Cardiology
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After Myocardial Infarction, Increased Risk for Ischemic Stroke Persists for 12 Weeks
This study establishes that the elevated short-term risk of stroke extends beyond 30 days and remains elevated for up to 12 weeks following acute myocardial infarction.
Stroke Risk in Atrial Fibrillation: A Moving Target?
An investigation of patients in a national database with atrial fibrillation, no comorbidities, and not on aspirin or anticoagulants showed that the clinical features that make up the CHA2DS2-VASc score change over time and can increase a patient’s risk for stroke, which could affect therapy decisions. Thus, the CHA2DS2-VASc score should be reassessed periodically and appropriate therapeutic actions taken promptly.
Elderly May Not Benefit From Statins for Primary Prevention
In an examination of the data from the much-publicized Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), the author found no benefit of statin therapy for primary prevention of cardiovascular events or all-cause mortality.
A Twist in the Use of Spices: Prebiotic Effect
SYNOPSIS: Seven spices were found to contain numerous antioxidant phytochemicals and have an overall, but variable, prebiotic effect on 88 known species of microbiome bacteria.
Cardiovascular Nutrition Demystified
The authors of this review of key nutritional studies compiled evidence-based information on foods and dietary patterns that support cardiovascular health and demystified those that have incorrectly been identified as beneficial to cardiovascular health.
Medical Cannabis and Chronic Pain
The authors of this systematic review investigating the effects of medical cannabis (MC) on chronic pain in adults found that there is limited evidence to support the use of MC in treating neuropathic pain and that there is insufficient evidence that MC improves other types of chronic pain.
Mediterranean Diet and Frailty Risk
The authors of a review and meta-analysis involving four studies and more than 5,000 community-dwelling adults over the age of 60 years concluded that greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduced risk of frailty.
Permanent His-bundle Pacing Cardiac Resynchronization: The Way Nature Intended
When used as either a primary alternative to biventricular pacing or a rescue therapy for failed biventricular pacing, permanent His-bundle pacing was associated with significant QRS narrowing, an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction, and an improvement in New York Heart Association functional class.
Age-stratified NT-proBNP Thresholds Identify Acute Heart Failure
In patients presenting to the ED with acute dyspnea, age-based NT-proBNP cutpoints help diagnose acute heart failure.
Are Beta-blockers Indicated for Heart Failure at all LVEF Levels?
A meta-analysis of 11 trials of beta-blockers for heart failure showed that beta-blockers increased left ventricular ejection fraction and reduced cardiovascular mortality in patients in sinus rhythm with baseline ejection fractions < 50%, including those in the 40-49% range.