Astaxanthin Reduces CVD Risk in People With Prediabetes and Dyslipidemia
A study found that patients with prediabetes and dyslipidemia who took 12 milligrams of astaxanthin every day experienced improvements in cardiovascular disease markers like L-selectin, fibrinogen and fetuin-A, but the results were not statistically significant. Patients who took astaxanthin also had a nonsignificant decrease in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
Dulaglutide Helps Reduce Systolic BP and Pulse Pressure in Patients With T2D
Patients with T2D who were treated with dulaglutide experienced a decrease in pulse pressure and systolic blood pressure. The studies showed a decrease of 2.6 mm Hg in SBP compared with the placebo. 36% of this effect was weight-dependent and 64% was weight-independent. Pulse pressure decreases were 2.5 mm Hg. 14% of the effect was weight-dependent, and 86% was weight-independent.
Noninvasive Monitoring Identifies Short-term Hemodynamic Changes After TAVR
NICaS is a noninvasive bioimpedance monitoring system helped to identify short-term hemodynamic changes early after transcatheter aortic valve replacement for patients with severe aortic stenosis, researchers reported. It may provide insights into the complex physiologic changes occurring during the periprocedural time in patients and thereby promotes a more precise treatment strategy.
SGLT2 Inhibitor Significantly Reduces Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death in Patients With Heart Failure
Oates and colleagues analyzed data from seven trials SGLT2 inhibitor therapy (n = 10,796) was associated with a significant reduction in risk for sudden cardiac death (RR = 0.68) participants with HF vs. placebo (n = 10,796). There were no significant differences in the incidence of sustained ventricular arrhythmias not associated with sudden cardiac death or atrial arrhythmias.
Taking 8000 Steps or More for 1-2 Days a Week Reduces the Risk of Mortality
Compared with participants who walked 8000 steps or more 0 days per week, all-cause mortality risk was lower among those who took 8000 steps or more 1 to 2 days per week (aRD, −14.9%; 95% CI) and 3 to 7 days per week (aRD, −16.5%; 95% CI). The protective association plateaued when individuals took sufficient daily steps for 3 days or more per week.
Does Gender Impact Success or Survival Outcomes After Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Intervention?
Men and women undergoing TTVI for tricuspid regurgitation differ in comorbidities, etiology and volumetric status; yet, success rates and survival after TTVI were similar between sexes. In fact, male patients have higher mortality rates after TTVI, which can be partially attributed to higher CAD prevalence, left ventricular systolic function impairment & left-sided heart chambers dilatation.
What Are the Reasons for Statin Nonuse in Patients With Diabetes?
An AI model identifies reasons for statin nonuse in patients with diabetes using electronic health record data. Reasons for statin nonuse vary across age, race/ethnicity, insurance and diabetes type. Statin hesitancy (19%), guideline-discordant practice (19%) and clinical inertia (18%) are more common compared with side effects and/or contraindications (12%) as the reason for statin nonuse.
Percentage Change in Fractional Flow Reserve After PCI Tied to Less Angina
Understanding patient factors associated with post-PCI angina may support different approaches to revascularization. Post hoc analysis of TARGET-FFR trial showed that increased change in fractional flow reserve at 3-month follow-up after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was associated with less angina. Improved FFR was also linked to improvements in patient-reported quality of life.
Long-term Statin Use Gives More Protection Against Stroke Than Short-term Use
A study in > 50,000 patients with atrial fibrillation has found reduced risks of stroke and transient ischaemic attack in those who started statins within a year of diagnosis compared with those who did not. Statin use was associated with a 17% reduced risk of ischaemic stroke or systemic embolism, a 7% reduced risk of haemorrhagic stroke and a 15% reduced risk of transient ischaemic attack.
Decline in eGFR After Sacubitril-Valsartan Transition Should Not Deter its Continuation
A study showed that the declines in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) during transition from RASi to sacubitril/valsartan in people with HF are variable but small and partially recoverable for most patients. Treatment benefit of sacubitril/valsartan did not vary across a range of eGFR declines. Clinicians should not stall/discontinue therapy due to “dips” in renal function.
Is Endovascular Thrombectomy Effective in Patients With Large Ischemic Strokes?
