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This episode highlights three clinically relevant developments: positive phase 3 results for individualized mRNA neoantigen therapy plus pembrolizumab after melanoma surgery, emerging MRI and AI approaches that may identify Alzheimer's-related brain changes years earlier, and substantial LDL-C treatment gaps under the 2026 ACC/AHA dyslipidemia guideline. Together, the findings underscore advances in precision oncology, early neurodegenerative risk detection, and cardiovascular prevention.
Once your PERT is assembled, how do you navigate the evolving pulmonary embolism (PE) literature to improve patient outcomes at all risk levels? In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, interventional radiologist Dr. Robert Lookstein (Mount Sinai) and pulmonary critical care specialist Dr. Timothy Fernandes (UC San Diego) join host Dr. Harris Chengazi to examine the latest evidence and multidisciplinary strategies for managing acute pulmonary embolism. The discussion highlights the complexities of catheter-directed therapies in intermediate- to high-risk PE, evolving guidelines in the face of new trial data, and prioritization of improving patients' clinical trajectories. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction03:57 - PERT Structure and Activation08:24 - PE Risk Stratification Tools12:02 - Patient Selection for IR Intervention15:21 - Assessing Clot Chronicity21:03 - Standardizing Workup26:38 - Managing Unstable PE28:31 - STORM-PE and HI-PEITHO Trial Data35:49 - Guidelines vs. New Evidence40:12 - Determining Therapeutic Endpoints45:05 - Upcoming Trials and Future Directions51:46 - Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks --- More about this episode The physicians explore the nuances of validated PE risk stratification tools, assessing the relationship between various PE scoring systems and the 2026 ACC/AHA classification for acute PE. They emphasize that the integration of clinical assessment, serial lab work, and patient history must take precedence over static imaging alone in guiding care. The doctors go on to review new trial data, including the improved RV-to-LV ratio and 90-day functional gains seen with mechanical thrombectomy in STORM-PE and reduced clinical deterioration observed with ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis in HI-PEITHO. The conversation concludes with a call for collaborative, safety-first management that focuses on the patient's clinical status and long-term post-PE functional recovery. --- Resources 2026 AHA/ACC/ACCP/ACEP/CHEST/SCAI/SHM/SIR/SVM/SVN Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Adultshttps://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001415 Composite Pulmonary Embolism Shock (CPES) Scorehttps://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCINTERVENTIONS.124.014088 FOCUS studyhttps://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehac206 STORM-PE trialhttps://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.125.077232 HI-PEITHO trialhttps://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2516567 PE-TRACT studyhttps://petractstudy.org/homepage PEERLESS II studyhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06055920 PERSEVERE trialhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06588634 --- BackTable Vascular & Interventional (VI) is the go-to podcast for interventional radiologists, vascular surgeons, and interventional cardiologists. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app
Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-497 Overview: While the 2026 ACC/AHA dyslipidemia guidelines may seem overwhelming, we've got you covered. Join us as we walk through the latest recommendations—from risk calculation to treatment targets to testing—and take a close look at the rationale behind the guidelines, so you can guide patients with confidence. Episode resource links: JACC. Published online March 13, 2026. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2025.11.016 NEJM: 2026;394:1365-1375 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2600283 JAMA. 2022;328(8):754–771. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.12138 Guest: Robert A. Baldor MD, FAAFP Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com The views expressed in this podcast are those of Dr. Domino and his guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Pri-Med.
Credits: 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ CME/CE Information and Claim Credit: https://www.pri-med.com/online-education/podcast/frankly-speaking-cme-497 Overview: While the 2026 ACC/AHA dyslipidemia guidelines may seem overwhelming, we've got you covered. Join us as we walk through the latest recommendations—from risk calculation to treatment targets to testing—and take a close look at the rationale behind the guidelines, so you can guide patients with confidence. Episode resource links: JACC. Published online March 13, 2026. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2025.11.016 NEJM: 2026;394:1365-1375 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2600283 JAMA. 2022;328(8):754–771. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.12138 Guest: Robert A. Baldor MD, FAAFP Music Credit: Matthew Bugos Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us at FranklySpeaking@pri-med.com The views expressed in this podcast are those of Dr. Domino and his guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Pri-Med.
