Clinical Cardiology Alert – November 1, 2015

November 1, 2015

• Reduced Leaflet Motion in Bioprosthetic Valves

  ABSTRACT & COMMENTARY: It's in a significant proportion of surgical and transcatheter bioprosthetic aortic valves by volume-rendered CT scans.

  Read more

• Beta-blocker Dose More Important Than Heart Rate in Systolic Heart Failure

  In chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, titrating beta-blocker doses may confer a greater benefit than reducing heart rate.

  Read more

• Slow Down, Save Lives? Rate Control in Atrial Fibrillation

  Atrial fibrillation patients receiving beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers had lower risk of mortality compared to those not taking rate-control drugs, with the lowest mortality rate in the beta-blocker group, while digoxin use was associated with a higher risk of mortality.

  Read more

• Finally, a Positive Outcomes Study for Platelet Function Testing

  Platelet function testing-defined clopidogrel nonresponsiveness can be overcome by prasugrel treatment, and that this is a modifiable risk factor whose treatment can improve outcomes.

  Read more

• Blood Pressure Targets in Flux Again

  Trial could be a game changer if the results are robust.

  Read more