Top stories in cardiology: FDA clears catheter system, potential CVD harms from energy drink consumption

Among the top stories in cardiology last week were the FDA’s clearance of a deflectable catheter system and findings that linked energy drink consumption to prolonged corrected quality time intervals and higher BP levels.

Other highlights included reports from the European Stroke Organization Conference that showed how two therapies — antiplatelet and alteplase — fared in patients who had a stroke and details of how in vitro fertilization may impact heart health. – by Janel Miller

Deflectable catheter system for His-bundle pacing procedures receives FDA clearance

Medtronic announced it has received FDA clearance for a deflectable catheter system used for His-bundle pacing procedures. Read more.

Frequent energy drink consumption may be harmful to heart

Continual consumption of energy drinks was associated with significantly prolonged corrected quality time intervals and higher BP rates, according to findings published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Read more.

Antiplatelet therapy appears safe after stroke due to intracerebral hemorrhage

Antiplatelet therapy appears safe to use for secondary prevention in patients who had a stroke due to intracerebral hemorrhage, according to results of the RESTART trial presented at the European Stroke Organization Conference. Read more.

Alteplase effective up to 9 hours after ischemic stroke

In a meta-analysis presented at the European Stroke Organization Conference, alteplase was more effective than placebo for treatment of acute ischemic stroke between 4.5 and 9 hours after onset. Read more.

In vitro fertilization may increase risk for peripartum cardiomyopathy

One-third of women with peripartum cardiomyopathy had subfertility with high rates of in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, according to data presented at Heart Failure. Read more.