Center Variability in Patient Outcomes Following HeartMate 3 Implantation: An Analysis of the MOMENTUM 3 Trial.

Background: As left ventricular assist device (LVAD) survival rates continue to improve, evaluating site-specific variability in outcomes can facilitate identifying targets for quality-improvement initiative opportunities in the field.

Methods: Deidentified center-specific outcomes were analyzed for HeartMate 3 (HM3) patients enrolled in the MOMENTUM 3 pivotal and continued access protocol trials. Centers < 25th percentile for HM3 volumes were excluded.

Cost-effectiveness of ticagrelor in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease: a European economic evaluation of the THEMIS trial.

Aims: To conduct a health economic evaluation of ticagrelor in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) from a multinational payer perspective. Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of ticagrelor were evaluated in the overall effect of Ticagrelor on Health Outcomes in Diabetes Mellitus Patients Intervention Study (THEMIS) trial population and in the predefined patient group with prior percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods And Results: A Markov model was developed to extrapolate patient outcomes over a lifetime horizon.

Prognostic implications of serial high-sensitivity cardiac troponin testing among patients with COVID-19: A Danish nationwide registry-based cohort study.

Background: Although troponin elevation is associated with worse outcomes among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), prognostic implications of serial troponin testing are lacking. We investigated the association between serial troponin measurements and adverse COVID-19 outcomes.

Methods: Using Danish registries, we identified COVID-19 patients with a high-sensitivity troponin measurement followed by a second measurement within 1-24 h.

Outcomes in Smaller Body Size Adults After HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Background: Outcomes in patients with smaller body size after HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (HM3) implantation are not well characterized. We sought to evaluate outcomes in smaller vs larger body surface area (BSA) patients in the MOMENTUM 3 pivotal trial and its Continued Access Protocol cohort.

Methods: The analysis cohort included 1015 HM3 patients divided into 2 groups: BSA ≤1.

Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients Undergoing Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Purpose Of Review: The evidence for use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the elective setting is relatively sparse and is based on data from more than two decades ago. We will review the evidence supporting the use of DAPT with focus on stable patients undergoing elective PCI, including the role of potent PY inhibitors, modified DAPT durations, and more recently, aspirin discontinuation.

Recent Findings: Clopidogrel is the recommended PY inhibitor in the elective PCI setting.

Treatment With Icosapent Ethyl to Reduce Ischemic Events in Patients With Prior Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From REDUCE-IT PCI.

Background Patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are at increased risk for recurrent cardiovascular events despite aggressive medical therapy. Methods and Results This post hoc analysis focused on the subset of patients with prior PCI enrolled in REDUCE-IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events With Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial), a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of icosapent ethyl versus placebo. Icosapent ethyl was added to statins in patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <100 mg/dL and fasting triglycerides 135-499 mg/dL.

Estimation of recurrent atherosclerotic cardiovascular event risk in patients with established cardiovascular disease: the updated SMART2 algorithm.

Aims: The 10-year risk of recurrent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events in patients with established ASCVD can be estimated with the Secondary Manifestations of ARTerial disease (SMART) risk score, and may help refine clinical management. To broaden generalizability across regions, we updated the existing tool (SMART2 risk score) and recalibrated it with regional incidence rates and assessed its performance in external populations.

Methods And Results: Individuals with coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, or abdominal aortic aneurysms were included from the Utrecht Cardiovascular Cohort-SMART cohort [n = 8355; 1706 ASCVD events during a median follow-up of 8.

Cost-effectiveness of Icosapent Ethyl for High-risk Patients With Hypertriglyceridemia Despite Statin Treatment.

Importance: The Reduction of Cardiovascular Events With Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial (REDUCE-IT) demonstrated the efficacy of icosapent ethyl (IPE) for high-risk patients with hypertriglyceridemia and known cardiovascular disease or diabetes and at least 1 other risk factor who were treated with statins.

Objective: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of IPE compared with standard care for high-risk patients with hypertriglyceridemia despite statin treatment.

Design, Setting, And Participants: An in-trial cost-effectiveness analysis was performed using patient-level study data from REDUCE-IT, and a lifetime analysis was performed using a microsimulation model and data from published literature.

Association of Recent Use of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants With Intracranial Hemorrhage Among Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke Treated With Alteplase.

Importance: Current guidelines recommend against use of intravenous alteplase in patients with acute ischemic stroke who are taking non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs).

Objective: To evaluate the safety and functional outcomes of intravenous alteplase among patients who were taking NOACs prior to stroke and compare outcomes with patients who were not taking long-term anticoagulants.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A retrospective cohort study of 163 038 patients with acute ischemic stroke either taking NOACs or not taking anticoagulants prior to stroke and treated with intravenous alteplase within 4.

The early reduction of left ventricular mass after sleeve gastrectomy depends on the fall of branched-chain amino acid circulating levels.

Introduction: Body-mass index is a major determinant of left-ventricular-mass (LVM). Bariatric-metabolic surgery (BMS) reduces cardiovascular mortality. Its mechanism of action, however, often encompasses a weight-dependent effect.

Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Profile of a Novel Phospholipid Aspirin Formulation.

Aspirin is one of the most widely used medicines. Although aspirin is commonly utilized for the treatment of several medical conditions, its broadest uptake is for the prevention of recurrent ischemic events in patients with atherosclerotic disease. Its mechanism of action of inhibiting platelet activation via blockade of thromboxane A production is unique and is not covered by any other antiplatelet agents.

