ESC 2020
- Lodoco trial : Colchicine 0.5mg/day (n=282) vs placebo (N=250). decreased cardiovascular events , no mortality difference.
- Dietary Inflammatory Potential and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Among Men and Women in the U.S. Click for more information.
About Coronary artery disease
- Complete Trial 2019 : In ST elevation myocardial infarction patients, staged complete revascularisation was associated with better outcomes.
ABOUT HYPERTENSION
- October 2019 HYGIA CHRONOTHERAPY TRIAL : European heart journal october 22 2019 – Taking antihypertensive medications at night led to an almost halving of cardiovascular events . 19,084 patients randomly assigned to taking medications on waking or at bedtime. Follow up for 6 years. Results showed a 45% relative risk reduction in cardiovascular death, 34% reduction in AMI and 40% reduction in coronary revascularisation and 42% reduction in heart failure and 49% reduction in stroke. More importance should be put on sleep time blood pressure.
- Drinks that may reduce hypertension include Hibiscus Tea , Beet juice, Pomegranate juice, Cranberry juice.
ABOUT STATINS IN ATHELETIC PATIENTS
- Statins in exercise performance and muscle strength : Statin users in primary prevention experiencing myalgia do not have impaired aerobic exercise performance or muscle strength compared to nonmyalgic statin users or control subjects. LIFESTAT study (Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2019;51(7):1429-1437).
ABOUT CARDIAC AMYLOID
- 2018 ESC : Tafamidis treatment for patients with Transthyetin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy had significant benefit.
- Suspected Cardiac Amyloid investigation strategy to avoid biopsy : Serum light chains to rule out AL Amyloid then for Pyrophosphate nuclear medicine scan.
ON INVESTIGATING CARDIAC SYMPTOMS
- Scot-Heart 2018 (CTCA plus functional testing vs functional testing alone) : CTCA plus standard of care was linked to less death an heart attacks in stable IHD. 4000 patients randomized to CTCA or standard therapy. 41% relative risk reduction in rates of death and non fatal AMI at 5 years.
ON ASPIRIN FOR PRIMARY PREVENTION
- Arrive Trial (2018) : Primary prevention with Aspirin 100mg in high risk non diabetic patients did not significantly reduce cardio or cerebrovascular events in 12000 patients. It did increase the risk of bleeding.
- ASCEND (2018) : Aspirin 100mg daily in high risk diabetic patients. Mild decrease in cardiac events offset by increased bleeding risk.
ON ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
- APPLE HEART STUDY 2019 : Apple watch is able to detect some Atrial fibrillation.
- Evidence has shown that in overweight individuals with atrial fibrillation, a 10% weight loss can have significant benifits in reducing paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
- Andexanet Alfa (reversal agent) for Apixaban or Rivaroxaban.
ABOUT OTHER MATTERS
- Compass trial : Rivaroxiban and its benefits in arterosclerosis.
- Endoscopic vs open vein-graft harvesting in CABG.
- November 2018 : REGROUP trial (1150patients) – No difference in major events. Trend towards higher wound complications in the open technique.
ABOUT HEART FAILURE
- Dapa HF trial 2019 : Dapaglifocin was useful in the treatment of HEFREF in both the diabetic and non diabetic population.
- TRED-HF trial 2019 : Risk of relapse in patient with prior dilated cardiomyopathy if they stopped medications was over 40%.
- Pioneer HF Dec 2018 : Sacubitril -Valsartan started for heart failure in -hospital was safe and decreased re-hospitalisation rate.
ABOUT LIPIDS
- 2019 ESC GUIDELINES : SECONDARY PREVENTION LDL TARGET NOW <1.4mmol/l
ABOUT HIGH TRIGLYCERIDES AND FISH OIL
- REDUCE IT trial Nov 2018 : Supplementation with 4g/day of icosapent ethyl reduced a composite of major cardiovascular outcomes.
On Cryptogenic stroke 2019
- RE-SPECT ESUS trial – Pradaxa vs aspirin in cryptogenic stroke did not show an improvement in stroke but did have an increased bleeding risk.
LAACS 2017 : Does doing a left atrial appendage closure during elective cardiac surgery decrease future stroke?
CONFIRM registry (5 year follow up results) : Non obstructive plaque on CTCA contributes to major adverse cardiac events.
CANTOS 2017 : Canakinumab reducing inflammation thereby reducing further cardiac events in a post infarct population
PREDIMED Trial (Nejm 2013) : Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil and nuts reduced major cardiovascular events. Click for more information.
Exercise : Doing physical activity in natural or “green” environments may have more benefit than in Urban settings. Benefits may include improved mental wellbeing, lower diastolic blood pressure and reducing inflammation.
Prescription exercise BMJ Aug 2016 : A meta analysis of 174 trials, suggests that the more physical exercise reduces risk of breast cancer, colon cancer, Ischaemic heart disease and ischaemic stroke. The amount of exercise equates to approximately 150mins a week of brisk walking or 75mins a week of running. Based on this, we recommend at least 10 mins a day of high intensity exercise like running or 20 mins a day of brisk walking.
JAMA 2016 : Wearable technology does not improve weight loss.
JAMA internal medicine 2017 : Thiazide – like dieuretics have associated decreased risk of hip fractures compared to ACEi, ARBs and Ca channel blockers.
JAMA Intern Med 2017 : CTCA strategy associated with fewer heart attacks vs functional stress testing (Meta-analysis)
