Top stories in cardiology: Societies dispel misinformation about COVID-19, low BP in elderly confers mortality risk

Misinformation regarding the associations between the use of ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers and an increased risk for COVID-19 have been addressed by several American and European cardiology societies. It was the top story in cardiology last week.

Another top story reported that lower blood pressure was associated with an elevated risk for all-cause mortality in elderly patients.

Read these and more top stories in cardiology below:

Cardiology societies recommend patients taking ACE inhibitors, ARBs who contract COVID-19 should continue treatment

Several American and European cardiology societies issued statements to dispel misinformation circulating about an association between treatment with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system antagonists such as ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers and increased risk for COVID-19 and increased severity of the disease for those who have contracted COVID-19. Read more.

In elderly, low BP may confer mortality risk

In older patients, lower BP was associated with elevated risk for all-cause mortality. Additionally, age, not frailty, demonstrated a stronger correlation to mortality in relation to systolic and diastolic BP, according to recent findings. Read more.

 

In older patients, lower BP was associated with an elevated risk for all-cause mortality. Additionally, age, not frailty, demonstrated a stronger correlation to mortality in relation to systolic and diastolic BP, according to recent findings.

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Atorvastatin may reduce total vascular events after stroke

New findings from the SPARCL trial showed that patients with prior stroke or transient ischemic attack experienced fewer total vascular events, including cerebrovascular, coronary and peripheral events, when treated with atorvastatin compared with placebo. Read more.

PARAGON-HF: Lowest risk in HFpEF observed with 120-129 mm Hg systolic BP

Patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction who had a baseline and mean achieved systolic BP between 120 mm Hg and 129 mm Hg had the lowest risk for CV and other outcomes compared with higher systolic BP, according to new analysis of the PARAGON-HF trial. Read more.

Oral anticoagulation may be harmful in AF, end-stage renal disease

The use of oral anticoagulation was low and may not be safe or effective in patients with atrial fibrillation and end-stage renal disease, according to a retrospective study of a propensity-matched cohort published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Read more.