Direct Oral Anticoagulants: A Quick Guide
Dec 06, 2018
Overview: For more than 50 years, oral vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) were the choice of anticoagulant for the long-term treatment and prevention of arterial and venous thromboembolic events (VTE). VKA treatment is safe and effective, if a high time in... more
Wine Consumption and Cardiovascular Health: An Expert Opinion
Feb 13, 2018
Overview:Adrian Baranchuk, MD, FACC, FRCPC, FCCS, Sohaib Haseeb, BSc and Bryce Alexander, BSc* Introduction Most people enjoy wine as a social drink, taking pleasure in its flavours during recreational and personal occasions.1 It is a fermented beverage enjoyed for... more
Inflammation Revisited: Atherosclerosis in the Post-CANTOS Era
Oct 04, 2017
Overview:The notion that atherosclerosis carries features of an inflammatory disease has existed for quite some time. As early as 1856, Rudolf Virchow in his Textbook on Pathology mentioned the term “coronaritis”. Almost 150 years later, following the elucidation of major... more
Indirect comparisons of new oral anticoagulant drugs for efficacy and safety when used for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation
Sep 10, 2013
Overview:Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) as an age-related disease represents an increasing challenge to Western societies due to its increasing prevalence, and the burden of stroke and thromboembolism associated with this common arrhythmia. Patients with non-valvular AF (NVAF) are exposed to... more
The effect of statin therapy on heart failure events: a collaborative meta-analysis of unpublished data from major randomized trials
Jul 03, 2015
Overview:Introduction Statins inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis and decrease serum levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3- methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase. Additional effects are widely recognized, including anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, improvement of endothelial function and angiogenesis1,2. Statins have primary... more
Effectiveness and Safety of Digoxin Among Contemporary Adults With Incident Systolic Heart Failure
Sep 29, 2013
Overview:Background In the current European Society of Cardiology guidelines on heart failure (HF)1, digoxin for HF falls into the group of less-certain benefits where it is classified as class IIb, level B: digoxin could be considered to reduce risk of... more
NOACs at the crossroad of arterial and venous thrombosis
Apr 22, 2019
Overview: By Professor G.A. Dan , MD, PhD, FESC, FAHA, FACC, FEHRA* and Caterina Delcea, MD, PhD The classical theory stated that pathophysiology of thrombosis was fundamentally different in venous and arterial sites: venous or red clots were considered to... more
Hypertension and Stroke: Update on Treatment
Apr 30, 2021
Overview:Stroke is the second most common cause of mortality worldwide and the third most common cause of disability.1 Although there has been a global trend towards a reduction in stroke incidence, prevalence and mortality since the 1990s, the overall stroke burden... more
Women with Stable Angina Pectoris and No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease: Closer to a Diagnosis
Nov 15, 2018
Overview: Women have for many years been regarded as being at relatively low risk for the development of ischaemic heart disease (IHD).1,2 Recently this pattern has changed and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is now the leading cause of death for women in... more
Efficacy of β blockers in patients with heart failure plus atrial fibrillation: an individual-patient data meta-analysis
Oct 12, 2014
Overview: Background and knowledge gap According to current guidelines, a rhythm-control strategy (including pharmacological or electrical cardioversion) in patients with chronic HF, has not been demonstrated to be superior to a rate-control strategy in reducing mortality or morbidity. Preference of... more