23rd Asean Federation of Cardiology Congress (AFCC 2018)

Dietary salt reduction essential for BP control

Audrey Abella, 20181015100000

Reducing salt intake is one of the most practical ways to help tackle hypertension, according to data presented at AFCC 2018.

Long- or short-duration DAPT post-PCI?

Pearl Toh, 20181012200010

The duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) should be individualized based on ischaemic and bleeding risk of a particular patient, rather than focusing on a dualistic short- vs long-duration therapy thinking, advocates a leading expert during AFCC 2018.

Multifactorial approach necessary in treating cardiogenic shock

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20181010140302

Effective treatment of cardiogenic shock requires a multifactorial approach, according to an expert at the recent ASEAN Federation of Cardiology Congress (AFCC 2018).

High HF burden in Asia: SEA has youngest patients, worst outcomes

Audrey Abella, 20181010100000

The burden of heart failure (HF) in Asia is high compared with the US and Europe, with Southeast Asia (SEA) having the highest HF prevalence vs other Asian regions combined, and the youngest patients having the worst outcomes, according to data presented at AFCC 2018.

Better outcomes with mitral valve repair than replacement

Elaine Soliven, 20181009091612

Mitral valve (MV) repair appears to be associated with a lower mortality rate and better clinical outcomes in patients with infective endocarditis compared with MV replacement, according to review of previous studies presented at AFCC 2018.

Spironolactone protects against ventricular arrhythmia in ICD implanted patients

Jairia Dela Cruz, 20181005110000

Treatment with the nonselective aldosterone receptor agonist spironolactone can significantly reduce ventricular arrhythmic events in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), according to a Thailand study presented at the 23rd ASEAN Federation of Cardiology Congress (AFCC 2018).

New hypertension guidelines: What’s changed and why

Pearl Toh, 20181004180010

The lower threshold for hypertension diagnosis in the 2017 ACC/AHA hypertension guidelines does not necessarily entail more pharmacological treatment, says a leading expert in cardiology during a presentation at AFCC 2018, who highlights that the first key step for managing hypertension is lifestyle modification.

T-peak to T-end on ECG predicts VT/VF episodes in Brugada syndrome patients with implanted ICD

Stephen Padilla, 20181004120000

Episodes of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) in patients with Brugada syndrome can be predicted by electrocardiogram (ECG) findings at the time of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement including T-peak to T-end interval, according to a study presented at the 23rd ASEAN Federation of Cardiology Congress (AFCC) held in Bangkok, Thailand.

Postoperative ventricular arrhythmia tied to poor long-term prognosis

Tristan Manalac, 20181004100000

Despite being an uncommon complication of coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), postoperative ventricular arrhythmia (POVA) increases the risk of in-hospital mortality and poor long-term prognosis, according to a recent poster presented at the recently concluded 23rd ASEAN Federation of Cardiology Congress (AFCC 2018), in Bangkok, Thailand.

Post-CABG renal injury, failure common in low AKI risk category

Jairia Dela Cruz, 20181003100000

Among patients who have received coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), postoperative renal injury and failure as defined by the RIFLE criteria are only seen in the group of patients categorized as low risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) by the THAKAR score, according to a study presented at the 23rd ASEAN Federation of Cardiology Congress (AFCC 2018) in Bangkok, Thailand.