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J Am Heart Assoc 2018 Nov;7(21):e010033

1 Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine Weill Cornell Medicine Doha Qatar.

Background Aspirin is of uncertain benefit for primary prevention in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). We assessed whether primary prevention with aspirin is beneficial in patients with T2D and heart failure ( HF ). Methods and Results Data from The Health Improvement Network, a UK multicenter prospective primary care database, were analyzed. Read More

Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc 2019 Mar 28;22:73-77. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.

Background: We aimed to describe whether updated low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-targets in patients with manifest coronary artery disease (CAD) led to a change in lipid profile over time.

Methods: We retrospectively included patients with manifest CAD from 2009-2010, 2012-2013, and 2015-2016 (n = 500 each). Lipid levels and medication at the different time-points as well as rate of accordance to guidelines (<100 for 2009-2010, <70 mg/dl for 2012-2013 and 2015-2016) were evaluated. Read More

J Family Med Prim Care 2018 Sep-Oct;7(5):859-864

Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: American Heart Association and many other recommend Mediterranean diet for patients with cardiovascular risk. This systematic review and meta-analysis are conducted to review the effects of Mediterranean diet on the cardiovascular events as reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods: A systematic research is conducted on MEDLINE via Ovid, Embase, PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Informit. Read More

Indian Heart J 2018 Dec 24;70 Suppl 3:S36-S42. Epub 2018 Apr 24.

Chairman and Dean Academics and Research, Batra Heart Center & Batra Hospital and Medical Research Center, Delhi, India.

Objective: Present paper describes trends in prevalence and control of cardiovascular risk factors and clinical outcomes at 5-years for CLARIFY Indian cohort compared with rest of the world (ROW).

Method: CLARIFY is an international, prospective-observational, longitudinal cohort study in stable coronary artery disease outpatients. The 5-year data of both cohorts were compared, and evaluated. Read More

Circulation 2018 Nov 10:CIR0000000000000626. Epub 2018 Nov 10.

Background: The 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines for the treatment of blood cholesterol found little evidence to support the use of nonstatin lipid-modifying medications to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events. Since publication of these guidelines, multiple randomized controlled trials evaluating nonstatin lipid-modifying medications have been published.

Methods: We performed a systematic review to assess the magnitude of benefit and/or harm from additional lipid-modifying therapies compared with statins alone in individuals with known ASCVD or at high risk of ASCVD. Read More

Circulation 2018 Nov 10:CIR0000000000000625. Epub 2018 Nov 10.

ABC Representative.

Circulation 2018 Nov 10:CIR0000000000000638. Epub 2018 Nov 10.

Risk assessment is a critical step in the current approach to primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Knowledge of the 10-year risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease identifies patients in higher-risk groups who are likely to have greater net benefit and lower number needed to treat for both statins and antihypertensive therapy. Current U. Read More

Indian Heart J 2018 Nov - Dec;70(6):857-863. Epub 2017 Nov 16.

Department of Cardiology, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695011, India.

Objectives: To study if four cycles of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) could offer protection against contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) and post procedural renal dysfunction in high risk patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: This was a prospective single blind randomized sham controlled trial where patients undergoing coronary angioplasty with stage III chronic kidney disease were randomized into sham preconditioning and remote ischemic preconditioning. The primary outcome was the reduction in the incidence of CIN. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2018 Dec;7(23):e011367

1 Department of Medicine (Cardiology) New York University School of Medicine New York NY.

Background Dietary interventions may play a role in secondary cardiovascular prevention. hsCRP (High-sensitivity C-reactive protein) is a marker of risk for major adverse cardiovascular outcomes in coronary artery disease. Methods and Results The open-label, blinded end-point, EVADE CAD (Effects of a Vegan Versus the American Heart Association-Recommended Diet in Coronary Artery Disease) trial randomized participants (n=100) with coronary artery disease to 8 weeks of a vegan or American Heart Association-recommended diet with provision of groceries, tools to measure dietary intake, and dietary counseling. Read More

Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2018 Nov;11(11):e004584

Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA (D.M.).

