Cardiology Topics
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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.
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The Best Use of Statins in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
A randomized, multicenter study of high-intensity statin therapy to a treat-to-target approach in coronary artery disease patients showed no difference in three-year outcomes. These results suggest treating to a target may be more suitable to individual patients compared to blanket high-intensity statin use.
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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.
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An Oral PCSK9 Inhibitor — Coming Soon?
A Phase IIb study of four doses of MK-0616, an orally administered PCSK9 inhibitor, compared to placebo showed significant reductions in LDL cholesterol levels without any differences in adverse effects over eight weeks.
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Patients Managing Severe Hypertension Should Avoid Drinking Too Much Coffee
Among patients with severe hypertension, drinking two or more cups of coffee a day was associated with twice the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, while green tea did not increase risk.
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Effectiveness of Dietary Supplements on Lipid and Inflammatory Biomarkers
In a comparison of rosuvastatin 5 mg/day, six common dietary supplements marketed for improving heart health, and placebo, none reduced high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels. Only rosuvastatin significantly reduced LDL cholesterol levels compared to placebo.
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Double BBB, or Complete AV Block?
The ECG in the figure is from a woman who complained she had been experiencing chest pain for several days. What is the rhythm? Is there complete AV block?
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Long-Term Maintenance Therapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
An extended six-year follow-up of the HOST-EXAM study revealed the consistent benefit of the primary endpoint of fewer major cardiovascular events and less bleeding with clopidogrel vs. low-dose aspirin monotherapy in post-percutaneous coronary intervention patients who were on dual antiplatelet therapy for one year.
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When the Aortic Annulus Is Small, Does TAVR Valve Type Matter?
In this propensity-matched analysis of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) registry patients with small aortic annuli, the hemodynamic advantage of self-expanding TAVR valves was not associated with better clinical outcomes compared with balloon-expandable valves up to five years.
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Does One Negative Troponin Measurement Rule Out Acute Coronary Syndrome?
Using a common clinical chest pain algorithm plus a point-of-care troponin measurement for low-risk patients, researchers reported significantly lower healthcare costs. Also, this approach did not seem to result in more major adverse cardiovascular events.