2024

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Should You Take A Statin To Lower Your Cholesterol?

Dr. Paddy Barrett

Let’s start with the fact that this is not a yes or no answer. To answer this question, you need to understand three key factors: What is your baseline risk? Over what time horizon are you looking to reduce risk? What is your attitude toward reducing that risk? Only when you have a clear idea of those three factors can you decide whether or not to take a medication to lower your LDL cholesterol.

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What makes a T-wave Hyperacute? And: 30 Examples of Hyperacute T-waves, 10 in each of 3 myocardial territories.

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

Pendell and I and the geniuses at Powerful Medical (Producers of the PMCardio Queen of Hearts OMI AI app ) are working on an objective, mathematical definition of hyperacute T-waves , based on real OMI outcomes and hyperacute T-wave annotation that has excellent interrater agreement (between me and Pendell), and it will end up being a logistic regression using these 3 variables: 1) area under the curve (AUC) relative to the QRS size 2) increased symmetry , as defined by time from T-wave onset to

Blog 133
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New evidence on the relationship between moderate wine consumption and cardiovascular health

Science Daily - Stroke

Light and moderate consumption of wine is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular complications, according to a multicenter study. The study is based on the analysis of a biomarker of wine intake -- specifically, tartaric acid, present in grapes. It was carried out in 1,232 participants in the PREDIMED project, a major scientific epidemiological study in nutrition on the effects of the Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular health.

Diet 117
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Higher ratio of plant protein to animal protein may improve heart health

Science Daily - Heart Disease

Eating a diet with a higher ratio of plant-based protein to animal-based protein may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD), according to a new study. According to the researchers, these risk reductions are likely driven by the replacement of red and processed meats with plant proteins. The researchers also observed that a combination of consuming more plant protein and higher protein intake overall provided the most heart health benefits.

Diet 113
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The 40 Best Cardiology Newsletters, Websites, and Influencers to Follow in 2024

CardiacWire

We’re dedicating today’s top story to the people and publications that we rely on to find the most interesting cardiology stories from across the web. Assuming that you already subscribe to Cardiac Wire , these are the 40 other newsletters, websites, and social media stars to follow if you want to keep up with the latest and greatest in cardiology. I’ll always check the mainstream cardiology news websites ( TCTMD , Medscape , et al.) and the major cardiovascular journals ( JACC , AHA , JAMA Card

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Cholesterol may not be the only lipid involved in trans fat-driven cardiovascular disease

Medical Xpress - Cardiology

Excess cholesterol is known to form artery-clogging plaques that can lead to stroke, arterial disease, heart attack, and more, making it the focus of many heart health campaigns. Fortunately, this attention to cholesterol has prompted the development of cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins and lifestyle interventions like dietary and exercise regimens.

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Mapping the intersection of sudden cardiac death and COVID-19: a comprehensive bibliometric analysis (2020–2024)

Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

IntroductionA direct causal link between Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) and COVID-19 is unproven, although current data suggest a plausible association.AimThis study aims to map and analyze the intersection of research on sudden cardiac death and COVID-19 through a comprehensive bibliometric analysis.MethodologyThis study searched the literature by applying the keywords “COVID-19” AND “Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD)”.

More Trending

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Anthos Presents New Analysis from P2 AZALEA-TIMI 71 Study

DAIC

tim.hodson Mon, 11/18/2024 - 10:55 Nov. 16, 2024 Anthos Therapeutics, Inc.recently presented new data at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions from its AZALEA-TIMI 71 study that demonstrated the novel factor XI inhibitor abelacimab led to consistent and substantial reductions in bleeding for patients on or off antiplatelet (APT) therapy, as compared to rivaroxaban.

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Health, burnout and well-being of UK cardiology trainees: insights from the British Junior Cardiologists Association Survey

Heart BMJ

Background Cardiology training is demanding and associated with high workloads. Poor lifestyle and health among clinicians may stretch workforces and impact patient care. It has not been established what impact training in cardiology has on the doctors undertaking it. We aimed to establish the prevalence of physical and mental illness, burnout and the ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle among cardiology trainees in the United Kingdom (UK).