In a trial, endovascular thrombectomy resulted in better functional outcomes than medical care in patients with large ischemic strokes. A total of 20% of the patients in the thrombectomy group and 7% in the medical-care group had functional independence (relative risk, 2.97; 95% CI). But thrombectomy was associated with vascular complications. Cerebral hemorrhages were infrequent in both groups.
Renin-angiotensin System Inhibition Polypills Improve Adherence in Hypertensive Patients
START study found that a RAS combination polypill to treat high BP improved adherence by 20-49% and led to better CV outcomes vs. multiple pills. Lower rates of all-cause mortality, MI, CAD, HF, stroke and TIA were also observed with polypill approach. The main barrier hindering a wider use of single pills might be missing awareness and knowledge how profoundly adherence impacts CV prognosis.
Early Time-restricted Intermittent Fasting Diet is Linked to Greater Glucose Tolerance
A large study has shown that people on a time-restricted intermittent fasting diet, eating only between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. for 3 days per week, has greater improvements in glucose tolerance at 6 months than those on a restricted caloric diet. Both iTRE and CR reduce diastolic BP, body weight and fat mass. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein are lower in the iTRE group.
Antihypertensive Drugs Vary in Effectiveness Between Individuals
PHYSIC study showed that the BP-lowering effect varied greatly between individuals for some medications. By finding the optimal treatment for an individual, BP levels could be reduced to twice the levels typically achieved by doubling the dose of a suboptimal treatment. Optimizing treatment by personalization also has more than half the effect of adding a second BP medication.
Does Once-daily Oral Verapamil Preserve Pancreatic Beta Cell Function?
In a trial including 88 children and adolescents with newly diagnosed T1D, C-peptide levels (a measure of pancreatic beta cell function) measured during a mixed-meal tolerance test 52 weeks after diagnosis were 30% higher with verapamil vs. placebo. The percentage of participants with a 52-week peak C-peptide level of ≥ 0.2 pmol/mL was 95% in the verapamil group vs 71% in the placebo group.
Weekly Red Meat Intake Increases Risk for Ischemic Heart Disease
Increased consumption of red meat (processed or not) was associated with future risk for ischemic heart disease (HR for unprocessed red meat = 1.11; HR for processed red meat = 1.16; P for both < .001). Researchers identified 45 loci associated with lipid and lipoprotein metabolism for unprocessed red meat-related metabolomic signatures and 4 loci for processed red meat-related signatures.
Transcatheter Leadless Pacemakers (TLP) is a Safe Option for Children With Congenital Heart Disease
Wireless pacemakers is a safe and effective short-term option for children requiring permanent pacing. Children who underwent implantation of a TLP experienced implant success, good electrical performance and a low level of major complications, real-world data show. Leadless pacemakers can be implanted successfully from the femoral as well as the internal jugular venous route.
Lifestyle Modification is Associated With a Larger Benefit Than metformin in Adults With Prediabetes
First-line therapy for prediabetes is lifestyle modification consisting of calorie restriction, increased physical activity (≥150 min/wk), self-monitoring, and motivational support. It decreases diabetes incidence by 6.2 cases per 100 person-years during a 3-year period. While metformin decreases diabetes risk among individuals with prediabetes by 3.2 cases per 100 person-years during 3 years.
Bempedoic Acid Lowers Risk Of Major Cardiovascular Events In Statin-intolerant Patients
In statin-intolerant patients with CVD, bempedoic acid signifcantly lower - LDL cholesterol level vs. placebo (21.1%); the incidences of a composite of death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal stroke, or nonfatal myocardial infarction (575 [8.2%] vs. 663 [9.5%]); fatal or nonfatal MI (261 [3.7%] vs. 334 [4.8%]); and coronary revascularization (435 [6.2%] vs. 529 [7.6%].
Societal Variables May Contribute To Gender Inequalities In PAD
A number of societal variables may contribute to gender inequalities in PAD. Lower socioeconomic status increases likelihood of PAD and hospitalisation with PAD. Women have a lower socioeconomic standing in part due to reduced income and education levels, and caring responsibilities. The higher poverty and socioeconomic disparities may contribute to increased rates of PAD in women.
