Top news of ACC 2021: CV benefits of alcohol, a new STRENGTH analysis and more

Healio and Cardiology Today have compiled a list of the top news from the virtual American College of Cardiology Scientific Session.

Readers were most interested in possible CV benefits of alcohol; new analyses from the STRENGTH trial; AI-based echo analyses for COVID-19 mortality prediction; and more.

Moderate alcohol intake lowers stress-related brain activity, may reduce CVD risk

Among adults who underwent brain imaging, moderate alcohol intake reduced stress-related brain signals, which may in part explain the link between moderate alcohol intake and reduced risk for major adverse CV events, a speaker reported. Read more

Many adults with hypertension take BP-raising medications

Nearly 1 in 5 adults with elevated BP also take a medication that could be raising their BP, according to a presentation. Read more

New STRENGTH analysis puts spotlight on CV impact of omega-3 fatty acids

Higher blood levels of eicosapentaenoic acid 1 year after daily omega-3 carboxylic acid supplementation were not associated with lower CV risk, according to a secondary analysis of the STRENGTH trial. Read more

AI-based echo analyses best human analyses for COVID-19 mortality prediction

In patients with COVID-19 who had an echocardiogram, analysis by artificial intelligence better predicted mortality than analysis by experts, according to the results of the WASE-COVID study. Read more

Sacubitril/valsartan not superior to valsartan alone in advanced HFrEF: LIFE

In patients with advanced HF, sacubitril/valsartan was not superior to valsartan for reducing N-terminal pro-B natriuretic peptide levels at 24 weeks, according to the results of the LIFE trial. Read more

Half of patients with CVD report they received influenza vaccine in past year

Among patients with CVD living in the U.S., only half reported they received an influenza vaccine in the past year, according to a presentation. Read more

Alcohol consumption raises odds of AF episode soon after in paroxysmal AF

In patients with paroxysmal AF, consumption of alcohol raises risk for an AF event shortly thereafter, a speaker reported. Read more

Prediabetes confers elevated risk for major adverse CV events

Adults with prediabetes were more likely to have an MI and other CV events compared with those who had normal blood glucose levels, according to a presentation. Read more

ADAPTABLE provides answers on aspirin dosing, conduct of pragmatic trials

Among patients with atherosclerotic CVD, there was no difference in CV events or major bleeding according to aspirin dose, a speaker reported. Read more

INSPIRATION-S: Statin therapy fails to prevent thrombosis, death in severe COVID-19

Atorvastatin therapy did not reduce risk for venous or arterial thrombosis or all-cause death among patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU compared with placebo, according to data from the INSPIRATION-S study. Read more