Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Cardiology for February 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Lifetime Risk for Atrial Fibrillation Is One in Seven in Taiwan
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For adults in Taiwan, the lifetime risk of atrial fibrillation is about one in seven, according to a study published in the February issue of CHEST.
New Risk Score Assesses Stroke Risk After MI Without A-Fib
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A new risk score incorporates readily accessible risk factors associated with the occurrence of stroke in patients after myocardial infarction (MI) in the absence of atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study published in the Feb. 20 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Increased Adiposity Measures Affect MI Risk More in Women
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Increases in waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio are associated with a greater excess risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in women than men, according to a study published online Feb. 28 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Varicose Veins May Increase Likelihood of Blood Clots
TUESDAY, Feb. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patients with varicose veins have a significantly increased risk of incident deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and may have increased risks of pulmonary embolism (PE), and peripheral artery disease (PAD), according to a study published in the Feb. 27 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Early Studies Often Show Exaggerated Treatment Effect
TUESDAY, Feb. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Trials to evaluate drugs or devices used to treat chronic medical conditions that are published early in the chain of evidence often show an exaggerated treatment effect compared with subsequent trials, according to research published online Feb. 21 in the Mayo Clinical Proceedings.
Treatment Effect of Fenofibrate Varies in Patients With T2DM
TUESDAY, Feb. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For individual patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the effect of fenofibrate treatment varies and is larger in patients with dyslipidemia, according to a study published online Feb. 22 in Diabetes Care.
Women With Non-Obstructive CAD May Suffer From Myocardial Scars
TUESDAY, Feb. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Among women with suspected ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA), the prevalence of baseline late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) indicating presence of myocardial scars is 8 percent, according to a research letter published in the Feb. 20 issue of Circulation, a Go Red For Women issue focused on women’s heart health.
CABG May Be Best for Patients With DM, LV Dysfunction
TUESDAY, Feb. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is associated with a significant reduction in major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events and mortality compared with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD), and left ventricular dysfunction (LVD), according to a study published in the Feb. 27 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Understanding Rx Nonadherence Can Improve Adherence
MONDAY, Feb. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Understanding nonadherence in patients and encouraging a change in attitude toward patients and their medication can improve medication adherence, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Recommendations for Optimizing Hidden Curriculum in Medicine
MONDAY, Feb. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In a position paper published online Feb. 27 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the American College of Physicians (ACP) presents recommendations for optimizing clinical learning environments by fostering a positive hidden curriculum in medicine.
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No Link Found for Metformin or Statins and Ovarian Cancer
MONDAY, Feb. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In women with type 2 diabetes, no evidence was found of an association between the use of metformin or statins and the incidence of ovarian cancer, according to a study published online Feb. 7 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
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Coronary Artery Dz Extent Similar in Men, Women With T1DM
MONDAY, Feb. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 1 diabetes, the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) is similar in women and men admitted for coronary angiography, according to a study published online Feb. 20 in Diabetes Care.
Vegetarian, Med Diets Similarly Effective for Body Weight
MONDAY, Feb. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A low-calorie lacto-ovo vegetarian diet (VD) and a low-calorie Mediterranean diet (MedD) are similarly effective for reducing body weight, body mass index, and fat mass for overweight omnivores, according to a study published online Feb. 26 in Circulation.
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FDA Warns of Possible Heart Risks Linked to Clarithromycin
FRIDAY, Feb. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The antibiotic clarithromycin (brand name: Biaxin) may increase the long-term risk of heart problems and death in patients with heart disease, according to U.S. health officials.
Artificial Intelligence May Help Prevent Physician Burnout
FRIDAY, Feb. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Artificial intelligence (AI), in which computers can be trained to recognize patterns in large quantities of data, may be able to reduce physicians’ burdens, saving them time and energy, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Second-Gen Drug-Eluting Stents Similarly Effective for LMCAD
FRIDAY, Feb. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There are few significant differences in target-vessel failure with different types of second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) for obstructive left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD), according to a study published in the Feb. 27 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Peds Cardiac Surgery Outcomes Vary by Neighborhood Income
FRIDAY, Feb. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Children undergoing cardiac surgery from the lowest-income neighborhoods have worse outcomes, according to a study published online Feb. 22 in Pediatrics.
