Hispanic, black adults have better hemorrhagic stroke outcomes
January 22 ,2020
Overview:Hispanic and black adults aged younger than 50 years were less likely to have poor outcomes 3 months after a hemorrhagic stroke compared with white adults, according to a study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.“There has been considerable research on stroke in older people, but there is still much to be learned about stroke in younger people and how it affects people of different races and ethnicities,” Daniel Woo, MD, MSc, vice chair of clinical research and professor of neurology at the University of Cincinnati, said in a press more
Peripheral artery disease more common in patients with late-stage CKD
January 22 ,2020
Overview:Peripheral artery disease is more common in patients with late-stage chronic kidney disease and may lead to adverse events, according to results of a retrospective cohort study published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases.Researchers analyzed patient-level data from several administrative health service databases to compare the prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) with or without CKD. Outcomes included all-cause mortality, lower limb complications and cardiovascular events.“The 5-year cumulative incidence of lower limb complications was compared in each kidney function more
Elevated branched-chain amino acid levels tied to heart failure risk
January 22 ,2020
Overview:Adults with type 2 diabetes may be more likely to experience heart failure if they have elevated branched-chain amino acid levels, according to findings published in Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews, and researchers caution these people to avoid taking branched-chain amino acid supplements.“This study is important because diet is an important part of diabetes management, and many people with type 2 diabetes take nutritional supplements,” Alice P.S. Kong, MBChB, MD, MRCP, FRCP, ECFMG, FHKAM, professor in the department of medicine and therapeutics at The Chinese University more
Lower-extremity arterial disease risk high among women with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome
January 22 ,2020
Overview:Women with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop lower-extremity arterial disease if they also have metabolic syndrome, according to findings published in the Journal of Diabetes and its Complications.“Metabolic syndrome is associated with an increased risk of lower-extremity arterial disease in female type 2 diabetes patients. In contrast, there was no association between metabolic syndrome and lower-extremity arterial disease in males,” Linong Ji, MD, a professor in the department of endocrinology at Peking University People’s Hospital in Beijing, and colleagues more
Rising HbA1c levels contribute to CV event risk in diabetes, CAD
January 22 ,2020
Overview:The longitudinal increase of HbA1c was found to be independently associated with elevated incidence of CV events for patients with diabetes and multivessel CAD, according to findings published in JAMA Network Open.Researchers found, after adjusting for age, sex, two-vessel or three-vessel CAD, initial CAD treatments, ejection fraction and creatinine and LDL levels, a 1-point increase in the longitudinal value of HbA1c was associated with a 22% higher risk for all-cause mortality, MI and stroke (HR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1.12-1.35).“This study suggests that the control of glycemia and, more
AI outperforms clinicians for predicting pulmonary to systemic flow ratio in congenital heart disease
January 22 ,2020
Overview:Artificial intelligence-based analysis of chest X-rays was able to successfully predict the pulmonary to systemic flow ratio in patients with congenital heart disease with greater efficacy than trained pediatric cardiologists, according to findings published in JAMA Cardiology.Researchers demonstrated that, using a deep learning model that predicted the pulmonary to systemic flow ratio from chest X-rays developed using the method of transfer learning, the intraclass correlation coefficient for Fick-derived and AI-derived flow ratios was 0.68, the log-transformed bias was 0.02 and the more
BP variability in young adults may predict midlife CVD, all-cause mortality
January 22 ,2020
Overview:Measurements of visit-to-visit BP variability may be used to identify young adults who are at increased risk for CVD and all-cause mortality at midlife, according to findings published in JAMA Cardiology.Using BP measurements from baseline and 2, 5, 7 and 10 years after baseline adjusted for a single BP measure at the year 10 examination, researchers found that for CVD events, the HRs for each 1-standard deviation (SD) increase in BP measures were:Moreover, variability independent of the mean for BP was the only BP pattern associated with all-cause mortality (HR = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.09-1.41), more
Novel antisense drug for triglyceride reduction shows positive top-line results
January 22 ,2020
Overview:Akcea Therapeutics and Ionis Pharmaceuticals announced that a phase 2 study of AKCEA-APOCIII-LRx for the treatment of patients with hypertriglyceridemia at risk for or with established CVD met its primary endpoint of significant triglyceride lowering.The study also met several secondary endpoints with a positive safety and tolerability profile, according to a press release from the companies.AKCEA-APOCIII-LRx is an antisense drug that inhibits apolipoprotein C-III production.The phase 2 study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the drug in 114 patients (mean triglyceride levels, 285 more
Applications are now open for the 2020 Emerging Leaders Programme
January 22 ,2020
Overview:Applications are now open to join the 2020 Emerging Leaders Programme – led by Senior Programme Adviser Dr Amitava Banerjee –, which will mark the seventh year of the programme and will focus on CVD & diabetes. Developed by WHF Past President Professor Salim Yusuf in 2014, the programme provides training and networking opportunities in cardiovascular […] The post Applications are now open for the 2020 Emerging Leaders Programme appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
Catheter ablation with renal denervation may eliminate AF at 12 months
January 21 ,2020
Overview:Renal denervation with catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and hypertension significantly increased the likelihood of freedom from AF at 12 months compared with catheter ablation alone, according to results of the ERADICATE-AF trial published in JAMA.The publication confirms findings previously presented at the Heart Rhythm Society Annual Scientific Sessions in 2019.“The results of this study provide strong proof that renal denervation can augment the results of standard catheter ablation for AF and suggest that a strategy of incorporating autonomic more
