CARDIOPROGRESS
Foundation for the advancement of cardiology

Simple Heart Test Predicts Memory Loss Years Ahead Elevated cardiac troponin I levels during midlife — indicative of subclinical myocardial injury — were associated with a higher risk for dementia, faster cognitive decline, and greater brain atrophy in later life, with differences apparent up to 25 years before diagnosis.

Can Coffee Cut the Risk for Atrial Fibrillation? Drinking a cup of caffeinated coffee daily led to a significant drop in atrial fibrillation (AF) or flutter in patients with sustained AF compared with those who abstained from coffee and caffeine, according to results of the DECAF trial.

Current and future applications of photon-counting computed tomography in cardiovascular medicine Photon-counting CT (PCCT) represents a transformative advancement in cardiac imaging, addressing key limitations of conventional CT.

Effect of low-dose colchicine on pericoronary inflammation and coronary plaque composition in chronic coronary disease: a subanalysis of the LoDoCo2 trial Low-dose colchicine (0.5 mg once daily) reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events in coronary disease, but its mechanism of action is not yet fully understood. We investigated whether low-dose colchicine is associated with changes in pericoronary inflammation and plaque composition in patients with chronic coronary disease.

Can Antibiotics Wait for Blood Cultures in Endocarditis? In clinically stable patients with suspected or confirmed infective endocarditis (IE), deferring antimicrobial treatment until blood culture results were available was not associated with 30-day mortality or worse clinical outcomes compared with immediate antimicrobial treatment.

Statin Use May Mitigate Major Cardiovascular Event Risk With Tofacitinib in Rheumatoid Arthritis Most patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and cardiovascular risk factors did not receive statins at baseline, and few initiated them later. Statin use in tofacitinib-treated patients with a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) was linked to fewer major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). No difference in incident MACE was seen between tofacitinib users and TNF-inhibitor users when statins were used.

Gene Variants Drive Heart Risks in Polycystic Kidney Disease In patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), left ventricular hypertrophy was independently associated with PKD1 gene mutations, and mitral valve prolapse was associated with truncating PKD1 mutations.

Pregabalin Tied to Elevated Heart Failure Risk The results of a recent study published in JAMA Network Open show a substantially higher risk for heart failure (HF) in people taking the antiseizure medication pregabalin for chronic noncancer pain. The risk is particularly high for people with preexisting cardiovascular disease.

Azoospermia May Signal Hidden Health Risks Azoospermia, the complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate, affects approximately 1 in 100 men and accounts for up to 20% of male infertility cases. Once considered only a fertility problem, azoospermia is now linked to broader health risks.

Stroke Burden Surges Among US Adults The absolute stroke burden in the US rose dramatically from 1990 to 2021, with more than 400,000 new cases and 6.3 million prevalent cases in 2021 alone, new research showed. The increasing stroke prevalence was particularly high in younger populations and in regional hotspots such as Alaska, Nevada, and Arkansas.

Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia The new 2026 ACC/AHA/AACVPR et al. Guidelines for the Management of Dyslipidemia have been published. These guidelines address the assessment, treatment, and monitoring of individuals with dyslipidemia, including high blood cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, and elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. These new guidelines address primary, secondary, and primary prevention, provide guidance for care of adults and children, reinstate risk-based treatment targets for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and replace the 2018 AHA/ACC/Multisociety Cholesterol Treatment Guidelines.

Quadpill Strategy Gains Ground in Hypertension Several new antihypertensive agents are reshaping the therapeutic strategies for patients with uncontrolled or resistant hypertension. Agents such as baxdrostat, the first selective aldosterone synthase inhibitor, and aprocitentan, a dual endothelin receptor A and B antagonist, are paving the way for new drug combinations and a more personalized approach to blood pressure control.

The New Playbook for Ditching Dangerous Senior Meds A new tool presented at the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting may give clinicians practical and safer alternatives to risky medications for patients.

International Research in Cardiology 2010-2014 Dear colleagues!
The Cardioprogress Foundation presents the book «International Research in Cardiology», which includes the results of the most important international clinical trials presented in 2010-2024. The authors systematized studies in 21 sections, which include risk factors, antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy, laboratory and instrumental diagnostics, arrhythmia, invasive cardiology, valvular heart diseases, intensive care in cardiology and more.

New Drug Combos Could Cut Heart Failure Mortality by 60% Optimized treatment can reduce the mortality risk for chronic heart failure (HF) by as much as 60%. The role of appropriate drug combinations and rapid diagnosis was discussed at the 91st Annual German Society of Cardiovascular Medicine Annual Conference.

Dedicated to eternal memory Dear colleagues!
On these holidays, the Cardioprogress Foundation remembers the heroes of the Great Patriotic War, whose feat was immortalized in the hearts of their descendants.

Spanish Cardiologists Release Gender-Specific CV Guide The Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC) Working Group on Women and Cardiovascular Diseases (SEC-GT CVD in Women) and the Association of Preventive Cardiology have convened an interdisciplinary group of experts from various Spanish societies and associations issued SEC-approved clinical guidelines published in the English-language edition of the Revista Española de Cardiología journal, which is designed to help medical professionals. in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in women, paying special attention to gender differences.

Risk Model Validates Finerenone Effect in Heart Failure The Prognostic Models for Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (PREDICT-HFpEF) tool effectively stratified cardiovascular risk, with risk being higher in the highest than in the lowest score quintile. Finerenone was consistently effective across risk levels in patients with heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction (HFmrEF/HFpEF), with a large absolute benefit observed in high-risk patients.

Muslim fasting from a medical point of view Dear colleagues!
We offer you an article by Professor Mekhman N. Mamedov about medical aspects of muslim fasting and practical advice for applicants.

Novel Therapeutic Approach Targeting CXCR3 to Treat Immunotherapy Myocarditis Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are successful in treating many cancers but may cause immune-related adverse events. ICI-mediated myocarditis has a high fatality rate with severe cardiovascular consequences. Targeted therapies for ICI myocarditis are currently limited. Bill is developing a new therapeutic approach targeting CXCR3 for the treatment of myocarditis with immunotherapy.