Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Cardiology for August 2017. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
No Link for Cardiovascular Meds Use, Cognitive Impairment
THURSDAY, Aug. 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For older adults, there is no association between cardiovascular medication use and cognitive impairment, according to a study published online Aug. 24 in Cardiovascular Therapeutics.
Minimal Evidence for Electronic Communication Guidelines
THURSDAY, Aug. 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Minimal evidence is available for guidelines for electronic communication between patients and providers, according to research published online Aug. 28 in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.
Stem Cell Factor Tied to Reduced Risk of Cardiac Events, Death
THURSDAY, Aug. 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — High levels of stem cell factor (SCF) are associated with reduced risk of mortality and cardiovascular events, according to a study published online Aug. 26 in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
Transvenous Pacemaker Complications Common, Costly
THURSDAY, Aug. 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of complications for single- and dual-chamber transvenous pacemakers (TVPs) is considerable, reaching about 15 and 16 percent, respectively, by three years, with high associated costs, according to research published online Aug. 30 in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.
CPR Less Likely for Cardiac Arrests in Black Neighborhoods
THURSDAY, Aug. 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In cases of cardiac arrest, the racial make-up of the neighborhood may determine the likelihood of receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from a passer-by or having access to a public defibrillator, according to a study published online Aug. 30 in JAMA Cardiology.
Retinal Emboli Linked to Cardiac Risk Factors, Kidney Disease
THURSDAY, Aug. 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Retinal emboli are associated with conventional cardiovascular risk factors, stroke, and chronic kidney disease, according to a study published online Aug. 24 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Proactive Approach Encouraged for Online Patient Reviews
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Most patients are using online reviews as a first step to finding a new doctor, with 65 percent forming an opinion from reading one to six reviews, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Younger Adults, Especially Men, Lag in HTN Treatment, Control
TUESDAY, Aug. 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Despite recent improvements in hypertension awareness, treatment, and control overall, all three remain worse in adults aged 18 to 39, according to research published online Aug. 28 in Hypertension.
FDA Cites ‘Significant Deviations’ at Florida Stem Cell Clinic
TUESDAY, Aug. 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A Florida stem cell clinic has received a warning letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about what the agency describes as serious problems that could pose health risks to patients.
Androgen-Deprivation Therapy May Carry Cardiovascular Risks
MONDAY, Aug. 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Use of androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) may increase the risk of certain cardiovascular conditions in men with prostate cancer, according to a study published online Aug. 24 in the British Journal of Cancer.
CDC: Not All Newborns Getting Heart Disease, Hearing Loss Tests
MONDAY, Aug. 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Some newborns in the United States still aren’t getting screened for hearing loss or congenital heart disease, according to research published in the Aug. 25 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Less Than Half of Seniors With A-Fib Receive Anticoagulants
MONDAY, Aug. 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Less than 45 percent of older adults with atrial fibrillation (AF) admitted to the hospital are prescribed an anticoagulant, according to a study published online Aug. 21 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
More Evidence Evolocumab Exceeds Cost-Effectiveness
FRIDAY, Aug. 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — At its current price, the addition of evolocumab to standard therapy in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease generally exceeds accepted cost-effectiveness thresholds, according to a study published online Aug. 23 in JAMA Cardiology.
