Browse Cardiology Topics Articles by Topic

Alcohol: Double-Edged Sword, or Hatchet?

Researchers reported consuming two to 14 alcoholic drinks per week was associated with fewer major adverse cardiovascular events, which the authors noted could be explained in part by less stress-related neural activity demonstrated on PET and CT scans.

The Value of the GRACE Risk Score for Triaging Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients

A prospective, pragmatic, cluster, randomized clinical study of using the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score and standard care for the management of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes failed to demonstrate more use of guideline-recommended care or better outcomes.

Angiographic Fractional Flow Reserve Is Useful, But Not Ready for Prime Time

Using a blinded, independent core laboratory, researchers compared five commercially available angiographic fractional flow reserve (FFR) methods to the pressure wire-based FFR technique. The authors found the diagnostic accuracy of these software techniques surpassed that of two-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography, but fell short of what has been reported in validation trials run by individual vendors.

Colchicine Tablets (Lodoco)

The FDA has approved the first anti-inflammatory drug to lower the risk of cardiovascular events occurring in adults with established atherosclerotic disease or with multiple risk factors.

The Role of Influenza Vaccination in Cardiovascular Event Prevention

Researchers studied English patients with an acute cardiovascular event who received an influenza vaccine in the same 12-month period and compared that to the 120-day period after vaccination and the rest of the year. They observed those vaccinated were less likely to experience an acute cardiovascular event for 120 days after vaccine vs. the rest of the year.

How Many Abnormal Findings?

No history was available for the tracing in the figure. There are at least seven ECG findings to note. How many can you identify?

Sotagliflozin Tablets (Inpefa)

Sotagliflozin tablets can be prescribed to lower the risk of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, and urgent heart failure visits among adults living with heart failure or type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and other cardiovascular risk factors.

Does Running Prevent Coronary Artery Disease?

In this cross-sectional review of the Master Athlete Heart study, the authors found lifelong endurance sport participation was not associated with a more favorable coronary plaque composition vs. a healthy lifestyle. Lifelong endurance athletes exhibited more coronary plaques.

Is Screening First-Degree Relatives of Cardiomyopathy Patients Worthwhile?

An observational study of screening first-degree relatives of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy revealed 14% will show either dilated left ventricles, low left ventricular function, or both. These findings are more common if the relatives have been diagnosed with hypertension or are obese, but their frequency is not altered by sex or race.

Timing of Anticoagulation Administration Following Atrial Fibrillation-Associated Stroke

A prospective, blinded, randomized study of early vs. later administration of oral anticoagulation after ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation calibrated by cerebral imaging showed no significant difference in 30-day outcomes.