TAVR programs concentrated in wealthier areas, raising questions about access
May 06 ,2021
Overview:There are inequities in the dispersion of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, with lower rates in poorer communities, according to a presentation.“The increased number of TAVR programs that we found during the study period did not necessarily translate to increased access to TAVR, as TAVR sites are predominantly localized in metro areas and the majority of TAVR sites opened are in areas with preexisting programs. We found that hospitals adopting TAVR served more advantaged patients. Wealthy, more privileged patients had more access to TAVR by virtue of the hospitals that serve them,” more
Short-term outcomes for stroke reperfusion similar in patients with, without cancer
May 06 ,2021
Overview:Among patients with cancer who experienced a stroke, reperfusion therapy conferred similar short-term outcomes as in patients with stroke and nonactive cancer or no history of cancer, researchers reported.However, patients with active cancer experienced poorer long-term survival after IV thrombolysis or endovascular treatment, according to data published in Stroke.“It is not easy to determine the treatment protocol when an acute ischemic stroke occurs in patients with active cancer,” Joonsang Yoo, MD, of the department of neurology at Yongin Severance Hospital, South Korea, and more
Outcomes in endovascular therapy for stroke similar across 3 triage concepts
May 05 ,2021
Overview:Three triage options for patients receiving endovascular treatment for stroke conferred similarly good clinical outcomes, researchers reported.Whether patients with stroke were admitted directly or secondarily transferred to a comprehensive stroke center or had a neurointerventionalist brought to them, all triage options were associated with good outcomes, according to the prospective, observational NEUROSQUAD study.“As a principal finding, all three triage concepts achieved similar clinical outcome results. Although there seems to be a trend toward worse outcome in the ‘drive the more
STEMI after TAVR tied to risk for poor outcomes
May 05 ,2021
Overview:Among patients with STEMI, prior transcatheter aortic valve replacement was associated with high rates of poor in-hospital and midterm clinical outcomes, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.“Longer door-to-balloon times and a higher PCI failure rate were observed in TAVR patients, partially due to coronary access issues specific to the TAVR population, and this was associated with poorer outcomes,” Laurent Faroux, MD, with the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Reims, France, and colleagues wrote.The researchers analyzed 118 more
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may increase AF odds in certain high-risk patients
May 05 ,2021
Overview:Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was associated with elevated risk for atrial fibrillation among patients with elevated triglyceride levels at high CV risk, researchers reported.“Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation are being utilized in clinical practice to reduce CVD risk in patients with elevated plasma triglycerides,” Marco Lombardi, MD, associate professor in the department of cardiovascular and thoracic sciences at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, and colleagues wrote in a research letter to European Heart Journal: Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy. “Safety more
Intracerebral hemorrhage increases risk for ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction
May 04 ,2021
Overview:Intracerebral hemorrhage correlated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction, according to results from an analysis of four population-based, U.S. cohort studies that was published in JAMA Neurology.The findings indicated that intracerebral hemorrhage “may be a novel risk marker for arterial ischemic events,” according to the researchers.“Large case series have indicated that myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke are not uncommon after intracerebral hemorrhage, but these prior studies lacked control groups without intracerebral hemorrhage,” more
Delayed care after ischemic stroke results in 'substantial losses in years of healthy life'
May 04 ,2021
Overview:Delays in care after acute ischemic stroke correlated with loss of healthy life-years among patients treated with endovascular thrombectomy, especially in the post-arrival period, according to findings published in JAMA Neurology.Specifically, the researchers found that every 1 second of delay in care was associated with the loss of 2.2 hours of healthy life, a finding that they hope “may encourage continuous quality improvement in door-to-treatment times.”“One of the most important determinants of outcome after acute ischemic stroke is rapid reperfusion via intravenous more
Air pollution exposure associated with elevated BP in children, adolescents
May 04 ,2021
Overview:Among children and adolescents, exposure to short- and long-term high air pollution levels during childhood increased the likelihood of having high BP later in life, researchers reported.“Previous studies have found that the lungs of children may be exposed to higher concentrations of ambient particles than adults, suggesting that children would be at greater risk from the adverse effects of air pollution,” Miao Huang, MD, from the Center of Clinical Pharmacology at the Third Xiangya Hospital at Central South University in Changsha, China, and colleagues wrote in the Journal of more