Only One-Third of Heart Attack Patients Enter Cardiac Rehab
FRIDAY, Aug. 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Only one in three heart attack survivors in the United States attends outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, according to research published in the Aug. 25 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Prognostic in Aortic Stenosis
THURSDAY, Aug. 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients judged as symptomatic or questionably symptomatic for aortic stenosis, an initially conservative management strategy results in good prognosis if cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) does not indicate significant hemodynamic compromise, according to a study published in the Sept. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Increased Risk of MI, Stroke for Patients With Hip Fracture
THURSDAY, Aug. 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients with hip fracture have an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke, according to a study published online Aug. 21 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Patient Beliefs May Explain High Rate of Medicine Intake
THURSDAY, Aug. 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Subjective norms and attitudes toward medicine consumption predict the intention and expectation to consume medicines, according to a study published online Aug. 19 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Intensive BP Treatment Appears Safe, Well Tolerated
THURSDAY, Aug. 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, intensive blood pressure control may be just as safe as standard treatment, and is likely cost-effective, according to research published in the Aug. 24 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Worse LV Global Longitudinal Strain for STEMI With COPD
THURSDAY, Aug. 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have significantly more impaired left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS), according to a study published in the Sept. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Collaborative Communication Could Improve HTN Rx Adherence
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Health care providers can help boost patient adherence to antihypertensive medications by communicating more collaboratively with patients, and including discussion of socioeconomic challenges, according to a study published online Aug. 22 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
Pattern of Stressor-Evoked Brain Activity Can Predict BP Reactivity
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A multivariate pattern of stressor-evoked brain activity can predict individual differences in blood pressure (BP) reactivity, according to a study published online Aug. 23 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Estimated 319,400 Deaths From Rheumatic Heart Disease in 2015
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In 2015 there were an estimated 319,400 deaths due to rheumatic heart disease, with a reduction in global age-standardized mortality from 1990, according to a study published in the Aug. 24 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Tablet Use Encourages Patients to Explore Diabetes Risk
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The multispecialty San Bernardino Medical Group has replaced magazines with digital devices in waiting rooms, which can help patients learn about their risk of diabetes and take preventive action, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Cost-Effectiveness of PCSK9 Inhibitors Called Into Question
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The costs of PCSK9 inhibitors would have to be 71 percent lower to be deemed cost-effective, according to a research letter published in the Aug. 22/29 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Nurse-, System-Related Factors Analyzed in Wrong-Patient Events
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Greater focus is needed on correct identification processes in order to prevent wrong-patient medication administration incidents, and system supports for nurses are critical, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
NT-ProBNP-Guided Treatment No Benefit in High-Risk HFrEF
TUESDAY, Aug. 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For high-risk patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), an amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)-guided treatment strategy does not improve clinical outcomes versus usual care, according to a study published in the Aug. 22/29 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Lower SBP Target for Blacks May Benefit Cognitive Function
TUESDAY, Aug. 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For seniors and particularly blacks with hypertension, lowering systolic blood pressure to 120 mm Hg or lower may help prevent cognitive decline, according to a report published online Aug. 21 in JAMA Neurology.
AAP Issues New Guidelines for ID, Treatment of HTN in Children
TUESDAY, Aug. 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — More U.S. children are likely to be diagnosed and treated for hypertension under new recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The updated clinical practice guideline was published online Aug. 21 in Pediatrics.
Few Smokers Hospitalized With CHD Get Smoking Cessation Meds
TUESDAY, Aug. 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Few smokers hospitalized for coronary heart disease (CHD) receive smoking cessation pharmacotherapy (SCP), according to a research letter published online Aug. 21 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Higher BMI in Childhood Linked to Adult Stroke Risk
TUESDAY, Aug. 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Above-average childhood body mass index (BMI) and increases in BMI during childhood are associated with increased risk of early adult ischemic stroke, according to a study published online Aug. 21 in JAMA Neurology.
Hours Worked Impacted by Kids for Female, Not Male Doctors
MONDAY, Aug. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For women, but not men, in dual-physician couples, weekly hours worked are lower for those with versus those without children, according to a research letter published online Aug. 21 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Radioiodine Therapy for Thyroid Cancer Doesn’t Up Stroke Risk
FRIDAY, Aug. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Radioiodine (I-131) therapy for thyroid cancer is not associated with increased risk of stroke, according to a study published online Aug. 16 in Head & Neck.
Moderate, Severe OSA Linked to Elevated Blood Coagulability
FRIDAY, Aug. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are associated with elevated blood coagulability markers, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Online Nursing Education Can Up Patient Use of VTE Prophylaxis
THURSDAY, Aug. 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Online training for nurses has been found to increase hospital patients’ use of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis, according to a study published online Aug. 16 in PLOS ONE.
On-Pump CABG Leads to Higher Rates of Five-Year Survival
THURSDAY, Aug. 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Five years after coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery, patients whose operation was performed with cardiopulmonary bypass (on pump) lived longer than those whose surgeons performed the procedure without cardiopulmonary bypass (off pump), according to a report published in the Aug. 17 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Intensive Blood Pressure Tx Aids Those With Prediabetes
THURSDAY, Aug. 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The beneficial effects of intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) treatment are similar among those with prediabetes and fasting normoglycemia, according to a study published online Aug. 9 in Diabetes Care.
