Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Does guideline-based treatment prevent racial disparities in cardiovascular outcomes?

A secondary analysis of the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) cohort study found that black and non-black women with obstructive coronary artery disease had similar long-term cardiovascular outcomes. The study suggests that guideline-based treatment, including statins and ACE inhibitors, may reduce racial disparities in cardi...

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 26, 2023

New evidence confirms patients with severe psoriasis are at a higher risk for heart disease

A large study published in Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that patients with severe psoriasis have a high prevalence of coronary microvascular dysfunction, which is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Psoriasis severity and duration, as well as the presence of psoriatic arthritis, are independently linked to redu...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 20, 2023

Some experts believe that routine mask-wearing should continue in health care settings

Public health experts recommend continuing routine mask-wearing in healthcare settings to protect vulnerable patients and staff from COVID-19. The authors argue that while severe cases have decreased, asymptomatic spread remains a threat, particularly among high-risk patients and healthcare workers who may not be aware they are infected.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateAug 21, 2023

Octapharma's prothrombin complex concentrate, Balfaxar®, receives FDA approval for warfarin reversal in urgent surgery & invasive procedures

Octapharma's Balfaxar, a prothrombin complex concentrate, has received FDA approval for the urgent reversal of acquired coagulation factor deficiency induced by vitamin K antagonist therapy. The product demonstrated effective hemostasis in 94.6% of patients and was non-inferior to comparator Kcentra.

SourceYankee Public Relations·TypeObservational study·DateJul 26, 2023

Researchers uncover how a genetic mutation can cause individuals with normal cholesterol levels to develop coronary artery disease at a young age

A novel molecular pathway has been identified, explaining how a mutation in the ACTA2 gene can cause individuals in their 30s with normal cholesterol levels to develop coronary artery disease. The mutation leads to stress in smooth muscle cells, triggering the production of excess cholesterol and driving atherosclerotic plaque formation.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateJul 7, 2023

CHEST releases clinical practice guideline on antithrombotic therapy in arterial thrombosis and thromboembolism in COVID-19

The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) has released a new clinical guideline for managing antithrombotic therapy in patients with COVID-19-related arterial thrombosis and thromboembolism. The guideline provides evidence-based recommendations to improve risk-evaluation and treatment course.

SourceAmerican College of Chest Physicians·Journalthe journal CHEST·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 29, 2023

Novel radiotracer demonstrates high diagnostic efficacy for obese patients with coronary artery disease

A novel PET perfusion radiotracer, 18F-flurpiridaz, demonstrates high diagnostic efficacy for obese patients with coronary artery disease, outperforming traditional imaging methods. The study showed improved sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing significant CAD, even at lower radiation doses.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJun 27, 2023

A supervised hospital walking program may reduce nursing facility admissions for older adults

A supervised hospital walking program has been shown to reduce nursing facility admissions for older adults by lowering the proportion of patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities from 13% to 8%. However, low participation rates and limited impact on length of stay or inpatient falls were noted.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 5, 2023

Lundquist Institute investigators co-author paper in JAMA on coronary heart disease (CHD) risk prediction

A new study published in JAMA finds that adding a coronary artery calcium score to traditional risk factor models improves CHD risk discrimination for middle-aged adults. The researchers suggest this non-invasive imaging technique could be a reliable predictor of heart disease, particularly in older adults.

SourceThe Lundquist Institute·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateJun 1, 2023

Study reveals underlying genetic risks for a type of heart attack largely affecting younger women

Researchers have identified 16 genes associated with an increased risk of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD), a type of heart attack primarily affecting young to middle-aged women. The study also found that patients with SCAD have some genetic protection from the risk of conventional coronary artery disease.

SourceUniversity Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust·JournalNature Genetics·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 29, 2023

Coronary bioresorbable scaffolds nearly as safe and effective as conventional metal stents for heart disease patients

A global clinical trial found that bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) are nearly as safe and effective as conventional metal stents in treating coronary artery disease. The study, led by a researcher from the Mount Sinai Hospital, showed improved outcomes for patients when properly implanted.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 17, 2023

New Family Heart Foundation study reveals systemic underdiagnosis and undertreatment of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

A new study reveals delayed diagnosis of HoFH leads to premature cardiovascular disease, highlighting the need for increased lipid screening and aggressive treatment. Despite available therapies, most patients require further lipid-lowering treatments.

SourceFamily Heart Foundation·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeObservational study·DateMay 2, 2023

Asymptomatic, CT angiography-detected coronary artery disease associated with 8-fold increased risk for heart attack

A cohort study of over 9,000 persons found that asymptomatic middle-aged individuals with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis are at an 8-fold increased risk for myocardial infarction. The study highlights the importance of identifying and addressing obstructive coronary artery disease in patients without known cardiovascular disease.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 27, 2023

Family Heart Foundation research finds high-risk Americans who do not maintain guideline recommend LDL-C targets have 44% higher rate of cardiovascular events

A real-world analysis found that high-risk Americans who fail to reach guideline-recommended LDL-C levels experience a 44% higher rate of cardiovascular events. The study, presented at the AMCP Conference, used data from over 300 million Americans and compared those who met and maintained recommended targets with those who did not.

PET technology more effective than angiogram at determining need for coronary stents, bypass surgery

A new PET imaging method is more effective than angiograms in determining the need for coronary stents or bypass surgery, according to UTHealth Houston researchers. The study confirms that PET threshold of severity at which stents and bypass surgery improve survival compared to medical treatment alone.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 30, 2022

Smoking, diabetes and obesity – not preexisting heart disease – bigger risk of COVID-19 death, study finds

A national study found that patients with cardiovascular disease had a higher mortality rate than those without, but this association was largely due to shared risk factors. Myocardial injury was common among critically ill COVID-19 patients and associated with poor outcomes.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCirculation Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 2022

Family Heart Foundation study shows some children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia miss out on decades of life-saving treatment

Children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia are diagnosed earlier and have higher untreated LDL-C levels than adults, while those not identified early miss out on decades of life-saving treatment. This study emphasizes the need for universal screening to identify children with HoFH or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.