Witam Państwa, nazywam się Jarosław Drożdż, pracuję w Centralnym Szpitalu Klinicznym Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Łodzi, skąd nagrywam podcast Kardio Know-How. W tym odcinku omawiam najnowszy dokument ACC/AHA dotyczący kardiologicznej opieki poporodowej. Nowy dokument ACC dotyczący opieki sercowo-naczyniowej po porodzie zwraca uwagę, że połóg powinien być traktowany jako okres najwyższego ryzyka sercowo-naczyniowego, ponieważ ponad połowa zgonów związanych z ciążą występuje właśnie po porodzie, a pierwsze dwa tygodnie są okresem największego zagrożenia niewydolnością serca, udarem i ponowną hospitalizacją (https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2025.11.001). Powikłania ciążowe, takie jak nadciśnienie ciążowe, stan przedrzucawkowy, cukrzyca ciążowa czy poród przedwczesny, należy traktować jako pełnoprawne markery przyszłego ryzyka sercowo-naczyniowego i wskazanie do długoterminowej prewencji. Kontrola kobiety po porodzie nie powinna kończyć się po sześciu tygodniach – opieka kardiologiczna powinna obejmować cały pierwszy rok, szczególnie z obowiązkowym pomiarem ciśnienia w 5.–7. dobie, gdy ryzyko ciężkiego nadciśnienia jest największe. Autorzy proponują bardziej agresywne podejście do leczenia nadciśnienia poporodowego, rozważając rozpoczęcie lub intensyfikację terapii już przy wartościach około 130/80 mmHg, aby ograniczyć powikłania i hospitalizacje. Kobiety z wysokim ryzykiem według mWHO II–IV lub CARPREG II powinny pozostawać pod opieką zespołu cardio-obstetric, a najcięższe pacjentki przez pierwsze 72 godziny po porodzie powinny być monitorowane na OIT. Przed wypisem każda kobieta powinna być oceniona pod kątem objawów alarmowych, takich jak duszność spoczynkowa, ból w klatce piersiowej, tachykardia, zaburzenia saturacji, ortopnoe, nowe szmery czy objawy niewydolności serca, a ból głowy po porodzie wymaga diagnostyki do czasu wykluczenia poważnych przyczyn neurologicznych i naczyniowych. Nowością praktyczną jest możliwość wykorzystania BNP oznaczanego w 2.–3. dobie po porodzie u kobiet zagrożonych przeciążeniem objętościowym i niewydolnością serca. Leczenie niewydolności serca nie powinno być automatycznie przerywane z powodu karmienia piersią – za zgodne z laktacją uznaje się m.in. enalapryl, kaptopryl, metoprolol, karwedilol, spironolakton i digoksynę, natomiast dla ARNI, ARB i inhibitorów SGLT2 nadal brakuje wystarczających danych. Antykoagulację należy wznawiać wcześnie po porodzie, stosując heparyny, a następnie warfarynę, która jest bezpieczna podczas karmienia, podczas gdy DOAC pozostają niewskazane w laktacji. Dokument podkreśla także konieczność rutynowej oceny zdrowia psychicznego po porodzie, obejmującej depresję, lęk i przemoc domową. W praktyce oznacza to, że kobieta po ciąży z powikłaniami sercowo-naczyniowymi nie powinna być traktowana jako pacjentka „położnicza”, lecz jako osoba z trwałym zwiększonym ryzykiem chorób serca wymagająca dalszej prewencji i opieki kardiologicznej. Szczegółowy TRANSKRYPT do odcinka.Podcast jest przeznaczony wyłącznie dla osób z profesjonalnym wykształceniem medycznym.
