Top in cardiology: Historic heart transplant, olive oil consumption

A medical team in Maryland successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig heart into a human for the first time in history.

The surgeon who performed the procedure said it brought researchers “one step closer to solving the organ shortage crisis.” Healio’s coverage of the procedure was the top story in cardiology last week.

Another top story discussed the positive impact that olive oil consumption has on a person’s risk for cardiovascular (CV)-related death and all-cause death.

Read these and other top stories in cardiology for the week of Jan. 9 below.

Genetically modified pig heart transplanted into human for first time

The University of Maryland School of Medicine and the University of Maryland Medical Center announced the first successful transplant of a genetically modified pig’s heart into a human. Read more.

Olive oil consumption may cut risk for CV, all-cause death

A diet that includes approximately half a tablespoon of olive oil daily may cut risk for CV death and all-cause death by 19%, according to research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Read more.

Breastfeeding may lower maternal CV risk

Women who ever breastfed during their lifetime were less likely to develop CVD, coronary heart disease or stroke, or die of CV-related causes compared with parous women who never breastfed, data from a meta-analysis show. Read more.

AHA: Address social determinants of health to reduce CV risk in type 2 diabetes

Clinicians must use multifaceted tools to reduce CV risk in type 2 diabetes, combining newer therapies with efforts to address social determinants of health, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement. Read more.

Benefit of icosapent ethyl consistent regardless of background statin type

In a new analysis of the REDUCE-IT trial, the treatment effect of icosapent ethyl was consistent across different agents and categories of statins patients were taking. Read more.