Top stories in cardiology: Rivaroxaban fails to reduce embolic stroke recurrence, ablation reduces atrial fibrillation burden in heart failure

Among the top stories in cardiology is a presentation of data showing that rivaroxaban failed to reduce the risk for recurrent stroke in patients with embolic stroke. A study published in JAMA Cardiology showed that greater atrial fibrillation burden was linked to an increased risk for ischemic stroke among patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Other stories include a study confirming the combination of clopidogrel and aspirin may lower the risk for major ischemic events, data that extracorporeal shock-wave therapy may be effective in improving 1-year walking distances in patients with intermittent claudication, and a new trial data showing catheter ablation resulted in improved atrial fibrillation burden and time to first recurrence in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure.

NAVIGATE ESUS: Rivaroxaban fails to reduce recurrence in embolic stroke

Rivaroxaban did not reduce the risk for recurrent stroke in patients with embolic stroke compared with aspirin, although it increased the risk for bleeding, according to data presented at the European Stroke Organization Conference. Read More.

KP-RHYTHM: Greater atrial fibrillation burden increases risk for ischemic stroke

Among patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, greater atrial fibrillation burden was linked to an increased risk for ischemic stroke independent of known risk factors, according to a study published in JAMA Cardiology. Read More.

Clopidogrel, aspirin combination lowers stroke odds, raises brain bleeding risk

The combination of clopidogrel and aspirin may lower the risk for major ischemic events among patients with minor ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack compared with aspirin alone, according to results of the POINT study. Read More.

Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy improves walking distance in peripheral arterial disease

According to data published in Vascular, extracorporeal shock-wave therapy may be effective in improving walking distances at 12 months in patients with intermittent claudication. Read More.

CASTLE-AF: Ablation reduces atrial fibrillation burden in heart failure

Catheter ablation improved atrial fibrillation burden and time to first atrial fibrillation recurrence in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure, according to new data from the CASTLE-AF trial. Read More.