Top in cardiology: Hydroxychloroquine and arrhythmia, sexual activity after MI

Short-term treatment with hydroxychloroquine may not confer a risk for arrhythmia in patients with COVID-19, according to a recent study. It was the top story in cardiology last week.

Another top story was about the survival benefits of resuming sexual activity shortly after a myocardial infarction.

Read these and more top stories in cardiology below:

Short-term COVID-19 treatment with hydroxychloroquine may not confer arrhythmia risk

Hydroxychloroquine may be safe for the short-term treatment of patients with COVID-19 who were chosen for therapy after undergoing risk assessment, researchers found. They observed modest QTc prolongation with hydroxychloroquine, but no deaths associated with arrhythmias, according to the study published in Europace. Read more.

Resuming sexual activity shortly after MI could improve survival

Patients who resumed sexual activity a few months after MI may have an improved long-term survival compared with those who abstained or decreased sexual activity, researchers found. Read more.

Clock indicating critical points throughout stroke care may expedite treatment

Acute stroke management metrics improved with use of an alarm clock in the CT room that indicated several target times up to therapy decision, according to a recent study. Read more.

Telehealth shift during COVID-19 pandemic shows capacity to safely deliver cardiology care

As clinicians around the world rapidly transitioned from in-person to telehealth visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, it required managing many changes at once. Cardiologists in particular have worked to find new ways to support patients with cardiovascular disorders who rely on data-driven care and multiple in-person visits, as well as patients with other chronic conditions that require close follow-up. Read more.

Weight-loss surgery in obesity, diabetes may expedite CV event reduction vs. usual care

Patients with obesity and diabetes who underwent metabolic surgery may have to lose less weight to reduce the risk for major adverse cardiovascular events compared with those who did not undergo surgery, researchers found. Read more.