Research from the field of heart medicine. Covers light exposure and heart health, lifestyle and longevity, and regional cardiology care.
A new study found that reducing dual antiplatelet therapy duration after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) improves graft patency while decreasing bleeding risk. Patients who received de-escalated DAPT had similar ischemic benefits and better bleeding safety compared to those on longer DAPT periods.
A recent trial found that shorter durations of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after a heart attack showed equivalent efficacy in reducing recurrent events, with a lower risk of major bleeding. The study suggests limiting DAPT duration to 3 months may be safer for patients.
A randomized trial found that intravenous cangrelor provided immediate and effective platelet inhibition without increasing major bleeding, improving outcomes for patients with cardiogenic shock. The study's results suggest that IV cangrelor could represent a major advancement in treating this life-threatening condition.
A randomized controlled trial demonstrated the safety of reconditioned pacemakers, with noninferior procedure-related infection rates compared to new devices. The study, led by Doctor Thomas Crawford, used a comprehensive protocol for cleaning and testing, and gained FDA approval for export to countries with permission.
A new study published in JAMA found that routine H. pylori screening did not significantly reduce the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients hospitalised for myocardial infarction. However, subgroup analyses showed lower risk ratios for patients with mild and moderate anaemia.
Adding aspirin to long-term anticoagulation therapy increased the risk of cardiovascular events, death, and major bleeding in patients with chronic coronary syndrome who required anticoagulation. The AQUATIC trial found that aspirin significantly increased all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular events in this high-risk population.
Atrial fibrillation treatment with biomarker-based risk scores does not improve clinical outcomes compared to usual guideline-based care. The study found no benefit in reducing stroke or death rates, despite changes in medication use.
In a randomized trial, patients with acute MI who received one month of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) had noninferior cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event rates when switching to P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy. This switch reduced bleeding risk while maintaining ischaemic event protection.
A new trial found that P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy may reduce bleeding while preventing recurrent ischaemic events compared to 12 months of DAPT. However, the study failed to demonstrate noninferiority for death and ischaemic events between P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy and dual antiplatelet therapy.
A new trial found sacubitril/valsartan to be superior to enalapril for heart failure patients with Chagas disease, driven by a significant reduction in NT-proBNP levels. The study provides evidence for a pharmacological treatment specifically for this high-risk population.
Two trials found that drug-coated balloons and stents did not reduce the risk of amputation or improve quality of life compared to uncoated devices. Target vessel reinterventions were reduced in the first year, but differences disappeared with longer follow-up.
A comprehensive cardiovascular screening program for men aged 60-64 years did not significantly reduce all-cause death, according to a new study. However, the program was associated with a higher incidence of severe bleeding, particularly intracranial and gastrointestinal bleeding.
A large trial found that mavacamten treatment did not improve patient-reported health status or peak oxygen consumption in patients with symptomatic nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The study included 580 patients and lasted for 48 weeks, but no significant differences were observed between the mavacamten and placebo groups.
In patients with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aficamten showed significant improvements in exercise capacity and symptoms compared to metoprolol. The MAPLE-HCM trial found that aficamten increased peak oxygen uptake by 2.3 mL/kg/min, resulting in a better outcome than metoprolol.
A pooled analysis of two trials found vericiguat improved outcomes for patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. The medication significantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular mortality, heart failure hospitalization and all-cause mortality across a broad range of patients.
The KARDIA-3 trial found a 5-mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure with zilebesiran 300 mg, but the difference was not statistically significant. The therapy has potential for informing future trials on improving cardiovascular outcomes in patients with uncontrolled hypertension.
The DIGIT-HF trial found that digitoxin significantly reduced the risk of composite mortality and hospitalisation for worsening heart failure among patients with advanced heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. Patients who received digitoxin had a lower rate of all-cause death and hospitalisations compared to those on placebo.
The new guidelines provide clear practical recommendations for diagnosing and treating patients with valvular heart disease, emphasizing the importance of shared decision-making and patient-centered care. The updated guidance aims to reduce under-treatment, especially in the elderly, and promote more equitable access to high-quality care.
The ESSENCE-TIMI 73b trial found olezarsen to substantially lower triglyceride levels, achieving normal levels in over 80% of patients. The treatment also showed efficacy in reducing other lipoproteins with no significant effect on LDL-C.
The BETAMI and DANBLOCK trials found that beta-blocker therapy significantly reduced all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with myocardial infarction and preserved or mildly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. The study also showed a notable decrease in the incidence of new MI.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) screening with ECG patches led to a modest increase in AF diagnosis and anticoagulation exposure among older patients at moderate-to-high stroke risk. The AMALFI trial found a 6.8% increase in AF diagnosis, but AF diagnosis unrelated to the patch occurred more commonly than expected.
