Top in cardiology: Emails improve flu vaccine uptake; out-of-hospital cardiac arrest rate

Vaccine update improved among adults in Denmark who received email messages that emphasized the cardiovascular benefits of the influenza vaccine, especially among patients with acute myocardial infarction history, researchers found.

According to pooled data from three randomized control trials presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, vaccine uptake improved, regardless of MI history, among adults who received a nudge email compared with usual care. However, a letter that specifically highlighted the cardiovascular benefits of the influenza vaccine was associated with greater vaccine uptake among patients with acute MI history vs. patients with no history. The same kind of letter also imparted greater benefits on patients with acute MI who were not vaccinated during the previous flu season.

It was the top story in cardiology last week.

In another top story, U.S. out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates, which significantly worsened during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, have improved since then but have not returned to prepandemic levels, according to researchers.

Read these and more top stories in cardiology below:

Email ‘nudges’ highlighting flu vaccine’s heart benefits improve uptake

Emailed messages emphasizing the cardiovascular benefits of influenza vaccination improved vaccine uptake among older and younger adults in Denmark, particularly among more vulnerable patients with a history of acute MI, researchers reported during a press conference at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. Read more.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates remain below prepandemic levels

U.S. out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates have improved since the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, but have not returned to prepandemic levels, researchers reported at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. Read more.

New life for used devices: Refurbished pacemakers address global disparities in access

Reconditioned cardiac devices could help meet an overwhelming need outside of the United States, according to a new study presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. Read more.

First investigational oral therapy lowers Lp(a) in phase 2 study

Adults with elevated liproprotein(a) at high risk for a cardiovascular event saw substantial reductions over 12 weeks with muvalaplin, an investigational oral small molecule Lp(a) inhibitor, data from a phase 2 study presented during a late-breaking clinical science presentation at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions show. Read more.

Rivaroxaban fails to prevent cognitive decline, stroke in younger adults with AF

In the BRAIN-AF trial, daily rivaroxaban did not reduce the incidence of cognitive decline, stroke or transient ischemic attack, compared with placebo, among younger patients with atrial fibrillation and low stroke risk, according to a study presented during a press conference at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. Read more.