Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Cardiology for December 2018. 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.
Catheter Ablation Tops Drug Therapy for A-Fib in Heart Failure
MONDAY, Dec. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Catheter ablation is better than drug therapy for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure, according to a review published online Dec. 25 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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ACOG Updates Guidelines for Gestational HTN, Preeclampsia
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) has updated its guidance on the management of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia as well as chronic hypertension in pregnant women; the two practice bulletins were published in the January issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia
Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy
High Sodium Intake Associated With New Atrial Fibrillation
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Sodium intake is associated with the long-term risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study recently published in the Annals of Medicine.
Second-Line Antidiabetic Meds May Impact Cardiovascular Risk
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For adults with type 2 diabetes initiating second-line antidiabetic medications (ADM), cardiovascular risk is increased with use of sulfonylureas or basal insulin versus newer ADM classes, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Network Open.
Having Children Tied to Higher Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Parity is associated with cardiovascular disease risk, with a nonlinear J-shaped dose-response relationship observed, according to a meta-analysis published online Dec. 19 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
Low-Priced Generic Drugs Most Likely to Have Shortages
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The lowest-priced generic drugs are more likely to experience shortages, according to a study published in the November issue of Value in Health.
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30-Day Postdischarge Mortality Up With HRRP Implementation
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Announcement and implementation of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) were associated with increased 30-day postdischarge mortality following hospitalization for heart failure and pneumonia, but not acute myocardial infarction (AMI), according to a study published in the Dec. 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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New BP Treatment Cutoffs May Not Yield Survival Benefit
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — New blood pressure treatment recommendations may not improve survival from cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a study recently published in the European Heart Journal.
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ASH Develops Practice Guidelines for Venous Thromboembolism
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Society of Hematology (ASH) has developed new guidelines for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE); the clinical practice guidelines were recently published in Blood Advances.
Prophylaxis for Hospitalized and Nonhospitalized Medical Patients
Diagnosis of Venous Thromboembolism
Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Treatment of Pediatric Venous Thromboembolism
Venous Thromboembolism in the Context of Pregnancy
Optimal Management of Anticoagulation Therapy
Complications, Costs Up With Cardiac Sx in Opioid Use Disorder
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) undergoing cardiac surgery have increased complications and costs, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in JAMA Surgery.
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Initiative Can Cut Gender Gap in Medical School Faculty Salaries
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — An institutional gender equity initiative (GEI) can reduce gender-based salary gaps among medical school faculty, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Network Open.
New AAP Guideline Available for Infantile Hemangioma Treatment
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Academy of Pediatrics has developed its first guideline for the management of infantile hemangiomas (IHs); the clinical practice guideline was published online Dec. 24 in Pediatrics.
Risk of Arterial Thromboembolic Events Up Prior to Cancer Diagnosis
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In older adults, the risk of arterial thromboembolic events begins to increase 150 days before the date of cancer diagnosis and peaks 30 days before, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in Blood.
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Drug Use-Associated Infective Endocarditis Up 2007 to 2017
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2007 to 2017 there was an increase in drug-use associated infective endocarditis (DUA-IE) hospitalizations and valve surgeries, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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ACOG: Interpregnancy Period Should Maximize Women’s Health
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Providers should maximize women’s health during the interpregnancy period, continuing care beyond the immediate postpartum period, according to a consensus report published online Dec. 20 in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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EMS Treatment for Possible Heart Attack Varies by Sex
MONDAY, Dec. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Disparities exist in the emergency medical services (EMS) treatment of women and men with chest pain (CP) or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), according to a study published online Dec. 10 in Women’s Health Issues.
FDA Warns Companies on Unsafe, Unapproved Stem Cell Treatments
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — After infections tied to unapproved stem cell treatments sent 12 people to the hospital this past year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a stern warning about the products.
FDA: Fluoroquinolones Tied to Heart Vessel Ruptures, Tears
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients taking fluoroquinolones may be at higher risk for ruptures or tears in the aorta, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
CDC: Weight, Waist Size, BMI Increased for Many U.S. Adults
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 1999-2000 to 2015-2016, there was an increase in mean weight, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) for many U.S. adults, according to the Dec. 20 issue of the National Vital Statistics Reports, a publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A-Fib Risk Up for Antidepressant Users, but Higher Before Tx
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The risk for atrial fibrillation (AF) is increased among antidepressant users, particularly before treatment initiation, according to a study recently published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
Endurance Exercise Tied to Anti-Aging at Cellular Level
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Endurance exercise has anti-aging effects visible at the cellular level, according to a study published online Nov. 28 in the European Heart Journal.
Racial Disparities Seen in Use of Oral Anticoagulants for A-Fib
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Black patients with atrial fibrillation are less likely to receive direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) compared with white patients, even after controlling for clinical and sociodemographic features, according to a study published in the December issue of JAMA Cardiology.
