Top news of September: Coffee improves cardiac function, metoprolol for COVID-19 and more
Healio and Cardiology Today have compiled a list of the most-read cardiology news of September 2021.
Readers were interested in the cardiometabolic benefits of walnut consumption; the FDA granting empagliflozin breakthrough designation status for treatment of HF with preserved ejection fraction; a web app for the self-prescription of statins; and more.
Daily walnut consumption lowers total cholesterol, LDL at 2 years
Healthy older adults who consumed walnuts daily for 2 years experienced reductions in total cholesterol and LDL, as well as small and total LDL particles, according to results of the WAHA trial. Read more
Daily coffee intake may improve cardiac function, lower risk for mortality, stroke
Daily coffee consumption may improve cardiac function and up to three cups per day was associated with lower risk for CV and all-cause death and stroke, according to data presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress. Read more
Novel agents targeting Lp(a), triglycerides spearhead ‘profound change in therapies’
Much research is being conducted on novel therapeutics to reduce residual lipid-related risks, a speaker said at the National Lipid Association Scientific Sessions. Read more
Peanut consumption linked to lower stroke risk in Asian individuals
In a cohort of Japanese men and women, higher peanut consumption decreased risk for total and ischemic stroke, as well as CVD, but not ischemic heart disease, according to results of the Japan Public Health Center study. Read more
FDA grants breakthrough therapy designation to empagliflozin for HFpEF
The FDA granted breakthrough therapy designation for empagliflozin as an investigational treatment for adults with HF with preserved ejection fraction, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly reported. Read more
Metoprolol safe, reduces lung inflammation in patients with severe COVID-19
IV administration of the beta-blocker metoprolol in patients with COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome was safe and effective at reducing exacerbated lung inflammation, according to new data. Read more
Web app for self-prescription of statins 96% concordant with physician reviewers
A web application to help individuals self-prescribe statin therapy demonstrated 96% agreement with subsequent physician judgment, according to research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Read more
AHA issues recommendations for patients with CVD planning high-altitude activities
Because sudden cardiac death can occur in patients with CVD traveling to higher altitudes, experts recommended in a new American Heart Association scientific statement that patients with CVD consult a physician before travel. Read more
AED-equipped drones can arrive minutes ahead of EMS for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Drones successfully delivered automated external defibrillators to the locations of suspected out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, according to a speaker at the European Society of Cardiology Congress. Read more
Dapagliflozin reduces risk for ventricular arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, sudden death
Compared with placebo, dapagliflozin reduced risk for ventricular arrhythmias, cardiac arrest and sudden death, according to new data from the DAPA-HF trial. Read more