Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Cardiology for October 2015. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Synchronized Prescription Renewal Process Saves Time
FRIDAY, Oct. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A synchronized prescription renewal process can save physicians time and money, which can be dedicated to patient care, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
Increasing Numbers of Med School Applicants, Enrollees
FRIDAY, Oct. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — There has been a 25 percent increase in the number of medical school enrollees since 2002, with the number reaching an all-time high of 20,630 this year, according to a report published online Oct. 22 by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
Flu Vaccine Slightly Less Effective in Patients on Statins
THURSDAY, Oct. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Two new studies raise the possibility that statins may blunt the effectiveness of flu vaccines in seniors. The research is published online Oct. 28 in The Journal of Infectious Diseases.
Despite Progress, Mortality Still Risk Up in Patients With T2DM
THURSDAY, Oct. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Type 2 diabetes still substantially increases mortality risk, with the degree of risk varying with age, renal complications, and glycemic control, according to research published in the Oct. 29 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Part D Enrollment Doesn’t Improve Outcomes After AMI
THURSDAY, Oct. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), enrollment in Part D by hospital discharge is not associated with improved outcomes, according to a study published online Oct. 27 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
CDC: E-Cigarette Use Highest Among 18- to 24-Year-Olds
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nearly 13 percent of American adults have tried electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) at least once, and 3.7 percent currently use them, according to the 2014 National Health Interview Survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Marital Status Appears to Affect Recovery From Cardiac Surgery
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Married people who have cardiac surgery may fare better after the operation than those who are divorced, separated, or widowed, according to new research published online Oct. 28 in JAMA Surgery.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Women More Often Treated With Low-Dose Dabigatran
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Women are more often treated with low-dose dabigatran, although there is a trend toward lower stroke rates with high-dose dabigatran, according to a study published online Oct. 27 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
Nearly 15 Percent of Plans Lack In-Network Specialists
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A considerable proportion of federal marketplace plans lack at least one in-network specialist, according to a research letter published in the Oct. 27 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Physician Emphasizes Importance of Saying Thank You
TUESDAY, Oct. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The importance of thanking patients for coming to see you, the physician, is described in an essay published online in Medical Economics.
Full Text
Gender Gap Appears to Continue in Cardiovascular Care
TUESDAY, Oct. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — New research suggests that doctors don’t warn younger women when they’re at risk for cardiovascular disease as often as they warn men. And once younger women suffer an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), they are less likely to receive revascularization and more likely to die in the hospital. The findings were reported in two separate studies published in the Nov. 3 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Full Text 1 (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Full Text 2 (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
USPSTF Urges Broader Screening for Type 2 Diabetes
TUESDAY, Oct. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Clinicians should screen overweight and obese adults between 40 and 70 years old for abnormal blood glucose levels, and should offer or refer patients with abnormal blood glucose to intensive behavioral counseling interventions, according to new recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The new recommendations were published online Oct. 27 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text
ADHD Meds Up Cardiac Event Risk in Long-QT Syndrome
TUESDAY, Oct. 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients with long-QT syndrome (LQTS) treated with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications have an increased risk for cardiac events, according to a study published in the October issue of the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology.
AMA: Eight Reasons for Nonadherence to Medications
FRIDAY, Oct. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Eight reasons associated with patient’s intentional nonadherence to medications have been identified in a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
EHR Use Ups Some Outcomes After Myocardial Infarction
THURSDAY, Oct. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), electronic health record (EHR) implementation is associated with some improvement in outcomes, according to a study published online Oct. 20 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
PCI Can Be Considered for Noninfarct Artery in STEMI
THURSDAY, Oct. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For select patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with multivessel disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), PCI in the noninfarct artery should be considered, according to new guidelines published online Oct. 21 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
‘Dispositional’ Mindfulness May Help Ward Off Obesity
THURSDAY, Oct. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Self-awareness may help reduce the risk of obesity, according to research published online Oct. 19 in the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Botulinum Toxin Might Control A-Fib After CABG Surgery
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Botulinum toxin injection may help prevent development of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, new research suggests. The results were published online Oct. 20 in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology.
Knee, Hip Arthroplasty Tied to Increased Short-Term MI Risk
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) for osteoarthritis, the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) is increased in the first postoperative month, according to a study published in the October issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Many Doctors Don’t Explain Stroke, Bleeding Risk in A-Fib
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For many Canadian patients with atrial fibrillation, primary care physicians do not provide stroke or bleeding risk estimates, according to a study published online Oct. 14 in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology.