Background Fish oil is among the most common natural supplements for treatment of hypertriglyceridemia or prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, concerns about theoretical bleeding risk have led to recommendations that patients should stop taking fish oil before surgery or delay in elective procedures for patients taking fish oil by some health care professionals. Methods and Results We tested the effect of fish oil supplementation on perioperative bleeding in a multinational, placebo-controlled trial involving 1516 patients who were randomized to perioperative fish oil (eicosapentaenoic acid+docosahexaenoic acid; 8-10 g for 2-5 days preoperatively, and then 2 g/d postoperatively) or placebo. Read More

Circulation 2018 Nov 10:CIR0000000000000624. Epub 2018 Nov 10.

ABC Representative.

JAMA 2018 12;320(22):2325-2334

Hemodialysis Center, Inoue Hospital, Soryu Medical Corporation, Osaka, Japan.

Importance: Patients with chronic kidney disease have impaired vitamin D activation and elevated cardiovascular risk. Observational studies in patients treated with hemodialysis showed that the use of active vitamin D sterols was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality, regardless of parathyroid hormone levels.

Objective: To determine whether vitamin D receptor activators reduce cardiovascular events and mortality in patients without secondary hyperparathyroidism undergoing hemodialysis. Read More

Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars 2018 12;46(8):683-691

Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.

Objective: It has been reported that women receive fewer preventive recommendations regarding pharmacological treatment, lifestyle modifications, and cardiac rehabilitation compared with men who have a similar risk profile. This study was an investigation of the impact of gender on cardiovascular risk profile and secondary prevention measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) in the Turkish population.

Methods: Statistical analyses were based on the European Action on Secondary and Primary Prevention through Intervention to Reduce Events (EUROASPIRE)-IV cross-sectional survey data obtained from 17 centers in Turkey. Read More

J Electrocardiol 2018 Nov - Dec;51(6):967-972. Epub 2018 Aug 23.

Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy.

Background: An abnormal frontal QRS-T angle (fQRSTa) is associated with increased risk of death in primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fQRSTa prognostic role in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization and/or cardiac valve surgery.

Methods: We enrolled and prospectively followed for 48 ± 26 months 939 subjects with available QRS and T axis data; mean age was 68 ± 12 years, 449 patients (48%) underwent myocardial revascularization, 333 (35%) cardiac valve surgery, 94 (10%) valve plus bypass graft surgery and 63 (7%) cardiac surgery for other cardiovascular (CV) diseases. Read More

Minerva Med 2018 Nov 27. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.

Cardiac troponin (cTn) testing has evolved significantly in recent times. Because of increased sensitivity, its use has shifted from a marker used solely to help diagnose acute myocardial infarction (MI) to a marker than can be used in the outpatient setting, as well as for both detection of myocardial injury and risk-stratification. Its main role remains in the diagnosis of acute MI and the risk-stratification of patients presenting with suspected acute coronary syndrome. Read More

Trends Cardiovasc Med 2018 Nov 6. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, UCLA Health System, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 100 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite 660, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address:

Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of cardiovascular mortality, posing a substantial public health burden. The incidence and epidemiology of sudden death are a function of age, with primary arrhythmia syndromes and inherited cardiomyopathies representing the predominant causes in younger patients, while coronary artery disease being the leading etiology in those who are 35 years of age and older. Internal cardioverter defibrillators remain the mainstay of primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac arrest. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Oct;97(43):e12665

First Department of Medicine-Cardiology, University Medical Centre Mannheim.

Selecting a revascularization strategy in patients with multivessel disease (MVD) and severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) remains a challenge. PCI with Impella 2.5 may facilitate high-risk PCI, however long-term results comparing unprotected versus protected PCI are currently unknown. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2018 Nov;7(21):e009517

1 Division of Cardiology Department of Medicine Samsung Medical Center Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine Seoul Korea.

