Does Telmisartan Improve Walking Performance in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease?
A double-blind trial randomized 114 patients with lower extremity Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) to telmisartan or placebo to determined whether telmisartan improves walking. At 6-month follow-up, telmisartan did not significantly improve 6-minute walk distance; treadmill walking distance; scores for distance, speed, stair climbing and physical functioning.
Nifedipine Can Prevent Severe Hypertension In Pregnant Women With Preeclampsia
A new study found that initiation of 30-mg extended-release nifedipine is effective in reducing intrapartum acute hypertensive therapy in women with preeclampsia with severe features undergoing labor induction between 22 and 41 weeks gestation. Cesarean delivery and neonatal intensive care unit admission rate were lower in nifedipine group compared with placebo.
Oestrogen-Containing Contraceptives May Increase Risk of Blood Clots in Obese Women
A review paper published in ESC journal showed that use of oral contraceptives containing oestrogen and progestin increases risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) by 24 times in obese women compared to normal weight women not using the drugs. Progestin-only products, including pills, intrauterine devices, or implants are a safer alternative to the combined pill in overweight/obesity women.
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers Reduces the Progression From Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia
A retrospective cohort study among 403 patients with hypertension and mild cognitive impairment found that angiotensin receptor blockers were associated with a lower risk of progression to dementia compared to ACE inhibitors and other classes of AHMs (beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics). However, further investigations in larger prospective cohorts or clinical trials are required.
Combination Therapy May Delay Need for Aortic Root Surgery
Most patients with Marfan syndrome experience aortic root enlargement which is treated via surgery. But a study revealed that ARBs and beta-blockers have similar and independent effects on reducing the aortic root Z score. If maintained over a period of several years, the drug combination would be expected to delay the need for elective aortic root surgery in patients with Marfan syndrome.
Does Allopurinol Improve Cardiovascular Outcomes in Ischaemic Heart Disease Patients?
Allopurinol is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor used to treat patients with gout. Previous studies have shown that the drug also has cardiovascular benefits. But the ALL-HEART study has shown that allopurinol doesn't improve cardiovascular outcomes such as nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, cardiovascular death, all-cause mortality, and hospitalisations in patients with ischaemic heart disease.
Can Cardiac Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by Diseased Hearts Promote Tumour Growth?
A study presented by MD Tal Caller at ESC 22 suggested a mechanistic link between heart disease and tumour growth, which is mediated by cardiac extracellular vesicles (EVs). Cardiac mesenchymal stromal cells from infarcted and failing hearts secrete EVs that can target tumour cells and accelerate their growth. EVs could be possible therapeutic targets in patients with concomitant CVD and cancer.
Statin Use in Low- and Middle-income Countries to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease
A study analysed data of 116449 non-pregnant individuals in 41 low and middle-income countries. It was found that statin has been used by 1 in 10 eligible people for the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases and 1 in 5 people for secondary prevention. This highlights an urgent need to increase statin use in LMICs. WHO recommends that at least 50% of eligible people receive statin therapy.
