Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and low birth weight, were independently linked to atherosclerotic CVD in postmenopausal women, researchers found.

Among patients with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic CVD, the SGLT2 inhibitor ertugliflozin reduced risk for first and total HF events compared with placebo, according to new data from the VERTIS CV study.

The current literature does not support the use of aspirin for primary prevention in patients with diabetes, and physicians must balance the benefits of prevention with the increased risk for major bleeding, according to a speaker.

Coronary artery calcium scoring can be used as a decision aid, although more trials are needed for guidelines to endorse its use as a class IA recommendation, according to a presentation at Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography Annual Scientific Meeting.

Statin initiation in older U.S. veterans free from atherosclerotic CVD at baseline reduced the risk for CV and all-cause mortality, researchers found in a retrospective cohort study.

Incorporating a question about physical activity with coronary artery calcium scoring improved prediction of clinical and mortality risk in older patients, researchers reported.

Six primary prevention risk assessment scores, including the Framingham risk score, Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease risk score and Adult Treatment Panel III risk score, did not adequately predict the rates of CVD in women with ischemia and no obstructive CAD, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Patients treated with PCSK9 inhibitors had reduced risk for venous thromboembolism, especially if they had elevated lipoprotein(a), according to findings presented at the virtual American College of Cardiology Scientific Session.

Esperion Therapeutics announced that a medication combining bempedoic acid and ezetimibe to lower LDL in adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or established atherosclerotic CVD has been approved by the FDA.

The FDA has approved bempedoic acid for reducing LDL as an adjunct to diet and maximally tolerated statin therapy in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or established atherosclerotic CVD, according to the agency’s website and an alert from Esperion Therapeutics.