USPSTF advises against vitamin E, beta-carotene supplements for CVD, cancer prevention
May 04 ,2021
Overview:The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force announced that supplementation with vitamin E provides no benefit and the harms of beta-carotene supplementation outweigh any benefits for the prevention of CVD and cancer.As a result, the USPSTF issued a draft recommendation advising against beta-carotene and vitamin E supplements for the prevention of these diseases (D recommendation).In addition, the USPSTF said there is not enough evidence to determine the balance of harms and benefits of supplementation with multivitamins (I recommendation) and single or paired nutrients (I recommendation) for CVD more
ISCHEMIA population underrepresented among those who undergo PCI for stable CAD
May 04 ,2021
Overview:In a cohort of real-world patients with stable ischemic heart disease who underwent PCI, only 14% could be classified similarly to patients from the ISCHEMIA trial, researchers reported.As Healio previously reported, in the main results of the ISCHEMIA trial of patients with stable ischemic heart disease, there was no difference in clinical outcomes between patients assigned an invasive strategy, which included PCI in 79% of cases, or those assigned a conservative strategy at 4 years, although patients with regular angina symptoms assigned the invasive strategy reported improvements in more
In stage 1 hypertension, medication feasible if BP goal not met after lifestyle changes
May 04 ,2021
Overview:In an update to the 2017 hypertension guideline, the American Heart Association recommended lifestyle changes for patients with slightly elevated BP, adding medication if necessary after 6 months.“It’s important to control BP to goal in all people, and in those who have stage 1 hypertension who can’t meet goal blood pressure with lifestyle therapy only, medication should be considered,” Daniel W. Jones, MD, FAHA, professor and dean emeritus of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and past president of the AHA, told Healio.In a scientific statement from the more
Severe valvular disease, COVID-19 mortality ‘approaching’ 50% at 30 days
May 04 ,2021
Overview:Thirty-day mortality among patients with severe valvular heart disease and COVID-19 topped more than 40%, according to data presented at the virtual Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions Scientific Sessions.Performing an invasive surgical or transcatheter procedure for valvular disease management in appropriate patients, even during the infection, was associated with lower prevalence of 30-day all-cause mortality, a speaker reported.“Patients with COVID-19 and severe valvular heart disease have poor clinical outcomes with mortality approaching 50% within 30 days of more
Incidence of nontraditional risk factors elevated in younger Black patients with CAD
May 03 ,2021
Overview:Black patients with CAD aged 45 years or younger had more nontraditional risk factors than older Black patients with CAD, researchers reported at the virtual Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions Scientific Sessions.The nontraditional risk factors more prevalent in Black patients with CAD younger than 45 years compared with Black patients with CAD aged 45 years or older included drug and alcohol abuse, HIV and depression.According to the researchers, the younger cohort had lower incidence of traditional risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, HF and obstructive sleep more
Most-read news of April: CV impact of COVID-19, vegetarian diet and more
May 03 ,2021
Overview:Healio and Cardiology Today have compiled a list of the most-read cardiology news of April 2021.Readers were most interested in the long-term CV effects of COVID-19; new research surrounding the barbershop BP study; the pros and cons of hypertension labels for low-risk patients; and more.Chronic diseases, especially cardiometabolic ones, will become more prevalent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to two commentaries published in Circulation. Read moreA vegetarian diet was associated with reduced risk for ischemic heart disease mortality compared with a nonvegetarian diet but more
Elevated maternal lipids associated with development of gestational diabetes
May 03 ,2021
Overview:Elevated maternal lipids, especially elevated levels of triglycerides, were associated with the development of gestational diabetes, according to new results from a systematic review and meta-analysis.“Although the cause of gestational diabetes is not fully understood, maternal obesity, older maternal age and women from certain ethnic groups have been identified as being at high risk. Increasingly, attention has been given to the associations between impaired glucose metabolism, abnormal circulating lipid levels and consequent worsening of glucose intolerance,” Jiamiao Hu, MD, more
ACC, HealthReveal collaborate to improve guideline-directed treatment of HFrEF using AI
May 02 ,2021
Overview:The American College of Cardiology and HealthReveal, an artificial intelligence company, announced a collaboration to employ HealthReveal’s personalized clinical AI solution to the ACC’s TRANSFORM studies.According to a press release, the ACC and HealthReveal will collaborate on studies for three TRANSFORM programs. The first, TRANSFORM HFrEF, will provide guideline-directed medical therapies for patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction.HealthReveal’s AI solution will continually curate the latest guidelines and automatically apply them to individual patient data to more
