Smoking Cessation as Effective as 3 Meds in Secondary CVD Prevention: 5 Event-free Years
Persons with ASCVD who quit smoking could gain 5 more years of life--similar to the outcome of intensive medical treatment while continuing to smoke.
Should Medicare Cover Medical Marijuana: Medicare Recipients Respond
Medical cannabis is already popular with Medicare recipients and many fear insurance coverage will drive up the cost. Find out what else a new survey found.
Primary Care is the Answer to the Migraine Care Gap, Says Headache Specialist
US patients diagnosed with migraine: 40 million. US headache specialists: 600. Primary care is the answer, according to Christopher Gottschalk, MD.
FDA Clears Fitbit Algorithm to Detect Atrial Fibrillation
The FDA clearance for the FitBit algorithm will provide another widely tested tool for patient and clinicians to help identify arrhythmias earlier and avoid severe cardiocerebrovascular events.
CGRP Inhibition for Migraine: Side Effects are Few but Pay Attention for These
The CGRP inhibitor class of injectable migraine preventive agents has a very favorable side effect profile but the drugs do come with some cautions, says Christopher Gottschalk, MD.
Finerenone Consistently Reduced Cardiorenal Risk Regardless of ASCVD History in FIDELITY
In patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease with and without history of CVD, finerenone was associated with improved CV and kidney outcomes.
New Diabetes Device Comparison Platform Supports Clinical Decision-making, Prescribing
DiabetesWise Pro, created at Stanford University, provides an unbranded, unbiased guide to matching diabetes technology to patient needs, access, and lifestyle.
Rimegepant for Acute Migraine May Reduce Use of, Reliance on Opioids: New Data
Opioid refills were reduced by ~40% in the 9 months following an initial prescription for rimegepant among patients with migraine, a new study found.
Diabetes Technology Myths & Facts for Primary Care Practitioners
Initiating diabetes technology of any kind is a big step for patients, but also for a lot of primary care clinicians. If you have concerns, these myths and facts are for you.
ACC, AHA, HFSA 2022 Heart Failure Management Guidelines: A Guideline Topline
The new HF guidelines prioritize primary prevention, revise disease stages to encourage early intervention, and now include SGLT2i as guideline-directed medical therapy.
FDA Grants Priority Review to Dupilumab sBLA for Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Dupilumab is the only biologic to show positive, clinically meaningful phase 3 results in adults and adolescents 12 years and older with EoE.
PROMPT-HF: Prescription of GDMT in Heart Failure Improves with EHR-integrated Custom Alert
ACC 2022. An EHR alert tailored to prompt clinicians to check guideline-directed medical therapy for individual HF patients was integrated carefully into clinical workflow.
Reduced Dietary Sodium in Heart Failure Patients Had Little Impact on Clinical Events: SODIUM-HF
ACC 2022. SODIUM-HF secondary findings, however, showed improvement in NYHA HF class and in QOL in the dietary intervention group.
Racial Minorities Less Likely to Receive CPR Regardless of Location, Community Makeup
ACC 2022. Black and Hispanic persons were 41% less likely than white individuals to receive CPR after cardiac arrest in public and 26% less likely when the event occurred in their home.
FDA Approves Higher Dose of Semaglutide (2 mg) to Reduce HbA1c in Type 2 Diabetes
The higher dose of the GLP-1 analogue allows more flexibility for patients with T2D needing to intensify treatment, says manufacturer Novo Nordisk.
Noise Pollution and MI: New Jersey Study Finds a Significant Association
ACC 2022. Approximately 5% of hospitalizations for acute MI in the state were found attributable to elevated levels of traffic noise.
Benefits of Exercise in CVD Risk Reduction More than Double in Anxiety, Depression
ACC 2022. Exercise lowers CVD risk in part by reducing the same neurobiologic activity associated with depression and anxiety, according to study authors.
Wearables for Cardio Monitoring May Yield Inaccurate Data Based on Skin Tone
ACC 2022. A new systematic review suggests skin melanin content may impede accurate recording of heart rate and rhythm by wearable devices.
Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Not Prescribed for Majority of Americans in Need
A new study of more than 2 million US adults and adolescents who could benefit from medication for OUD reveals only 1 in 4 reported past-year use.
Migraine Medicine Transformed: Christopher Gottschalk, MD Discusses How We Got to CGRP Inhibition
Gottschalk says CGRP inhibitors have made "...a life-changing transformation in how we think about and the kind of expectations we set for migraine treatment."
FDA Label Expansion Further Simplifies HIV Treatment with Cabotegravir/Rilpivirine
Persons with HIV now have the option to forego initiation of the long-acting injectable with oral formulations of the medications, according to a statement from Viiv Healthcare.
Before Migraine Was a Disease: Headache Expert Christopher Gottschalk, MD, Remembers his Roots
Christopher Gottschalk, MD, a leader in migraine research and clinical care, talks about what drew him to headache medicine early on and what it used to be like.
Early Aspirin Use May Reduce Odds of In-hospital Death in COVID-19 Infection
In a cohort of more than 110 000 patients hospitalized with moderate disease, aspirin use on day 1 reduced odds of mortality by 15% and of PE by 29%.
FDA Issues Safety Alert after Reports of Injury Related to COVID-19 Home Test Kits
Injuries have included accidental use of test solution as eyedrops and children ingesting test parts and swallowing test solution.
Bodyweight Variability May Increase Risk for Major CV Events in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: New Study
Persons with type 2 diabetes who either gained or lost 5% of baseline bodyweight were found to be at higher risk for heart failure, MI, and all-cause death.
Factors Linked to Switching Biologic Treatments in Patients with Severe Asthma
Higher blood eosinophils, younger age, and eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis were among factors associated with a switch from initial biologic therapy in a new study.
America's Place in Primary Care: US Ranks Low Among Wealthy Nations
"Exhibit 1. US adults are among the least likely to have a regular doctor or place to go for care." More findings from a Commonwealth Fund report follow.
Empagliflozin CKD Phase 3 Trial Stopped Early for Positive Efficacy Seen in Interim Assessment
The phase 3 EMPA-KIDNEY clinical trial had just met prespecified criteria for positive efficacy when the study's Independent Data Monitoring Committee recommended the early halt.
Meta-Analysis: Current Evidence on Statin Impact on LDL-C and CVD Risk Reduction is Flawed
A new meta-analysis questions the science demonstrating the link between statin-induced LDL-C lowering and improved CV, all-cause outcomes.
Telehealth Secures Foothold but Virtual Care Needs Work, Survey Finds
COVID-19 accelerated telehealth as a standard option but what services will it be best suited for now? A new survey suggests the future.
