Patients who undergo myocardial revascularization surgery and are discharged on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT)—aspirin plus clopidogrel—have a lower risk of major cardiovascular and cerebral events than patients on aspirin monotherapy. Furthermore, the risk of bleeding is not increased for those receiving DAPT. This information comes from a registry of over 18,000 patients recently published in the...
According to the LAAOS III study, presented at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2021 Congress and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), patients with atrial fibrillation who undergo central vascular surgery for any other indication find benefit in appendage closure during said surgery. Using oral anticoagulation agents, patients undergoing appendage closure...
Both the indication and discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy to balance ischemic-bleeding risks has been left to physician criterion. However, leaving the decision to one single specialist might not be the best. This is when the team’s role becomes essential. This study looked at the advantages consensus decision-making amongst clinicians, surgeons and anesthesiologists to continue or...
This pilot study has shown transcatheter embolotherapy targeted to the left gastric artery is well tolerated and promotes significant weight reduction compared against a sham procedure. Obesity has been linked to higher rates of cardiovascular and metabolic events. Diets and medical strategies are often ineffective and hardly sustainable over time. Bariatric procedures, though effective, are...
Data of this “real world” study have confirmed that diabetic patients with multivessel disease will benefit from coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). According to Dr. Douglas S. Lee, main author of this study, the evidence is fairly conclusive, enough to recommend CABG as first option in this particular subgroup of patients similar to FREEDOM patients. ...
Courtesy of Dr. Carlos Fava. Since the beginnings of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) back in 2002, this strategy has gained considerable ground, encompassing not only inoperable or high-risk patients but also those at medium and low risk. Additionally, it came to include patients with failed bioprostheses. The most common reason for surgery was paravalvular leak,...
According to this new study presented virtually at the suspended American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2020 Scientific Session and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), rivaroxaban is more effective than enoxaparin in preventing venous thromboembolism during a period of immobilization after nonmajor orthopedic surgery of a lower limb. After an orthopedic...
After 10 years of follow-up, there were no significant differences in the rates of major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events among patients with left main coronary artery disease randomized to angioplasty or surgery. Since this was the first study to randomize patients with left main coronary artery disease to angioplasty or surgery, it enrolled very few...
This small randomized study heated the debate about when to intervene aortic stenosis (AS). Putting off surgical valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with asymptomatic AS and waiting for symptom onset with conservative care increased periprocedural risk and all cause cardiovascular death. This study presented by Dr Duk-Hyun Kang during AHA 2019 scientific sessions (simultaneously published...
After a several year follow up, the International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness with Medical and Invasive Approaches (ISCHEMIA) has shown that an invasive approach in addition to optimal medical treatment (OMT) does not offer benefits when it comes to preventing major cardiovascular events compared against optimal medical treatment alone in stable patients with moderate...