Choose Best Glucose-Lowering Drugs for T2D! Check Out The Results of GRADE Study
A study evaluated effectiveness of insulin glargine U-100, glimepiride, liraglutide, or sitagliptin in 5047 patients with T2D. All 4 medications, when added to metformin, decreased glycosylated hemoglobin levels 0.3 percentage points. Glargine and liraglutide were more effective for maintaining targeted glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Hypoglycemia was more prevalent with glimepiride.
Irregular and Long Menstrual Cycles Associated With Elevated Risk for CVD
A cohort study found greater risk for CVD in women who reported irregular cycles, no periods or longer cycle length (40 days) compared with women reporting regular cycles. The risk increased as they aged. PCOS is likely a factor in many women with irregular or long menstrual cycles. They were more likely have hypercholesterolemia, chronic hypertension & T2D (attributable to underlying PCOS).
Impella RP Flex with SmartAssist Receives FDA Approval to Treat Right Heart Failure
Impella RP Flex with SmartAssist has received FDA pre-market approval for acute right heart failure. It is indicated for providing temporary right ventricular support for up to 14 days in patients with a body surface area ≥1.5 m2, who develop acute right heart failure or decompensation following left ventricular assist device implantation, MI, heart transplant, or open-heart surgery.
Intensive BP Control After Endovascular Thrombectomy For AIS May Affect Recovery
A blinded-endpoint, randomised controlled trial included 821 patients at 44 tertiary-level hospitals in China. It revealed that the intensive control of systolic blood pressure to lower than 120 mm Hg should be avoided to prevent compromising the functional recovery of patients who have received endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischaemic stroke due to intracranial large-vessel occlusion.
IV Potassium & Magnesium May Lessen the Need for Antiarrhythmic Therapy
A registry-based study found that the intravenous administration of potassium & magnesium was associated with a higher probability of SCV in patients with nonpermanent AF and plasma potassium levels of less than 3.50 mEq/L and 3.50-3.99 mEq/L but not in patients with AFL. This approach might lessen the need for pharmacologic intervention and adverse effects caused by antiarrhythmic therapy.
Is Extravascular Implantable Cardioverter–Defibrillator Safe?
A nonrandomized study included patients who received an extravascular ICDs. 92.6% patients was free from major system- or procedure-related complications at 6 months. 25 major complications observed in 7.3% patients. It concluded that extravascular ICDs were safe and were able to detect and terminate induced ventricular arrhythmias at the time of implantation.
Lp(a) Should be Measured in Adults to Identify High CV Risk
A study assessed >1100 patients who underwent endovascular therapy for symptomatic PAD. In patients with elevated Lp(a) (30 mg/dL), the rate of major adverse CV events and amputation, were 2 times and 4 times higher, respectively, than patients with lower Lp(a) (not influenced by LDL or statin administration). Thus, Lp(a) should be measured at least once in all adults to identify high CV risk.
Kerendia is Recommended for Kidney Disease Associated With Diabetes
AACE has issued a grade-A recommendation to use Kerendia for certain patients with chronic kidney disease associated with T2D. Earlier this month, the American Diabetes Association recommended finerenone for patients who have an eGFR of 25 mL/min/1.73 m2 or greater and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio 30 mg/g despite receiving the maximum tolerated dose of a renin-angiotensin-system inhibitor.
Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome May Develop Type 2 Diabetes Earlier
An observational study enrolled 1112 women at age 18 to 32 years and were followed for 30 years. During follow-up, type 2 diabetes was diagnosed for 33.3% of women with PCOS and 22.1% of women without PCOS. Women with PCOS were more likely to develop T2D. They also developed hypertension and hyperlipidemia earlier than those without PCOS. Further research in larger sample sizes will be required.
Meth, Opiate & Cannabis Use May Increase Atrial Fibrillation Risk
A new study investigated the long-term effects of using addictive stimulant drugs in 23,561,884 California residents. It was found that methamphetamine increased AFib risk by 86%, opiate increased AFib risk by 74%, cocaine increased AFib risk by 61%, cannabis increased AFib risk by 35%. The increased risk may be linked to autonomic dysfunction and changes in the activity of specific ion channels.
Bionic Pancreas - The Next-Generation Device To Simplify Management of Type 1 Diabetes
Bionic pancreas is an automated insulin delivery system that requires less user input than commercially available systems. It only needs user’s body weight upon setup. The user still needs to enter meals, but with an estimate of carbohydrate amount. A 13-week trial showed that the bionic pancreas significantly reducted glycated hemoglobin than standard care in adults and children with T1D.
Sleep Apnea Affects 50% of Hospitalized Patients With Heart Failure
A cohort study found that more than half of hospitalized HF patients had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and central sleep apnea (CSA). And CSA was the predominant type. OSA patients were more likely to be male, obese and have hypertension, diabetes, and HFpEF. CSA patients were more likely to be older, male and have hypocapnia, high heart rate, higherNT‐proBNP levels, and HFrEF.
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.
SHMOOSE - Unique Microprotein Associated With High Risk of Alzheimer's
A new study found that a mutation in one particular mitochondrial SNP was associated with a greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease and brain atrophy. The mutated SNP causes a change in a mitochondrial microprotein called SHMOOSE. The protein appears to have a physiological role in neurodegeneration. The finding opens new avenues for detecting, preventing, and treating Alzheimer’s disease.
Why Women Have High Risk of Alzheimer's Than Men?
Women with AD have greater accumulations of tau protein in brains. Human AD brain tissue analysis shows that increased levels of X-linked ubiquitin specific peptidase 11 (USP11) in females results in increased deubiquitination of tau at lysine (K) 281, which increases tau deposition by inhibiting its elimination. This contributes to cognitive impairment, with greater effect in females than males.
