Top stories among cardiology: Ablation ‘acceptable treatment strategy,’ sacubitril/valsartan reduces hospitalizations

Among the top stories in cardiology is a study showing that among patients with atrial fibrillation, catheter ablation achieved better outcomes compared with drug therapy in on-treatment and per-protocol analyses. Reducing ejection fraction and prescribing sacubitril/valsartan for patients with HF can reduce hospitalizations and medical costs when compared with patients prescribed an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker. Other stories include older patients with syncope and bifascicular block receiving immediate pacemaker implantations had better outcomes, cardiac contractility modulation improved exercise tolerance, quality of life and reduced hospitalizations among patients with HF, and marijuana was not associated with elevated risk for arrhythmias.

CABANA: Ablation an ‘acceptable treatment strategy’ for AF

In patients with atrial fibrillation, catheter ablation conferred better outcomes compared with drug therapy in on-treatment and per-protocol analyses, but not in an intention-to-treat analysis, according to the results of the CABANA trial. Read More.

Sacubitril/valsartan reduces hospitalizations, lowers medical costs

Patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction who were prescribed sacubitril/valsartan had fewer hospitalizations and lower medical costs than those who were prescribed an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker, according to findings presented at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy Annual Meeting. Read More.

Pacemaker best option for older patients with syncope, bifascicular block

Patients aged 50 years and older with syncope and bifascicular block had better outcomes if they received immediate pacemaker implantation compared with monitoring with an implantable loop recorder, according to results from the POST 3 pragmatic trial. Read More.

Cardiac contractility modulation improves HFrEF outcomes

In patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction, cardiac contractility modulation improved exercise tolerance and quality of life and reduced hospitalizations for HF, according to findings presented at the Heart Rhythm Society Annual Scientific Sessions. Read More.

Marijuana use does not increase arrhythmia risk, may reduce AF risk in MI

Among patients hospitalized for acute MI, marijuana use was not associated with elevated risk for arrhythmias but was linked to lower rates of atrial fibrillation and in-hospital mortality, researchers reported at the Heart Rhythm Society Annual Scientific Sessions. Read More.