Cardiology
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A Hidden Rhythm
The only clinical information available for this tracing is that the ECG was obtained from an older woman. Without any other background, where should we go from here?
Sitting, Standing, and Walking: The Effect on Cardiometabolic Markers
The authors of this meta-analysis explored the effects of interrupting sitting with either light-intensity walking or standing. They found light-intensity walking was associated with the most significant effect on several markers of cardiometabolic health.
Cardiovascular Outcomes with Bempedoic Acid, a New Statin Alternative
A trial of bempedoic acid vs. placebo for statin-intolerant patients showed bempedoic acid significantly lowered LDL cholesterol levels and prevented more major adverse cardiovascular events after a median follow-up of 41 months. Although nonserious side effects were numerically higher for those on bempedoic acid, serious adverse events were not significantly different from placebo.
American Heart Association Urges Improvement in Stroke Care
In a scientific statement, the group offered tactics to eliminate the racial and ethnic inequities that exist in stroke incidence, prevalence, treatment, and outcomes.
Improving Statin Tolerance in Elderly Patients
In a post-hoc analysis of the RACING trial, researchers found the combination of moderate-intensity statin and ezetimibe therapy vs. high-intensity statin therapy alone in older subjects resulted in similar reductions in cardiovascular events over three years, but fewer adverse effects with the combination therapy.
Does Running Prevent Coronary Artery Disease?
In this cross-sectional review of the Master Athlete Heart study, the authors found lifelong endurance sport participation was not associated with a more favorable coronary plaque composition vs. a healthy lifestyle. Lifelong endurance athletes exhibited more coronary plaques.
Direct Oral Anticoagulants vs. Warfarin When Treating Renal Dysfunction
A patient-level meta-analysis of five pivotal trials of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) vs. warfarin for patients with atrial fibrillation and creatinine clearance levels ranging from normal to 25 mL/min revealed standard-dose DOACs exhibit superior safety and efficacy compared to adjusted-dose warfarin and lower-dose DOACs.
Valve Replacement Risk and Lifetime Management of Aortic Valve Disease
The authors of an analysis of more than 31,000 patients from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ database identified patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) after prior transcutaneous AVR (TAVR) or SAVR. SAVR after TAVR raised the risk of mortality vs. SAVR after SAVR.
Cardiac MRI Predicts Outcomes in Aortic Regurgitation
Cardiac MRI could be used to make management decisions when treating patients living with chronic, asymptomatic aortic regurgitation with preserved left ventricular function, especially when trying to predict severity and possibility of adverse outcomes.
Age and Sexual Dimorphism in Aortic Regurgitation
Among patients with chronic, significant aortic regurgitation, women and older men without symptoms indicating the need for aortic valve replacement maintained smaller left ventricular volumes than young men and developed adverse clinical events at lower left ventricular volumes.