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Evolocumab Doesn’t Affect Cognition When Added to Statins
THURSDAY, Aug. 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There is no significant difference in cognitive function for patients treated with evolocumab or placebo added to statin therapy, according to a study published in the Aug. 17 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Study Highlights Readmit Factors Post Atrial Flutter Ablation
THURSDAY, Aug. 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Recognition of factors associated with early readmission for patients after atrial flutter (AFL) ablation is necessary for reducing costs and improving quality of life, according to a study published online Aug. 11 in the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology.
Risk Assessment Differs for Doctors, Heart Failure Patients
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Physicians consider the majority of ambulatory patients with advanced heart failure on medical therapy to be at high risk for transplant, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement, and death, although patients rarely consider themselves at high risk, according to a study published online Aug. 16 in JACC: Heart Failure.
’07 to ’14 Saw Drop in Proportion Needing Dialysis After TAVI
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — From 2007 to 2014 there was a decrease in the proportion of patients needing dialysis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), according to a study published online Aug. 2 in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
Studies Used for FDA Approval of Device Changes Often Low Quality
TUESDAY, Aug. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Many studies used to support U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of high-risk medical device modifications are not controlled; and efficacy of drugs granted accelerated approval is often confirmed three years after approval, according to two studies published in the Aug. 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Specialist Access No Better With Adoption of Access Standards
TUESDAY, Aug. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Adoption of specialty access standards does not improve access to specialists, according to a study published online Aug. 14 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
High Platelet Reactivity Tied to Ischemic, Bleeding Outcomes
TUESDAY, Aug. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There is a strong relationship between high on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity and two-year ischemic and bleeding outcomes after drug-eluting stent implantation, according to a study published online Aug. 2 in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
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Exposure to Particulate Matter Linked to Metabolic Alterations
TUESDAY, Aug. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Exposure to particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameters ≤2.5 µm is associated with metabolic alterations, according to a study published online Aug. 14 in Circulation.
All-Cause, CVD Mortality Down With Light, Moderate Drinking
MONDAY, Aug. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — All-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality are reduced for U.S. adults with light and moderate alcohol intake, according to a study published in the Aug. 22 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Short-Term Risk of Arterial Embolism Up in Cancer Patients
MONDAY, Aug. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The risk of arterial thromboembolism is increased in the short term among patients with incident cancer, according to a study published in the Aug. 22 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Statin Use Among Nursing Home Residents Varies Significantly
MONDAY, Aug. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Statin prescribing is considerable among nursing home residents, with significant variation in prescribing seen across physicians, according to a study published online Aug. 9 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Most Common Arrhythmia: Intra-Atrial Re-Entrant Tachycardia
MONDAY, Aug. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with congenital heart disease and atrial arrhythmias, the most common presenting arrhythmia is intra-atrial re-entrant tachycardia (IART), according to a study published in the Aug. 15 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Reduced eGFR, Increased UACR Linked to Incident A-Fib
FRIDAY, Aug. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and elevated urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) are associated with increased risk of incident atrial fibrillation (AF), according to research published online Aug. 10 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
CPAP Doesn’t Alter Renal Function in Coexisting OSA, CVD
FRIDAY, Aug. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For individuals with coexisting obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cardiovascular disease, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) does not alter renal function, according to a study published online July 25 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Use of ICU Resources After Cardiac Surgery Upped by Obesity
FRIDAY, Aug. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing cardiac surgery, increasing obesity is associated with increased intensive care unit (ICU) resource utilization, according to a study published online Aug. 9 in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
Nitroprusside, Isoproterenol Prescribing Drops With Price Rise
THURSDAY, Aug. 10, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Increases in the price of nitroprusside and isoproterenol correlated with reductions in their use, according to a letter to the editor published online Aug. 9 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Smaller Racial Gap in Survival After In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
THURSDAY, Aug. 10, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There has been a considerable reduction in racial differences in survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest, according to a study published online Aug. 9 in JAMA Cardiology.
Marijuana Use May Up Risk of Hypertension-Related Mortality
THURSDAY, Aug. 10, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Marijuana increases by three-fold the risk for hypertension-related mortality, according to a study published online Aug. 9 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
Decrease Over Time in Incidence of Strokes in Men
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of all strokes decreased over time in men, but not women, with the difference driven by a decrease in ischemic stroke, according to a study published online Aug. 9 in Neurology.