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Finally – the end (of the trial process)

Dr. Malcolm Kendrick

And so, we reach the final end to the court case. You may think it all finished months ago, not so. The final, final act is when we have the reading of the Statement in Open Court (SIOC). This took place Thursday the 5 th of December 2024. Which is five years and nine months after the articles in the Mail on Sunday were published. I could not talk or write about the SIOC before it happened, or the Judge would be most upset and angry.

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One Of The Biggest Impact Things You Can Do To Live Longer.

Dr. Paddy Barrett

“But what can I do to make a difference?” This is one of the most common questions I get as a cardiologist when talking about preventing heart disease and living longer. As a doctor, there are many things I can do, and only a doctor can do: Prescribe medications Order certain diagnostic tests. Perform or arrange medical procedures. And so on.

Exercise 119
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ECG Blog #419 — The Cause of ECG #1?

Ken Grauer, MD

I was sent the 2 ECGs shown in Figure-1 — which were recorded from an elderly man whose heart beat "has been irregular for years". No clear history for recent chest pain — but the patient "has not been well" for the previous week. Regarding the 2 ECGs in Figure-1 : ECG #1 is the initial tracing obtained at the scene by the EMS ( E mergency M edical S ystems ) team — in association with an alert but markedly hypotensive patient.

Blog 197
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Top stories: Cardiac arrest—Patients at risk

HeartRhythm

Curtain etal1 performed an analysis of the VALIANT (Valsartan in Acute Myocardial Infarction) and PARADISE-MI (Prospective ARNi vs ACE Inhibitor Trial to Determine Superiority in Reducing Heart Failure Events After MI) trials to evaluate whether risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) following acute myocardial infarction (MI) has changed over time. Patients recruited to these trials had left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40% following acute MI.

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Using a fan and wetting the skin reduces risk of deadly cardiac strain in hot and humid weather

Science Daily - Heart Disease

New collaborative research has shown that using a fan in hot and humid weather reduces cardiac strain in older people, contradicting recommendations from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention in the US. The study looked at the efficacy of different low-cost cooling strategies -- such as electric fans with and without spraying water on the skin -- for older adults, who are known to be at a heightened health risk during hot summer weather.

Research 113
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Tirzepatide Triumphant Over Semaglutide

CardiacWire

Topline results from the SURMOUNT-5 trial found Eli Lillys tirzepatide led to far greater weight loss than Novo Nordisks semaglutide, giving Lilly a boost in the race to become Americas go-to GLP-1. Semaglutide and tirzepatide both originally received FDA approval for treating adults with T2D, with those approvals later extending to weight loss management.

Obesity 90
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The human heart may have a hidden ability to repair itself

Medical Xpress - Cardiology

After severe heart failure, the ability of the heart to heal by forming new cells is very low. However, after receiving treatment with a supportive heart pump, the capacity of a damaged heart to repair itself with new muscle cells becomes significantly higher, even higher than in a healthy heart. This is according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in the journal Circulation.

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Impact of Smokeless Oral Nicotine Products on Cardiovascular Disease: Implications for Policy, Prevention, and Treatment: A Policy Statement From the American Heart Association

Circulation

Circulation, Ahead of Print. Smokeless oral nicotine products are addictive, and their use has potential adverse effects on some but not all biomarkers of cardiovascular risk. The use of some types of these products, for instance, is associated with an increased mortality risk in those with ischemic heart or cerebrovascular disease. Similarly, smokeless tobacco has the potential to increase the risk of oral cancer, but the risks depend on the chemical composition of the product.

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Association between periodontal disease and atherosclerosis: a bibliometric analysis

Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

BackgroundIn recent years, the relationship between periodontal disease (PD) and atherosclerosis (AS) has garnered significant scholarly attention. Chronic inflammation induced by PD may promote the onset and progression of AS through multiple mechanisms. Given the increasing global incidence of both PD and AS, which adversely affects patients’ quality of life and longevity, further investigation into the interplay between PD and AS is of substantial clinical importance.