VIDEO: Microaggressions, harassment increase burnout among women physicians
May 01 ,2021
Overview:In this video, Kimberly J. Templeton, MD, FAAOS, FAOA, FAMWA, past president of the American Medical Women’s Association, describes how biases and harassment impact women physicians and ways to improve their well-being.Women in medicine often encounter microaggressions and harassing behavior in the workplace, which can increase burnout, lower self-esteem, exacerbate preexisting imposter syndrome and result in a more negative view of the workplace, according to Templeton, who also is professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City.“This not more
Few women who meet criteria for early gestational diabetes screening receive it
May 01 ,2021
Overview:Only 12% of women who met the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ criteria for early gestational diabetes screening actually received it at a New York hospital, researchers reported.ACOG recommends that all pregnant women should be screened for gestational diabetes (GDM) at 24 to 28 weeks’ gestation. Study author Shobha Jagannatham, MD, an OB/GYN at Mount Sinai West and Morningside, and colleagues noted that ACOG updated its guidance in 2017 to align with that of the American Diabetes Association, recommending early screening for women who are at high risk for GDM — more
At height of pandemic, patients presenting with acute MI dropped drastically
May 01 ,2021
Overview:The number of patients presenting with acute MI significantly declined during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, according a presentation at the virtual Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions Scientific Sessions.According to the researchers, there was a 70% decline in the number of patients presenting with acute MI between April 2020 compared with April 2019, and patients who received care developed more severe symptoms due to delays in patients seeking emergency services.“We observed a dramatic decrease in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction during more
FDA approves Farxiga for CKD
April 30 ,2021
Overview: The FDA approved Farxiga for the treatment of CKD among adult patients with CKD who are at risk for disease progression.According to a press release, Farxiga (dapagliflozin; AstraZeneca), has been approved as an oral tablet to reduce the risk for kidney function decline, kidney failure, cardiovascular death and hospitalization related to heart failure among patients with CKD.“CKD is an important public health issue, and there is a significant unmet need for therapies that slow disease progression and improve outcomes,” Aliza Thompson, MD, MS, deputy director of the division more
Achieving herd immunity must be fair and fast
April 29 ,2021
Overview:WHF position statement on COVID-19 vaccination underscores urgency and priority With at least 200 countries battling the COVID-19 pandemic, 3 million deaths and counting, plus worrying virus mutations, this month’s World Health Day took on special meaning. More than 550 million vaccine doses have been administered– good news, yes, but just how good will be […] The post Achieving herd immunity must be fair and fast appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
Voices of Chagas: a disease that knows no borders
April 20 ,2021
Overview:First discovered more than 100 years ago, Chagas disease continues to affect more than six million people worldwide and is one of the most prevalent public health problems in Latin America and, increasingly, on a global scale. In the last decades, migratory patterns have spread the disease to areas where it was previously unknown, including […] The post Voices of Chagas: a disease that knows no borders appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
WHF, together with Servier and Global Heart Hub, launches “Use Heart to Act Now on Angina”
April 19 ,2021
Overview:Angina affects more than 100 million people globally.[1] Angina has a negative impact on quality of life and leads to a 3-fold higher risk of disability,[2]5-fold higher risk of job loss,5 and 4-fold higher risk of depression.[3] 43% of angina patients remain underrecognized.[4] 60% of angina patients are not receiving an optimal therapy.[5] The Covid-19 […] The post WHF, together with Servier and Global Heart Hub, launches “Use Heart to Act Now on Angina” appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
World Chagas Day 2021: All we need is your attention
April 14 ,2021
Overview: People affected by Chagas disease ask the international community for comprehensive care for this neglected disease that celebrates its World Day. Estimates continue to indicate more than 6 million people affected and 7,000 deaths annually. FINDECHAGAS. 14 April, 2021. The International Federation of Associations of People Affected by Chagas Disease (FINDECHAGAS) celebrates this year, for […] The post World Chagas Day 2021: All we need is your attention appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
The cost of inaction on diabetes and hypertension
April 14 ,2021