Socioeconomic Position Tied to Carotid Wall Thickness in Kids
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Socioeconomic position (SEP) in childhood is associated with carotid intima media thickness (IMT), according to a study published online Aug. 9 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Myocardial Injury Depends on Valve Type in Transfemoral TAVR
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Myocardial injury occurs frequently following transfemoral (TF) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), but does not predict outcome, according to a study published in the Aug. 14 issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
New Model Predicts Mortality in Stable Coronary Heart Disease
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A biomarker-based model provides a new tool for the prediction of cardiovascular (CV) death in patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD), according to a study published in the Aug. 15 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Higher Risk of CVD Persists After Hospital Stay for Severe Infection
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There is an increased risk of cardiovascular disease following hospital admission for sepsis or pneumonia that persists for at least five years after the infection, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
Blood Pressure Variability Linked to Risk of Dementia in Elderly
TUESDAY, Aug. 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Increased blood pressure variability is associated with a higher risk of all-cause dementia, vascular dementia (VaD), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in the elderly, according to a study published in the Aug. 8 issue of Circulation.
In-Hospital Mortality Higher for PCI at Safety Net Hospitals
TUESDAY, Aug. 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality is significantly increased at safety-net hospitals (SNHs), although the absolute difference is small, according to a study published in the Aug. 14 issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
Guidance Provided for Preventing Practice Billing Errors
MONDAY, Aug. 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Strategies can help to prevent medical practice billing errors, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
No Effect of B Vitamin on Fracture Risk in Women at High CV Risk
MONDAY, Aug. 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For women with preexisting cardiovascular (CV) disease or three or more coronary risk factors, daily supplementation with B vitamins and folic acid does not affect fracture risk or bone turnover, according to a study published online July 29 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
2D and 3D MRI Techniques Similar for Cardiac Measures
MONDAY, Aug. 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There is overall good agreement between two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to measure the thoracic aorta and main pulmonary artery, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology.
Strong Religious Beliefs May Be Linked to Higher Weight
FRIDAY, Aug. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There is evidence of a significant association between religious affiliation and body weight, with religiosity being significantly associated with higher body weight, according to research published online Aug. 2 in Obesity Reviews.
Fluticasone Furoate Slows Loss of Lung Function in COPD
FRIDAY, Aug. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Regular use of fluticasone furoate (FF), either alone or in combination with vilanterol (VI), appears to reduce the rate of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) decline in patients with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a high risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a study published online July 24 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Stopping Statins After Initial Stroke Raises Risk of Recurrence
THURSDAY, Aug. 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Discontinuing statin therapy three to six months after an initial ischemic stroke is tied to higher risk of a recurrent stroke, according to a study published online Aug. 2 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Depression After Coronary Artery Disease Diagnosis Ups Death Risk
THURSDAY, Aug. 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), a depression diagnosis is associated with increased risk of mortality, according to a study published online July 26 in the European Heart Journal: Quality of Care & Clinical Outcomes.
Less Than Half of Stroke Discharges Prescribed a Statin
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Less than half of ischemic stroke patients discharged from the hospital receive a prescription for statins, according to a study published online Aug. 2 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Canagliflozin Delays Increase in Certain CV Biomarkers in T2DM
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), treatment with canagliflozin delays the increase in serum N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitivity troponin I (hsTnI) compared with placebo, according to a study published in the Aug. 8 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Revenue Exceeds Expenditures for Many ABMS Member Boards
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Overall revenue exceeds expenditures for many American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) member boards, according to a study published in the Aug. 1 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
New Research Supports Safety of Aspirin in Heart Failure
TUESDAY, Aug. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Some research has raised concerns about the safety of aspirin for heart failure patients, but a new study, published in the Aug. 1 issue of JACC: Heart Failure, appears to offer some reassurance.
Climate Change Expected to Up Premature Deaths From Pollution
TUESDAY, Aug. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Increases in air pollution caused by rising temperatures will trigger an additional 60,000 premature deaths each year around the globe by 2030, and as many as 260,000 more premature deaths annually by 2100, according to findings from a new study published online July 31 in Nature Climate Change.
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