The updated guidelines focus on a woman's autonomy to make reproductive choices about high-risk pregnancies. They recommend personalized pregnancy-related risk assessment and thorough exploration of maternal preferences as part of the shared decision-making process. The guidance aims to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity by provid...
The POTCAST trial found that increasing potassium levels to the high-normal range significantly reduced the risk of sustained ventricular tachycardia, ICD therapy, unplanned hospitalizations, and all-cause mortality. This benefit was observed across various subgroups, including those with ischemic heart disease and heart failure.
Vericiguat, a guanylate cyclase stimulator, did not meet its primary endpoint of reducing cardiovascular mortality in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. However, it lowered the risk of cardiovascular death, which translated to fewer all-cause deaths.
A meta-analysis of four trials found that beta-blocker therapy significantly reduced all-cause mortality, new myocardial infarction, and heart failure in patients with mild left ventricular ejection fraction reduction after a heart attack. The study showed a 25% relative reduction in the composite endpoint
The new guidelines introduce a unifying term for inflammatory myopericardial syndrome and provide easy-to-use flow charts to support medical professionals in diagnosing and treating myocarditis and pericarditis. The recommendations also prioritize patient return to work and exercise, aiming to improve clinical outcomes.
Researchers found no reduction in total mortality, cardiac death, or sudden cardiac death among patients with these high-risk profiles. ICD therapy added to standard medical treatment failed to improve survival outcomes.
The European Society of Cardiology has published a new update to its guidelines for managing lipid levels in patients to reduce cardiovascular risk. The guidance recommends the use of new cardiovascular risk prediction algorithms, SCORE2 and SCORE2-OP, to help clinicians treat patients with the right medications. Statins are also recom...
The European Society of Cardiology recommends systematically screening for mental health symptoms during cardiovascular care and assessing cardiovascular risk in those with mental health conditions. People living with both conditions have worse health outcomes due to the interplay between mental health and cardiovascular disease.
The VICTORION-Difference trial found that inclisiran significantly increased the proportion of patients achieving guideline-recommended LDL-C goals at 90 days compared to placebo, with a mean percentage reduction of −59.45% in the inclisiran group.
A recent study found that a minimalist approach to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is noninferior to the standard approach, with around 80% of patients able to be safely managed without sedation. The ACURATE neo2 valve was superior to Evolut valves in reducing pacemaker implantation and improving outcomes.
A study found that extended apixaban treatment lowered VTE recurrence by 87% in high-risk patients with provoked thromboembolism. The therapy also demonstrated a low risk of major bleeding, making it an effective option for these patients.
In-hospital initiation of SGLT2 inhibitors did not significantly reduce short-term risk of cardiovascular death or worsening heart failure in patients admitted for heart failure. However, combining trial data shows positive effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on reducing early risk of cardiovascular death or worsening HF and all-cause mortality.
The REBOOT trial found that beta-blocker therapy had no significant impact on all-cause death, reinfarction, or heart failure admission in patients with myocardial infarction and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥40%. In contrast, a meta-analysis suggests potential benefits for patients with mildly reduced LVEF (40–49%).
The BaxHTN trial found baxdrostat 1 mg and 2 mg significantly reduced seated SBP in patients with uncontrolled or resistant hypertension. The medication showed substantial ambulatory SBP reductions and controlled SBP rates of 40% after 12 weeks.
Patients with atrial fibrillation who live in neighborhoods with poor access to full-service grocery stores face sharply higher odds of stroke and death. Food desert residence is linked to a 2.21-times higher risk of ischemic stroke and a 3.84-times higher risk of death over five years.
The European Society of Cardiology's flagship meeting showcased groundbreaking research and updates on global health, with a record number of late-breaking science sessions and publications in top journals. The congress also highlighted the importance of cardiovascular disease awareness and screening.
Researchers developed an AI model that makes individualized treatment recommendations for atrial fibrillation patients, potentially revolutionizing stroke and bleeding prevention. The model reclassified up to half of AF patients from receiving anticoagulants under current guidelines.
A secondary analysis of the AZALEA-TIMI 71 trial found abelacimab consistently reduces bleeding risk compared to rivaroxaban regardless of kidney function. Larger studies are needed to characterize abelacimab's efficacy in stroke prevention for atrial fibrillation patients with chronic kidney disease.