Leadless pacemaker for patients with atrioventricular block nets FDA approval
January 21 ,2020
Overview:The FDA has approved the first leadless pacemaker with atrioventricular synchrony, according to a press release from Medtronic.The new leadless pacemaker (Micra AV, Medtronic) is indicated for the treatment of patients with atrioventricular block.According to the release, this new device is similar in size and shape to the company’s original leadless pacemaker (Micra Transcatheter Pacing System, Medtronic), but features atrial sensing algorithms to detect cardiac movement, which enables the device to adjust ventricular pacing to coordinate with the atrium.As Healio previously reported, more
Quality of low-carb, low-fat diet impacts mortality risk
January 21 ,2020
Overview:Overall, low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets do not affect mortality risk; however, the quality of foods consumed as part of these diets could impact mortality risk, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.“Our findings show clearly that the quality rather than the quantity of macronutrients in our diet has an important impact on our health,” Zhilei Shan, MD, PhD, research fellow at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, told Healio Primary Care. “People who eat healthy low-carb or low-fat diets — emphasizing foods containing high-quality more
Prediabetes increases risk for proteinuria progression, CV events
January 21 ,2020
Overview:A large cohort of adults with chronic kidney disease, those with prediabetes were more likely to develop proteinuria or experience a cardiovascular event during 7 years of follow-up compared with those with normoglycemia, according to findings published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.“It is well known that, in patients with chronic kidney disease, diabetes is a risk factor for CV events and CKD progression,” João Sérgio Neves, MD, a fellow of endocrinology at Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João in Portugal, told more
Large waist circumference increases recurrent event risk after MI
January 21 ,2020
Overview:Abdominal obesity was common in patients post-MI, and a larger waist circumference in this population was independently linked with recurrent atherosclerotic CVD, especially in men, according to a study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.“The reason that abdominal obesity is so dangerous is that it is closely associated with conditions that accelerate the clogging of arteries,” Hanieh Mohammadi, MD, doctor in the department of clinical sciences and education at Karolinska Institute-Södersjukhuset in Stockholm, told Healio. “However, in our study, more
Physical activity reduces AF risk, especially in women
January 21 ,2020
Overview:Physically active adults, particularly women, have lower risk for atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmia compared with inactive adults, according to research published in the European Heart Journal.Using self-reported physical activity assessments from the UK Biobank (n = 402,406; 53% women; aged 40 to 69 years), researchers found that risk for incident AF was lower in those who reported 1,500 metabolic equivalent (MET) minutes per week compared with those reporting zero MET minutes per week.The differences between the groups were more pronounced in women (HR = 0.85; 95% CI, more
Morphine confers elevated CV event rate when used with clopidogrel in NSTEACS
January 21 ,2020
Overview:Among patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS undergoing coronary angiography who were pretreated with clopidogrel, those using morphine had higher ischemic event rates compared with nonusers, according to new data from the EARLY ACS trial.Because mechanistic studies have shown morphine blocks antiplatelet effects of oral adenosine diphosphate receptor blockers, researchers investigated whether morphine administration affected ischemic events on patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTEACS) who had coronary angiography. They analyzed 5,438 patients from EARLY ACS treated with more
Oral anticoagulants may be harmful in patients with AF on dialysis
January 20 ,2020
Overview:Among patients with atrial fibrillation on long-term dialysis, oral anticoagulants were not associated with decreased risk for thromboembolism and some of them elevated risk for bleeding, according to a meta-analysis.In this population, warfarin, dabigatran (Pradaxa, Boehringer Ingelheim) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto, Janssen) were associated with greater bleeding risk compared with apixaban (Eliquis, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer) and no anticoagulant.According to the meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, apixaban and warfarin were not associated with more
Current BMI predicts future BMI better than polygenic risk score
January 20 ,2020
Overview:Using a polygenic risk score to project BMI progression into middle age may yield inferior results compared with using BMI earlier in life, according to findings published in JAMA Cardiology.“The prevention of obesity is of major importance in modern medical care,” Ravi V. Shah, MD, assistant professor of medicine in the cardiology division of the department of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, told Healio. “Understanding what influences weight gain is important so we can work to better treat obesity and its complications.”Shah, Venkatesh L. Murthy, more
More than 2 million patients with CVD have reported marijuana use
January 20 ,2020
Overview:Despite the modest strength of current evidence, cardiologists should screen and test their patients for marijuana use in select CV settings, according to a review published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.“Patients are increasingly inquiring about the relative safety of marijuana use,” Muthiah Vaduganathan, MD, MPH, cardiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital Heart and Vascular Center, told Healio. “As a cardiovascular community, we need to be equipped with evidence-based responses.”Available data on usage ratesAccording to the 2015 more
Five ways to maximize EHR use
January 20 ,2020
