The American College of Cardiology released updated appropriate use criteria for performing coronary revascularization in patients with acute coronary syndromes. The criteria provide a framework for clinicians to evaluate therapies and improve patient outcomes by facilitating shared decision making between patients and providers.
The American College of Cardiology's survey reveals that cardiologists are highly satisfied with their careers, but women face disparities in advancement opportunities and family responsibilities. The workforce is also aging, with a greater percentage of practicing physicians over 60, and private practice settings have decreased.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that women have a higher survival rate one year after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) than men, despite experiencing more complications. Women were more likely to undergo percutaneous TAVR and had worse health conditions at baseline.
Frailty is a common condition in older adults that affects physiological reserves and organ function. European experts recommend assessing frailty and tailoring cardiac rehabilitation programs to its severity, with the goal of reducing disability, improving quality of life, and mortality.
A study found that yoga significantly decreased diastolic blood pressure and night diastolic blood pressure in patients with prehypertension. Practicing hatha yoga for one hour daily may prevent hypertension development and improve overall health.
A new review published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that even moderate and habitual alcohol consumption can cause irregular heartbeat. The study analyzed data from nearly 900,000 people over 12 years and reported an 8% increase in risk for every alcoholic drink consumed per day.
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that average total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-C levels among US adults have decreased over the past two decades. The decline, which began between 1999 and 2010, continued through 2013/2014, with significant drops in triglycerides and LDL-C levels.
Cardiologists must adapt to emerging payment models to improve value, according to a review by George Washington University researcher Steven Farmer. The review explores existing and emerging payment and delivery reforms that will affect cardiologists and their practices.
US adults' statin use increased by 80% between 2002 and 2013, but remained low in high-risk groups. Generic statins became the dominant form of treatment, reducing costs.
A large national study confirms high-intensity statins increase survival rates for people with cardiovascular disease, including those over 75. The study found a 9% increased chance of survival for patients on high-intensity statins compared to moderate-intensity treatments.
Researchers developed a new, less invasive way to perform TAVR, making it more available to high-risk patients, especially women. The procedure has a high success rate and acceptable bleeding and vascular complications rates.
A new analysis suggests that Medicare's current system is misaligned, penalizing hospitals for low readmission rates while allowing high mortality rates. The researchers propose a revised incentive structure that would incentivize both good outcomes and patient survival.
Runlin Gao, MD, is being honored with the TCT Career Achievement Award for his groundbreaking work in establishing interventional cardiology in China. He has made significant contributions to the field through his research and education efforts.
The Geoffrey O. Hartzler Master Clinical Operator Award is presented to Dr. Patrick Whitlow, a renowned physician who advanced the field of interventional cardiology through his technical expertise and innovations. He was a pioneer in developing new devices and procedures for angioplasty and chronic total occlusions.
The 27th Great Wall International Congress of Cardiology was held in Beijing, China, with over 17,000 attendees from 32 societies. Notable speakers included Chinese Academy of Engineering members and international cardiology experts.
The European Society of Cardiology is hosting its annual congress in Paris at the end of August 2019. The event is expected to be highly successful, building on the success of the 2011 edition, which was also held in Paris and received positive reviews.
A new avatar-based application has been shown to improve symptom recognition in heart attack survivors, with a 24% increase in ability to recognize symptoms and a 15% increase in knowledge about what to do. The app is designed to be user-friendly and accessible for patients of all ages and languages.
Nearly one in three Myanmar citizens have hypertension, while half have high cholesterol. Experts warn that poor lifestyle choices are contributing to a surge in heart disease.
A study presented at the Argentine Congress of Cardiology found that smoking rates increased from 42% to 69% in heart attack patients between 2011 and 2015, coinciding with a 100% increase in cigarette affordability. Despite improved treatment for heart attacks, mortality rates remained unchanged.
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found variable accuracy of wrist-worn heart rate monitors, particularly during moderate exercise. The results suggest that these devices should be used with caution for individuals relying on them to track fitness or stay within safe heart rate thresholds.
A study analyzing the American College of Cardiology's PINNACLE registry reveals that nearly 2 out of 5 people with diabetes are not prescribed statin therapy to lower their risk of heart attack, stroke, and related death. The study found a wide variation in statin use across cardiology practices.
