Browse Cardiology Articles by Topic

Another Hemodynamic Variant of Aortic Stenosis

A large, retrospective, observational study of patients with aortic valve gradients in the severe aortic stenosis range but with aortic valve areas in the moderate range has shown that such patients are not uncommon. Their prognosis is similar to patients with high-gradient severe aortic stenosis.

Clinical Features of Tachyarrhythmia-Induced Cardiomyopathy

A prospective observational study of patients with left ventricular dysfunction without known cause and tachyarrhythmias has shown that restoration of sinus rhythm significantly improves left ventricular function in more than 80% of such patients by six months and, initially, normal left ventricular size can be predictive of this response.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Effect of Atrial Fibrillation Catheter Ablation on Psychological Well-Being

A randomized trial of catheter ablation vs. medical therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients has shown that anxiety and depression scores are significantly reduced by catheter ablation and are associated with decreases in AF burden and improved physical symptoms.

Long-Term Antiplatelet Therapy After PCI

The five-year follow-up of patients randomized to clopidogrel vs. aspirin monotherapy beyond one year after percutaneous coronary intervention has shown that clopidogrel is noninferior, but not superior, to aspirin for preventing the combined endpoint of adverse cardiovascular or major bleeding events.

PFO Closure Review Shows High Proportion of Off-Label Use

In this retrospective cohort study using administrative data from a U.S. payor source, only 58.6% of patients undergoing patent foramen ovale closure had the procedure done for the approved indication of stroke or systemic embolism. A significant proportion of patients were outside the recommended age range.