Clinical Cardiology Alert – August 1, 2023
August 1, 2023
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Angiographic Fractional Flow Reserve Is Useful, But Not Ready for Prime Time
Using a blinded, independent core laboratory, researchers compared five commercially available angiographic fractional flow reserve (FFR) methods to the pressure wire-based FFR technique. The authors found the diagnostic accuracy of these software techniques surpassed that of two-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography, but fell short of what has been reported in validation trials run by individual vendors.
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The Value of the GRACE Risk Score for Triaging Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients
A prospective, pragmatic, cluster, randomized clinical study of using the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score and standard care for the management of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes failed to demonstrate more use of guideline-recommended care or better outcomes.
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Alcohol: Double-Edged Sword, or Hatchet?
Researchers reported consuming two to 14 alcoholic drinks per week was associated with fewer major adverse cardiovascular events, which the authors noted could be explained in part by less stress-related neural activity demonstrated on PET and CT scans.
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Can Physical Activity Thwart the Negative Cardiometabolic Effects of Obesity?
Compared to normal-weight workers, overweight or obese employees in Spain exhibited a higher prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which can be partially mitigated by regular exercise.
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Reconsidering Aspirin Therapy for Elderly Patients
A post-hoc analysis of the ASPREE trial revealed that in presumably healthy elderly subjects, taking low-dose aspirin daily over three years was associated with a significant drop in hemoglobin and ferritin levels vs. placebo, even when patients with major bleeding events were excluded.