Younger Onset of T2DM Linked to Increased Mortality Risk
FRIDAY, Feb. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Younger onset of type 2 diabetes is associated with increased mortality risk, mainly due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, according to a study published online Feb. 22 in Diabetologia.
CDC: No Change in Percentage of Uninsured in U.S. From ’16 to ’17
THURSDAY, Feb. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The percentage of uninsured U.S. persons of all ages did not change significantly from 2016 to the first nine months of 2017, according to a report published online Feb. 22 by the National Center for Health Statistics.
Cardiorespiratory Fitness, White Matter Integrity Tied to Cognition
THURSDAY, Feb. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with better white matter (WM) fiber integrity in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), according to a study published recently in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Regardless of CV Risks, Cancer History Impacts Mortality
THURSDAY, Feb. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Cancer history has an important impact on mortality independent of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs), according to a study published online Feb. 12 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
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Aspirin, Rivaroxaban Similar After Total Hip, Knee Arthroplasty
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients who have undergone total hip or knee arthroplasty, extended prophylaxis with aspirin does not differ significantly from rivaroxaban for venous thromboembolism prevention, according to a study published in the Feb. 21 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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In A-Fib Patients, Stroke Risk Higher for Blacks Than Whites
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Compared with whites, blacks are at increased risk of developing an ischemic stroke either before or after diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study published online Feb. 20 in Heart Rhythm.
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Odds of ARDS Up After Cardiac Surgery During Flu Season
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Undergoing cardiac surgery during the influenza season is associated with increased likelihood of development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), according to a research letter published in the Feb. 21 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Mental Stress-Induced Myocardial Ischemia Risk Up for Women
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Compared with men, women have an increased risk of mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia (MSIMI) after myocardial infarction (MI), with microvascular dysfunction and peripheral vasoconstriction with mental stress implicated in MSIMI in women, according to a study published in the Feb. 20 issue of Circulation, a Go Red For Women issue focused on women’s heart health.
Perioperative Glucose but Not A1C Predicts Surgical Outcomes
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Perioperative glucose predicts 30-day mortality linearly in noncardiac surgical patients and nonlinearly in cardiac surgical patients, according to a study published online Feb. 13 in Diabetes Care.
12-Month Weight Loss Doesn’t Differ With Low-Fat, Carb Diets
TUESDAY, Feb. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Weight change over 12 months does not differ for a healthy low-fat (HLF) diet or a healthy low-carbohydrate (HLC) diet, according to a study published in the Feb. 20 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Burnout Found Prevalent Among Doctors in Single Health System
TUESDAY, Feb. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Burnout is prevalent among physicians, affecting over one-third of physicians in a single health system, and is associated with health care delivery, according to a research letter published online Feb. 19 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Mortality Risks of Exclusive Cigar, Cigarette, Pipe Use ID’d
TUESDAY, Feb. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Exclusive current cigarette and cigar use is associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, according to a study published online Feb. 19 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Ertugliflozin Tied to Improved Glycemic Control in T2DM
TUESDAY, Feb. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For adults with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes, ertugliflozin treatment is associated with improved glycemic control over 52 weeks, according to a study published online Feb. 8 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
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Anticoagulants in Seniors With A-Fib, CKD Ups Stroke, ICH Risk
TUESDAY, Feb. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For older patients with concomitant chronic kidney disease and a new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, anticoagulants are associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke and hemorrhage, but with reduced risk of all-cause mortality, according to a study published online Feb. 14 in The BMJ.
Patients Want Physicians to Have Greater Connectivity
THURSDAY, Feb. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Most patients want greater connectivity, online tools and text messaging, as well as more time with their physicians, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Many in Oregon View Alcohol As More Harmful Than Marijuana
THURSDAY, Feb. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Just more than half of surveyed adults consider alcohol to be more harmful than marijuana, according to a study published in the April issue of Preventive Medicine.
Short Stature in Childhood Tied to Higher Stroke Risk in Adulthood
THURSDAY, Feb. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Short stature at 7 to 13 years is significantly associated with increased risks in adulthood of ischemic stroke (IS) in both sexes and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in men, according to a study published online Feb. 15 in Stroke.