Background Whether use of high-intensity statins is more important than achieving low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL -C) target remains controversial in patients with coronary artery disease. We sought to investigate the association between statin intensity and long-term clinical outcomes in patients achieving treatment target for LDL -C after percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods and Results Between February 2003 and December 2014, 1746 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and achieved treatment target for LDL -C (<70 mg/dL or >50% reduction from baseline level) were studied. Read More

Am J Transplant 2018 Oct 29. Epub 2018 Oct 29.

Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.

Low T cell counts and acute rejection are associated with increased cardiovascular events (CVEs); T cell-depleting agents decrease both. Thus, we aimed to characterize the risk of CVEs by using an induction agent used in kidney transplant recipients. We conducted a secondary data analysis of patients who received a kidney transplant and used Medicare as their primary insurance from 1999 to 2010. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2018 Aug;7(16):e009217

1 Department of Vascular Medicine University Medical Centre Utrecht The Netherlands.

Background In patients with vascular disease, risk models may support decision making on novel risk reducing interventions, such as proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors or anti-inflammatory agents. We developed and validated an innovative model to estimate life expectancy without recurrent cardiovascular events for individuals with coronary, cerebrovascular, and/or peripheral artery disease that enables estimation of preventive treatment effect in lifetime gained. Methods and Results Study participants originated from prospective cohort studies: the SMART (Secondary Manifestations of Arterial Disease) cohort and REACH (Reduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health) cohorts of 14 259 ( REACH Western Europe), 19 170 ( REACH North America) and 6959 ( SMART , The Netherlands) patients with cardiovascular disease. Read More

J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2018 Nov;24(11):1078-1085

1 Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Economics, School of Pharmacy, Leonard Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

Background: The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) issued new cholesterol treatment guidelines in 2013. Two of the groups designated for primary prevention were analyzed: patients with a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level ≥ 190 mg per dL and diabetic patients aged 40-75 years.

Objective: To estimate the effects of primary prevention as specified in the 2013 guidelines on cardiovascular event risk and cost. Read More

Neth Heart J 2018 Dec;26(12):628-633

Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Heart Center, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: Timely detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients is clinically important for prevention of AF-related complications and inappropriate shocks. Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and a dual or triple chamber ICD show a high incidence of device-detected AF. Whether CAD patients with a single chamber ICD carry a similar risk for device-detected AF remains unknown. Read More

Eur J Epidemiol 2018 Oct 23. Epub 2018 Oct 23.

Department of Public Health, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 4K3, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.

The EUROASPIRE surveys (EUROpean Action on Secondary Prevention through Intervention to Reduce Events) demonstrated that most European coronary patients fail to achieve lifestyle, risk factor and therapeutic targets. Here we report on the 2-year incidence of hard cardiovascular (CV) endpoints in the EUROASPIRE IV cohort. EUROASPIRE IV (2012-2013) was a large cross-sectional study undertaken at 78 centres from selected geographical areas in 24 European countries. Read More

Curr Atheroscler Rep 2018 Oct 22;20(12):57. Epub 2018 Oct 22.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is known to be an increasing cause of mortality among women, particularly postmenopausal women. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a topic that has been investigated over the past decade for its known impact on the cardiovascular system. This review summarizes the evidence and current opinion on the associations between HRT and CVD, evidence both supporting and against HRT use as a prevention to the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). Read More

Am Heart J 2018 Dec 29;206:80-93. Epub 2018 Sep 29.

Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Observational, genetic, and experimental data indicate that triglyceride rich lipoproteins (TRLs) likely participate causally in atherothrombosis. Yet, robust clinical trial evidence that triglyceride (TG) lowering therapy reduces cardiovascular events remains elusive. The selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha modulator (SPPARM-α), pemafibrate, will be used to target residual cardiovascular risk remaining after treatment to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in individuals with the dyslipidemia of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2). Read More

Kardiol Pol 2018 19;76(12):1671-1679. Epub 2018 Oct 19.

Prevention strategies for cardiac events depend of the risk for such an event. A very high risk is defined as a risk > 10% over 10 years. For example, a patient with known coronary artery disease has such a very high risk of death. Read More

Hamostaseologie 2018 Nov 17;38(4):240-246. Epub 2018 Oct 17.

Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.

The prevention of atherothrombotic events is an essential therapeutic goal in the treatment of patients with arteriosclerotic diseases. After plaque rupture, a rapidly growing thrombus can lead to acute vascular occlusion and thus heart attack, stroke or limb ischaemia. The acute therapy combines anticoagulation and platelet inhibition. Read More

Int Heart J 2018 Nov 10;59(6):1327-1332. Epub 2018 Oct 10.

Cardiology University Centre, Hospital de Santa Marta, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central.

The benefits of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure for cryptogenic stroke secondary prevention are still debated. The Risk of Paradoxical Embolism (RoPE) study developed a score to improve patient selection for this procedure. We proposed to assess the validity of this score to assess the prognostic impact of PFO closure. Read More

Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2018 Oct 5. Epub 2018 Oct 5.

Department of Cardiology, Vascular Centre, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Coronary Heart Disease Prevention, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. Electronic address:

Objective: To report outcomes of the chimney technique for preservation of the left subclavian artery (LSA) in patients with type B aortic dissection (TBAD).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of a prospectively maintained database from August 2012 to October 2017. Primary endpoints were 30 day and overall mortality. Read More

Heart 2018 Oct 3. Epub 2018 Oct 3.

Physical Therapy Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Objective: Despite the growing epidemic of cardiovascular diseases in middle-income countries, there is insufficient evidence about cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in these countries. Thus, the effects of comprehensive CR on functional capacity and risk factors were investigated in Brazil, to test the hypothesis that it results in better outcomes than exercise-only or no CR.

Methods: Single-blinded, randomised controlled trial with three parallel arms: comprehensive CR (exercise+education) versus exercise-only CR versus wait-list control. Read More

Clin Respir J 2018 Dec 4;12(12):2627-2634. Epub 2018 Nov 4.

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Introduction: Beta-blockers are indicated for secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, in patients with co-morbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) an underuse of beta-blocker has been reported.

Materials And Methods: Prescription and demographic data and information on hospital discharge diagnoses from 13 Austrian health insurance funds for the years 2006-2007 were analyzed. Read More

Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2018 Sep 26. Epub 2018 Sep 26.

2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute and Diabetes Centre, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, Haidari, Athens, Greece.

Objectives: Both diabetic peripheral neuropathy and depression have significant implications on patients' quality of life, management and outcomes. We aimed to evaluate all available evidence concerning patients with co-existent diabetic peripheral neuropathy and depression, and describe their clinical characteristics, in order to promote early recognition and management.

Methods: Systematic search of PubMed for studies providing data on patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and depression. Read More

Nat Rev Cardiol 2018 Sep 24. Epub 2018 Sep 24.

Institute of Cardiology, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.

Diabetes mellitus is an important risk factor for a first cardiovascular event and for worse outcomes after a cardiovascular event has occurred. This situation might be caused, at least in part, by the prothrombotic status observed in patients with diabetes. Therefore, contemporary antithrombotic strategies, including more potent agents or drug combinations, might provide greater clinical benefit in patients with diabetes than in those without diabetes. Read More

Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2018 Dec 23;92(7):E518-E526. Epub 2018 Sep 23.

Department of Cardiology, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

Objectives: We sought to investigate the impact of radial vs femoral access on the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) after coronary angiography or intervention.

Background: There is a growing recognition of the importance of access site selection as an adjudicative measure to mitigate the risk of renal impairment for patients with coronary artery disease undergoing angiography with or without percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature and meta-analyzed available evidence comparing the rates of AKI with radial vs femoral access in patients undergoing coronary angiography or intervention. Read More

J Formos Med Assoc 2018 Sep 19. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

Cardiovascular Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Background: Some personality types are associated with cardiovascular (CV) diseases and may be related to clinical outcomes in coronary artery disease (CAD). This study investigates the association between type D personality and clinical outcomes in stable CAD patients in an Asian cohort.

