Low-dose Aspirin Reduces Risk of COVID-19 Mortality in Hospitalized Patients
Reduced risk of mortality as well as of ICU admission and mechanical ventilation were observed in patients with COVID-19 taking daily aspirin for CV prevention.
Finerenone Slows Renal Decline, Improves CV Outcomes in FIDELIO-DKD
The investigational mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist slowed progression to renal failure by 18% and reduced the composite cardiovascular outcome by 14%, authors report.
Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients Have More, More Severe Complications vs Patients with Influenza
The first study to compare COVID-19 and influenza complications in hospitalized patients found COVID-19 patients more likely to be admitted to ICU and to die.
NIH Updates Testing, Treatment Guidelines During Cocirculation of Influenza and COVID-19
The new guideline section stresses that testing is the only way to accurately discriminate between the 2 viruses and advises on influenza vaccination and treatment.
Expert Update on Lp(a): Dr Patrick Moriarty Explains the Next CVD Target
Elevated lipoprotein A is a genetically determined independent risk factor for CVD, affecting up to 30% of the population. Phase 3 trials for the first treatment are underway.
Study: Heart Failure Patients Often Discharged Taking 10 or More Medications
Most HF patients were aking more than 5 medications on admission. The majority left taking more than 10, most not indicated for cardiovascular-related conditions.
FDA Issues EUA Guidance for COVID-19 Vaccines
The FDA has issued guidance for sponsors of requests for EUA for COVID-19 vaccines including details on clinical trial data required to support award of EUA.
The Presidential COVID-19 Treatment Regimen-to-date
From daily aspirin to RGN-CoV2 to zinc, the president of the United States has been treated for COVID-19 with a wide range of both authorized and unproven therapies.
CVD Mortality in COPD Related to Factors Other than Lung Function Decline
In COPD patients, a new study found no association between lung function decline and individual CVD outcomes, but disease exacerbations and dyspnea were implicated.
FDA Requires Update to Boxed Warning for Benzodiazepines
The FDA called for more detailed information on risks associated with benzodiazepine use based on review of adverse event reports dating from 1968.
Genetic Mutations May Underlie Severe COVID-19 Illness
More than 10% of those who develop severe COVID-19 have misguided antibodies that derail the immune response, according to new research.
Patients with T2D at Greater Risk for Vascular than Other Dementias
The association of vascular dementia with T2D is stronger than that of nonvascular or Alzheimer dementia, according to a study presented at EASD.
Type 2 Diabetes: Clinical Guidelines Concur on CV Risk Management
What do clinical guidelines from diabetes, cardiology, and endocrinology associations have in common? A case study quiz with an evidence-based answer explains.
FDA Puts Empagliflozin on Fast Track for Reduced Post-MI All-cause Mortality
Empagliflozin is now in FDA fast-track development for prevention of hospitalization for HF and reduced all-cause mortality in patients, with/without diabetes, post-AMI.
Asthma: Long-acting Muscarinic Antagonists Overused, Up Exacerbation Risk
Long-acting muscarinic antagonists, recommended as add-on therapy for asthma, are too often used as monotherapy and are linked with severe exacerbations, a new study finds.
Checklist for Accurate Office BP Measurement
Office blood pressure measurement technique is relatively simple yet widely prone to error. Check your office procedure against guideline recommendations.
Pandemic Makes Remote BP Monitoring Essential
COVID-19 has been a boon for 1 chronic disease: hypertension. Brigham and Women's hypertension expert Dr Naomi Fisher says home BP monitoring programs are expanding, at last.
Primary Care Centers Use Outdated Hypertension Diagnostics
AHA Hypertension 2020: Primary care practitioners rely on officed-based BP measures and outdated cut points to diagnose new hypertension.
Pandemic Amplifies Need for National Dialog About Suicide
Survey: Most US adults feel COVID-19 has made it essential to talk openly about suicide; more than half say it has made them more open to discussing mental health.
How to Fine Tune Telemedicine for Older Adults
Video: How to ensure the best virtual visit for your older patients is discussed by an otologist and a gerontologist from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
3 Influenza Season Imperatives: Vaccinate, Vaccinate, Vaccinate
The CDC estimates delivery of a record 194 to 198 million doses of influenza vaccine this year. The primary care imperative: vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate.
10-year Study: Usual A1c >7% Raises Cardiovascular Risk in Type 2 Diabetes
The risk of having a CVD-related event is increased by 21% for every 1% increase in usual A1c >7% in patients with type 2 diabetes, a new study finds.
Visit-to-Visit Variability in BP Associated with Dementia, Cognitive Decline
"Beyond hypertension, higher BPV is a major clinical predictor of cognitive impairment and dementia," conclude authors of a new study.
Phase 3 Trials Launched for AZ SARS-CoV2 Vaccine Candidate
The AstraZeneca-Oxford University investigational coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine candidate, has expanded into a phase 3 clinical trial.
NIH Releases Statement on FDA EUA for Use of Convalescent Plasma in COVID-19 Patients
Based on its own review of data on use of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19, NIH finds insufficient data to recommend for or against its use, the statement says.
NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Updated Based on New Data
Treatment guidelines on COVID-19 from the NIH were updated today based on data from clinical trials of hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, and IL-6 inhibitors.
NAFLD/NASH thought to Drive Cardiovascular Death, Researcher Explains
Interview: The liver disease itself, and not the associated metabolic dysfunction, may lead to CV death in these patients. Seth Baum, MD, is involved in research for a treatment.
Metabolic Effects Comparable with Roux-en-Y vs Diet in Type 2 Diabetes
In patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes, metabolic improvements were similar after weight loss induced by surgery or a low-calorie diet.
Poll: Give COVID-19 Vaccine to High-risk Americans First
A Harris Poll finds Americans want a US-approved COVID-19 vaccine allocated here first, the rest of the world next, and our most vulnerable take priority.
ID Expert Caught up in COVID-19: Switching Gears
VIDEO: NIH-funded infectious disease expert discusses convalescent plasma, remdesivir, corticosteroids, and the COVID-19 vaccine timeline.
