CARDIOPROGRESS
Foundation for the advancement of cardiology

Tirzepatide Cuts BP During Obesity Treatment CHICAGO — Treatment with the "twincretin" tirzepatide led to significant and potentially clinically meaningful cuts in 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, compared with placebo, while causing modest increases in heart rate, in a prespecified substudy of the SURMOUNT-1 trial.

Preeclampsia Linked to Increased Risk for Heart Disease, Stroke in Offspring Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, affecting as many as 5% of pregnancies worldwide. New evidence suggests that the complication doesn't end with delivery.

Four-Drug Combo Gets BP Down in One Step: QUARTET-USA Use of a combination antihypertensive product containing quarter doses of four different drugs could be an effective strategy to get patients to target blood pressures in one step, a new study suggests.

AI eye checks can predict heart disease risk in less than minute, finds study Breakthrough opens door to a highly effective, non-invasive test that does not need to be done in a clinic. An artificial intelligence tool that scans eyes can accurately predict a person’s risk of heart disease in less than a minute, researchers say.

ACC Issues Guidance on ED Evaluation of Acute Chest Pain The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has released an Expert Consensus Decision Pathway (ECDP) on the evaluation and disposition of acute chest pain in the emergency department (ED). Chest pain accounts for more than 7 million ED visits annually. A major challenge is to quickly identify the small number of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among the large number of patients who have noncardiac conditions.

Adding Cardiac Shockwave to CABG Boosts LVEF, Function, QoL In patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery for ischemic cardiomyopathy, adjunctive cardiac shockwave therapy (SWT) improved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the single-center CAST-HF study.

Artificial intelligence for the echocardiographic assessment of valvular heart disease Developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have led to an explosion of studies exploring its application to cardiovascular medicine. Due to the need for training and expertise, one area where AI could be impactful would be in the diagnosis and management of valvular heart disease. This is because AI can be applied to the multitude of data generated from clinical assessments, imaging and biochemical testing during the care of the patient.

Smartphone detection of atrial fibrillation using photoplethysmography: a systematic review and meta-analysis The development of novel screening devices has the potential to increase screening coverage and improve clinical detection of AF. Smartphone applications can allow self-detection of arrhythmias, allowing for patient self-care and involvement.6 Photoplethysmography (PPG) technology found in smartphone cameras can be used for AF screening by patients in the community. The technique uses the light-emitting diode in cameras to measure pulsatile changes in light intensity that are reflected from a finger (or face). Several smartphone PPG applications are currently available, but their clinical value for AF detection is unclear.

A Week of Anticoagulation Halves Post-PCI Radial Occlusion Rate BOSTON — Following transradial access for angiography or a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a low dose of the factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban for 7 days reduces the risk of an access-site occlusion by 50%, according to results of the randomized RIVARAD trial.

Expert Consensus Guides Use of Cardiac CT in Patients With Cancer The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) has issued an expert consensus statement to guide use of cardiac computed tomography (CCT) in the care of cardio-oncology patients.

One step closer to the new frontiers of healthcare for cardiomyopathy patients There were great advances in the treatment of heart failure (HF) over the past decades, characterised by the inclusion of ARNI and SGLT2 inhibitors in the latest guidelines. The use of cardiac myosin inhibitors specifically for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is also making large steps forward, which reflects the next step towards more personalised treatment.

Roles for cardiologists in government, research councils and regulatory sectors Clinicians have numerous opportunities to gain experience in governmental or regulatory organisations, including health technology assessment bodies and payors. These organisations often seek advice from individuals with clinical experience and knowledge, and they increasingly engage with the clinical community on a regular basis. Cardiologists can also take on formal advisory roles, either through working groups or ad hoc and standing committees. Additionally, there may be part-time or full-time employment opportunities available, often providing leadership in research councils.

Lowering BP According to Newest Guidance Would Cut CV Events Using the 2021 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guideline target of systolic blood pressure (BP) < 120 mm Hg, 66% of adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) would be eligible for BP lowering, according to a study from South Korea.

Distress-Related Metabolite Levels Predicts Future Cardiovascular Events A metabolite-based distress score derived from measurements of molecular biomarkers in women related to chronic distress can predict future risk for cardiovascular disease. The study covered in this summary was published in medRxiv.org as a preprint and has not yet been peer reviewed.

Ending Rheumatic Heart Disease is achievable if we put our heads and minds to it Preventable, yet persistent, Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is the most commonly acquired heart disease in people under 25 years of age. The World Heart Federation (WHF) is committed to the fight to ensure cardiovascular health for everyone. Through WHF’s network of Members and the power of personal testimonials, we are spreading awareness that RHD can be prevented, diagnosed, and treated. This editorial was authored by WHF Director of Policy and Advocacy Jeremiah Mwangi and was first published in FORESIGHT Global Health on 19 August 2021.

Dear colleagues! I welcome you on behalf of the Organizing Committee of the XI International Forum for Cardiology and Internal Medicine, which will be held from March 22 to 24, 2022 in Moscow.

Polypill Shows LDL-Lowering Advantage in High-risk Primary Prevention Patients: VULCANO Key Takeaways The CNIC (Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares) polypill contains acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg), atorvastatin (30 mg or 40 mg), and ramipril (2.5 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg), and is the only polypill for cardiovascular disease (CVD) currently marketed in European countries.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2022 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health.

The Scientific Committee begins accepting abstracts and applications for the scientific program of the XI International Forum of Cardiology and Internal Medicine Dear Colleagues! We invite you to take part in XI International Forum of Cardiology and Internal Medicine. Forum will take place on 22-24 March 2022 in Moscow (online).

Analysis of the activities of the "Cardioprogress" foundation: results of 2021 Dear colleagues! In 2021, a number of significant events took place in cardiology. Due to the continuation of restrictive measures, most scientific events were organized online. This required adaptation and the acquisition of new skills. However, all planned events took place.