Top 5 cardiology stories from this week

As a service to its readers, Healio Internal Medicine presents a list of the top five cardiology articles from this past week, including research in topics such as CV prevention, cardiac drug therapies, systolic BP treatment and more.

COMPASS: Rivaroxaban superior to aspirin for prevention of CV events in patients with CAD, PAD

Janssen Pharmaceuticals announced that the COMPASS trial of rivaroxaban for prevention of major adverse CV events in patients with CAD or peripheral artery disease was stopped early due to superiority being demonstrated. Read More.

Drug therapy for managing primary orthostatic hypotension

Primary orthostatic hypotension is an often overlooked and undertreated condition clinically defined as a decrease of 20 mm Hg in systolic or 10 mm Hg in diastolic BP within 3 minutes of standing. Primary orthostatic hypotension (OH) symptoms are a result of cerebral hypoperfusion due to autonomic nervous system dysfunction leading to an overcompensation of CV mechanisms in response to reduced venous return. Read More.

Alirocumab allowed to remain on U.S. market pending completion of appeal

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi announced that the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has suspended the permanent injunction for their PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab pending the companies' appeal. Read More.

Intensive BP control decreases major adverse CV events

Intensive BP control in older patients decreased major adverse CV events but was linked to an increased risk for renal failure, according to results of a systematic review and meta-analysis. Read More.

Treatment to intensive systolic BP target could save 100,000 US lives annually

Aggressively lowering BP could save more than 100,000 lives in the United States each year, according to predictions based on data from SPRINT. Read More.