Top stories in cardiology: Highlights from ACC Scientific Session

All of last week’s top stories in cardiology come from Healio’s live coverage of the American College of Cardiology Scientific Session which recently wrapped up in New Orleans.

Popular stories included a pendulum swing regarding aspirin therapy for most patients, the heart-healthy benefits of prescription fish oil and negative heart-related consequences of a low carb-diet. Other top stories were positive trial results of a high cholesterol treatment under development and a new use for dapagliflozin. – by Janel Miller

Aspirin no longer recommended for most adults

Aspirin is no longer recommended for primary prevention of CVD in most adults aged 70 and older, according to new American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology guidelines. The recommendation also applies to those with no known history of CVD. Read more.

Prescription fish oil dramatically reduces heart problems

In patients with a high risk for CV events despite taking statins, researchers found a 4-g dose of icosapent ethyl, a pharmaceutical-grade omega-3 fatty acid, significantly cut the incidence of first, repeat and total ischemic events, such as myocardial infarctions, strokes, related deaths, procedures for coronary artery disease and hospitalizations for unstable angina, by 30%. Read more.

Atrial fibrillation more likely with low-carb diet

A diet low in carbohydrates may lead to a greater risk for atrial fibrillation, according to a researcher. Read more.

Potential treatment for high cholesterol reaches goals in phase 3 trial

Bempedoic acid significant lowered LDL cholesterol after 12 weeks in patients at high risk for CV events who also received maximally tolerated statin and other lipid-lowering therapies, according to phase 3 trial findings. Read more.

CV benefits of diabetes drug dapagliflozin extend to patients with reduced ejection fraction

Treatment with the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin reduced heart failure hospitalizations in patients with a broad range of left ventricular ejection fraction and may provide even greater benefit with lower CV death and mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, researchers reported. Read more.