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.

Dexcom issues new recall for CGM apps due to safety risk—users urged to update immediately
The FDA has categorized this as a Class I recall. If patients update their phone or watch apps as needed, they can continue to use these devices like normal.
Cardiologist sues hospital after he was allegedly let go for sharing safety concerns
The veteran interventional cardiologist claims he was pushed out after repeatedly asking for more coverage from cardiothoracic surgeons in addition to other improvements. The hospital, meanwhile, described the lawsuit as a “collection of false allegations."
Why all heart patients should be vaccinated against the flu, COVID-19, RSV
The American College of Cardiology has shared new recommendations highlighting the protective benefits of a variety of vaccines. The new guidance also examines how to speak with patients who are hesitant to be vaccinated.
Heart surgeons see more potential in AI than colleagues from other fields
Cardiac surgeons see significant value in AI's ability to assist clinicians with administrative tasks and patient selection. When it comes to making clinical decisions, however, there is still a certain amount of skepticism.
New Apple Watch Ultra 3 makes early hypertension detection a priority
"This tool empowers patients and clinicians to work together, putting prevention at the center of care," said Ami B. Bhatt, MD, ACC chief innovation officer. "What we really want to do is create patient agency and reach as many people as we can for earlier detection of high blood pressure."

Flu shots improve survival in heart failure patients

Receiving the flu vaccine could improve cardiovascular and all-cause mortality outcomes in patients with heart failure, according to a large-scale study of Danish citizens published Dec. 10 in Circulation.

Stroke patients see similar odds of readmission with thrombectomy, thrombolysis

About 1 in 8 patients who received endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke during a two-year period in the U.S. were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days, according to an analysis of the Nationwide Readmissions Database published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

‘It wasn’t what you read in pamphlets’: Survivor warns MI symptoms are different in women

One MI survivor is raising awareness for heart attack symptoms in women after her Dec. 9 tweets about an unusual episode went viral.

Ambulatory BP monitoring deemed cost-effective in most scenarios

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is cost-saving across nearly all age groups, regardless of whether patients are found to have hypertension on the initial screening, according to a study published in Hypertension.

Intra-aortic balloon pumps most successful within hour of cardiogenic shock

Patients who present to the hospital with cardiogenic shock (CS) and are treated with an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) are more likely to survive if the device is implanted within an hour of CS onset, according to research published in the American Journal of Cardiology Dec. 4.

Mylan expands valsartan recall to all unexpired lots in US

Mylan Pharmaceuticals expanded its voluntary drug recall to include all unexpired valsartan-containing products in the U.S., the FDA announced Dec. 4. The action joins a host of other recalls over the last few months related to carcinogenic impurities being found in angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), a class of medications used to treat hypertension and heart failure.

Study: Echocardiography may reveal keys to ‘obesity paradox’ in heart failure

A study presented Dec. 6 at the EuroEcho-Imaging 2018 conference in Milan adds to the debate over the "obesity paradox," finding that acute heart failure patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 23 or higher had better survival over nearly three years of follow-up than those with a BMI below that threshold.

USDA allows flavored milk, more sodium and fewer whole grains in school nutrition

The U.S. Department of Agriculture rolled out its final rule on school nutrition standards Dec. 6, allowing schools to ease up on whole grains, permanently serve 1 percent flavored milk and take their time reducing sodium levels in school lunches.

Clinical

Dexcom issues new recall for CGM apps due to safety risk—users urged to update immediately

Cardiologist sues hospital after he was allegedly let go for sharing safety concerns

Why all heart patients should be vaccinated against the flu, COVID-19, RSV

Heart surgeons see more potential in AI than colleagues from other fields

New Apple Watch Ultra 3 makes early hypertension detection a priority