Routine H pylori screening after acute myocardial infarction does not significantly reduce the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The study found no notable benefit in screening for this condition, contradicting previous expectations.
A study published in JAMA found that fractional flow reserve-guided complete revascularization during index procedure resulted in a significant reduction in composite of all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, any revascularization, and stroke at 1 year. Reduced repeat revascularization was the main driver of this benefit.
Studies show semaglutide and tirzepatide significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure or all-cause mortality. These medications offer a promising treatment option for patients with cardiometabolic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
Women's participation in cardiovascular trials remained low during this period, limiting generalizability of trial outcomes and perpetuating inequities in care. The study highlights persistent challenges in representation, emphasizing the need for increased female inclusion.
Discontinuing oral anticoagulant therapy after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation reduces the risk of stroke, systemic embolism, and major bleeding compared to continued direct oral anticoagulant therapy. The study found that long-term discontinuation of anticoagulation therapy resulted in a lower composite outcome of these events.
A new study published in JAMA Cardiology found that microaxial flow pump treatment significantly improves survival rates in patients with infarct-related cardiogenic shock. The study revealed that early systolic blood pressure levels can help identify patients most likely to benefit from this life-saving treatment.
A new study found that high-dose influenza vaccines significantly reduce the incidence of cardiorespiratory hospitalizations in older adults. The results show a lower risk of heart failure hospitalizations among those who received the high-dose vaccine, indicating potential benefits for this population.
A meta-analysis of 8 clinical trials found TAVI to be an effective alternative for patients at low-to-intermediate risk with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, reducing the 1-year incidence of all-cause death or stroke. Long-term follow-up is needed to evaluate the sustainability of these findings.
A bivalent RSV prefusion F protein-based vaccine was found to lower all-cause cardiorespiratory hospitalization rates in adults aged 60 or older. Although the effect on all-cause cardiovascular hospitalization was not statistically significant, the study suggests potential downstream cardiorespiratory benefits of RSV immunization.
A recent study found that clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) significantly increases the risk of developing new-onset myocarditis and pericarditis among middle-aged adults. Targeting CHIP and its downstream pathways may offer a promising approach for preventing or treating these conditions.
The study analyzed cross-sectional surveys in 22 African countries to identify key factors affecting cardiovascular health. It found that cardiovascular disease is a significant public health concern in the region, with high rates of risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes.
A recent analysis of the DANFLU-2 trial found that high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine was associated with a lower risk of incident myocarditis or pericarditis compared to standard-dose vaccine. The study suggests no dose-response association and causal link between vaccination and cardiac events.
A study found that physiology-guided complete revascularization in older patients (75 years+) with myocardial infarction and multivessel disease provides sustained benefit at 3 years compared to culprit-lesion-only treatment. This approach may improve outcomes for elderly patients with complex coronary artery disease.
A remote randomized clinical trial found that mail-based atrial fibrillation screening with an electrocardiogram patch increased AF diagnosis in older patients at moderate to high risk of stroke over 2.5 years. The study suggests that this method could be a potential strategy for stroke prevention.
Dr. Roxana Mehran is recognized for her exceptional contributions to cardiovascular medicine, including designing and implementing randomized clinical trials and outcomes research projects. She has also focused on personalized medicine and developed individual risk scores for bleeding and acute kidney injury.
Barbara Casadei has been appointed as the next Editor in Chief of JAMA Cardiology, bringing her expertise in cardiovascular research to the role. She aims to broaden the journal's global impact and drive the evolution of cardiology.
A simulation study suggests that deploying food delivery riders to deliver defibrillation can reduce automated external defibrillator response times by approximately three minutes, reducing patient waiting time for defibrillation. The approach offers a cost-effective and scalable strategy for improving cardiac arrest outcomes in high-d...
A case series of 19 patients has successfully undergone partial heart transplant, enabling valve growth and representing a novel approach to congenital heart disease treatment. Careful follow-up and monitoring are crucial for the continued expansion of this procedure.
The American College of Cardiology recommends flu, COVID-19, RSV vaccinations and others for adults with heart disease to reduce risks of infection, hospitalization, and death. Vaccination has been shown to be highly effective in reducing these risks, yet only 30% of primary care physicians assess patients' vaccination status.
Researchers found a connection between high TMAO levels and faster rates of aneurysm expansion, as well as greater risk for needing surgery. Targeting TMAO levels may help prevent and treat aneurysmal disease beyond surgery.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) has published a new position statement providing best-practice guidance for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants using transcatheter occlusion. The guidance emphasizes patient selection, pre-procedural planning, and post-procedure follow-u...