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Charting the future of cardiology with large language model artificial intelligence

Nature Reviews - Cardiology

Nature Reviews Cardiology, Published online: 19 November 2024; doi:10.1038/s41569-024-01105-y Large language models represent a transformative leap in artificial intelligence and natural language processing, offering exciting potential across cardiology, from clinical care to education and research. However, several crucial challenges limit the practical implementation of large language models in cardiology.

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Esperion Presents New Data from CLEAR Outcomes Trial Highlighting Value of NEXLETOL

DAIC

tim.hodson Tue, 12/03/2024 - 16:52 Nov. 18, 2024 — In November, Esperion presented an analysis from the CLEAR Outcomes study focused on patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) who were unable or unwilling to take statin medications. These data were presented at the 2024 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, in Chicago, IL. Additionally, two exploratory analyses from the CLEAR Outcomes trial and a real-world analysis of bempedoic acid usage were presented at the conference.

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Empowering hearts: advancing cardiovascular research for women’s health

The British Journal of Cardiology

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death for women, responsible for over a third of all deaths. 1 In contrast, women remain widely under-represented in cardiovascular trials, 2 as well as in their roles as physicians and trialists. 3 The scarcity of female representation in cardiology carries broad consequences, affecting patient care quality, workplace diversity, and the inclusion of women in clinical trials.

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Five Tests To Assess Your Heart Health In The New Year.

Dr. Paddy Barrett

I am a little odd. At least, according to my wife, anyway. I love Mondays and January. Everyone else seems to dislike these calendar milestones, but for me, they represent a fresh start and the opportunity to reassess the work that needs to be done. As we approach the end of the year and prepare to set out into the next one, the most common New Year resolutions are often health-related.

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ECG Blog #422 — Was Clubbing an ECG Hint?

Ken Grauer, MD

I was sent the ECG in Figure-1 — with the following history: The patient is a young man in his early 20s — who presents to the ED ( E mergency D epartment ) because of SOB ( S hortness O f B reath ) that had been ongoing for several hours. No chest pain. He reports a number of similar previous episodes over the past few years ( although apparently has not been formerly evaluated for this ).

Blog 186
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Fellowship Programs Demystified: Why and When You Should Consider a Fellowship

ADN Center of Excellence

For medical professionals, the path to excellence is one of continuous learning and skill enhancement. Fellowships represent a vital opportunity to bridge the gap between general practice and advanced specialization. Whether you are at the crossroads of choosing your career focus or seeking to refine your expertise, a fellowship could be the game-changing step you need.

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Nasal spray version of common diuretic has potential to help treat heart failure

Science Daily - Heart Disease

A study testing a new nasal spray form of the medication bumetanide, a commonly prescribed diuretic, was found to be as safe and well-tolerated (meaning with no significant nasal irritation) in healthy adults in comparison to the oral and intravenous forms of the medication. The existing oral and intravenous forms of bumetanide are commonly prescribed for people with heart failure because they ease tissue swelling, a common cause of symptoms for people with heart failure.

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LimFlow Limits Limb-Threatening Ischemia

CardiacWire

Late-breaking second year results from the PROMISE II trial showed that the LimFlow system achieved strong outcomes for avoiding amputations and promoting limb salvage among “no-option” patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). The LimFlow system consists of several products designed to optimize blood flow in critically ischemic feet by facilitating revascularization.

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Protein in soy may reduce the risk of heart failure by affecting gut bacteria

Medical Xpress - Cardiology

A research team from the Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine has discovered a promising way to slow the progression of heart failure in mice. They fed mice a diet rich in the soybean protein, β-conglycinin (β-CG), which can support heart health by influencing gut bacteria. Their analysis revealed that the soybean protein rich diet increased the production of the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the intestine that play a role in protecting the heart.

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My video interview with Connie Jorsvik: The “Patient Pathways” workshop

Heart Sisters

"When Connie Jorsvik was a cardiac nurse, it always seemed like more women than men were admitted to her hospital after Christmas. Many of these women had been experiencing cardiac symptoms for days - and even weeks. Women tend to put off seeking treatment because we so often put ourselves last on our priority list - and there is no bigger time for everyone else's priorities than the holidays!

