Heart failure pharmacotherapy and cancer: pathways and pre-clinical/clinical evidence.

Heart failure (HF) patients have a significantly higher risk of new-onset cancer and cancer-associated mortality, compared to subjects free of HF. While both the prevention and treatment of new-onset HF in patients with cancer have been investigated extensively, less is known about the prevention and treatment of new-onset cancer in patients with HF, and whether and how guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for HF should be modified when cancer is diagnosed in HF patients. The purpose of this review is to elaborate and discuss the effects of pillar HF pharmacotherapies, as well as digoxin and diuretics on cancer, and to identify areas for further research and novel therapeutic strategies.

Acute rate control in atrial fibrillation: an urgent need for the clinician.

Rate and rhythm control are still considered equivalent strategies for symptom control using the Atrial Fibrillation Better Care algorithm recommended by the recent atrial fibrillation guideline. In acute situations or critically ill patients, a personalized approach should be used for rapid rhythm or rate control. Even though electrical cardioversion is generally indicated in haemodynamically unstable patients or for rapid effective rhythm control in critically ill patients, this is not always possible due to the high percentage of failure or relapses in such patients.

Stroke risk scores for prediction of mortality and hemorrhages in atrial fibrillation patients.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an emerging epidemic worldwide, responsible for a twofold increase in mortality, independent of other risk factors. Stroke prevention is the cornerstone of AF management. However, oral anticoagulation imposes an increased risk of bleeding.

Stroke Risk Scores as Predictors of Severe Outcomes in Atrial Fibrillation: A Comprehensive Review.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent sustained arrhythmia. It increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, death, hospitalizations, and costs.

Area Of Uncertainty: Several scores were introduced to stratify the stroke risk and need for anticoagulation in patients (pts) with AF .

Stroke risk scores to predict hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure in atrial fibrillation patients.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent hospitalized arrhythmia. It associates increased risk of death, stroke and heart failure (HF). Stroke risk scores, especially CHADS-VASc, have been applied also for populations with different diseases.