It remains uncertain whether the sweeping changes in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes have had a substantial impact on the incidence of cardiogenic shock. […]
Category: General cardiology
Exercise induced arrhythmia associated with increased mortality
The prognostic importance of exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmia (EIVA) remains unclear. Left bundle branch block (LBBB)-morphology ventricular ectopics may originate from the right ventricular outflow tract and are often benign, whereas right bundle branch block (RBBB)-morphology ventricular ectopics may originate from the left ventricular and may be associated with left ventricular (LV) disease or depressed LV […]
Percutaneous aortic valve replacement – patient selection is key
Studies among elderly populations demonstrate that conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR) remains the gold standard for the treatment of critical aortic stenosis compared to medical therapy. However, among populations deemed too high-risk for conventional surgery, or among those who decline surgical intervention, percutaneous procedures such as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) may be an option. […]
Genetic study suggests CRP not causal in atherosclerosis
Increased levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) are associated with an increased risk of ischaemic heart and cerebrovascular disease. But is CRP a causal factor in atherosclerosis development or merely a marker for ischaemic vascular disease? Evidence to suggest a role for CRP in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is predominantly from epidemiological studies. These have consistently […]
Off-pump CABG lowers early post-operative risk in women
Previous studies of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) describe, in the majority, an increased rate of early mortality and morbidity among women as compared with men. Retrospective reviews of large observational studies have shown decreased early risk-adjusted mortality and morbidity among patients undergoing off pump CABG (OPCABG) as compared with those placed on […]
Decrease in risk of community sudden cardiac death over the last 30 years
Although several large clinical trials have recently examined the risk of sudden cardiac death after myocardial infarction (MI), community-based data reflecting the contemporary risk of sudden cardiac death after MI are lacking. Adabag et al. determined to evaluate the risk of sudden cardiac death after MI and the impact of recurrent ischemia and heart failure […]
Effective Risk-Factor Reduction Could Eliminate Socioeconomic differences in cardiovascular health
A socioeconomic gradient in coronary mortality is well established in developed countries, and is becoming increasingly apparent in low- and middle-income countries too. Previously, it has not been clear to what extent the classical cardiovascular risk factors are responsible for this difference, nor indeed whether by treating them effectively it could be possible to balance […]
JUPITER puts primary prevention into new orbit
Current guidelines recommend statin treatment for patients with known vascular disease, diabetes or elevated lipid levels. Yet half of myocardial infarctions and strokes occur in apparently healthy individuals with levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol that are below current threshold levels for treatment. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory biomarker which can […]
No cardiovascular benefit from vitamins C or E
Although a large number of people continue to take vitamin supplements, the long-term health benefits remain unclear. Both vitamins C and E have antioxidant properties that have the potential to slow plaque progression. […]
Higher nonfasting triglycerides associated with ischaemic stroke risk
Two recent studies reported a strong association between elevated levels of nonfasting, but not fasting, triglycerides and increased risk of myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, and death and total cardiovascular events. However, to date the evidence regarding the risk of nonfasting triglyceride levels has been less clear. […]