Growth in Use of Telemedicine Seen From 2005 to 2017
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2005 to 2017, there was a substantial increase in telemedicine use, although use was still uncommon in 2017, according to a research letter published online Nov. 27 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Affordable Care Act Sign-Ups Higher Than Expected
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Despite numerous difficulties, early figures show that sign-ups for health coverage next year under the Affordable Care Act are higher than expected.
Hospitalization for Upper GI Bleed Highest With Rivaroxaban
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients initiating oral anticoagulant therapy, the incidence of hospitalization for upper gastrointestinal bleeding is highest and lowest with rivaroxaban and apixaban, respectively, according to a study published in the Dec. 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Exposure to Metals, Pesticides Tied to CVD in Hispanics/Latinos
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Occupational exposures to pesticides and metals are associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Hispanics/Latinos, according to a study published online Dec. 11 in Heart.
Global Lifetime Risk for Stroke About 25 Percent in 2016
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The global lifetime risk for stroke was 24.9 percent among adults aged 25 years and older in 2016, according to a study published in the Dec. 20 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
ADA 2019 Standards of Care Emphasize Patient-Centered Care
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patient-centered care is emphasized in updated clinical practice recommendations from the American Diabetes Association 2019 Standards of Care, published as a supplement to the January issue of Diabetes Care.
Residential Greenness Linked to Cardiovascular Disease Risk
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The density of greenness near residences is associated with lower urinary levels of epinephrine and F2-isoprostane, according to a study published in the Dec. 18 issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Edentulism Tied to Greater Risk for High BP After Menopause
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Postmenopausal women with edentulism are at an increased risk for developing hypertension, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in the American Journal of Hypertension.
High Sodium May Contribute to CVD Deaths in Shandong, China
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A considerable proportion of cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths in Shandong Province, China, may be attributable to high sodium intake, according to a study published online Dec. 19 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Hospitalizations Up for Homeless From 2007 to 2013
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2007 to 2013, hospitalizations among homeless individuals increased and were most frequently for mental illness and substance use disorder, according to a study published in the January issue of Medical Care.
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Cognitive Decline Similar After Cardiac Surgery, Catheterization
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For older adults, declines in memory after heart surgery and cardiac catheterization are similar, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
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Appropriate Use Criteria Released for Peripheral Artery Intervention
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Appropriate use criteria have been developed for peripheral artery intervention (PAI) in peripheral artery disease, according to a report published online Dec. 17 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Exclusion of Doctors From Public Health Insurance Up 2007 to 2017
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2007 to 2017, the number of physicians excluded from Medicare and state public insurance programs increased, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in JAMA Network Open.
EHR Data ID Differences in HTN Control Across Health Systems
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — An analysis of electronic health record data reveals considerable differences in hypertension control across health systems, according to a study published in the November-December issue of the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.
Follow-Up Within Seven Days of Heart Failure Discharge Beneficial
MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with heart failure, follow-up care within seven days of discharge from the emergency department is associated with lower rates of long-term mortality and subsequent admissions, according to a study published in the Dec. 17 issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
Adherence and Intensity of Lipid-Lowering Tx Influence CV Risk
MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Adherent patients receiving high-intensity statin and/or ezetimibe therapy have the lowest cardiovascular risk, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in JAMA Network Open.
Barbershop Intervention Leads to Reduced BP in Black Men
MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A barbershop-based intervention can lead to significantly reduced blood pressure and sustained improvements over one year in black men, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in Circulation.
Emotional Stress of Holidays Can Trigger Heart Attacks
FRIDAY, Dec. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The highest risk for myocardial infarction occurs around 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in The BMJ.
Apixaban Prevents VTE in Cancer Patients Initiating Chemotherapy
FRIDAY, Dec. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Among patients with cancer starting chemotherapy who are at intermediate-to-high risk, rates of venous thromboembolism are significantly lower for thromboprophylaxis with apixaban versus placebo, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Persistent Discrimination ID’d Among Physician Mothers
Poor Mental Health Tied to Premature Heart Disease 
Autism Tied to Higher Risk for Developing Cardiometabolic Disease 
Cardiovascular Hospitalization Increased After Sepsis Hospitalization 
Risk for Cardiovascular Disease Increased for Patients With Celiac Disease 
Emergency Diagnosis Linked to Worse Outcomes for Range of Conditions 
Non-Celiac Gluten/Wheat Sensitivity Self-Reported by 10.3 Percent 
Gluten-Stimulated Interleukin-2 Secretion Useful for Diagnosing Celiac Disease 
Gluten-Free Diet for Celiac Disease Increases Arsenic Exposure in Children 
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