Methods: Stable CAD patients were enrolled and prospectively followed up for at least 1 year in Taiwan. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Sep;97(37):e12385

Department of Internal Cardiology Medicine- Institutions Shared with the Faculty Hospital Brno-Adult Age Medicine-Faculty of Medicine Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases remain the most common causes of death in the world. Instructions for secondary prevention recommend multifaceted approach in cardiovascular diseases risk management. Center-based physical exercise training is considered as an important integral part of cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Read More

J Cardiol 2019 Jan 31;73(1):89-93. Epub 2018 Aug 31.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a novel cardiovascular risk factor. To date, the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on coronary plaque atheroma in SDB patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have remained unclear. The CPAP Effects on Atherosclerotic Plaques in Patients with Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Coronary Artery Disease (ENTERPRISE) trial was designed to evaluate the effects of CPAP treatment in addition to optimal medical treatment on coronary plaque regression in SDB patients. Read More

Lancet 2018 09 28;392(10151):929-939. Epub 2018 Aug 28.

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Centre of Research Excellence, British Heart Foundation, Oxford, UK; Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, National Institute of Health Research, Oxford, UK. Electronic address:

Background: Coronary artery inflammation inhibits adipogenesis in adjacent perivascular fat. A novel imaging biomarker-the perivascular fat attenuation index (FAI)-captures coronary inflammation by mapping spatial changes of perivascular fat attenuation on coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). However, the ability of the perivascular FAI to predict clinical outcomes is unknown. Read More

Lancet 2018 09 27;392(10151):940-949. Epub 2018 Aug 27.

Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. Electronic address:

Background: We hypothesised that ticagrelor, in combination with aspirin for 1 month, followed by ticagrelor alone, improves outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention compared with standard antiplatelet regimens.

Methods: GLOBAL LEADERS was a randomised, open-label superiority trial at 130 sites in 18 countries. Patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with a biolimus A9-eluting stent for stable coronary artery disease or acute coronary syndromes were randomly assigned (1:1) to 75-100 mg aspirin daily plus 90 mg ticagrelor twice daily for 1 month, followed by 23 months of ticagrelor monotherapy, or standard dual antiplatelet therapy with 75-100 mg aspirin daily plus either 75 mg clopidogrel daily (for patients with stable coronary artery disease) or 90 mg ticagrelor twice daily (for patients with acute coronary syndromes) for 12 months, followed by aspirin monotherapy for 12 months. Read More

Arch Med Sci 2018 Aug 19;14(5):979-987. Epub 2017 Jan 19.

Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Population Studies, Institute of Public Health, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.

Introduction: Patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) are at high risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. The aim of the analysis was to compare time trends in the extent to which cardiovascular prevention guidelines have been implemented by primary care physicians and specialists.

Material And Methods: Five hospitals with cardiology departments serving the city and surrounding districts in the southern part of Poland participated in the study. Read More

Curr Opin Pulm Med 2018 Nov;24(6):537-542

Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre, Singapore, Singapore.

Purpose Of Review: The aim of this study was to provide an update of the primary and secondary prevention of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) treatment on cardiovascular disease.

Recent Findings: Consistent evidence suggest that OSA can contribute to cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease and stroke. In patients with no previous history of cardiovascular events (primary prevention scenario), observational studies suggest that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), the main treatment for OSA, is able to prevent hypertension incidence and to decrease nonfatal cardiovascular events in men and fatal cardiovascular events in men, women and elderly. Read More

Saudi Med J 2018 Jul;39(8):781-786

Department of Cardiology, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Millet Cadddesi Aksaray, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey. E-mail.

Objective: To assess  outcomes of Syrian refugees undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery in a tertiary hospital in Turkey.

Methods:  We sought for in-hospital mortality and one year all-cause mortality as the main outcomes. We reviewed records of 67 Syrian and 427 Turkish patients undergoing isolated coronary bypass surgery between 2015 January and 2017 January retrospectively. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2018 Aug 4. Epub 2018 Aug 4.