Witam Państwa, nazywam się Jarosław Drożdż, pracuję w Centralnym Szpitalu Klinicznym Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Łodzi, skąd nagrywam podcast Kardio Know-How. W tym odcinku omawiam zespół sercowo-nerkowo-metaboliczny.Nowe wytyczne ACC/AHA dotyczące zespołu sercowo-nerkowo-metabolicznego (CKM) rozwijają koncepcję przedstawioną wcześniej przez AHA i polskich ekspertów, traktując choroby serca, nerek i zaburzenia metaboliczne jako jedno kontinuum, a nie trzy odrębne jednostki chorobowe (https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001184, https://journals.viamedica.pl/nadcisnienie_tetnicze_w_praktyce/article/view/90302/68962). W praktyce oznacza to odejście od myślenia o pacjencie wyłącznie przez pryzmat niewydolności serca, cukrzycy czy przewlekłej choroby nerek na rzecz rozpoznania jednego zespołu CKM. Kluczowym markerem staje się albuminuria (UACR), która obok eGFR pozwala wcześnie wykryć uszkodzenie nerek i jednocześnie precyzyjnie ocenia ryzyko sercowo-naczyniowe. Wytyczne wyróżniają cztery stadia choroby – od nadwagi i otyłości, przez zaburzenia metaboliczne i subkliniczną chorobę serca, aż do jawnych powikłań narządowych – przy czym leczenie powinno rozpoczynać się już w stadium 1, zanim pojawią się objawy kliniczne. Największą zmianą filozofii jest przesunięcie akcentu z leczenia rozwiniętej choroby na ochronę serca i nerek poprzez wczesne zastosowanie inhibitorów SGLT2, agonistów GLP-1 oraz finerenonu u odpowiednio dobranych pacjentów. Dokument integruje wyniki najnowszych badań i proponuje spójną strategię terapii narządowej zamiast wybierania pojedynczych leków zależnie od specjalizacji. Jednocześnie pozostawia otwarte pytanie, kto powinien prowadzić takich chorych – kardiolog, nefrolog, diabetolog czy lekarz rodzinny – co w praktyce wymaga ścisłej współpracy wszystkich specjalności. Autor zwraca również uwagę na wyzwania organizacyjne, obejmujące konieczność powszechnego oznaczania UACR, wcześniejszego rozpoznawania nadwagi i otyłości oraz szerszego stosowania nowoczesnych terapii, co wiąże się ze wzrostem kosztów ochrony zdrowia. Nadal nie wiadomo, czy tak szeroki model prewencji okaże się w pełni opłacalny ekonomicznie, choć intuicyjnie zapobieganie niewydolności serca i przewlekłej chorobie nerek wydaje się korzystniejsze niż leczenie ich zaawansowanych powikłań. Zdaniem autora wytyczne wyznaczają kierunek rozwoju kardiologii, nefrologii, diabetologii i medycyny rodzinnej na najbliższe lata, a ich znaczenie pokaże również to, czy podobną filozofię przejmą kolejne wytyczne ESC dotyczące niewydolności serca, przewlekłej choroby nerek i prewencji sercowo-naczyniowej. Szczegółowy TRANSKRYPT do odcinka.Podcast jest przeznaczony wyłącznie dla osób z profesjonalnym wykształceniem medycznym.
Witam Państwa, nazywam się Jarosław Drożdż, pracuję w Centralnym Szpitalu Klinicznym Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Łodzi, skąd nagrywam podcast Kardio Know-How. W tym odcinku omawiam najnowszą definicję niewydolności serca. Nowa definicja niewydolności serca (AHA/ACC/ESC/WHF 2026) została opublikowana 29 czerwca 2026 i aktualizuje definicję z 2021 roku, uwzględniając postęp diagnostyki, biomarkerów i nowych terapii, bez zmiany podstawowego rozpoznania niewydolności serca jako zespołu objawów wynikających z nieprawidłowej budowy lub funkcji serca, potwierdzonych podwyższonymi peptydami natriuretycznymi lub obiektywnymi cechami zastoju (https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001455). Najbardziej widoczną zmianą jest odejście od sztywnych progów frakcji wyrzutowej – zamiast HFrEF, HFmrEF i HFpEF autorzy proponują bardziej elastyczny podział na niewydolność serca z obniżoną, zachowaną oraz poprawioną frakcją wyrzutową, podkreślając, że pojedyncza wartość EF nie powinna decydować o fenotypie chorego. Jednocześnie zwracają uwagę na paradoks współczesnej kardiologii – większość badań klinicznych i zaleceń terapeutycznych nadal opiera się właśnie na wartościach LVEF, dlatego praktyka nie jest