Clinical Cardiology Alert – April 1, 2024

New RNA Interference-Based Therapy for Hypertension

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a range of doses of a new ribonucleic acid (RNA) interference drug that reduces hepatic angiotensinogen levels has shown significant mean 24-hour systolic blood pressure reductions at three months after a single subcutaneous injection.

Can Bariatric Surgery Control Blood Pressure Long-Term?

A randomized trial comparing bariatric surgery to medical therapy in hypertensive obese patients has shown that bariatric surgery effectively lowers blood pressure over five years of follow-up.

FDA Approves Coronary Drug-Coated Balloon Specifically for In-Stent Restenosis

This trial randomized 600 U.S. patients with restenosis of a previously placed stent 2:1 to treatment with the AGENT drug-coated balloon or with regular balloon angioplasty. Target lesion failure at one year was significantly lower with the drug-coated balloon, as were target vessel myocardial infarction and stent thrombosis.

Transcatheter vs. Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement After 10 Years

A multicenter randomized trial of transcatheter compared to surgical aortic valve replacement in low-risk older adult patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis has shown that major clinical outcomes and prosthetic valve failure were not different at 10 years of follow-up.

How Safe Is Cannabis for the Heart?

A nationwide Danish study of new prescriptions for medical cannabis for chronic pain compared to control patients has found that the 180-day incidence of atrial fibrillation/flutter is two-fold higher, but the absolute number of arrhythmias is small.