Top stories in cardiology: Aspirin fails to reduce initial vascular events, dairy products may lower CVD risk

The top stories in cardiology from the last week come from the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich and address topics such as how aspirin failed to prevent vascular events in certain populations and the impact red meat and dairy products may have on the risk for CVD.

Presenters also discussed how rivaroxaban yielded mixed results in medically ill patients at risk for venous thromboembolism and lorcaserin’s impact on weight loss and CV-related adverse events. – by Janel Miller

ARRIVE: Aspirin does not reduce initial vascular events in low-to-moderate risk population

In a moderate-risk population with low event rates, aspirin did not significantly reduce initial vascular events, according to the ARRIVE study. Read more.

ASCEND: Aspirin, omega-3 supplements fail for primary prevention in diabetes

In a large cohort of patients with diabetes but no prior CVD, aspirin prevented vascular events but caused major bleeding events, and an omega-3 fatty acid supplement did not prevent vascular events, researchers from the ASCEND study reported. Read more.

PURE: Moderate red meat, dairy intake may help reduce mortality, CV risk

A new diet quality tool based on an analysis of more than 218,000 adults worldwide suggests that increased intake of unprocessed red meat, fish and whole fat dairy can reduce risk for all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction and stroke, according to new data from the PURE study. Read more.

No excess CV risk with lorcaserin for weight loss
reatment with the serotonin receptor agonist lorcaserin yielded sustained weight loss over a median follow-up of 3 years without an excess risk for major adverse CV events in adults with overweight or obesity at high CV risk, according to new data from the CAMELLIA-TIMI 61 study. Read more.

Results mixed on rivaroxaban for extended thromboprophylaxis in MARINER

In medically ill patients at risk for venous thromboembolism, rivaroxaban did not improve the composite endpoint of symptomatic venous thromboembolism or death due to venous thromboembolism, according to the results of the MARINER study. Read more.