Top cardiology news in 2022: Successful xenotransplants; statins vs. supplements; and more

Healio and Cardiology Today have compiled a list of the most-read news of 2022 in cardiology.

Readers were most interested in a meta-analysis questioning the association between statin-induced LDL lowering and CV outcomes; firsts in xenotransplantation of genetically modified pig hearts; how moderate wine intake with meals may reduce type 2 diabetes risk; and more.

Meta-analysis questions strength of ties between statin-induced LDL lowering, CV outcomes

The link between statin-induced LDL lowering and reduction of CV outcomes may not be as robust as assumed, researchers who conducted a meta-analysis published in JAMA Internal Medicine concluded. Read more

Genetically engineered pig hearts successfully transplanted into two brain-dead humans

A team at NYU Langone Health successfully transplanted two genetically engineered pig hearts into recently deceased humans in June and July, part of an effort to create a xenotransplantation protocol for people with heart disease. Read more

First human recipient of genetically modified pig heart dies

A man who became the first in the world to receive a genetically modified pig’s heart has died 2 months after the procedure, according to a press release. Read more

Sperling: Messaging around aspirin could be better

The question of who should take aspirin is a complicated one and public messaging on it is sometimes confusing, a speaker said at the Heart in Diabetes CME conference. Read more

Exercising in the morning could reduce CVD risk

The timing of physical activity could affect the risk for CVD, according to study findings published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. Read more

Moderate wine consumption with meals may help reduce type 2 diabetes risk

Moderate consumption of alcohol, particularly wine, was associated with reduced risk for type 2 diabetes, but only if consumption occurred with meals. Read more

Meta-analysis: Testosterone treatment not linked to short-, medium-term CV events in men

In men with hypogonadism, there was no evidence that testosterone treatments cause short-term or medium-term CV risks, according to a meta-analysis published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity. Read more

Statin therapy ‘vastly superior’ to common dietary supplements for cholesterol lowering

Daily rosuvastatin lowered LDL, total cholesterol and serum triglycerides significantly more than placebo and six common over-the-counter dietary supplements, with no supplement lowering LDL more than placebo. Read more

World’s first partial heart transplant completed in newborn with truncus arteriosus

Duke Health announced successful completion of the world’s first partial heart transplant, using living arteries and valves from a donor heart that were fused onto the existing heart of a newborn. Read more

FDA panel declines to support approval of omecamtiv mecarbil

An FDA advisory committee voted 8-3 against supporting the approval of the HF drug omecamtiv mecarbil, with panelists citing a small observed benefit for a limited group of patients. Read more