Department of Paediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Disease, German Heart Centre Munich, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany. Electronic address:

Background: As adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients are aging, a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is encountered similar to the general population. Currently, data regarding the primary and secondary prevention of acquired cardiovascular disease in ACHD is lacking.

Methods: The German National Register of Congenital Heart Defects was systematically screened for ACHD patients with established cardiovascular risk factors or documented acquired cardiovascular conditions. Read More

Ups J Med Sci 2018 Sep 8;123(3):167-173. Epub 2018 Aug 8.

a Department of Women's and Children's Health , Uppsala University , Uppsala , Sweden.

Background: The Secondary Prevention in Uppsala Primary Healthcare Project (SUPRIM) is a prospective randomized controlled trial of a group-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) stress management program for coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. The intervention reduced the risk of fatal or non-fatal first recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events. The aim of the present study was to analyze if the positive effects of the CBT program on clinical outcomes could have been mediated by changes in biomarkers for inflammation. Read More

Ther Adv Cardiovasc Dis 2018 Sep;12(9):247-262

Division of Acute Care Pharmacy, Pharmacy Practice Department, St Louis College of Pharmacy, St Louis, MO, USA.

Background: To review data from the pivotal phase III trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) versus warfarin for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), and to summarize the major findings with regards to patient subgroups that are at an increased risk for stroke or bleeding.

Methods: A PubMed literature search (January 2009 to January 2017) was performed using the terms 'dabigatran', 'rivaroxaban', 'apixaban', 'edoxaban', 'atrial fibrillation', 'RE-LY', 'ROCKET AF', 'ARISTOTLE', and 'ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48'. All primary publications and secondary analyses in special populations at increased risk of stroke or bleeding from the pivotal phase III clinical trials were evaluated. Read More

Diabetes Technol Ther 2018 09 3;20(9):596-602. Epub 2018 Aug 3.

1 Cardiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm, Sweden .

Background: Point-of-care equipment for measuring glucose saves time and costs for both patients and professionals and minimizes preanalytic errors when screening for or managing dysglycemia, that is, impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes. The accuracy of such devices has, however, been questioned compared with analyses at an accredited hospital laboratory.

Objective: To investigate the agreement between glucose measurements made by the point-of-care HemoCue Glucose 201 RT System (HemoCue, Ängelholm, Sweden) and local hospital laboratories. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2018 Oct 19;269:317-324. Epub 2018 Jul 19.

Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada.

Background: Sedentary time (ST) is negatively associated with cardiometabolic health and fitness. Traditional cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programming may not significantly reduce ST. The objectives of the study were to assess the feasibility and practicality of activPAL devices for measuring ST in CR, and whether prompting cues to interrupt sedentary behaviour can decrease ST and improve clinical outcomes. Read More

J Interv Cardiol 2018 Dec 1;31(6):792-798. Epub 2018 Aug 1.

Department of Cardiology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.

Objectives: This study sought to investigate the prevalence and impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) in elderly patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background: AKI may complicate PCI and has been associated with worse outcomes. Data on AKI following PCI in elderly patients are scarce. Read More

Heart Vessels 2018 Jul 31. Epub 2018 Jul 31.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima-cho, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan.

Being overweight has been identified as independent risk factors for coronary artery disease. However, overweight patients have been reported frequently to have better mortality outcomes, and there is little data showing they are at a disadvantage regarding secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. We analyzed the influence of being overweight (defined as body mass index > 25 kg/m) on adverse events in patients who underwent everolimus-eluting stent (EES) implantation using a multicenter registry with a maximum follow-up of 3 years. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2018 Oct;268:208-213

Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, & Cardiovascular Research Institute, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Background: We investigated the effects of coronary artery disease (CAD) or peripheral artery disease (PAD) on clinical outcomes of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) treated with endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated a total of 475 patients with AAA treated with EVAR at a single center. Patients were divided into three groups: group A (n = 166), patients without CAD or PAD; group B (n = 196), patients with CAD but without PAD; and group C (n = 113), patients with PAD regardless of CAD. Read More