Church-based intervention significantly improves older African Americans’ eating habits
February 21 ,2020
Overview:A church-based intervention significantly improved the diets of middle-aged and older African Americans, according to longitudinal trial results published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.CVD is the leading cause of death in the United States, and African Americans are disproportionately affected. As a result, health experts have been searching for ways to reach the African American community, often relying on places of worship and other venues. For example, the FAITH study found that a community-based lifestyle intervention helped to reduced church members’ systolic BP. more
FDA approves bempedoic acid for LDL lowering in high-risk populations
February 21 ,2020
Overview:The FDA has approved bempedoic acid for reducing LDL as an adjunct to diet and maximally tolerated statin therapy in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or established atherosclerotic CVD, according to the agency’s website and an alert from Esperion Therapeutics.Bempedoic acid (Nexletol, Esperion Therapeutics), a once-daily therapy that is designed to work in the liver to inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis, has been shown in CLEAR Wisdom and other studies to reduce LDL in high-risk patients beyond levels achieved with diet and maximally tolerated statin therapy, as more
Mechanical clot removal alone may be as effective as joint use with thrombolysis in stroke
February 21 ,2020
Overview:Among patients with acute stroke and large-vessel occlusion, adding IV thrombolysis to endovascular therapy may not be necessary, according to findings presented at the International Stroke Conference.Endovascular therapy alone (direct therapy) was tied to less risk for intracerebral hemorrhage and similar mortality rates compared with endovascular therapy plus IV thrombolysis (bridging therapy), researchers from the SKIP study reported.However, direct therapy did not meet the noninferiority margin compared with bridging therapy for the primary efficacy endpoint of favorable outcome, defined more
Lower target LDL after stroke prevents 25% of events at 5 years
February 21 ,2020
Overview:During the 5 years after a stroke, targeting LDL of less than 70 mg/dL prevented more than one-quarter of major CV events, recurrent cerebral infarction or urgent carotid revascularization and recurrent cerebral infarction or hemorrhage vs. an LDL target of less than approximately 100 mg/dL.According to new data from the Treat Stroke to Target trial presented at the International Stroke Conference, the target LDL of less than 70 mg/dL in the 5-year period after stroke was associated with lower risk for the primary endpoint of stroke, MI, new symptoms requiring urgent coronary or carotid more
Survival rates after ischemic stroke improved from 1991 to 2015
February 21 ,2020
Overview:Survival after a first ischemic stroke has improved from 1991 to 2015, according to data presented in a late-breaking science session at the International Stroke Conference.The study also found that survival rates for hemorrhagic stroke did not improve during this time.“Stroke unit care has a positive impact on case fatality and 1-year mortality,” Reem Waziry, MD, MPH, PhD, research fellow in the department of epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said during the presentation. “There are several factors that could have contributed to the observed more
Higher volumes tied to better outcomes in endovascular therapy for stroke
February 21 ,2020
Overview:Operator and hospital volume were associated with lower rates of inpatient mortality and better discharge disposition among patients who underwent endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke, according to data presented at the International Stroke Conference.Laura K. Stein, MD, assistant professor of neurology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and colleagues analyzed 2016-2017 Medicare data to determine whether total cases predicted inpatient mortality, good disposition at discharge and 30-day readmissions.“As it stands now, physicians at centers seeking endovascular more
Racial disparities found in stroke prevention for kidney failure, atrial fibrillation patients
February 21 ,2020
Overview:Among patients with kidney failure and atrial fibrillation, racial/ethnic minorities were less likely to fill a prescription for warfarin and were more likely to experience stroke than white patients, according to a recently published study.“ESRD patients are particularly prone to developing [atrial fibrillation] AF,” Paul L. Kimmel, MD, of NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, as well as lead investigator on the study, and colleagues wrote. “The prevalence of AF in the ESRD population has increased over time (from 6% in 1996 to 17% in more
Mobile stroke units improve time to treatment, 3-month functionality
February 20 ,2020
Overview:In Berlin, mobile stroke units equipped with CT for prehospital thrombolysis not only reduced time to treatment, but had higher rates of thrombolysis and reduced risk for disability and death in patients experiencing stroke.According to findings presented at the International Stroke Conference, the availability of mobile stroke units significantly reduced the incidence of the primary outcome, which included disability, neurological deficits and death at 3 months based on the modified Rankin Scale score (OR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.6-0.9), compared with conventional care.However, the intervention did more
EXTEND-IA TNK: Tenecteplase dose does not impact ischemic stroke outcomes
February 20 ,2020
