Top news of January: Pig heart transplantation, COVID-vaccine-related myocarditis and more
Healio and Cardiology Today have created a list of the most-read cardiology news of January 2022.
Readers were interested the first transplantation of a genetically modified pig heart into a human; CV benefits of chili pepper consumption; myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination; and more.
Genetically modified pig heart transplanted into human for first time
The University of Maryland School of Medicine and the University of Maryland Medical Center announced the first successful transplant of a genetically modified pig’s heart into a human. Read more
Consuming chili pepper linked to lower all-cause, CV, cancer-related mortality
The regular consumption of chili pepper was associated with significantly lower all-cause, CV and cancer-related mortality, according to findings published in the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology. Read more
Mortality improves for sports-related sudden cardiac arrest
Mortality from sports-related sudden cardiac arrest decreased in France due to an almost tripling of the survival rate; however, incidence remained stable, suggesting more prevention efforts are needed. Read more
HF may be tied to cancer incidence, mortality in those 50 years and older
HF may be associated with cancer incidence as well as risk for cancer-related mortality, especially among individuals aged 50 to 70 years, according to new data published in JACC: CardioOncology. Read more
Acute alcohol use during holidays, special events may drive AF episodes
Acute alcohol consumption in the general population is associated with higher risk for discrete atrial fibrillation episodes, as well as risk for new-onset AF, according to data published in Nature Cardiovascular Research. Read more
Myocarditis low after COVID-19 vaccination, but odds elevated in male teens, young adults
Despite low absolute rates, researchers observed elevated odds of cardiac injury among male adolescents and young adults after messenger RNA-based COVID-19 vaccination in a large U.S. study, as well as a smaller study in Hong Kong. Read more
Data show ‘vulnerable window’ for recurrent ACS
The initial 90‐day window after ACS represents a vulnerable period for recurrent events, possibly attributable to atherothrombosis mechanisms not currently addressed with optimal therapy, researchers reported. Read more
Myocardial injury during COVID-19 hospitalization tied to mortality, long-term symptoms
Among patients hospitalized with COVID-19, myocardial injury as determined by high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T was linked to mortality and ongoing COVID-19 symptoms, researchers reported. Read more
Psychotropic medication use tied to 1-year mortality in patients with heart disease
Among patients with cardiac disease, nearly 20% used psychotropic medications, and psychotropic medication use was linked to elevated risk for 1-year mortality, researchers reported. Read more
Decline in CHD prevalence slows in US
CDC data show an overall decline in the prevalence of self-reported CHD in the U.S. slowed during the past decade, likely due to trends in risk factors such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, high sodium intake and hypertension. Read more