Top in cardiology: Iron injection for heart failure; ANNEXA phase IV trial stopped
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The FDA has approved the first-ever IV iron replacement therapy to improve exercise capacity in adults with heart failure.
The IV ferric carboxymaltose injection (Injectafer; Daiichi Sankyo Inc./American Regent) was approved for patients with New York Heart Association class II/III heart failure, which is defined as a slight or marked limitation of physical activity due to fatigue, palpitation and/or dyspnea, according to a press release. It was the top story in cardiology last week.
Another top story was about an announcement from AstraZeneca that the company stopped a phase IV trial of andexanet alfa early after it demonstrated superior efficacy in reversing factor Xa inhibitor effects compared with usual care.
“We look forward to sharing the full efficacy and safety results after further analysis, with the hope that the data will pave the way for further guidance on the treatment of potentially life-threatening bleeds,” Stuart J. Connolly, MD, FRCPC, senior scientist at the Population Health Research Institute and professor emeritus at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, said in a press release.
Read these and more top stories in cardiology below:
FDA approves first IV iron replacement therapy for heart failure
The FDA approved the first IV ferric carboxymaltose injection for iron deficiency in adults with heart failure to improve exercise capacity, according to a press release from American Regent. Read more.
Andexanet alfa postmarketing trial stopped early due to superior efficacy
AstraZeneca announced the ANNEXA phase IV trial assessing the safety and efficacy of andexanet alfa stopped early after achieving prespecified criteria on hemostatic efficacy vs. usual care, according to a press release. Read more.
Wearable devices ‘substantially underused’ among people with heart disease
Fewer than one in four people with or at risk for heart disease use wearable devices, with only half of those reporting consistent daily use, researchers reported. Read more.
FDA clears AI-based technology that acquires MR images faster
GE HealthCare announced that the FDA cleared its artificial intelligence-based technology used in MRI systems that enables images to be acquired faster than previously. Read more.
Coronary CT may be best diagnostic strategy when evaluating stable chest pain
For adults with stable chest pain, coronary computed tomography angiography may be as useful as direct invasive coronary angiography and may be the best diagnostic strategy vs. stress testing and single-photon emission CT myocardial perfusion imaging, data show. Read more.