Clinical

This channel newsfeed includes clinical content on treating patients or the clinical implications in a variety of cardiac subspecialties and disease states. The channel includes news on cardiac surgery, interventional cardiology, heart failure, electrophysiology, hypertension, structural heart disease, use of pharmaceuticals, and COVID-19.

Report: UnitedHealth rewarded nursing homes for delaying hospital transfers
Citing evidence from documents and interviews, the Guardian released an exposé accusing UnitedHealth of directly influencing the day-to-day operations of some 2,000 nursing homes, resulting in patients not receiving necessary emergency care.
FDA wants new heart damage warnings added to COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are associated with a very low risk of myocarditis and/or pericarditis, primarily in young adults. The long-term impact of this risk has been the subject of many studies and debates over the years. One side says that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks, and the other side says that even the smallest risk of heart damage is too high.
Early TAVR or SAVR in asymptomatic patients linked to improved survival, reduced costs
Researchers explored data from more than 24,000 AVR patients, presenting their findings at EuroPCR in Paris.
Work begins on first ATTR-CM study of its kind
ACT-EARLY is testing the hypothesis that treating asymptomatic carriers of a pathogenic TTR variant with the drug acoramidis could delay amyloidosis from developing.
FDA outlines stricter ‘evidence-based approach’ to COVID vaccinations
The FDA is revising its approach to COVID-19 vaccine approvals, moving away from the previous trend of treating boosters like annual flu shots. Health researcher Vinay Prasad and Commissioner Martin Makary argue in the New England Journal of Medicine for more rigorous data requirements and additional clinical studies to justify future inoculations for those under 65.

PCI just as successful when patients have a history of TAVR—but there are some added risks

Strokes and bleeding complications are more likely when PCI patients have already undergone TAVR, according to a new analysis of ACC registry data.

Video interview with Andreas Ruck, MD, explaining a SWEDHEART registry comparison of Acurate Neo2 to Sapien and Evolut TAVR valves.

Cardiologist highlights safety, effectiveness of Boston Scientific TAVR valve

Andreas Ruck, MD, discussed new registry data on Boston Scientific’s Acurate neo2 TAVR valve, comparing it to popular devices from Edwards Lifesciences and Medtronic.

FDA gives AI-powered blood test for obstructive CAD breakthrough device designation

The FDA clearly sees significant potential in a new multi-protein blood test from Prevencio. The company's goal is to gain full approval and get the test in the hands of emergency departments all over the United States.

Many attendees shot selfies in front of the the massive heart on display in the Cytokinetic booth at AHA 2022.

New drug for obstructive HCM outperforms the current standard of care

Cytokinetics announced positive results from a new clinical trial comparing aficamten monotherapy to the beta blocker metoprolol.

COVID causes increase risk of clotting. Example of a pulmonary embolism. CT pulmonary angiograms in a 77-year-old man with COVID-19 and a saddle embolus to pulmonary arteries (black arrow in A) extending into right and left pulmonary arteries (white arrows) in (A, B) axial and (C) coronal planes. Arrowheads show pulmonary changes associated with COVID-19 and possible lung infarction (black arrow in C). (D) Axial image at the level of the ventricles shows right-sided heart strain. RSNA. COVID PE

PE CT studies have risen nearly 50% in recent years

The diagnostic yield of the exam, however, has remained largely unchanged, prompting experts to question whether CT pulmonary angiography is being overused in the ED.

GE HealthCare debuts new wide-bore MRI scanner built with cardiology, oncology in mind

The new 1.5T MRI scanner includes a wide bore and key AI features designed to boost the patient experience.

When valves fail: Surgeons share advice for treating high-risk patients with TAVR explant and SAVR

When a patient’s TAVR valve fails, redo TAVR is not always a feasible option. TAVR explantation and SAVR are typically the answer in these cases, but that approach is associated with certain risks.

stomach surgery gastric bypass gastric sleeve heart risks

Gastric bypass surgery linked to lower heart attack risk than gastric sleeve

Both operations can help obese patients lose weight, researchers noted, but gastric bypass surgery "may be associated with greater cardiovascular benefits."

Clinical

Report: UnitedHealth rewarded nursing homes for delaying hospital transfers

FDA wants new heart damage warnings added to COVID-19 vaccines

Early TAVR or SAVR in asymptomatic patients linked to improved survival, reduced costs

Work begins on first ATTR-CM study of its kind

FDA outlines stricter ‘evidence-based approach’ to COVID vaccinations