Top in cardiology: Return to play after sudden cardiac arrest; CMS program cuts CV events

There is growing evidence that elite athletes with genetic heart disease could reasonably return to play after a sudden cardiac arrest, although a shared decision-making process may be appropriate.

In a Healio column, experts explored data suggesting that not all these athletes should abstain from competitive sports. The evidence includes a first-of-its-kind study following up on elite athletes who returned to play after sudden cardiac arrest, as well as data demonstrating that rates of subsequent cardiac events are lower than previously thought.

It was the top story in cardiology last week.

Another top story was about the reduced incidence of first-time cardiovascular events, with no significant changes in Medicare spending, after a CMS program financially incentivized CVD risk assessment and reduction.

Read these and more top stories in cardiology below:

Should athletes with genetic heart disease return to play after sudden cardiac arrest?

Recently, there have been several cases in which high-profile athletes have had sudden cardiac arrest due to a variety of causes. Read more.

CMS risk reduction program lowered first-time heart attacks, strokes without raising costs

Data show CMS’ Million Hearts CVD Risk Reduction Model, which provided payments for CVD risk assessment and reduction, reduced the incidence of first-time myocardial infarction and stroke over 5 years without significant changes in Medicare spending. Read more.

Semaglutide improves heart failure symptoms in patients with obesity across range of preserved ejection fraction

Semaglutide was associated with improved heart failure symptoms and exercise capacity and reduced body weight and inflammation among patients with obesity across the range of heart failure with mildly reduced and preserved ejection fraction, a speaker reported. Read more.

Women’s stress levels, but not depression levels, vary by heart attack subtype

Researchers observed lower levels of perceived stress among women with myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries vs. those with myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, but the prevalence of depressive symptoms was similar. Read more.

AI model accurately predicts atrial fibrillation within 1 month of sinus rhythm

With nearly 90% accuracy, an artificial intelligence-based model consistently predicted atrial fibrillation within 31 days among patients with sinus rhythm, according to findings published in JAMA Cardiology. Read more.