Cardiology Today’s prevention highlights from ESC

Cardiology Today and Healio.com/Cardiology were on-site to cover the European Society of Cardiology Congress from Aug. 25 to 29 in Munich. A number of groundbreaking studies in preventive cardiology were presented. Here are some of the highlights.

ASCEND: Aspirin, omega-3 supplements fail for primary prevention in diabetes

MUNICH — In a large cohort of patients with diabetes but no prior CVD, aspirin prevented vascular events but caused major bleeding events, and an omega-3 fatty acid supplement did not prevent vascular events, researchers from the ASCEND study reported.

ARRIVE: Aspirin does not reduce initial vascular events in low to moderate risk population

MUNICH — In a moderate-risk population with low event rates, aspirin did not significantly reduce initial vascular events, according to the ARRIVE study.

Among 12,546 patients randomly assigned to enteric-coated aspirin (Bayer) 100 mg daily or placebo and followed for a median of 60 months, the primary efficacy endpoint of time to first occurrence of CV death, MI, unstable angina, stroke or transient ischemic attack occurred in 4.29% of the aspirin group vs. 4.48% of the placebo group (HR = 0.96; 95% CI, 0.81-1.13), according to results of an intention-to-treat analysis.

PURE: Moderate red meat, dairy intake may help reduce mortality, CV risk

MUNICH — A new diet quality tool based on an analysis of more than 218,000 adults worldwide suggests that increased intake of unprocessed red meat, fish and whole fat dairy can reduce risk for all-cause mortality, MI and stroke, according to new data from the PURE study.
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Evolocumab shows CV benefit in metabolic syndrome

MUNICH — Adults with metabolic syndrome assigned to treatment with the PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab experienced a greater absolute risk reduction for CV events vs. those without metabolic syndrome assigned to the therapy, with an even greater benefit seen in patients without diabetes, according to a speaker.

No excess CV risk with lorcaserin for weight loss

MUNICH — Treatment with the serotonin receptor agonist lorcaserin yielded sustained weight loss during a median follow-up of 3 years without an excess risk for major adverse CV events in adults with overweight or obesity at high CV risk, according to new data from the CAMELLIA-TIMI 61 study.

Very high HDL raises risk for MI, death

MUNICH — In a new study, patients with HDL levels greater than 60 mg/dL had a nearly 50% increased risk for all-cause mortality, CV mortality and MI compared with HDL levels of 41 mg/dL to 60 mg/dL.

Prepregnancy counseling ‘crucial’ for women with CVD

MUNICH — Fewer women with CVD die or develop HF during pregnancy compared with 10 years ago. However, maternal mortality in women with CVD is 100 times higher than expected, with the highest mortality in women with pulmonary artery hypertension, according to new data from the ROPAC registry.

BP, cholesterol interventions yield ‘legacy’ benefit in ASCOT trial follow-up

MUNICH — Sixteen years of follow-up in the ASCOT Legacy trial show that antihypertensive treatment with a calcium channel blocker-based regimen and lipid lowering with a statin demonstrated long-term beneficial effects on mortality.

Elevated LDL heightens risk after endovascular therapy for PAD

MUNICH — Among patients who underwent endovascular therapy for peripheral artery disease, those who had LDL levels of at least 100 mg/dL 3 to 6 months after the procedure had elevated risk for CV death, according to data presented.

Genetic risk score may reshape primary prevention

MUNICH — The time has come for the genetic risk score, which is simple to calculate and inexpensive to acquire, to play a larger role in primary prevention of CAD, an expert said here.

High triglycerides raise risk for peripheral artery revascularization

MUNICH — Among high-risk patients on statin treatment, those with elevated triglycerides were more likely to undergo peripheral artery revascularization within 5 years, researchers reported.