Top stories in cardiology: FDA panel asserts febuxostat benefits outweigh CV risks, short sleep time increases atherosclerosis risk

Among the top cardiology stories last week were news that a joint panel of the FDA’s Arthritis Advisory Committee and Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee voted that the benefits of febuxostat outweigh the CV risk in some patient populations, and a study that found short sleep time or fragmented sleeping elevated the risk for atherosclerosis.

Other highlights include findings that suggested canakinumab was not a cost-effective method to prevent recurrent cardiovascular events after myocardial infarction, a study that found patients with Tourette syndrome and chronic tic disorder were at greater risk for cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, and a report that revealed an at-home hypertension program helped patients achieve BP control in 7 weeks.

FDA panel: Febuxostat benefits outweigh CV risks, but reduce use

A joint panel of the FDA’s Arthritis Advisory Committee and Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee voted 19-2 with one abstention that patient populations exist in which the benefits of the gout drug febuxostat outweigh the CV risk. Read more.

Less than 6 hours of sleep per night increases atherosclerosis risk

Elevated risk for subclinical multiterritory atherosclerosis occurred in patients with short sleep time or fragmented sleeping, according to findings in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Read more.

Canakinumab not cost-effective to prevent recurrent CV events after MI

The use of canakinumab to prevent recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with a prior myocardial infarction was not cost-effective at current U.S. prices, according to a study published in JAMA Cardiology. Read more.

Tourette syndrome, chronic tic disorder increase risk for cardiometabolic disorders

Patients with Tourette syndrome and chronic tic disorder have an increased risk for cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, according to a study published in JAMA Neurology. Read more.

At-home hypertension program may control BP in 7 weeks

Most patients who were treated for hypertension by a home-based BP control program that was run by nonphysicians achieved BP control in an average of 7 weeks, according to a study published in Clinical Cardiology. Read more.