Nursing 73
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The association between stress hyperglycemia ratio with mortality in critically ill patients with acute heart failure

Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

BackgroundIt's recognized that stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) is considered a significant indicator of poor prognosis in many diseases. However, its role in critically ill patients with acute heart failure (acute HF) remains underexplored.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study on patients with acute HF included in the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) version 2.2 database.

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Is Anemia Common After Heart Bypass Surgery?

MIBHS

Heart bypass surgery, formally known as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, is a life-saving procedure that helps improve blood flow to the heart when coronary arteries become blocked or narrowed. This surgery involves creating new pathways for blood to flow to the heart muscle by bypassing the blocked sections of the arteries. While this procedure can significantly enhance heart function and reduce symptoms of heart disease, it does come with potential risks and complications.

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Physiology Friday November Recap

Physiologically Speaking

Greetings! In case you missed it, here are all of the studies I covered in the November 2024 installments of the Physiology Friday newsletter. Enjoy (or re-enjoy) these summaries, and don’t forget to share them with someone you think might learn from or be interested in them. Thanks for reading! Physiologically Speaking is a reader-supported publication.

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BridgeBio Pharma Receive FDA Nod for Attruby

DAIC

tim.hodson Mon, 11/25/2024 - 18:06 Nov. 22, 2024 — BridgeBio Pharma, Inc. recently announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Attruby (acoramidis), an orally-administered near-complete (≥90%) stabilizer of Transthyretin (TTR) for the treatment of adults with ATTR-CM to reduce cardiovascular death and cardiovascular-related hospitalization.

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How You Can Reduce The Risk Of Heart Disease Without Losing Weight.

Dr. Paddy Barrett

Being overweight is a major risk factor for heart disease and also an early death. But even if you have excess weight, there are many things you can do to seriously reduce that risk without focusing on weight loss itself. So, if you struggle with excess weight, you need to know what else you can do to reduce your future risk. The Life Essential 8 are a set of factors that significantly influence your risk of heart disease and early death, including: Regular Physical Activity.

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ECG Blog #451 — Premature Closure.

Ken Grauer, MD

I was sent the ECG shown in Figure-1 — told only that the patient was a middle-aged man with septicemia. QUESTIONS: Is this rhythm too fast to be sinus tachycardia? Are flutter waves hidden within the QRS and T waves? Are we seeing the retrograde P waves of AVNRT? Is this ATach ( A trial T achycardia )? Figure-1: The initial ECG in today's case. MY Thoughts on Today’s CASE: In my opinion — none of the above answers are optimal to describe the rhythm in Figure-1.

Blog 168
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Top Specialties in Fellowship Programs and What They Offer: An In-depth Look for Medical Professionals

ADN Center of Excellence

The journey from a freshly minted medical graduate to a skilled specialist involves years of dedication, hard work, and targeted training. Among the pivotal steps in this journey, fellowship programs play an essential role in helping doctors gain hands-on experience, deepen their expertise, and establish a career path in highly specialized fields. At ADN CoE, we are dedicated to providing top-tier fellowship programs in various specialties, enabling medical professionals to excel in their chosen

Cancer 59
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The link between sleep and blood pressure: New research sheds light on gender differences

Science Daily - Heart Disease

You may have heard sleep described as something of a magic pill for the body. With the right amount, timing, and quality, it can work wonders -- strengthen the immune system, improve blood sugar, even decrease the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Sleep differences have been reported for some time in men and women, but it is not well known whether the characteristics of sleep serve different functions in one gender over the other, especially as it relates to the heart.

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Forgotten IVC Filters Aren’t SAFE

CardiacWire

Troubling results from the SAFE-IVC study revealed that just one in six patients gets their inferior vena cava filters removed, despite clear guidelines calling for IVC filter removal as early as possible. An IVC filter is a small device that helps stop blood clots from going up into the lungs and is usually surgically inserted. IVC filters are used to prevent pulmonary embolism in patients with venous thromboembolism and can’t receive anticoagulation treatment.