Association of readmission penalty amount with subsequent 30-day risk standardized readmission and mortality rates among patients hospitalized with heart failure: An analysis of get with the guidelines - heart failure participating centers.

Background: The Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program penalizes hospitals with excess 30-day risk-standardized readmission rates (RSRR) for heart failure (HF). The association of financial penalty amount with subsequent short-term clinical outcomes is unknown.

Methods: Patients admitted to American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines-HF registry participating centers from October 1, 2012 through December 1, 2015 who had Medicare-linked data were included.

A clinical and cost-effectiveness analysis of the HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device for transplant-ineligible patients: A United Kingdom perspective.

Background: The clinical and cost-effectiveness of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy for patients with advanced heart failure (HF) who are ineligible for heart transplantation is debated in the UK. This study develops an indirect comparison between the fully magnetically levitated HeartMate 3 (HM 3) LVAD and medical therapy (MT) to evaluate expected clinical and cost-effectiveness in the UK National Health Service (NHS) context.

Methods: We performed an economic analysis comparing the HM3 pump against the HeartMate II LVAD (MOMENTUM 3), and then another analysis comparing MT with the first- and second-generation HeartMate XVE pump LVAD and HeartMate II LVAD for the same patient population (REMATCH and ROADMAP, respectively).

Alirocumab after acute coronary syndrome in patients with a history of heart failure.

Aims: Patients with heart failure (HF) have not been shown to benefit from statins. In a post hoc analysis, we evaluated outcomes in ODYSSEY OUTCOMES in patients with vs. without a history of HF randomized to the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor alirocumab or placebo.

Race and Ethnicity Considerations in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease and Stroke: JACC Focus Seminar 3/9.

Notable racial and ethnic differences and disparities exist in coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke epidemiology and outcomes despite substantial advances in these fields. Racial and ethnic minority subgroups remain underrepresented in population data and clinical trials contributing to incomplete understanding of these disparities. Differences in traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes play a role; however, disparities in care provision and process, social determinants of health including socioeconomic position, neighborhood environment, sociocultural factors, and racial discrimination within and outside of the health care system also drive racial and ethnic CAD and stroke disparities.

Achieving More Rapid Door-to-Needle Times and Improved Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke in a Nationwide Quality Improvement Intervention.

Background: The benefits of tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator) in acute ischemic stroke are time-dependent. However, delivery of thrombolytic therapy rapidly after hospital arrival was initially occurring infrequently in hospitals in the United States, discrepant with national guidelines.

Methods: We evaluated door-to-needle (DTN) times and clinical outcomes among patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving tPA before and after initiation of 2 successive nationwide quality improvement initiatives: Target: Stroke Phase I (2010-2013) and Target: Stroke Phase II (2014-2018) from 913 Get With The Guidelines-Stroke hospitals in the United States between April 2003 and September 2018.

Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy for Patients at High Bleeding Risk Undergoing PCI.

Background: The optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) among patients at high bleeding risk (HBR) is unknown.

Objectives: The purpose of this analysis was to compare 1 vs 3 months of DAPT in HBR patients undergoing drug-eluting stent implantation.

Methods: The XIENCE Short DAPT program comprised 3 prospective, multicenter, single-arm studies of HBR patients treated with a short DAPT course followed by aspirin monotherapy after PCI with a cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stent.

Women and Diabetes: Preventing Heart Disease in a New Era of Therapies.

Despite major advances in cardiovascular research over the past decade, women with type 2 diabetes have a high risk of cardiovascular events. Several factors contribute to the poor prognosis for women, including higher levels of frailty and comorbidities, but their cardiovascular risk is underestimated and there is suboptimal implementation and uptitration of new evidence-based therapies, leading to high morbidity and mortality. Recent studies highlight the need for better management of diabetes in women that can be pursued and achieved in light of recent results from randomised controlled trials demonstrating evidence of the benefits of new therapeutic strategies in improving cardiovascular outcomes and quality of life of women covering the entire cardiovascular continuum.

Dual pathway inhibition in atherothrombosis prevention: yes, now we can!

Despite ongoing developments, prevention and treatment of atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease remains a common challenge. Antithrombotic options for cardiocerebrovascular disease prevention involves a choice between dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and dual pathway inhibition (DPI), which includes an antiplatelet agent and a reduced dose anticoagulant agent. In selected patients at high risk of event and low risk of bleeding, especially those undergoing recent and complex coronary revascularization using drug-eluting stents (DES) ("revascularization-driven effect"), DAPT is superior to single antiplatelet therapy with aspirin.

Renal Denervation for Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trials.

Objectives: The authors performed an updated meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials of renal denervation and specifically compared the effect of renal denervation in patients taking medications and in those not taking medications.

Background: Renal denervation has now undergone several blinded placebo-controlled trials, covering the spectrum from patients with drug-resistant hypertension to those not yet taking antihypertensive medications.

Methods: All blinded placebo-controlled randomized trials of catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation for hypertension were systematically identified, and a random-effects meta-analysis was performed.

Incorporation of natriuretic peptides with clinical risk scores to predict heart failure among individuals with dysglycaemia.

Aims: To evaluate the performance of the WATCH-DM risk score, a clinical risk score for heart failure (HF), in patients with dysglycaemia and in combination with natriuretic peptides (NPs).

Methods And Results: Adults with diabetes/pre-diabetes free of HF at baseline from four cohort studies (ARIC, CHS, FHS, and MESA) were included. The machine learning- [WATCH-DM(ml)] and integer-based [WATCH-DM(i)] scores were used to estimate the 5-year risk of incident HF.