News & Updates

Walking intervention does not lead to better physical function in HF, despite increased steps

A 6-month-long lifestyle walking intervention improves daily steps by about 25 percent in patients with heart failure (HF), although this improvement fails to translate to better functional capacity, according to the results of the WATCHFUL* trial.

Elevated INR predicts mortality in DOAC-treated patients

Among hospitalized patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), an elevated international normalized ratio (INR) upon admission may spell an increased risk for in-hospital death or mortality during the first year following hospitalization, suggests a study.

Is it safe to prescribe OACs to older patients with AF?

Older patients who are taking oral anticoagulants (OAC) for atrial fibrillation (AF) benefit from a reduced risk of stroke and all-cause mortality, reports a study. Moreover, nonvitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOAC) exhibit superiority over vitamin K agonists (VKA), with less mortality and major bleeding among its users.

Hydroxychloroquine does little to prevent pre-eclampsia in pregnant women with lupus

The use of hydroxychloroquine during pregnancy does not appear to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia among women with systemic lupus erythematosus, as shown in a study.

Robust evidence for fenofibrate in patients with metabolic syndrome on statins

AHA to cardiothoracic surgeons: Get more involved in PE care

A scientific statement endorsed by the American Heart Association (AHA) has urged cardiothoracic surgeons to get more involved in the care of patients at high risk for pulmonary embolism (PE) – and to do it much earlier – to improve outcomes.

Elevated preconception blood pressure linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes

Expectant mothers with high blood pressure (BP) levels before pregnancy are at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, as reported in a study.

Colchicine beneficial in treatment of myopericarditis

In patients who have had a first attack of pericarditis with evidence of myocardial involvement, treatment with colchicine is safe and helps reduce the risk of recurrence, according to a study.