Cardiology Topics
RSSArticles
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Can Pulmonary Artery Pressure Help in the Decision to Operate in Chronic Aortic Regurgitation?
A large tertiary center retrospective observational study of patients with moderate to severe aortic regurgitation showed that 14% had significant pulmonary hypertension (PH) and that it was associated with symptoms and higher mortality. Aortic valve replacement abrogated PH in most patients by hospital discharge and improved survival regardless of the presence of PH.
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Combined TAVR and LAAO Studied in a Randomized Controlled Trial
In this randomized controlled trial of patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), concomitant left atrial appendage occlusion at the time of TAVR was noninferior to TAVR plus medical therapy for a combined endpoint of death, stroke, and major bleeding at two years.
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Another Hemodynamic Variant of Aortic Stenosis
A large, retrospective, observational study of patients with aortic valve gradients in the severe aortic stenosis range but with aortic valve areas in the moderate range has shown that such patients are not uncommon. Their prognosis is similar to patients with high-gradient severe aortic stenosis.
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Clinical Features of Tachyarrhythmia-Induced Cardiomyopathy
A prospective observational study of patients with left ventricular dysfunction without known cause and tachyarrhythmias has shown that restoration of sinus rhythm significantly improves left ventricular function in more than 80% of such patients by six months and, initially, normal left ventricular size can be predictive of this response.
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How Safe Is Cannabis for the Heart?
A nationwide Danish study of new prescriptions for medical cannabis for chronic pain compared to control patients has found that the 180-day incidence of atrial fibrillation/flutter is two-fold higher, but the absolute number of arrhythmias is small.
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Transcatheter vs. Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement After 10 Years
A multicenter randomized trial of transcatheter compared to surgical aortic valve replacement in low-risk older adult patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis has shown that major clinical outcomes and prosthetic valve failure were not different at 10 years of follow-up.
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FDA Approves Coronary Drug-Coated Balloon Specifically for In-Stent Restenosis
This trial randomized 600 U.S. patients with restenosis of a previously placed stent 2:1 to treatment with the AGENT drug-coated balloon or with regular balloon angioplasty. Target lesion failure at one year was significantly lower with the drug-coated balloon, as were target vessel myocardial infarction and stent thrombosis.
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Can Bariatric Surgery Control Blood Pressure Long-Term?
A randomized trial comparing bariatric surgery to medical therapy in hypertensive obese patients has shown that bariatric surgery effectively lowers blood pressure over five years of follow-up.
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New RNA Interference-Based Therapy for Hypertension
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a range of doses of a new ribonucleic acid (RNA) interference drug that reduces hepatic angiotensinogen levels has shown significant mean 24-hour systolic blood pressure reductions at three months after a single subcutaneous injection.
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Risk Factors for Atrial Fibrillation
A United Kingdom Biobank study of new onset atrial fibrillation (AF) has shown strong associations with hypertension and obesity at all ages and acute illnesses/surgery in older individuals. Genetics was less important, but in those at low genetic risk, obesity and hypertension were strong predictors of AF.