Midlife Cardiovascular Fitness Tied to Lower Health Costs Later
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Higher cardiorespiratory fitness in middle age is strongly associated with lower health care costs later in life, according to a study published in the Oct. 27 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Older Blood Appears Safe for Cardiac Surgery Patients
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Cardiac surgery patients given blood stored for more than six weeks face no greater harm than those who get blood donated within two weeks, according to a research letter published in the Oct. 20 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Preeclampsia Tied to Congenital Heart Defects
TUESDAY, Oct. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Preeclampsia may increase risk of congenital heart defects, according to research published in the Oct. 20 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Age Affects Left Ventricle Differently in Men, Women
TUESDAY, Oct. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Age-related changes to the mass and volume of the left ventricle (LV) occur differently in men and women, according to a study published online Oct. 20 in Radiology.
Outpatient Spending Higher With Physician-Hospital Integration
TUESDAY, Oct. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Markets with greater increases in physician-hospital integration show greater increases in spending for outpatient care, but not inpatient care, for a large commercially insured population, according to a study published online Oct. 19 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Many Elderly CHD Patients Not Taking Statins
TUESDAY, Oct. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — High numbers of elderly patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) are not being treated with a statin, according to a study published in the Oct. 27 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Longer QRS Duration Predicts Cardiac Death, Heart Attack
MONDAY, Oct. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Longer QRS duration predicts cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with coronary artery disease, according to a study published in the Nov. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
FDA Approves Praxbind to Reverse Pradaxa’s Effect
MONDAY, Oct. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Praxbind (idarucizumab) has been approved for use in patients who are taking the anticoagulant Pradaxa (dabigatran) when there is an urgent need to reverse Pradaxa’s anticoagulant effects, according to a news release from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Only Some Energy Drinks Change Endothelial Function
MONDAY, Oct. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Some energy drinks appear to significantly improve endothelial function, while other energy drinks and coffee do not, according to a study published in the Nov. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Insulin Dose Doesn’t Up Mortality in ACCORD Trial
MONDAY, Oct. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial, insulin dose is not associated with cardiovascular (CV) death after adjustment for baseline covariates, according to a study published online Oct. 13 in Diabetes Care.
Review Links Lipid Profiles With Tendon Health
FRIDAY, Oct. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Lipid profiles seem to be associated with tendon health, according to a review published online Oct. 15 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Age Impacts Outcomes After Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
THURSDAY, Oct. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Age significantly impacts long-term outcomes after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study published online Oct. 7 in the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology.
Stroke Risk Higher for People With High-Strain Jobs
THURSDAY, Oct. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Exposure to high-strain jobs is associated with an increased risk of stroke, especially in women, according to a meta-analysis published online Oct. 14 in Neurology.
Paclitaxel-Eluting Not Noninferior to Everolimus-Eluting Stent
THURSDAY, Oct. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Paclitaxel-eluting stents are not noninferior to everolimus-eluting stents for patients with diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), according to a study published online Oct. 14 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics meeting, held from Oct. 11 to 15 in San Francisco.
Drug-Coated Beats Bare-Metal Stent for Safety, Efficacy
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A drug-coated stent is superior to a bare-metal stent for patients at high risk for bleeding who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), according to a study published online Oct. 14 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics meeting, held from Oct. 11 to 15 in San Francisco.
Metronome Can Improve Rate of Compressions in Pediatric CPR
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The rate of chest compressions during CPR can be optimized by the use of a metronome, according to a study published online Oct. 12 in Pediatrics.
Similar CV Care Quality Seen for NPs, PAs, Physicians
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Advanced practice providers (APPs), including nurse practitioners and physician assistants, deliver a quality of outpatient cardiovascular care that is similar to that provided by physicians, according to a study published online Oct. 12 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Young Women Less Likely Than Men to Start Meds After AMI
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — After acute myocardial infarction (AMI), younger women are less likely than younger men to initiate prescribed medications, according to a study published online Oct. 13 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
α-Tocopherol Bioavailability Lower in Metabolic Syndrome
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For adults, α-tocopheraol bioavailability is unaffected by dairy fat quantity but is lower in those with metabolic syndrome (MetS), according to a study published online Oct. 7 in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold Deemed Noninferior
TUESDAY, Oct. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with noncomplex obstructive coronary artery disease, treatment with an everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold is noninferior to treatment with an everolimus-eluting cobalt-chromium stent, according to a study published online Oct. 12 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics meeting, held from Oct. 11 to 15 in San Francisco.
