American College of Cardiology 2021 Scientific Session (ACC.21)

Apixaban no better than standard care after TAVR

Pearl Toh, 20210807143500

Following a successful TAVR* procedure, taking apixaban was not superior to standard antithrombotic therapy for the composite primary outcome, regardless of whether patients originally have an indication for oral anticoagulant (OAC), according to the ATLANTIS** trial.

Cardioprotective drugs may be unnecessary during early breast cancer treatment

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20210712160001

The cardioprotective drugs metoprolol and candesartan had little benefit on cardiovascular (CV) outcomes when given alongside adjuvant anthracycline treatment in women with early breast cancer and low CV risk, long-term results of the PRADA* trial showed.

Acute alcohol consumption may increase AFib risk

Elaine Soliven, 20210629000000

Consuming at least one glass of wine, a bottle/can of beer, or a shot of hard liquor appears to be associated with an increased risk of an atrial fibrillation (AFib) episode within 4 hours post-drink, according to the HOLIDAY* Monitors study presented at the ACC.21 Virtual Meeting.

Tailored cardiac rehab programme may improve physical function, QoL in older HF patients

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20210628160001

A tailored, progressive rehabilitation programme may improve physical function in older patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), according to results of the REHAB-HF* trial presented at ACC.21.

Can dapagliflozin be continued in patients with COVID-19?

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20210624180001

The SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin did not result in a reduced incidence of organ failure or death in patients with cardiometabolic risk factors who were hospitalized with COVID-19, according to the phase III DARE-19* trial. However, this finding does not support discontinuation of SGLT2 inhibitors in COVID-19 patients.

Aspirin in ASCVD: Baby dose as good as high dose?

Pearl Toh, 20210623150000

Taking low-strength aspirin at 81 mg dose daily (also known as baby aspirin) appeared to be as effective as a higher dose of 325 mg for secondary prevention in people with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), with no difference in major bleeding outcomes, according to the ADAPTABLE* trial presented at ACC.21.

FFR-guided PCI disappoints in multivessel STEMI

Elvira Manzano, 20210621114000

The fractional flow reserve (FFR) approach is no better than angiography-guided strategy in patients with multivessel STEMI* undergoing complete revascularization in the head-to-head FLOWER-MI trial**.

Left atrial appendage occlusion may reduce ischaemic stroke risk in AF

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20210617180001

Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) added to usual care led to a reduction in ischaemic stroke or non-cerebral systemic embolism following cardiac surgery among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), according to results of the LAAOS* III trial.

Atorvastatin: Is there evidence of benefit in COVID-19?

Elvira Manzano, 20210617113000

Treatment with the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor atorvastatin in critically ill patients with COVID-19 did not significantly reduce the primary composite outcome of venous or arterial thrombosis risk, treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), or mortality vs placebo in the INSPIRATION-S study presented at ACC.21.

Therapeutic rivaroxaban for stable COVID-19: More risk than benefit

Pearl Toh, 20210613140100

In hospitalized COVID-19 patients with elevated D-dimer levels who were under stable condition, initial in-hospital anticoagulation using a therapeutic dose of rivaroxaban 20 mg did not improve clinical outcomes compared with standard prophylactic anticoagulation, according to the ACTION* trial presented at ACC.21 Meeting.