Heart Disease for Doctors

May 09 2024

Drug use-associated endocarditis increases hospitalization risk for bacterial infections

People with drug use-associated infective endocarditis are at high risk of mortality and future hospitalization for bacterial infections, including endocarditis, skin and soft tissue infections and bacteremia, researchers found.
“Over the last several years, we've gained more awareness in the number of people [who have been] impacted by drug use-associated endocarditis,” Mary C. Figgatt PhD, MPH, postdoctoral researchers at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, told Healio. “We also know other serious bacterial infections similarly impacted people who inject drugs, such as

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From Healio.com CARDIOLOGY • Heart Disease for Doctors • 0

May 09 2024

Referral program boosts postpartum visits to primary care during year after delivery

Women with gestational diabetes or hypertension referred from obstetrics to a primary care provider after delivery were six times more likely to attend a visit with a PCP in the first year postpartum, data show.
In addition, they were twice as likely to complete cholesterol and HbA1c screenings.
Many women do not follow up with a PCP during the first year after delivery; however, postpartum programs that can be inexpensively and sustainably integrated into existing health care settings could potentially improve postpartum care and CV health monitoring, particularly for underserved women,

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From Healio.com CARDIOLOGY • Heart Disease for Doctors • 0

May 08 2024

New HCM guideline endorses cardiac myosin inhibitors, encourages exercise

A new guideline on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy endorses the use of cardiac myosin inhibitors for certain patients with obstructive HCM and encourages exercise in all patients with HCM.
The guideline, developed by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association in collaboration with the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, the Heart Rhythm Society, the Pediatric & Congenital Electrophysiology Society and the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and Circulation.
“Incorporating the

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From Healio.com CARDIOLOGY • Heart Disease for Doctors • 0

May 08 2024

Heart attacks have declined, but disparities in treatment, outcomes remain

Despite significant decline in heart attacks since 2004, inequities in STEMI management and mortality by age, gender, income and race, speakers reported.
Two studies, one evaluating trends in STEMI incidence and mortality by age and income and one evaluating gender and racial disparities in non-STEMI management, were presented at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions Scientific Sessions.
Using nationwide inpatient data from 2004 to 2020, Fares Ghanem, MD, cardiovascular disease physician at Southern Illinois University, and colleagues evaluated demographic trends in

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From Healio.com CARDIOLOGY • Heart Disease for Doctors • 0

May 07 2024

‘Subclinical’ left ventricular abnormalities portend lower survival, breathlessness in SSc

Patients with systemic sclerosis who demonstrate left ventricular abnormalities, either overt or “subclinical,” have poorer survival and increased shortness of breath, according to data published in Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism.
The subclinical abnormalities were assessed via an advanced measure of subtle left ventricular systolic dysfunction — LV global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) — suggesting that a less advanced measure — LV ejection fraction (LV-EF) — may not be sensitive enough to pick up clinically important cardiac dysfunction among patients

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From Healio.com CARDIOLOGY • Heart Disease for Doctors • 0