A number of factors have been associated with the onset of myocardial infarction, including physical exertion, drug abuse, heavy meals, stress, or increases in air pollution. Which of these triggers is the most important or relevant has not previously been investigated either at the population or the individual level. […]
Category: General cardiology
Renal function markers and cardiovascular risk
Although a low glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and albuminuria have previously been independently linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, it has not been established whether either measurement adds additional prognostic information beyond that of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. […]
Cardiac enzyme rises post CABG predict worse outcomes
The significance of myocardial enzyme elevations following coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) remains controversial. Although a ‘significant’ enzyme rise is felt to indicate a worse long-term prognosis, several smaller studies have suggested that even small enzyme rises within 24hours of surgery are significant. This analysis aimed to define whether a threshold exists below which enzyme […]
Remote haemodynamic monitoring of heart failure
Despite improvements in therapy, hospitalisations for heart failure have risen over the past three decades. More recently, implantable systems for monitoring of intracardiac and pulmonary artery pressures have been developed. […]
HDL function and atherosclerosis
There is a strong inverse relationship between serum levels of HDL and the risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This has fostered the search for pharmacological agents that raise HDL, but while several therapies have shown biochemical benefit – including nicotinic acid, fibrates and CETP inhibitors – there are little convincing data to associate these […]
IVUS reveals importance of non-culprit lesions
A substantial proportion of individuals who present with an acute coronary syndrome will go on to have repeat events, however the lesion related factors driving these repeat events remain poorly understood. Data from retrospective and pathological studies have suggested that many lesions that lead to clinical events are thin-walled lipid-rich lesions that are angiographically mild […]
Active compression-decompression CPR improves outcomes
Active compression-decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) involves minimising intrathoracic pressure in the decompression phase of CPR, a technique which is felt to improve cerebral and coronary flow. […]
Statins show benefit regardless of CRP
Some previous studies – most noticeably the JUPITER trial – have suggested that the vascular benefits of statin therapy may be greater in the presence of inflammation. C-reactive protein (CRP), a systemic marker of inflammation, has been associated with the risk of ischaemic heart disease, stroke, and vascular mortality, but its ability to act as […]
Fewer strokes complicate CABG
Stroke is a serious complication of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), occurring in around 1.3% of patients undergoing coronary surgery in the USA. In this study, Tarakji et al. aimed to examine the prevalence and timing of perioperative stroke in the modern era, to identify patient and surgical factors associated with stroke and its timing, […]
Candesartan shows superiority in heart failure
In patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) have been shown to decrease cardiovascular mortality and hospital admissions for heart failure. However, despite having different affinities for the AT1 receptor and different effects on outcomes, few ARBs have been compared head-to-head. This study aimed to compare the effects of […]