Top news of June: CV risk of antibiotics, new targets in lipid management and more

Healio and Cardiology Today have compiled a list of the top-read articles of June 2020.

Readers were most interested in CV risks of azithromycin vs. amoxicillin, the impact of sugary drinks on CVD, investigations into CV coaching for young Black adults and more.

Azithromycin confers twofold greater 5-day CV mortality risk vs. amoxicillin

Outpatient use of the antibiotic azithromycin was associated with greater 5-year risk for CV death, non-CV death and all-cause mortality compared with amoxicillin, researchers reported. Read more

New study to assess health coaching for CV risk reduction in young Black adults

Culturally tailored health coaching may be an effective way to promote CV health and potentially reduce risk for CVD, although more data are needed to determine the best approach to do so. Read more

Sugar-sweetened beverage taxes may prevent CVD, diabetes

All sugar-sweetened beverage tax designs, including volume, tiered and absolute sugar content taxes, have potential to generate substantial health gains with regard to CVD and diabetes in addition to cost savings, a study found. Read more

Sleep apnea and CVD: The need for collaboration

Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is a dangerous, chronic disease that involves the repeated collapse of the upper airway during sleep. A report commissioned by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine estimates that OSA affects nearly 30 million American adults, with an estimated 23.5 million of them currently undiagnosed. Untreated OSA has been linked to an increased risk for numerous health problems, and it is extremely common in people who have CVD. Read more

Novel drugs, new targets expand options for lipid management

Management of lipids and residual CV risk has been a primary focus in cardiology for decades, and new data in this area are encouraging. Much emphasis has been placed on the use of therapies including PCSK9 inhibitors, statins and ezetimibe to achieve target LDL levels. But controlling LDL does not always control CVD risk, and because some patients are not able to achieve LDL and other targets on existing therapies, new options are needed. Read more

Antihypertensive treatment may reduce mortality risk in COVID-19

Patients with hypertension had elevated mortality risk associated with COVID-19, but those who were treated for hypertension had a reduced mortality risk compared with those who did not receive treatment, according to a new study. Read more

Heart pump authorized for emergency use for right HF, decompensation from COVID-19

Abiomed announced that the FDA issued an emergency use authorization for a temporary heart pump for patients with COVID-19 with right HF or decompensation including pulmonary embolism. Read more

SCAI unveils guidance for complex PCI

At its virtual Scientific Sessions, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions released a statement on optimal PCI practices in patients with complex CAD. Read more

Cumulative days of long work hours may lead to ischemic heart disease in men

Men who worked long hours for at least 10 years had elevated risk for ischemic heart disease, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Read more

Environmental factors, weather may predict STEMI occurrence up to 3 days sooner

Changes in environmental and weather conditions may be able to predict STEMI up to 3 days before an event and subsequently, researchers showed. Read more