Commentaries: Having depression and heart disease could double death risk – Medical News Today (free) AND Death risk doubles for heart patients with depression – Cardiovascular Business (free)

Neuroprotective Diets Are Associated with Better Cognitive Function

10 Aug, 2017 | 22:22h | UTC

Neuroprotective Diets Are Associated with Better Cognitive Function: The Health and Retirement Study – Journal of The American Geriatrics Society (free)

Commentaries: Cognitive decline could be reduced with a Mediterranean-style diet – Medical News Today (free) AND Mediterranean-style diets linked to better brain function in older adults – Journal of the American Geriatrics Society Research Summary (free)

“CPAP is effective in improving health-related quality of life in OSA, and Mandibular Advancement Devices may be just as effective, but further RCTs comparing the two treatments are required”.

Effect of marijuana use on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality

10 Aug, 2017 | 17:13h | UTC

Effect of marijuana use on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality: A study using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey linked mortality file – European Journal of Preventive Cardiology (free)

Commentaries: Marijuana associated with three-fold risk of death from hypertension – European Society of Cardiology, via Science Daily (free) AND Marijuana use holds three-fold blood pressure death risk: study – Reuters (free) AND Marijuana Use Tied to Death from Hypertension, Study Suggests – Physician’s First Watch (free) AND Marijuana ‘may be worse than cigarettes for cardiovascular health’ – Medical News Today (free)

How Low Is Too Low With Salt in Heart Failure?

9 Aug, 2017 | 17:02h | UTC

Opinion: How Low Is Too Low With Salt in Heart Failure? Randomized Studies Needed to Resolve Concern – Circulation (free)

See more on sodium intake and cardiovascular disease in our July 11^th issue (see #1)