Highlights articles

CANTOS: Less Cardiovascular Events with Canakinumab

CANTOS: Less Cardiovascular Events with Canakinumab

A new analysis from the CANTOS trial shows that individuals who initially respond to canakinumab benefit the most from this new drug as regards cardiovascular events. This sub-analysis presented at the American Heart Association 2017 Scientific Sessions and simultaneously published in the Lancet showed that the magnitude of the reduction in C-reactive protein following a

DACAB: Ticagrelor and Aspirin Improve Vein Graft Patency

According to this Chinese study, dual antiplatelet therapy with ticagrelor and aspirin improves vein graft patency a year after surgery without increasing the risk for major bleeding.   Treatment with the P2Y12 inhibitor ticagrelor in combination with aspirin has been widely accepted for patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing angioplasty. However, there were no related data regarding surgical revascularization. Read also: “Ticagrelor

PRESERVE: IV Bicarbonate and Oral N-Acetylcysteine Do Not Prevent Contrast-Associated Acute Kidney Injury

Use of IV bicarbonate instead of saline and administration of oral N-acetylcysteine are not effective strategies for preventing contrast-associated acute kidney injury in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing angiography, according to the randomized PRESERVE trial that was presented at the AHA 2017 Scientific Sessions and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine

NCDR ACTION Registry: los pacientes anticoagulados no tienen mayor riesgo de sangrado en los procedimientos de urgencia

NCDR ACTION Registry: Anticoagulated Patients with No Higher Risk of Bleeding in Emergency Procedures

Patients with a history of atrial fibrillation treated with warfarin or any of the new direct oral anticoagulants undergoing acute myocardial infarction do not present higher risk of bleeding when receiving angiography or angioplasty. In fact, this subgroup of anticoagulated patients showed lower in-hospital mortality than the control group. After analyzing 6471 patients undergoing ST elevation MI

FOURIER: Evolocumab Found Beneficial for Patients with Peripheral Vascular Disease of Prior MI

Patients with peripheral vascular disease or prior acute myocardial infarction (especially within the first two years after the event) could find a particular benefit the PCSK9 receptor inhibitor evolocumab.   Given its high cost, the drug is not yet cost/effective and when prescribed, most patients were no table to complete the treatment. Read also: “Missed Opportunities with

TRICS III: Restrictive Transfusion Was Noninferior to Liberal Use in Patients Who Undergo Cardiac Surgery

A large study conducted in 19 countries has found that a policy of restrictive red-cell transfusion during cardiac surgery is just as safe and effective as more liberal policies. TRICS III enrolled 5243 patients and was presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Patients were

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