Some Changes Seen in Line With ‘Choosing Wisely’ Initiative
TUESDAY, Oct. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Significant decreases in low-value services were seen in accordance with two of seven early “Choosing Wisely” recommendations, according to a study published online Oct. 12 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Doxycycline May Cut Bleeding With Ventricular Assist Device
TUESDAY, Oct. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Doxycycline can potentially cut left ventricular assist device (LVAD)-associated bleeding, according to a study published online Oct. 7 in JACC: Heart Failure.
Red Wine at Dinner May Reduce Cardiometabolic Risk in T2DM
TUESDAY, Oct. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Moderate red wine intake is safe and modestly decreases cardiometabolic risk among patients with well-controlled diabetes following the Mediterranean diet, according to a study published online Oct. 12 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
USPSTF Recommends High Blood Pressure Screening
TUESDAY, Oct. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends blood pressure screening for adults and use of confirmatory blood pressure measurement outside the clinic setting. These findings form the basis of a review and recommendation statement published online Oct. 12 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Evidence Review
Recommendation Statement
COPD Tied to Increased Risk of Ischemic, Hemorrhagic Stroke
MONDAY, Oct. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with increased risk of all stroke, ischemic stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke, although the risks are attenuated after adjustment for smoking, according to a study published online Sept. 28 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Americans Spend More on Health Care, but Fare Worse
MONDAY, Oct. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — When compared to 12 other industrialized nations, Americans spend more on health care services, but they fare worst in terms of life expectancy, according to recent findings from The Commonwealth Fund.
More Severe Psoriasis Equals More Vascular Inflammation
FRIDAY, Oct. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — As the amount of psoriasis increases, the amount of vascular inflammation increases, according to research published online Oct. 8 in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.
Short Walk Can Restore Vascular Function After Prolonged Sitting
FRIDAY, Oct. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Even a 10-minute walk can restore vascular function in legs affected by prolonged sitting, according to findings published recently in Experimental Physiology.
Troponin Cut-Off Could Help Reduce Admissions, Costs
THURSDAY, Oct. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A cardiac troponin concentration of <5 ng/L identifies patients at very low risk of myocardial infarction (MI) either during admission or within the following 30 days, researchers report online Oct. 7 in The Lancet.
Short Bursts of Intense Exercise Good for Adolescent Hearts
THURSDAY, Oct. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Health benefits for teens are achievable with just eight to 10 minutes of high-intensity exercise, according to a study published in the Sept. 15 issue of the American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Being Overweight Helps Women With Heart Failure, but Not Men
THURSDAY, Oct. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Overweight and mildly obese women with heart failure may live significantly longer than similarly heavy men with the progressive disease, according to a study published Oct. 7 in JACC: Heart Failure.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Low Income, Minority Status Affect Medical Care Wait Times
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Blacks and Hispanics spend approximately 25 percent more time seeking health care than whites, and patients also spend more time in a doctor’s waiting room if they’re unemployed, in a low-paying job, or never attended college, according to research published online Oct. 5 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Guidelines Developed for Managing Conflicts of Interest
TUESDAY, Oct. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The Guidelines International Network has developed principles for disclosure and management of conflicts of interest (COIs) during the clinical practice guideline development process, according to a report published in the Oct. 6 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Coronary Artery Calcium Score Improves CHD Risk Prediction
TUESDAY, Oct. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Inclusion of the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score improves coronary heart disease (CHD) risk prediction, while the absence of CAC reclassifies many patients as not eligible for statins, according to two studies published in the Oct. 13 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Full Text – McClelland (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Full Text – Nasir (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Nitrites Aid Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
TUESDAY, Oct. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), sodium nitrite infusion favorably reduces exercise-linked hemodynamic derangements of cardiac failure, according to a study published in the Oct. 13 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
β-Blockers May Up Risk of Surgical Complications for Some
MONDAY, Oct. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients taking β-blockers may face heightened risks of cardiovascular complications during non-cardiac surgeries, according to a large study published online Oct. 5 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Modified SOAP Ups Student Awareness of Health Care Costs
MONDAY, Oct. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Modification of the traditional Subjective-Objective-Assessment-Plan (SOAP) presentation to consider value (SOAP-V) can help medical students learn to practice high-value, cost-conscious care, according to a study published online Sept. 28 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Providers Must Understand Legal Limits of Telemedicine
FRIDAY, Oct. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In order to minimize risk when practicing telemedicine, providers should ensure they hold the proper medical licenses, have medical liability insurance coverage, and communicate with patients regarding the potential risks of telemedicine, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Strategies Provided for Improving EHR Efficiency
THURSDAY, Oct. 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Several strategies can be implemented in order to better use electronic health records (EHRs) for patient care and efficiency, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Copyright © 2015 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
