AHA: Severe obesity, now in 5% of US kids, should be new risk class
Accumulating evidence suggests that severe obesity in childhood is associated with an adverse cardiovascular and metabolic profile that is even greater than that seen with obesity and overweight, say authors of a scientific statement released yesterday. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - September 10, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Electronic cigarettes as good as patch for quitting smoking
The first randomized study of electronic cigarettes shows they are as effective as the nicotine patch, but are smokers trading one bad habit for another? (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - September 10, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
RELAX-AHF: Benefit of serelaxin extends across multiple subgroups
Overall, there was no difference in the effects of serelaxin vs placebo on dyspnea relief or the incidence of cardiovascular/rehospitalizations for heart failure or renal failure at 60 days, report investigators. While the results were homogenous across multiple subgroups, there were some interactions that hinted at potentially larger reductions in mortality in some patients. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - September 9, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
SCAMPs algorithm effective for pediatric chest-pain evaluation
Heart disease rarely is to blame for the chest pain children suffer, and the ailment can be effectively evaluated in the ambulatory setting using an algorithmic tool, according to a regional study. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - September 9, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Door-to-balloon times down, but in-hospital mortality unchanged
The median door-to-balloon time was reduced from 83 minutes in 2005-2006 to 67 minutes in 2008-2009. Despite this improvement, the overall unadjusted and risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality rates did not decline over the same time periods. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - September 9, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Prediabetes intervention may also help heart, DPP data show
Lifestyle changes and use of metformin were linked to lipoprotein improvements in a subset of patients from the Diabetes Prevention Program study. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - September 9, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Electronic cigarette use doubles among adolescents in one year
Electronic cigarette use more than doubled among US middle and high school students from 2011 to 2012, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - September 9, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Genetic marker may identify risk for statin-induced myopathy
Genetically determined variation in expression of the glycine amidinotransferase gene may be associated with differences in susceptibility to statin-induced myopathy. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - September 6, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Polypill may benefit certain patients with CVD: UMPIRE
In UMPIRE, patients with or at high risk for CVD who received a single polypill had better drug adherence and slightly better systolic blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. But is this a "home run" for this controversial strategy? More study is needed, an expert cautions. In the meantime, physicians should carefully assess the number of pills patients are taking and eliminate marginal ones. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - September 6, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
CHAMPION pooled: Cangrelor cuts thrombotic events during PCI
A prespecified pooled analysis of the three CHAMPION trials investigating the intravenous antiplatelet in the setting of PCI has turned up some positive results. Just where and how this drug might square up against other new agents remains an open question. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - September 6, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Statins linked to reduced dementia in Taiwanese studies
Two new studies may have somewhat allayed concerns about cognitive dysfunction being a possible side effect of statins. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - September 5, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
ARCTIC-GENE throws cold water on genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy at PCI
It's an inspired idea that isn't panning out, at least based on the genetic substudy of a trial looking at platelet-monitoring-guided therapy in coronary stenting: patients with a slow-clopidogrel-metabolization genotype had poorer clopidogrel responses, but therapy adjustments based on that information didn't help clinically. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - September 4, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
REGARDS: Pushing for lower BPs in the elderly
The researchers suggest that for all patients older than 55 years of age, the recommended level of systolic blood pressure is less than 140 mm Hg, with optimal values possibly between 120 and 139 mm Hg. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - September 4, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Populationwide sodium guidance "makes no sense" in most countries
No population surveyed in the massive international study is actually consuming sodium at the low levels recommended in many guidelines, researchers found. This latest foray into the sodium debate says it's time to rethink the guidance in this field. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - September 4, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
ATOMIC-AHF: Cautious optimism for potential inotrope replacement in acute HF
It didn't meet its primary endpoint, but the randomized phase-2 study of the cardiac myosin activator omecamtiv mecarbil pinpointed a dosage that significantly improved patients' dyspnea, at least in a prespecified subgroup analysis (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - September 4, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
