Cardiology
RSSArticles
NOACs in Patients Requiring Anticoagulation Post-PCI
SYNOPSIS: The PIONEER study of atrial fibrillation patients post-percutaneous coronary intervention showed that regimens of clopidogrel plus reduced-dose regimens of rivaroxaban demonstrated lower bleeding and similar rates of stroke and adverse cardiac events compared with traditional warfarin triple therapy.
A New Risk Score for Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation
SYNOPSIS: A new, simpler score for stroke risk prediction in atrial fibrillation patients uses biomarkers to supplant many clinical variables and outperforms the CHA2DS2-VASc score in two large cohorts.
Antibiotic Treatment in Community-acquired Pneumonia
SYNOPSIS: In patients with newly diagnosed community-acquired pneumonia, basing the duration of antibiotic treatment on clinical stability criteria led to a significant reduction in duration of antibiotic treatment without an increased risk of adverse outcomes.
Discharge Antibiotic Prescriptions Often Are Inappropriate with Regard to Choice, Dose, Duration
SYNOPSIS: Seventy percent of discharge antibiotic prescriptions are inappropriate.
High-sensitivity Cardiac Troponin
In a recent trial, the use of high-sensitivity troponin T did not increase the use of coronary angiography or stress testing, but did reduce ED length of stay and costs.
Hemoconcentration Associated with Lower Mortality in Acute Heart Failure
Among patients hospitalized for acute heart failure, hemoconcentration was associated with reduced 90-day mortality and may be a useful marker for guiding therapy.
Mechanical Circulatory Support in Cardiogenic Shock: Can Any Device Move the Mortality Needle?
In a small randomized trial of patients with cardiogenic shock secondary to acute myocardial infarction, the Impella heart pump failed to improve mortality compared with intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation.
ECG Screening of Athletes
T-wave inversion confined to ECG leads V1-V2 is a normal variant, but T-wave inversion beyond V2 is rare and may warrant further investigation.
Weight Loss to Make You Feel Better, Live Longer, and Lower Your Risk of Atrial Fibrillation
Significant and sustained weight loss through bariatric surgery reduced the risk of developing new-onset atrial fibrillation in a Swedish cohort of obese individuals.
Hyperoxia in ICU Patients May Cause Harm
Patients randomized to maintain oxygen saturation between 94-98% experienced better outcomes than patients allowed to receive partial pressure of oxygen > 150 mmHg.