Top in cardiology: New transplant rejection surveillance tool; obesity management
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In a recent study, Michael Olymbios, MD, the medical director of heart transplantation for Natera Inc., and colleagues found that a noninvasive blood test may help predict rejection after a heart transplant.
The researchers said that the blood test could reduce the frequency of endomyocardial biopsy, an invasive and expensive organ rejection surveillance tool. An interview with Olymbios about the downsides of endomyocardial biopsy and the clinical validation study he conducted was the top story in cardiology last week.
Another top story was about the increase in cardiology patients with obesity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Healio talked to four leading cardiologists to discover how those in the specialty can combat this epidemic and take on an active management role.
Read these and more top stories in cardiology below:
Noninvasive blood test may accurately predict rejection after heart transplant
Heart transplant is the definitive treatment option for patients with advanced heart failure, yet allograft rejection and injury remain impediments to posttransplant survival despite continued advances in posttransplant outcomes. Read more.
At Issue: The role of the cardiologist in obesity management
Many patients who cardiologists see have obesity, which has become widely prevalent in the United States. Read more.
Q&A: Anti-abortion laws and implications for pregnant patients with CVD
As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to issue a decision that could potentially overturn Roe v. Wade, many states are preparing to restrict or eliminate abortion rights for patients, including those with CVD. Read more.
Red blood cell distribution width predicts all-cause, CV death in HF
Red blood cell distribution width is an independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular death across all subtypes of heart failure, and its prognostic value improves when incorporating N‐terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level, data show. Read more.
RAAS inhibitor use may lower risk for intracranial aneurysm rupture in hypertension
Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor use in patients with hypertension and intracranial aneurysm was associated with lower risk for aneurysm rupture compared with nonuse, according to research published in Hypertension. Read more.