Cardiology General
RSSArticles
-
Marantic Endocarditis Revisited
A single institution case series of cancer-associated thrombotic endocarditis has shown that it most frequently presents as a systemic embolism and is detected largely by transesophageal echocardiography, which displays mobile masses attached to thickened mitral and aortic valves.
-
Clarifying the Risk of Aortic Aneurysm Development
A large, cross-sectional study of adults by aortic computed tomography angiography has shown that aortic aneurysms (AAs) are more frequent in men than women. While increasing age and body surface area were common risk factors for AA, hypertension was associated with thoracic AA and hypercholesterolemia and smoking were risk factors for abdominal AA.
-
Antithrombotic Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation After Acute Coronary Events
An analysis of the AUGUSTUS trial comparing a P2Y12 inhibitor plus four combinations of double or triple therapy with apixaban, aspirin, and a vitamin K antagonist in patients with atrial fibrillation and a recent acute coronary event or percutaneous coronary intervention has shown that a P2Y12 inhibitor plus apixaban exhibited the lowest rate of major adverse events and major bleeding events.
-
Poor Diabetes Control Associated with Poorer Coronary Stent Outcomes
In this large, observational study of diabetic patients with coronary stents, poorer glycemic control as measured by hemoglobin A1c was associated with stepwise hazard for stent failure over a period of more than six years, primarily driven by in-stent restenosis.
-
An ECG in Disguise?
The electrocardiogram (ECG) in the figure was recorded from an older man following a bradycardic and hypotensive episode. What ECG diagnosis is suggested by this tracing?
-
Indications for Reduced-Dose Direct Oral Anticoagulants
A subgroup analysis of the ENGAGE-AF TIMI 48 study of edoxaban 60 mg/day vs. 30 mg/day compared to warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation of the group 80 years of age or older has shown that 30 mg/day results in less major bleeding without a concomitant increase in stroke risk compared to 60 mg/day or warfarin.
-
CVD Risk from Ketogenic Diets
A recent analysis of the UK Biobank data found that subjects on a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet had higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B, and an increase in incident major adverse cardiovascular events over a 12-year follow-up than subjects on a standard diet.
-
Is Endomyocardial Biopsy Still Necessary if Cardiac MRI Is Available?
A multicenter registry study in Europe of patients with suspected myocarditis has shown that, compared to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, endomyocardial biopsy still is the gold standard, and lower ejection fraction and need for immunosuppressant drugs predicted a worse outcome.
-
Outcomes of Low-Risk Bicuspid Aortic Valve Patients Undergoing TAVR
In this prospective, multicenter, single-arm trial, low-surgical risk patients with bicuspid aortic valve anatomy treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement showed favorable results at three years, with low rates of death and disabling stroke.
-
Is Anticoagulation Necessary for Post-CABG Surgery Atrial Fibrillation?
A meta-analysis of non-randomized trials of oral anticoagulant use for new atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass surgery involving almost 1.7 million patients has shown that AF is frequent, but the incidence of thromboembolism, bleeding, and death are low. Oral anticoagulants, when given, do not significantly affect thromboembolism or mortality rates, but they do increase bleeding.