Overview:Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) make up seven out of the world’s top 10 causes of death and are responsible for 41 million deaths every year and half of all global disability. Co-morbidity, where a person lives with one or more disease or condition at the same time, is increasingly becoming the norm globally, and the number […] The post The cost of inaction on diabetes and hypertension appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
Coalition of International NGOs call for Equitable access for vaccines and treatment during COVID-19 pandemic
March 05 ,2021
Overview:Coalition of International NGOs call for Equitable access for vaccines and treatment during COVID-19 pandemic Around the world, governments are struggling to find ways to work together and control the spread of COVID-19. The virus does not recognize national boundaries. Rather, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated long-standing health disparities between and within countries born from […] The post Coalition of International NGOs call for Equitable access for vaccines and treatment during COVID-19 pandemic appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
Statement on the EU-led Draft Resolution on Strengthening WHO Preparedness and Response to Health Emergencies
March 04 ,2021
Overview:As Members of the Global Coalition for Circulatory Health, the International Diabetes Federation, the International Society for Nephrology, the World Heart Federation and the World Stroke Organization thank you for the opportunity to provide inputs on the EU-led Draft Resolution on Strengthening WHO Preparedness and Response to Health Emergencies. The Global Coalition for Circulatory Health […] The post Statement on the EU-led Draft Resolution on Strengthening WHO Preparedness and Response to Health Emergencies appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
Meet Your Heart Doctor: connecting health professionals with CVD patients
February 24 ,2021
Overview:Last year, the Kenya Cardiac Society (KCS) launched the “Meet your Heart Doctor” campaign with the support of the World Heart Federation through the World Heart Grant Programme. The initiative aimed to connect health professionals with people living with cardiovascular disease (CVD) across the country through local and national radio stations, as well as existing […] The post Meet Your Heart Doctor: connecting health professionals with CVD patients appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
Call to Heads of State of the African Union to Ratify the African Medicines Agency Treaty
February 05 ,2021
Overview:Over 40 leading organizations who represent patients, product development partnerships, youth groups, researchers and industry, are urging Heads of State and Government to ratify the African Medicines Treaty in order to simplify regulatory frameworks and enable patients across Africa to access effective, quality medicines. The statement, issued today by the International Alliance of Patients Organizations […] The post Call to Heads of State of the African Union to Ratify the African Medicines Agency Treaty appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
Leading cardiovascular organizations call for urgent action to reduce air pollution
January 28 ,2021
Overview:Geneva (28 January 2021) – Air pollution is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and a major contributor to the global burden of disease. Long-term exposure to air pollution has also been linked to an increased risk of death from COVID-19. This dangerous “triple threat” of air pollution, COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease should be […] The post Leading cardiovascular organizations call for urgent action to reduce air pollution appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
ACC.20/WCC Virtual continues!
April 05 ,2020
Overview:The World Heart Federation and American College of Cardiology held their first ever virtual congress March 28-30. But it’s not over. All of the ACC.20/WCC Virtual live sessions are now available on demand, along with additional videos, abstracts and slides — all for FREE. This includes Late-Breaking Clinical Trials, Featured Clinical Research, Young Investigator Awards, Keynotes, and more. All content will […] more
2020 ISCP Annual Meeting cancelled
February 26 ,2020
Overview:Notice of Cancellation We regret to have to inform our colleagues and friends that the 2020 ISCP Annual Scientific Meeting in Miami will now be cancelled. The Board of Directors of ISCP was forced to take the decision based on advice from different sources raising concern about the threat posed by the Covid-19 virus which […] more
European Cardiology Review (ECR) now on PubMed and PubMed Central
October 30 ,2018
Overview: European Cardiology Review (ECR) confirms that it has been accepted for indexing on PubMed Central and PubMed. All ECR articles starting from the first issue in July 2014, will now be published online in full on PubMed Central, providing greater access for our authors’ articles amongst the global cardiology community. ECR is a […] more
WHF to attend the WHO Executive Board meeting in January 2017
January 23 ,2017
Overview:From 23 January to 01 February 2017, the World Health Organization(WHO) will host the 140th session. From 23 January to 01 February 2017, the World Health Organization(WHO) will host the 140th session. From 23 January to 01 February 2017, the World Health Organization(WHO) will host the 140th session. From 23 January to 01 February 2017, […] more