Rise in Use of Antihypertensives in Delivery With Preeclampsia
THURSDAY, Feb. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Use of antihypertensive treatments during delivery hospitalizations in women with preeclampsia has increased since 2006, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Poor Outcomes With Systolic BP Below 120 mm Hg in HFpEF
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For hospitalized patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), poor outcomes are seen in association with a systolic blood pressure (SBP) level below 120 mm Hg, according to a study published online Feb. 14 in JAMA Cardiology.
Genetics Should Inform Care in Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Genetic stratification should play a role in clinical care of patients with noncompaction cardiomyopathy (NCCM), according to a study published in the Feb. 20 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Lipoproteins, Lipids Have Similar Ties to MI, Ischemic Stroke
TUESDAY, Feb. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Lipoproteins and lipids are similarly associated with risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic stroke (IS) but not intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), according to a study published in the Feb. 13 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Four Best Practices Outlined to Prevent Health Care Cyberattacks
TUESDAY, Feb. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Four best practices outlined that can help prevent health care cyberattacks, which increased from 2016 to 2017, according to a report published in Managed Healthcare Executive.
Education About Imaging Most Often Given by Ordering Provider
TUESDAY, Feb. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing imaging examinations, 78 percent reported receiving some form of pre-examination information, while 52 percent sought information themselves, according to a study published online Feb. 13 in Radiology.
Losartan May Improve Endothelial Function in Marfan Syndrome
TUESDAY, Feb. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The therapeutic significance of losartan in Marfan syndrome (MFS) may lie in its ability to activate protective endothelial function, not in its angiotensin II (AngII) receptor type 1 (ATR1) inhibition, according to a study published online Feb. 9 in the American Journal of Pathology.
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EHRs Not Sufficient to Ensure Success in Value-Based Care
MONDAY, Feb. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Electronic health records (EHRs) are not sufficient to ensure success in value-based care, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Premature Dementia Risk May Be Up in Survivors of Heart Defects
MONDAY, Feb. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Congenital heart disease (CHD) is associated with increased risk of dementia in adults, according to a study published online Feb. 12 in Circulation.
Quality Improvement Efforts May Improve Cath Lab Efficiencies
MONDAY, Feb. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A quality improvement intervention can reduce inefficiencies in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (cath lab), according to a study published online Jan. 31 in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
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Top Consumer Concerns Reported About Physicians
FRIDAY, Feb. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Health care consumers have four major concerns regarding their physicians, according to a report published by Managed Healthcare Executive.
Direct Oral Anticoagulants Plus Antiplatelets Effective in ACS
FRIDAY, Feb. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), treatment with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in addition to antiplatelet therapy (APT) appears efficacious for those with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), according to a review published online Feb. 7 in JAMA Cardiology.
Poll: Personal Beliefs Shouldn’t Allow Doctors to Refuse to Treat
THURSDAY, Feb. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Most people do not believe that professionals including health care providers should be allowed to refuse to provide services based on their conscience or beliefs, according to a recent HealthDay/The Harris Poll.
FDA Says U.S. Will Now Produce Critical MRI Component
THURSDAY, Feb. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A long-feared shortage of a substance used in millions of medical imaging procedures each year in the United States appears to have been avoided, federal officials report.
Breastfeeding Found to Be Protective Against Hypertension
THURSDAY, Feb. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Postmenopausal women who breastfed more children, or breastfed for a longer duration, have a lower risk of hypertension, according to a study published online Jan. 30 in the American Journal of Hypertension.
ICD Placement Doesn’t Improve Survival in Patients With CKD
THURSDAY, Feb. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)-eligible patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), ICD placement does not improve survival, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Updated Review Confirms Worse Stroke Outcomes for Women
THURSDAY, Feb. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Women have more activity limitations and worse health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after stroke, according to a review published online Feb. 8 in Stroke.
Marked Variation Seen in Care Quality for TIA, Minor Stroke
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Care quality for patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke varies substantially across elements of care and facilities, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in JAMA Neurology.
