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.   

CBD heart disease

Is CBD safe for patients with heart disease?

CBD is generally viewed as a safe, well-tolerated treatment option, but there is still limited research on how it interacts with other medications commonly prescribed by cardiologists. 

DOACs after TAVR may put some patients at risk, new meta-analysis suggests

The new study, based on data from nearly 3,000 patients, compared DOACs such as rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban with single and dual antiplatelet therapy. 

Dual antiplatelet therapy after CABG linked to a key benefit—and a key risk

A two-medication strategy after CABG surgery reduces the risk that grafts will fail, but it also increases the risk of serious bleeding. As one surgeon said, "the benefit comes at a price.”

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Very low doses of edoxaban are safe and effective for frail, elderly AFib patients

Elderly patients are often not eligible for oral anticoagulant therapy due to the risk of bleeding events or other adverse outcomes. A very low dose of edoxaban, however, appears to be a safe treatment option, even for especially frail patients.

Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, director of Mount Sinai Heart and general director of the Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research

Polypill strategy improves odds of survival after a heart attack

The new findings, presented during ESC Congress 2022 and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggest that prescribing these new-look pills to heart patients could boost outcomes while also improving medication adherence.

USPSTF highlights the benefits of statin use among high-risk CVD patients in new recommendations

The USPSTF recommends statin use for high-risk patients between the ages of 40 to 75 to help prevent a first heart attack or stroke. Other patients in that same age group may also benefit, the group noted, but physician input is needed. 

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NSAID use may not be safe for older patients with type 2 diabetes

The new analysis, based on data from more than 330,000 patients, is scheduled to be presented during ESC Congress 2022. 

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Medical marijuana linked to a higher risk of heart rhythm issues

The new analysis, presented at ESC Congress 2022, found that a medical marijuana prescription for chronic pain may increase a person's overall arrhythmia risk.