The European Society of Cardiology has published new standards to prevent repeat heart attacks, highlighting the importance of a healthy lifestyle, regular physical activity, and prescribed medication. The guidelines also emphasize the need for patients to take responsibility for their own health after a first heart attack.
The Canadian Cardiovascular Society has released updated guidelines for managing atrial fibrillation, prioritizing the use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) over warfarin. The new recommendations aim to improve patient outcomes and reduce stroke risk.
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that over half of women and nearly half of men aged 18-55 experience sexual function problems after a heart attack. Women were less likely to resume sex and reported higher rates of sexual dysfunction compared to men.
After a heart attack, both men and women experience impaired sexual function, but women are less likely to be counseled on their capabilities, leading to higher problem rates. Physicians must address these issues for high-quality life outcomes.
A new antidote, andexanet alfa, has been shown to rapidly reverse anticoagulant effects in patients with acute major bleeding. In the ANNEXA-4 study, andexanet reduced anti-fXa activity by up to 90% within half an hour, resulting in 'excellent or good' hemostasis at 12 hours in most subjects.
A new diagnostic algorithm, YEARS, suggests a simple approach to rule out pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients, eliminating the need for computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA). The study found that using this algorithm reduced CTPA imaging by 14% while maintaining safety and efficacy.
The PRAGUE-18 trial found prasugrel and ticagrelor to be equally safe and effective for treating ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) patients. The study randomized 1,230 STEMI patients to receive either prasugrel or ticagrelor prior to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI).
The Norwegian Coronary Stent Trial found that new-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) do not outlive or improve outcomes for patients compared to traditional bare metal stents (BMS). Despite the recommendation of DES over BMS in guidelines, the study suggests that both stent types may be suitable alternatives.
A new clinical decision rule, HERDOO2, has been validated in the REVERSE II trial, enabling the identification of women at low risk for recurrent venous thromboembolism who can safely discontinue anticoagulants. The study found that over half of these women could stop taking anticoagulants without increasing their risk.
A first-of-its-kind randomized trial comparing two stenting techniques for coronary bifurcation lesions has found that culotte stenting is associated with lower rates of restenosis and revascularization. Culotte stenting demonstrated a statistically significant advantage over TAP stenting in terms of clinical outcomes.
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy reduces the risk of death, heart attack, or stroke in patients with peripheral arterial disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Concomitant PAD is associated with a 2-fold increased risk of ischemic events, but not bleeding.
A new study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that an active strategy of detecting and treating asymptomatic multisite artery disease did not improve 2-year outcomes compared to a traditional approach. The study enrolled 521 CAD patients and found no significant difference in all-cause mortality, rehospitalization f...
A study of nearly 15,000 heart failure patients in the UK found that up to 80% were not receiving recommended treatments, leading to high rates of hospitalizations and deaths. Patients who received treatment were more likely to be prescribed at target doses, highlighting the need for improved adherence to guideline-recommended therapies.
Research presented at ESC Congress 2016 found that sudden cardiac death in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurs relatively rarely during sport activity, but more often at rest and sometimes during sleep. Better strategies aimed at detecting the disease are needed to prevent deaths.
Research found significant disparities in public access defibrillation program implementation across France, leading to uneven survival rates. Basic life support education was strongly correlated with improved outcomes.
A recent study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that direct catheter-based thrombectomy is as effective as traditional thrombolytic treatment in treating acute ischemic strokes. The procedure was performed in a timely manner and resulted in comparable outcomes, with 41% of patients achieving good functional recover...
A randomized controlled trial in Brazil found that a school intervention costing less than 20 cents per child stopped unhealthy weight gain and increased fruit consumption. The intervention promoted physical activity, healthy eating habits, and reduced BMI in children.
A recent manuscript by Jason Katz examines the early growth and maturation of critical care cardiology and challenges facing this emerging field. He recommends establishing a more formal fellowship pathway and adopting an open-to-closed ICU model to improve care efficiency and outcomes.
A study by U of T Engineering researchers found that up to 30% of AEDs are locked inside closed buildings, leading to a 21.5% coverage loss during evenings, nights, and weekends. The researchers propose a model to optimize AED placement considering location and availability, which could improve accessibility by an average 25%.