Overview:Electronic health records promised to save time but instead, findings show that primary care physicians spend almost 6 hours a day on them.“EHRs are zapping into our soul, zapping into our personal time with family,” Richard M. Wardrop III, MD, PhD, professor and vice chair of education and faculty development at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, said during a presentation at the 2019 ACP Internal Medicine Meeting.In a recent poll, 870 physicians were asked to give EHRs a score from 0 to 100 based on usability. The mean score was 45.9, giving EHRs an F grade, or “not more
Novel score may predict CV event risk similarly to ASCVD risk score
January 20 ,2020
Overview:A novel score to predict 10-year risk for incident CV events using patient-reported information was comparable to the atherosclerotic CVD risk score, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.“It’s going to have to be accepted that the predictive value is the same as the one endorsed by the American Heart Association because some people say this is sort of a toy,” Arch G. Mainous III, PhD, chair of the department of health services research, management and policy and Florida Blue Endowed Professor of Health Administration at the more
The Neglected Tropical Diseases Support Center announces four calls for proposed research on NTDs
January 15 ,2020
Overview:The Neglected Tropical Diseases Support Center (NTD-SC) at The Task Force for Global Health is pleased to share four requests for proposals on research to address neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). With these calls, the NTD-SC seeks proposals that are nested within national programs and which establish a foundation for integrating NTD-related activities into national health systems. […] The post The Neglected Tropical Diseases Support Center announces four calls for proposed research on NTDs appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
51st International Teaching Seminar on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention
January 14 ,2020
Overview:WHF Member the International Society of Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention has announced the 51st International Seminar on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, which will take place in Chicago from 16-22 August 2020. This event offers the experience of an Advanced Seminar, engaging a select group of 24 Fellows from around the world in a […] The post 51st International Teaching Seminar on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
On road to eliminate Rheumatic Heart Disease
January 08 ,2020
Overview:Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) needs the urgent attention of governments and major donors, according to both WHF and WHO. Ongoing efforts from both organisations, which have resulted in WHO’s Global Resolution on Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease in 2018, are expected to culminate in the next two years. World Heart Federation President Prof Karen […] The post On road to eliminate Rheumatic Heart Disease appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
Global Call To Action on Familial Hypercholesterolemia Aims to Improve Diagnosis and Treatment Worldwide
January 02 ,2020
Overview:PASADENA, Calif., GENEVA, Switzerland, January 2, 2020 — The FH Foundation and the World Heart Federation announced today a Global Call to Action on familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a vastly under-recognized and poorly managed public health concern. Published in JAMA Cardiology and authored by a global panel of scientific experts, advocacy leaders, public health officials, and […] The post Global Call To Action on Familial Hypercholesterolemia Aims to Improve Diagnosis and Treatment Worldwide appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
The Year in Review: WHF’s achievements and highlights of 2019
December 18 ,2019
Overview:A letter from WHF President Professor Karen Sliwa: Dear Friends, As we approach the end of 2019, I am thrilled to be able to look back on what has been a truly remarkable year for both the World Heart Federation and the global cardiovascular community as a whole. In August, we held our first joint […] The post The Year in Review: WHF’s achievements and highlights of 2019 appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
Unitaid seeks to support new approaches to tackle Chagas disease
December 11 ,2019
Overview:Brasilia – Unitaid has launched a call for proposals for new projects that can help eliminate congenital infection of Chagas disease through better diagnosis and treatment, within the context of its work in maternal and child health. The new call reflects increased global attention and country commitment to fight Chagas disease. Today’s announcement in Brazil puts a focus […] The post Unitaid seeks to support new approaches to tackle Chagas disease appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
NCD Alliance empowers the voices of NCD patients in two new short films
December 04 ,2019
Overview:People living with NCDs are powerful agents of change, capable of leveraging their experiences to reach others, calling for health equity and building a public narrative to accelerate action on NCDs. Aiming to showcase the lives of these individuals, NCD Alliance, with the support of the Ghana NCD Alliance and Healthy India Alliance, and in […] The post NCD Alliance empowers the voices of NCD patients in two new short films appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
WHF joins Fight the Fakes to speak up about the dangers of fake medicines
December 03 ,2019
Overview:Efforts to combat the spread of substandard and falsified medicines must be stepped up • Falsified medicines are a growing global issue which can affect everyone and everywhere. Among the most frequently reported counterfeit medicines are antibiotics and antimalarials. Criminals are also faking treatments for diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis and HIV as well as […] The post WHF joins Fight the Fakes to speak up about the dangers of fake medicines appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
WHF joins Global Alliance on Heart Failure and Healthy Aging
November 14 ,2019
Overview:The World Heart Federation is proud to join the newly launched Global Alliance on Heart Failure and Healthy Aging (the Alliance), an initiative by Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA) that recognizes that while heart failure does increase in prevalence with age, it is not a normal part of aging. More than 30 organizations, including advocacy groups, global […] The post WHF joins Global Alliance on Heart Failure and Healthy Aging appeared first on World Heart Federation. 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