CARDIOPROGRESS
Foundation for the advancement of cardiology

Excess Vitamin D Linked to Kidney Damage Vitamin D has been reported to have a wide range of benefits. However, a recent case study indicates that excessive use of vitamin D can cause kidney damage in people who are not deficient in the vitamin.

Dad's Smoking Tied to Baby's Heart Defect Risk Results from a large meta-analysis indicate that paternal smoking during a mother's pregnancy is a significant and independent risk factor for congenital heart defects (CHD) among offspring, as is secondhand smoke exposure in general. Meta-analysis suggests smoke exposure from any source is problematic during pregnancy.

Early or Delayed Cardioversion in Recent-Onset Atrial Fibrillation Patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation commonly undergo immediate restoration of sinus rhythm by pharmacologic or electrical cardioversion. However, whether immediate restoration of sinus rhythm is necessary is not known, since atrial fibrillation often terminates spontaneously.

A good night's sleep could lower cardiovascular risk Can the duration and quality of your sleep affect your cardiovascular health? A new study suggests there is a connection between how much sleep you get each night — and how well you sleep — and the risk of cardiovascular problems.

Heart failure: Flu vaccine could save lives People with heart failure are more susceptible to flu complications than other people. However, a new study has revealed that flu vaccinations may have a significant impact on lifespan.

CMS Reminds Physicians of Meaningful Use Hardship Exception Deadline Ken Terry The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is reminding physicians who did not attest to meaningful use (MU) of electronic health records (EHR) in 2013 that they have until July 1 of this year to apply for a hardship exception so they can avoid a financial penalty in 2015.

Flu Vaccine More Effective Than Last Year’s, CDC Says Robert Lowes The seasonal influenza vaccine for 2013-2014 so far is outperforming its predecessor from last season in protecting Americans from the flu bug, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today

Lack of Vitamin D Linked to CVD Biomarkers, Inflammation Marlene Busko COLERAINE, UK — Older, healthy individuals who were deficient in 25-hydroxy vitamin D (vitamin D) tended to have higher levels of biomarkers linked with CVD and inflammatory conditions such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, in an observational study.

SSRI May Negatively Affect Male Fertility Fran Lowry The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) sertraline (Zoloft, Pfizer Inc) may have a negative impact on some semen parameters, a finding that may have implications for male fertility, new research suggests.

Autism Rates Jump 30%, CDC Reports Megan Brooks More children in the United States have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than previously thought, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports today.

New Trial Result Pushes Past Antiarrhythmic Therapy After MI For ventricular tachycardia after myocardial infarction, outcomes are better with upfront catheter ablation than drug therapy, which is typically used first, the multinational VANISH2 trial shows.

New Pill Successfully Lowers Lp(a) Levels Muvalaplin, a novel oral medication, safely and effectively lowers high levels of lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), results from the phase 2 KRAKEN trial show.

Coffee Consumption and Coronary Artery Calcium Score: Cross‐Sectional Results of ELSA‐Brasil (Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health) Coffee Consumption and Coronary Artery Calcium Score: Cross‐Sectional Results of ELSA‐Brasil (Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health) Abstract Background Available evidence for the relationship between coffee intake and subclinical atherosclerosis is limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the association between coffee consumption and coronary artery calcium (CAC) in ELSA‐Brasil (Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health).

CONFERENCE NEWS CONFERENCE NEWS https://www.medscape.com/viewcollection/ MOMENTUM 3: HeartMate 3 Improves Stroke-Free Survival at 2 Years TRIUMPH: Triple Low-Dose Combo Pill a Success in Hypertension Barbershop-Based Healthcare Cuts Hypertension in Blacks Music Boosts Exercise Capacity During Cardiac Stress Test

New EHRA Practical Guide on Novel Oral Anticoagulants A new version of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) practical guide on non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) aims to help physicians navigate various new data — including some just presented last month in the United States — but also a more complex clinical landscape. "As health care providers get more comfortable using NOACs, treatment of more complex patients, such as the elderly, frail, those with multiple co-medications, is getting increasingly more common. We felt that not only an update but a fully revised version would be appropriate," writing committee chair, Jan Steffel, MD, University Heart Center, Zurich, Switzerland, told theheart.org | Medscape Cardiology.

THE THIRD DAY OF THE FORUM Today is the final day of the Forum. The scientific program continues until 5.30 pm in parallel 4 halls. The activity of doctors increased, discussions and questions became substantive. Delegates during breaks linger in the halls and behind the scenes continue to exchange opinions with the lecturers. The number of graduate students from medical universities has increased noticeably. Volunteers in each hall and check-in desks conduct a survey on a 5-point system in various areas, including the organization of the forum and the quality of reports and symposia. This will help optimize our work. Participants of the exhibition express their gratitude for the active participation of delegates and lively interest.

THE DIARY OF THE SECOND DAY OF THE FORUM Today the most motivated doctors and scientists took part in the scientific sessions. The geography of the participants expanded at the expense of delegates from the Crimea and the Donbass. Within the framework of the scientific program, a Russian-Belarusian Symposium on Comorbidity was held, and by tradition there was an active debate at the end of the meeting. On the second day, along with cardiological topics, symposiums on sports cardiology, osteoporosis, hematology and COPD were presented. Moreover, these symposiums are represented by various medical schools in Russia"s regions from Stavropol to Omsk. The forum was attended by the President of the Russian Therapeutic Society, Academician Martynov A.I.

DIARY OF THE FIRST DAY OF THE FORUM On March 21, the opening ceremony of the International Forum of Cardiology and Internal Medicine was held and the scientific sessions began in four halls of the RussianAcademy of Sciences. An introductory speech and a greeting were made by Academician Oganov R.G. and Professor Mamedov M.N. Traditionally, the Organizing Committee awarded 5 scientists and clinicians with diplomas for their contribution to the development of cardiac science and therapeutic services. Reports were presented at the plenary session by Prof. Kukharchuk V.V. (Moscow) on dyslipidemia, Professor Khalimova Yu.Sh. (St. Petersburg) on the hypoglycemic therapy and the main therapist of Uzbekistan, Professor Kamilova U.K. (Tashkent) on nephroprotection.

HEALTHCARE SPENDING ACCELERATING, 19.7% OF ECONOMY BY 2026 By 2026, healthcare is projected to make up 19.7% of the US economy, up from 17.9% in 2016, according to a report released today by the Office of the Actuary at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Spending is projected to be $5.7 trillion by 2026, up from $3.5 trillion now. CMS projects that federal, state, and local governments will be financing 47% of that spending, up from 45% in 2016, partly related to the aging of the population.

Anniversary of the President of the Cardioprogress Foundation, Academician Rafael G. Oganov (on the occasion of his 80th birthday) On December 9, 2017, the well-known Russian cardiologist, scientist, clinician, doctor of medical sciences, professor, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, honored scientist of the Russian Federation, laureate of the Russian State Prize, honorary president of the Russian Cardiological Society, editor-in-chief of the 2 leader Russian cardiology journals Oganov Rafael. Rafael Oganov was born in a working family in Moscow. He passed a great life and creative path from a clinical resident to an academician of the RussianAcademy of Medical Sciences, a scientist, a doctor and a teacher widely known in Russia and abroad.