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Expenditures Rising for Treating Obesity-Related Illness in U.S.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The amount of U.S. health care resources devoted to treating obesity-related illness in U.S. adults rose 29 percent from 2001 to 2015, according to a review published in the January issue of Clinical Chemistry.
Stem Cell Transplant May Be Effective for Systemic Sclerosis
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Stem cell transplant may be an effective treatment for systemic sclerosis (SSc), according to a small study published online Feb. 2 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
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PFO Linked to Ischemic Stroke Risk After Non-Cardiac Surgery
TUESDAY, Feb. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For adults undergoing non-cardiac surgery, having a preoperatively diagnosed patent foramen ovale (PFO) is associated with increased risk of perioperative ischemic stroke, according to a study published in the Feb. 6 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Heart Failure Guideline Adherence May Be Best Quality Measure
TUESDAY, Feb. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Hospital adherence to heart failure guidelines might be the best quality measure, according to a study published online Jan. 29 in Circulation.
Guideline-Directed Medical Tx Adherence Low Post CABG
TUESDAY, Feb. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Compliance with guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) is low, and remains higher in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) than in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), according to a review published in the Feb. 13 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Distance From Advanced Cardiac Care Affects Odds of Survival
MONDAY, Feb. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) in Nova Scotia, Canada, access to cardiac catheterization independently predicts survival, but those farthest from the center offering cardiac catheterization are the least likely to be transferred, according to a study published recently in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology.
Hypertension Common One Year After Severe Preeclampsia
MONDAY, Feb. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — More than 40 percent of women with severe preeclampsia have hypertension one year after delivery, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in Hypertension.
Humanities Exposure Positively Impacts Medical Students
MONDAY, Feb. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Exposure to the humanities correlates with less burnout and higher levels of positive personal qualities among medical students, according to a study published online Jan. 29 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Factors Identified That Impact Physicians IT Adoption
FRIDAY, Feb. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Physicians have considerable concerns about the efficacy and evidence base of health information technology (IT), according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Depression Ups Mortality Risk Post Aortic Valve Replacement
FRIDAY, Feb. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The presence of depressive symptoms among older adults undergoing transcatheter (TAVR) or surgical (SAVR) aortic valve replacement increases the risk of mortality, according to research published online Jan. 17 in JAMA Cardiology.
Chronic Disease Major Risk Factor for Cancer, Cancer Mortality
FRIDAY, Feb. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Chronic disease is associated with a substantial proportion of the risk of incident cancer and cancer mortality, according to a study published online Jan. 31 in The BMJ.
Mortality Risk Similar for Career Versus Limited NFL Participation
FRIDAY, Feb. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Career participation in professional American football seems not to be associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality compared with limited participation, according to a study published online Feb. 1 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Using Hands Is Best Method for Splitting Aspirin Tablets
THURSDAY, Feb. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Using your hands may be best for splitting an aspirin tablet, according to a study published online Jan. 24 in the Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research.
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Medicaid Expansion Cuts Out-of-Pocket Spending
THURSDAY, Feb. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — States that expanded Medicaid cut the probability of non-elderly near-poor adults being uninsured and lowered average out-of-pocket spending, according to a study published online Jan. 24 in Health Affairs.
AHA: Breast Cancer Patients at Increased Risk for CV Disease
THURSDAY, Feb. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Due to shared risk factors and impact on heart health from cancer treatment, comprehensive care is necessary for breast cancer patients to optimize both cancer treatment and cardiovascular health, according to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association published online Feb. 1 in Circulation.
Migraine Linked to Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
THURSDAY, Feb. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Migraine is associated with elevated risks of myocardial infarction, stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic), venous thromboembolism, and atrial fibrillation or flutter, according to a study published online Jan. 31 in The BMJ.
Ablation Better Than Medical Tx for A-Fib With Heart Failure
THURSDAY, Feb. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Among patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure, catheter ablation is associated with a significant reduction in a composite end point of death from any cause or hospitalization for worsening heart failure, according to a study published in the Feb. 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids Not Found to Up Risk of Heart Disease
THURSDAY, Feb. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids is not associated with fatal or nonfatal coronary heart disease or major vascular events, according to a review published online Jan. 31 in JAMA Cardiology.
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