A UK study of 186,000 participants found that offspring with long-lived parents have lower rates of cardiovascular conditions. The researchers discovered an inverse relationship between the age of parents' death and the mortality rate of offspring.
The FDA commissioner emphasizes the need for rigorous evaluation of new approaches in treating patients and improving cardiovascular outcomes. Despite progress, there is a risk of harm if systems for evidence generation and healthcare delivery do not keep pace with technological advancements.
A 15-year decline in heart attacks was reported among Kaiser Permanente members in Northern California, with a notable reduction in severe heart attacks. The decline was consistent across demographics and risk groups, driven by reductions in less severe heart attacks.
Researchers found that excluding high-risk patients from public reporting increased willingness among doctors to perform high-risk procedures, resulting in improved mortality rates. The study suggests that reforms to public reporting policies can mitigate undesired effects and improve patient health.
A 45-year study found that low physical capacity is associated with a 21% lower risk of death over four decades. The study showed that being physically active can have a significant impact on lifespan.
A study found that the novelty factor is a key motivator for e-cigarette use among adolescents, with nearly 70% having heard about e-cigarettes and over 10% using them. E-cigarette use was more common among male respondents who were already using cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Emelia Benjamin, a renowned cardiologist and researcher, has received the American Heart Association's (AHA) highest award for her leadership and contributions to cardiovascular research. She has propelled the AHA's research mission through her work as associate editor of the AHA journal Circulation and chair of multiple committees.
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that black individuals with atrial fibrillation have a significantly increased risk of stroke, heart failure, coronary heart disease (CHD), and all-cause mortality compared to white individuals. The rate differences for these outcomes were found to be approximately 1.5- to 2.0-fold greater in ...
A study found that male GPs are less likely to assess cardiovascular risk in female patients due to insufficient information in medical files. Female patients were also less likely to have their CVD risk assessed using the SCORE scale when seen by a female GP.
A study published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that more than one-third of atrial fibrillation patients with an intermediate-to-high-risk of stroke are prescribed aspirin instead of oral anticoagulants. This discrepancy may be due to misconceptions about aspirin's efficacy compared to oral anticoagulants.
Researchers found that approximately one-third of patients with low flow AS treated with TAVR continue to suffer persistent low flow AS. These patients have a 60% higher rate of mortality at one year due to poor blood flow, emphasizing the need for improved treatment and monitoring.
The Diabetes Collaborative Registry has released baseline data showing clinicians adhere to 4 out of 7 diabetes quality metrics. The registry's first presented results highlight areas for improvement in chronic disease management, with low rates of performance on some measures attributed to lack of documentation or true gaps in care.
A study found that a biomarker linked to increased cardiovascular risk is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, heart failure, and death. The study suggests that measuring the biomarker twice over time can provide better risk characterization.
Researchers from Emory University School of Medicine have discovered that chymase inhibitors could extend cell survival after a heart attack. The study found that suppressing chymase activity can prevent late death of heart muscle cells, which occurs several days after blood flow is restored.
LA BioMed researchers find a new study on aromatase inhibitors to prevent breast cancer recurrence is reassuring. The study's findings have direct application for clinical practice, with implications for cardiologists and oncologists.
Two studies found that a high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I assay can accurately diagnose or rule out heart attacks in patients with chest pain. The tests identified 19% of patients as potentially suitable for immediate discharge and had high diagnostic performance in excluding heart attacks. A new algorithm using this test showed rap...
Researchers aim to understand the root causes of coronary microvascular dysfunction, a condition that damages tiny coronary arteries in women. The study will test the hypothesis that impaired relaxation of the heart muscle contributes to progression of heart failure.
Cardiologists from 115 countries gained knowledge and skills in treating cardiovascular disease through live demonstrations and educational sessions. They learned about the latest developments and best practices in coronary interventions, valvular disease, heart failure, peripheral interventions, and more.
A digital health intervention using email and text messages aimed at improving diet and physical activity had no effect on reducing heart attack risk among a South Asian population. The study found that knowledge of genetic risk was not a motivator for behavior change.
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that women with atrial fibrillation (AF) exhibit more symptoms, functional impairment, and poorer quality of life compared to men. However, women also demonstrated a higher risk-adjusted survival rate and lower cardiovascular death rate despite their AF-related challenges.