Overview:A 0.4 mg/kg dose of tenecteplase administered before endovascular thrombectomy in patients with large vessel occlusion ischemic stroke did not significantly improve cerebral reperfusion compared with a 0.25 mg/kg dose, according to data from the EXTEND-IA TNK Part 2 trial presented at the International Stroke Conference.Results from this study were simultaneously published in JAMA.The first part of the EXTEND-IA TNK trial was presented in 2018. As Healio previously reported, treatment with tenecteplase (TNKase, Genentech), compared with alteplase (Activase, Genentech), yielded more frequent more
ESCAPE-NA1: Nerinetide benefit unclear in endovascular therapy for ischemic stroke
February 20 ,2020
Overview:Among patients with major acute ischemic stroke who underwent endovascular therapy, those assigned IV nerinetide did not have improved outcomes compared with those assigned placebo, according to results from the ESCAPE-NA1 trial presented at the International Stroke Conference.However, nerinetide conferred better rates of functional independence and survival than placebo in patients who were not treated with alteplase (Activase, Genentech).The researchers enrolled 1,105 patients with acute ischemic stroke who had endovascular therapy and, if supported by guidelines, IV alteplase. Patients more
FDA designates recall of two coronary dilatation catheters as class 1
February 20 ,2020
Overview:The FDA has designated Abbott Vascular’s product recall of two coronary dilatation catheters as a class 1 recall, the most serious kind. The recall affects 13,891 devices distributed between August and January.Weak material close to the balloon bond as a result of excessive heat exposure during the manufacturing process may lead to balloon inflation failure of the two coronary dilatation catheters (NC Trek RX, NC Traveler RX) with balloon diameters of 4 mm, 4.5 mm and 5 mm, according to a MedWatch report from the FDA. This may result in health consequences including air embolism, more
Tiny Hearts of Maldives pilot new physical activity programme for schoolchildren
February 20 ,2020
Overview:In September 2019, Tiny Hearts of Maldives piloted a physical activity circuit for children in kindergarten and Grades 1 to 2 in a school of Male’ City. The Activity Circuit, which encourages sitting less and moving more, comprises of attractive, child friendly designs installed along a school corridor that takes the children on a quick […] The post Tiny Hearts of Maldives pilot new physical activity programme for schoolchildren appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
Increasing awareness of the cardiovascular consequences of obesity
February 20 ,2020
Overview:The World Heart Federation (WHF) and the World Obesity Federation (WOF) have joined forces to highlight the importance of recognizing obesity as one of the main drivers of cardiovascular disease (CVD). To kick off the collaboration, a meeting of experts was convened in Paris during the European Society of Cardiology together with the World Congress […] The post Increasing awareness of the cardiovascular consequences of obesity appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
Community-based BP intervention successful in South Asia
February 19 ,2020
Overview:A multicomponent intervention implemented in rural communities in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka led to greater BP reductions in participants with hypertension compared with usual care, according to data from the COBRA-BPS trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine.“The unique feature of our trial is the rural-centric nature of the intervention wherein regular BP monitoring and health promotion are brought to the individual proactively by the trained community health worker rather than wait for the individual to seek medical attention,” Tazeen H. Jafar, MD, MPH, more
Making tafamidis cost-effective for TTR amyloid cardiomyopathy may require 93% price reduction
February 19 ,2020
Overview:Although tafamidis can provide substantial clinical benefit for patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy, the drug exceeds cost-effectiveness thresholds at its current list price of $225,000 per year, according to an analysis published in Circulation.To make tafamidis cost-effective at $100,000 per quality-adjusted life year, the price would need to be reduced by 92.6% from $225,000 per year to $16,563 per year, according to the researchers.“The Orphan Drug Act provides pharmaceutical companies substantial incentives to develop novel therapies for rare diseases,” Dhruv more
AHA: Improvements in rural health greatly needed
February 19 ,2020
Overview:The American Heart Association issued a presidential advisory calling for rural populations to be a priority in health research, programming and policy.“The evidence is clear that to achieve the American Heart Association’s mission to create a world of longer, healthier lives, we must address the unique health needs and challenges of people in rural America,” AHA President Robert A. Harrington, MD, FAHA, Arthur L. Bloomfield Professor of Medicine and chair of the department of medicine at Stanford University, and chair of the advisory’s writing committee, told Healio. more
Paper on e-cigarette use and MI risk retracted
February 19 ,2020
Overview:A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association in June 2019 concluding that patients who smoked electronic cigarettes every day or some days had an increased risk for MI was retracted on Feb. 18, 2020.The journal attributed its decision to learning that the study did not account for certain information in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health wave 1 survey.“During the peer review, the reviewers identified the important question of whether the myocardial infarctions occurred before or after the respondents initiated e-cigarette use and requested that the more
WHF releases two short films on hypertension and RHD in partnership with BBC Storyworks
February 19 ,2020
