Browse Cardiology General Articles by Topic

Best Long-Term Antiplatelet Monotherapy Post-PCI

In a multicenter, randomized, open-label trial of clopidogrel vs. aspirin monotherapy in patients post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) who had been on dual antiplatelet therapy for the recommended period, those randomized to clopidogrel showed fewer major cardiovascular or cerebral events over a two-year follow-up period than those on aspirin without an increase in bleeding events.

Favorable One-Year Results Reported from the LuX TTVR Device

One-year results from the TRAVEL study of the LuX transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) device demonstrates sustained reduction of tricuspid regurgitation to mild or less in more than 95% of patients, with improved functional status and reverse remodeling of the right ventricle.

And Then What Happens?

You are consulted on the electrocardiogram (ECG) in the figure — but without the benefit of any clinical information. This tracing was assessed as showing AFib (atrial fibrillation) with a controlled ventricular response. Do you agree?

Systolic Blood Pressure Targets in Octogenarians

An analysis of a U.S. national database of patients 80 years of age or older taking antihypertensive agents was analyzed to determine the optimal systolic blood pressure associated with the lowest cardiovascular mortality and found that the ideal target was < 130 mmHg.

Systolic Blood Pressure Targets in Octogenarians

An analysis of a U.S. national database of patients 80 years of age or older taking antihypertensive agents was analyzed to determine the optimal systolic blood pressure associated with the lowest cardiovascular mortality and found that the ideal target was < 130 mmHg.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants vs. Warfarin for Left Ventricular Thrombus

A small pilot randomized controlled trial, plus a meta-analysis including four other randomized controlled trials, of direct oral anticoagulants compared to warfarin for the treatment of left ventricular thrombus after ST-elevation myocardial infarction has shown that there were no significant differences in the two regimens regarding thrombus resolution and major bleeding events at three-month follow-up.

Use of Coronary Calcium Score in Familial Coronary Artery Disease

A randomized trial of computed tomography (CT) coronary artery calcium score augmented management vs. usual care of primary prevention patients at moderate risk of a coronary event and with a family history of premature coronary events has shown that, after three years of follow-up, the calcium score group had lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and smaller total plaque volumes by CT angiography.

New Indications for Aortic Valve Replacement in Chronic Aortic Regurgitation

A retrospective observational study of asymptomatic patients with isolated moderate to severe or severe aortic valve regurgitation by echocardiography has shown that left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) < 60%, LV end systolic volume index > 45 mL/m², or global longitudinal strain less than -15% is associated with all-cause mortality, but mortality is highest when current guideline recommendations are present. This suggests that there is a survival penalty with the sole use of the current guidelines.

Routine Use of Cerebral Embolic Protection Experiences a Resounding Blow in BHF PROTECT-TAVI

In this randomized, multicenter trial involving more than 7,600 patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement, routine use of a cerebral embolic protection device did not reduce the incidence of early post-procedure stroke.

Cardiovascular Risk with mRNA COVID Vaccines

A large, nationwide population study in Sweden of the risk of adverse cardiovascular events after messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccinations has shown that, except for rare cases of myopericarditis, severe cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke, are reduced, probably because of the prevention of COVID infection.