Top in cardiology: Drug-drug interactions with cannabinoids; insertable cardiac monitor
Cannabinoids are widely available for therapeutic and recreational use, but data are limited regarding drug-drug interactions — particularly with cardiovascular medications, according to experts.
Their article, which highlights clinically relevant interactions between cannabinoids and common CV medications, was the top story in cardiology last week.
Another top story was about an insertable cardiac monitor with smartphone compatibility that can automatically transfer device data to a mobile app. The device was cleared by the FDA for use in pediatric patients aged older than 2 years with arrhythmias who need long-term, continuous monitoring.
Read these and more top stories in cardiology below:
Cannabinoids and drug-drug interactions with CV medications
The role and status of cannabis in the United States have evolved both medically and legally. In 2020, 49.6 million people in the United States reported using a form of cannabis in the previous year. Read more.
Insertable cardiac monitor cleared by FDA for children aged more than 2 years
Medtronic announced its insertable cardiac monitor received FDA 510(k) clearance for use in pediatric patients aged older than 2 years with arrhythmias requiring long-term, continuous monitoring. Read more.
Older adults prescribed opioids at elevated risk for CV events, especially HF
Individuals aged 65 years or older who were prescribed opioids had increased risk for various CVD events, most prominently HF, researchers reported in ESC Heart Failure. Read more.
Acute heat wave episodes linked to potentially dangerous weight loss in HF
Excessively high temperatures observed during a 2019 heat wave in France were closely associated with weight loss measured in adults with chronic HF, indicating worsening of HF, according to an analysis of telemonitoring and weather data. Read more.
‘Similar strategy’ needed for global CVD prevention in men, women: PURE
The magnitude of associations with major CVD for most risk factors are similar in women and men, despite sex differences in risk factor levels, according to an analysis of the PURE study. Read more.