Overview:Non-communicable diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes account for 70% of all deaths. But many of these diseases can be prevented and the suffering from their effects, reduced. The World Heart Federation has partnered with BBC Storyworks and NCD Alliance on the creation of two impactful stories about people living with […] The post WHF releases two short films on hypertension and RHD in partnership with BBC Storyworks appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
New guidance for vaping injuries offers screening recommendations
February 18 ,2020
Overview:A multi-disciplinary task force issued guidance for vaping-associated respiratory disease, or VARDS. The guidance, which was presented at the Society for Critical Care’s annual congress and concurrently published in Critical Care Explorations, recommended that physicians focusing on quickly identifying patients at risk for lung injury and familiarize themselves with vaping jargon.VARDS is not the same as EVALI — the term the CDC has given to electronic cigarette- or vaping-associated lung injuries, Craig M. Lilly, MD, lead author of the VARDS guidance and a professor of medicine more
Mapping algorithm for stable, transient arrhythmias nets FDA approval
February 18 ,2020
Overview:Acutus Medical announced the FDA clearance of a new algorithm for the mapping of stable and transient arrhythmias.The algorithm (SuperMap) comes as an addition to the company’s AcQMap 3D imaging and mapping system, allowing electrophysiologists to create high-resolution maps of the left or right atrium using a noncontact roving "hover-map" approach, according to a press release from the company.The SuperMap mode on the AcQMap system allows users to visualize an atrial rhythm in less than 3 minutes, according to the release."It is critical to map repetitive rhythms in patients with more
Clinical utility of polygenic risk scores for CHD, CAD questioned
February 18 ,2020
Overview:Two polygenic risk scores, one for predicting CHD and one for predicting CAD, did not meaningfully improve risk prediction beyond conventional risk factors, according to findings published in JAMA.CHD polygenic risk scoreIn an analysis of the ARIC and MESA studies, researchers determined that although a polygenic risk score was associated with 10-year CHD incidence (ARIC, HR = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.15-1.34; MESA, HR = 1.38; 95% CI, 1.21-1.58), adding it to the Pooled Cohort Equations from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association did not significantly increase the C more
The Take Home: ISET
February 18 ,2020
Overview:The International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy, held Jan. 22 to 25 in Hollywood, Florida, tackled many of the hottest topics in endovascular intervention. To obtain the key take-home messages from ISET 2020, Healio spoke with experts in the field including Robert Lookstein, MD, MHCDL, FSIR, FAHA, FSVM, from Mount Sinai Health System; Jihad A. Mustapha, MD, FACC, FSCAI, from Advanced Cardiac and Vascular Centers for Amputation Prevention in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine; Constantino S. Peña, MD, FAHA, FSCCT, FSIR, from Miami more
Type of shingles vaccine cuts stroke risk by 16% in elderly
February 18 ,2020
Overview:A type of herpes zoster vaccine reduced risk for stroke in Medicare beneficiaries aged at least 66 years, according to findings presented at the International Stroke Conference.Researchers analyzed 1,382,051 Medicare beneficiaries who received zoster vaccine live (Zostavax, Merck) between 2008 and 2014 and 1,382,051 controls matched based on numerous variables to determine whether receipt of the vaccine reduced stroke risk.“The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended the zoster vaccine live to prevent shingles for healthy adults older than 60 years in 2006. more
NCD Alliance and BBC StoryWorks launch new short documentary series “Turning the Tide”
February 11 ,2020
Overview:26 films from 24 countries depict the global struggle of affected communities against the NCD epidemic Tuesday 11 February 2020 (Sharjah UAE). –The series of short documentaries, launched today at the Global NCD Alliance Forum taking place in Sharjah (which can be viewed here) aims to give voice to the global burden of noncommunicable diseases […] The post NCD Alliance and BBC StoryWorks launch new short documentary series “Turning the Tide” appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
World Heart Federation official journal, Global Heart, goes open access
February 04 ,2020
Overview:The World Heart Federation has announced that its official journal, Global Heart, will be available for free online as of January 2020, with no need for a subscription. Previously published issues of the journal will also become freely available under this new scheme. The decision for this shift to open access publishing was made on […] The post World Heart Federation official journal, Global Heart, goes open access appeared first on World Heart Federation. more
European Federation of Periodontology and World Heart Federation publish report on link between periodontal and cardiovascular diseases
February 04 ,2020
Overview:There is a significant body of evidence that shows independent associations between severe periodontitis and cardiovascular disease. Consensus report from leading experts in periodontal and cardiovascular medicine explains latest evidence on the associations between the two diseases. Report provides a series of recommendations for dentists, doctors, and patients. In April 2020, the EFP will launch […] The post European Federation of Periodontology and World Heart Federation publish report on link between periodontal and cardiovascular diseases appeared first on World Heart Federation. 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
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
2020 start: WHO and WHF committed 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 2020 start: WHO and WHF committed to eliminate Rheumatic Heart Disease 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