Pharmaceutics

This page contains key pharmaceutical news on drug recalls, FDA clearance, safety communications and research. In cardiology, key pharmaceutic agents include antiplatelet therapies, anticoagulants, hypertension drugs, and drugs for heart failure and arrhythmias.

FDA says years-long tirzepatide shortage is resolved, will give limited leeway to compounders
The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.
Merck spends up to $2B to license new weight loss drug with potential heart benefits
Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.
Clopidogrel vs. aspirin: Tracking the chronic maintenance period after PCI for different risk groups
As more high-risk patients undergo PCI, what is the best antiplatelet strategy following an initial event-free period of DAPT? Does it change after complex PCI? Researchers aimed to answer these questions, and many others, with new findings published in JAMA Cardiology.
FDA approves new short-term treatment for AFib, atrial flutter in critical care settings
Landiolol, sold by AOP Health under the brand name Rapiblyk, is an intravenous treatment designed to start working right away.
FDA approves acoramidis, BridgeBio’s new ATTR-CM drug
Acoramidis, a selective transthyretin stabilizer being sold under the brand name Attruby, is now the second ATTR-CM medication to gain FDA approval.

Insurance plans still denying more claims for PCSK9 inhibitors than other cardiovascular drugs

Despite an expanded indication from the FDA and lower prices, patient access to these cholesterol-lowering medications remains a significant issue.

February 22, 2024

A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed at Intermountain Healthcare. Image from Intermountain Healthcare

Anticoagulants after TAVR: 5-year survival data favor DOACs over VKAs

However, that one finding does not tell the whole story. Researchers also found that DOACs may increase a TAVR patient's risk of a disabling stroke.

February 15, 2024

Michael Garshick, MD, director of the cardio-rheumatology program, cardiologist and assistant professor, Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, explains the role of inflammation in coronary disease development and how this risk factor can be detected and treated.

Targeting coronary inflammation helps cardiologists provide better care

Michael Garshick, MD, examines the role of inflammation in coronary disease development, detailing how this risk factor can be detected and treated.

February 15, 2024

AI-powered risk score predicts how heart failure patients will respond to loop diuretics

New research out of Texas could go a long way toward improving care for patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

January 31, 2024

Preventing blood clots after TMVR—what is the best anticoagulant for the job?

Choosing between DOACs and VKAs could make a significant impact on patient outcomes, according to new findings published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

January 15, 2024

cardiologist preparing to perform radiofrequency ablation

Colchicine after AFib ablation fails to reduce risk of arrhythmia recurrence

However, the popular anti-inflammatory drug was linked to at least one other clinical benefit cardiologists should know about.

January 12, 2024

doctor with overweight patient who may be treated with TAVR or surgery

Are GLP-1 agonists safe? FDA finds no evidence popular weight loss medications cause suicidal thoughts or actions

The popular drugs, originally developed to treat diabetes, are being used more and more in the United States to help obese and overweight patients lose weight.

January 11, 2024

Imaging specialists partner with Pfizer to deliver AI-powered cardiac amyloidosis evaluations

Improving care for patients with cardiac amyloidosis has emerged as one of the hottest topics in cardiology. Pfizer helped kickstart that trend in 2019 when it gained FDA approval for two separate medications for the rare, but potentially fatal disease.

January 10, 2024

Pharmaceutics

FDA says years-long tirzepatide shortage is resolved, will give limited leeway to compounders

Merck spends up to $2B to license new weight loss drug with potential heart benefits

Clopidogrel vs. aspirin: Tracking the chronic maintenance period after PCI for different risk groups

FDA approves new short-term treatment for AFib, atrial flutter in critical care settings

FDA approves acoramidis, BridgeBio’s new ATTR-CM drug