Top news of July: Novel total artificial heart, meth-related HF hospitalization and more

Healio and Cardiology Today have aggregated a list of the most-read news in cardiology of July 2021.

Readers were most interested in antihypertensive-related memory decline; the effects of a plant-based diet on atherosclerotic risk; the first North American patient who received a next-generation total artificial heart; and more.

Certain antihypertensive drugs yield less memory decline in older adults

Older adults who received antihypertensive drugs that crossed the blood-brain barrier demonstrated improved memory recall compared with those who received other types of antihypertensive drugs, according to new results. Read more

In omega-3 fatty acid trials, EPA alone yields greater CV risk reduction vs. EPA plus DHA

In a meta-analysis of omega-3 fatty acid trials, eicosapentaenoic acid monotherapy yielded the greatest reduction in CV risk vs. a combination of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Read more

Higher plant-based food consumption linked to lower atherosclerosis risk

Diets featuring higher consumption of plant-based foods were associated with lower risk for CVD and atherosclerosis compared with diets higher in animal-based foods, according to a review published in Cardiovascular Research. Read more

First North American patient implanted with next-generation total artificial heart

Duke University and Carmat announced that doctors at Duke University Hospital performed the first North American implantation of a next-generation total artificial heart. Read more

Ambulatory BP readings may provide best stroke prediction in older adults

Among older adults, all measures of ambulatory BP were associated with risk for stroke while office diastolic BP was only weakly associated, and central BP measures were not associated with stroke at all, researchers reported. Read more

Omega-3 fatty acids may have role in CVD prevention, but vitamin D supplements do not

Trials of omega-3 fatty acids have indicated they may have a role in CVD prevention, but the same cannot be said for vitamin D supplements, according to a speaker. Read more

Mobile device approved for fast ECG reading and QTc interval measurement

AliveCor announced it received FDA 510(k) clearance for its mobile, handheld ECG device for the calculation of a patient’s QTc interval. Read more

Methamphetamine-related HF hospitalization ‘insidious yet rapidly growing’

Methamphetamine-related HF hospitalizations and their costs increased at an alarming rate compared with all HF hospitalization from 2008 to 2018, researchers reported. Read more

ADAPTABLE points to solutions about aspirin dose, conduct of pragmatic trials

The ADAPTABLE trial, presented and published in May, was notable in two ways: It provided answers on aspirin dosage for patients needing secondary CVD prevention and it showed a large-scale pragmatic trial could work. Read more

AHA: Pediatric myocarditis often caused by viruses

Myocarditis in children is most commonly caused by viral infection, although there are a variety of infectious and noninfectious causes, according to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Read more