Top stories in cardiology: Ticagrelor with aspirin reduces major cardiovascular events, transitional care model does not improve outcomes in heart failure

Among the top stories in cardiology last week were trial results that demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in major adverse CV events in patients who were treated with ticagrelor and aspirin compared with aspirin alone and study results that found a care model to transition patients with heart failure from the hospital back to home had no significant effect on clinical outcomes.

Other highlights included findings that suggested that patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who took an off-label lower dose of direct oral anticoagulants had greater risk for stroke, myocardial infarction and death compared with those who took the standard dose, the American Heart Association’s statement that children and teenagers with obesity and severe obesity have an increased risk for premature heart disease and an announcement that Akcea has reached a license agreement with Novartis for an antisense drug for elevated lipoprotein(a).

THEMIS top-line results announced: Ticagrelor reduces major adverse cardiovascular events

AstraZeneca announced today top-line results from the THEMIS trial, showing that the trial met its primary endpoint and demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in a composite of major adverse CV events in patients with coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes without a history of myocardial infarction or stroke who were treated with ticagrelor and aspirin compared with aspirin alone. Read more.

Transitional care model fails to improve outcomes in heart failure

A care model to transition patients with heart failure from the hospital back to home had no significant effect on clinical outcomes compared with the usual care, according to the results of the PACT-HF study. Read more.

Underdosing of direct oral anticoagulants harmful in atrial fibrillation

Among patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation taking direct oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention, those who took an off-label lower dose had greater risk for stroke, myocardial infarction and death compared with those who took the standard dose, researchers reported at the International Stroke Conference. Read more.

AHA: Obesity increases risk for premature heart disease in children

Children and teenagers with obesity and severe obesity, in addition to other conditions, have an increased risk for premature heart disease, according to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association published in Circulation. Read more.

Akcea reaches license agreement with Novartis for antisense drug for elevated lipoprotein(a)

Akcea Therapeutics and Ionis Pharmaceuticals announced that Novartis has decided to license an antisense drug for the treatment of patients with elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) and established CVD. Read more.