American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2019

Omecamtiv mecarbil boosts heart’s pumping action in COSMIC-HF

Elvira Manzano, 20191225113000

The novel selective cardiac myosin activator omecamtiv mecarbil improves diastolic function and pulmonary pressures without adversely affecting diastolic filling in patients with chronic heart failure (HF) and reduced systolic function, the COSMIC-HF* trial has shown.

Invasive strategy no better than meds for stable ischaemic heart disease

Elvira Manzano, 20191224113000

An invasive strategy, on top of optimal medical therapy (OMT), is no better than OMT alone in preventing cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with stable, moderate-to-severe coronary artery disease (CAD), the largest randomized trial to date of an invasive vs conservative strategy, ISCHAEMIA*, has shown. This, the cardiologist world sees as a monumental achievement that is set to change practice.

EVAPORATE hints at CV benefits of high-dose, pure EPA

Audrey Abella, 20191219185921

Icosapent ethyl (IPE), a purified form of the omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), slowed the progression of plaque in statin-treated patients with coronary atherosclerosis, according to the interim results of the EVAPORATE* trial presented at AHA 2019.

DAPA-HF: CV outcome reduction consistent across age, T2D status

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20191217140101

Multiple analyses of the DAPA-HF* trial have shown that dapagliflozin, in addition to standard therapy, reduces the risk of multiple heart failure (HF) outcomes including cardiovascular (CV) death and hospitalization for HF (HHF) in patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), with the effects consistent regardless of age and type 2 diabetes (T2D) status.

Sacubitril-valsartan reduces hospitalization in women with HFpEF

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20191213140201

The impact of sacubitril plus valsartan compared with valsartan alone in reducing heart failure hospitalizations (HHF) in individuals with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) appears to be greater in women than men, according to a subgroup analysis of the PARAGON-HF* trial.

Inclisiran – a new player in LDL-C lowering therapy

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20191207100302

Twice-a-year injections of the small interfering RNA (siRNA) inclisiran significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) who have insufficient LDL-C reductions despite maximum oral lipid-lowering therapy, the ORION-10* trial showed.

COACT: No survival benefit with immediate vs delayed angiography for cardiac arrest without STEMI

Elaine Soliven, 20191203000000

Immediate coronary angiography does not improve survival at 1 year in patients who were successfully resuscitated from an OHCA* without ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) compared with delayed coronary angiography, according to the COACT** trial presented at AHA 2019.

Post-stroke CVD prevention: Lower LDL-C target better?

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20191130110101

A target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level of <70 mg/dL appeared to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular (CV) events* following an atherosclerotic ischaemic stroke, according to results of the Treat Stroke to Target trial.

Evening eating tied to poor heart health

Evening eating bad for the heart, at least among women

Pearl Toh, 20191129180010

Higher intake of calorie late in the evening is not only bad for the waistline, but may also be bad for the heart of women, suggests a study presented at the AHA 2019 Meeting.

Impella usage rate increases, so do mortality, bleeding risks

Audrey Abella, 20191129023720

An upsurge in the use of the Impella device has been observed in individuals with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, mortality and bleeding rates also increased, according to US data presented at AHA 2019.