New guidelines for atrial fibrillation, PFO closure for stroke prevention, fried chicken, skipping breakfast and e-cigarettes are discussed in this week’s podcast.
theheart.org on Medscape
Post-Onset Shingles Rx Fails to Cut Ischemic Stroke Risk
The higher risk for stroke with herpes zoster was not attenuated by antivirals or Zostavax vaccination in older patients, but that shouldn’t slow vaccination rates or further study.
Medscape Medical News
Statin Benefits in the Elderly: New Meta-Analysis
Statins reduce vascular events in all age groups, including people older than 75 years, concludes a new meta-analysis from the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists’ Collaboration.
Medscape Medical News
DEFUSE 3: Late-Stroke Thrombectomy Benefits All Subgroups
Endovascular therapy shouldn’t be withheld because of old age, mild symptoms, or late presentation in large-vessel strokes with salvageable brain tissue, subgroup analysis of the DEFUSE 3 trial suggests.
Medscape Medical News
Top 3 Mission Drivers of the American Heart Association in 2019
Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the American Heart Association, shares three things that will drive the American Heart Association’s mission in 2019.
Increasing Stroke Tied to Injectable Opioids, Endocarditis
The dramatic increase over the last decade in US hospitalizations for stroke from injectable drug-related infective endocarditis coincides with the surge in opioid misuse, new research suggests.
Medscape Medical News
AF Guideline Update Prefers NOACs to Warfarin in Most Cases
More nuanced use of stroke-risk scores, percutaneous LAA occlusion, insights into AF complicating ACS, and ascendant non-vitamin-K oral anticoagulants top an AHA/ACC/HRS update to 2014 AF guidelines.
Medscape Medical News
When PCI Becomes the Backup for Coronary Bypass Surgery
Results of a nationwide study suggest this scenario occurs more commonly than previously thought, and ‘it’s not as pretty as we think,’ the senior author says.
Medscape Medical News
Blood Pressure Facts: Cold & Flu Medicine
For those with high blood pressure, taking medicine for a cold or flu may carry some risks. These medicines may contain a decongestant, which can raise your blood pressure. Make sure you read the labels on over-the-counter medicines and look for warnings for those with high blood pressure. Help managing your blood pressure is at http://spr.ly/6059EuPrU.
Weight Fluctuations May Be Deadly in Type 2 Diabetes
‘Our study is consistent with significant risk associated with weight fluctuations in patients with diabetes mellitus,’ the investigators conclude.
Medscape Medical News
Jeffrey Laskey 