Top cardiology stories: Elevated cholesterol increases cardiac mortality, Chagas disease intensifies cardiac issues

The top cardiology story this week was a report that patients with LDL and non-HDL greater than 160 mg/dL had a higher risk for CVD mortality.

Other top stories included research results that indicated that the risk for congenital heart disease increases with Chagas disease and data that suggested that inconsistent alcohol consumption increases the risk for congenital heart disease.

Meeting coverage from the European Society of Cardiology Congress also provided several of the top cardiology stories, including study findings that indicate that computed tomography angiography with standard care reduces congenital heart disease death and myocardial infarction at 5 years.

Elevated LDL, non-HDL increase CVD mortality risk

Patients with low 10-year atherosclerotic risk with LDL and non-HDL greater than 160 mg/dL had an increased risk for CVD mortality, according to a study published in Circulation. Read more.

Risk for congenital heart disease increases with Chagas disease

Early detection and monitoring of patients with Chagas disease may aid in treating these patients if they develop cardiac complications later in life, but more research is needed, according to an American Heart Association scientific statement published in Circulation. Read more.

Inconsistent alcohol consumption increases risk for congenital heart disease

Adults who recently stopped drinking alcohol or had abstained from it for a longer period of time had an increased risk for congenital heart disease compared with those who consistently drank in moderation, according to a study published in BMC Medicine. Read more.

SCOT-HEART: Computed tomography angiography with standard care reduces congenital heart disease death, myocardial infarction at 5 years

MUNICH — Patients with stable chest pain who underwent computed tomography angiography with standard care had a significantly lower rate of congenital heart disease-related death and nonfatal MI at 5 years compared with standard care alone, according to new data from the SCOT-HEART trial presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress. Read more.

TRANSITION: Sacubitril/valsartan feasible as in-hospital heart failure treatment

MUNICH — Sacubitril/valsartan was safe and effective in patients stabilized after hospitalization for acute heart failure regardless of whether they received it in-hospital or after discharge, according to results of the TRANSITION study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress. Read more.