American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2020 - A Virtual Experience

13 November 2020 - 17 November 2020

Polypill + aspirin TIPped as CVD primary prevention strategy

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20210114180001

A single polypill combining a beta blocker, ACE* inhibitor, statin, and diuretic, in addition to a daily dose of aspirin, significantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with intermediate CV risk, according to the TIPS**-3 study presented at the AHA 2020 Scientific Sessions.

High-dose flu vaccine no better than standard-dose in reducing death, CV hospitalization

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20201221180001

Patients with high cardiovascular (CV) risk who received a high-dose trivalent influenza vaccine over three influenza seasons did not have a lower risk of cardiopulmonary hospitalization or death compared with those who received a standard-dose quadrivalent vaccine, according to the INVESTED* trial presented at AHA 2020.

Rilonacept shows therapeutic potential for recurrent pericarditis

Audrey Abella, 20201221100000

In patients with recurrent pericarditis (RP), the interleukin (IL)-1α and IL-1β cytokine trap rilonacept significantly reduced the risk of recurrence, with rapid resolution of episodes, the RHAPSODY* trial has shown.

Obesity portends worse outcomes in COVID-19, even for young adults

Pearl Toh, 20201218141000

Obesity, particularly the severe class, was associated with an increased risk of mechanical ventilation and death in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 — a risk that is even more profound among the younger age group, reveals data from the AHA COVID-19 CVD registry*.

Omecamtiv mecarbil: New player in HF treatment?

Audrey Abella, 20201218100000

Omecamtiv mecarbil (OM), an investigational selective cardiac myosin activator, may reduce the risk of heart failure (HF)-related events or cardiovascular (CV) deaths in patients with chronic HFrEF*, according to the late-breaking GALACTIC-HF** trial presented at AHA 2020.

AFFIRM-AHF: IV iron cuts risk of HF readmissions

Pearl Toh, 20201215150000

Intravenous (IV) iron supplementation with ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) reduces the risk of subsequent hospitalization for heart failure (HF) in iron-deficient patients after an episode of acute HF, shows the AFFIRM-AHF trial presented at the AHA 2020 Meeting.

Finerenone lowers CV risk in patients with CKD, T2D

Elaine Soliven, 20201212000000

Treatment with finerenone led to significantly reduced risk of cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), regardless of their CV disease (CVD) history, according to the FIDELIO-DKD* trial presented at AHA 2020.

Ticagrelor + aspirin benefit most for patients with artery plaque

Pearl Toh, 20201206140000

Adding ticagrelor to aspirin significantly reduces the risk of stroke and death compared with aspirin alone in patients with plaque build-up in their arteries known as ipsilateral atherosclerotic stenosis — thus highlighting the patient subgroup most likely to benefit from the combination therapy, based on a prespecified analysis of the THALES* study.

Daily omega-3 carboxylic acid does not reduce MACE in high-risk individuals

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20201203180001

A daily dose of omega-3 carboxylic acid does not appear to reduce the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE)*, according to the STRENGTH** trial presented at AHA 2020.

Spotlight on multidrug-resistant gram-negative infections: New developments for an old problem

Dr. Hsu Li Yang, Dr. Tan Thuan Tong, Dr. Andrea Kwa, 08 Jan 2021

Antimicrobial resistance has become increasingly dire as the rapid emergence of drug resistance, especially gram-negative pathogens, has outpaced the development of new antibiotics. At a recent virtual symposium, Dr Hsu Li Yang, Vice Dean (Global Health) and Programme Leader (Infectious Diseases), NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, presented epidemiological data on multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria (GNB) in Asia, while Dr Tan Thuan Tong, Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), focused on the role of ceftazidime-avibactam in MDR GNB infections. Dr Andrea Kwa, Assistant Director of Research, Department of Pharmacy, SGH, joined the panel in an interactive fireside chat, to discuss challenges, practical considerations, and solutions in MDR gram-negative infections. This Pfizer-sponsored symposium was chaired by Dr Ng Shin Yi, Head and Senior Consultant of Surgical Intensive Care, SGH.