jeszcze gotowa na całkowite odejście od dotychczasowych progów. Po raz pierwszy wprowadzono również kompleksową klasyfikację etiologiczną niewydolności serca obejmującą m.in. przyczyny niedokrwienne, nadciśnieniowe, zastawkowe, zapalne, genetyczne, toksyczne, metaboliczne oraz choroby rzadkie, takie jak amyloidoza czy choroba Fabry'ego, co ma znaczenie ze względu na rosnącą liczbę terapii przyczynowych. Dokument mocno akcentuje także znaczenie trajektorii choroby – poprawa frakcji wyrzutowej nie oznacza wyleczenia, a leczenie o udowodnionej skuteczności powinno być kontynuowane mimo poprawy funkcji serca. Znacznie większy nacisk położono na wykrywanie stadium pre-HF, wykorzystując nie tylko NT-proBNP, ale również troponiny, wskaźnik albumina/kreatynina (ACR), zaawansowane obrazowanie oraz algorytmy sztucznej inteligencji analizujące zapis EKG. Profilaktyka staje się integralną częścią opieki nad pacjentem – autorzy wskazują na rolę inhibitorów SGLT2, agonistów receptora GLP-1 oraz finerenonu w ograniczaniu ryzyka rozwoju niewydolności serca u odpowiednio dobranych chorych. Dokument podkreśla także rosnące znaczenie sztucznej inteligencji w identyfikacji pacjentów z nierozpoznaną niewydolnością serca oraz zwraca uwagę na nierówności w dostępie do nowoczesnej opieki kardiologicznej. Największym wyzwaniem pozostaje jednak pogodzenie nowoczesnego biologicznego podejścia do niewydolności serca z obowiązującymi dowodami naukowymi, które nadal opierają kwalifikację do farmakoterapii, ICD czy CRT głównie na wartościach frakcji wyrzutowej. Szczegółowy TRANSKRYPT do odcinka.Podcast jest przeznaczony wyłącznie dla osób z profesjonalnym wykształceniem medycznym.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains a leading cause of global mortality and is strongly associated with cumulative exposure to atherogenic lipoproteins across the lifespan. Author Amber E. Johnson, MD, MS, MBA, of the University of Chicago joins JAMA Senior Editor Philip Greenland, MD, to discuss the ACC/AHA guideline on management of dyslipidemia. Related Content: Dyslipidemia Evaluation and Management Implications of the 2026 Dyslipidemia Guideline for Primary Prevention Statin Therapy
In this week's episode of Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra is joined by Dr Chris Maroules, National Director for Cardiac Imaging at SimonMed and co-director of Innovation Health. Together, they explore why coronary CTA, now a Class 1 recommendation in the 2021 ACC/AHA chest pain guidelines, has become the standard first-line non-invasive test, and why proficiency in cardiac CT is essential for cardiology trainees in 2026. The conversation shifts from traditional risk scores to direct disease assessment, highlighting the power of coronary CTA to identify and quantify plaque burden. Dr Maroules discusses high-risk plaque features, the limitations of calcium scoring, and the evolving role of FFRCT, before outlining a future of AI-enabled screening and precision prevention. He concludes with practical advice for fellows, encouraging Level 2 certification to stay ahead in an increasingly imaging-driven field. Questions and comments can be sent to "podcast@radcliffe-group.com" and may be answered by Ankur in the next episode. Host: @AnkurKalraMD and produced by: @RadcliffeCardio Parallax is Ranked in the Top 100 Health Science Podcasts (#48) by Million Podcasts.
Dor torácica em rasgando, início súbito, irradiando para o dorso. É isso que os livros ensinam, mas não é só isso que você vê na vida real. E o tempo, nesse caso, é o seu maior inimigo: a mortalidade pode chegar a 1 a 2% por hora nas primeiras 24 a 48 horas.Neste episódio, recebemos o Dr. Vinícius Correia, cardiologista do Incor-SP e do Hospital Sírio-Libanês, para destrinchar o manejo das Síndromes Aórticas Agudas com base nas diretrizes mais recentes da ESC 2024 e ACC/AHA 2022. Um tema subdiagnosticado, extremamente letal, e que exige raciocínio rápido à beira-leito.
O coração estava perfeito na autópsia. E mesmo assim foi a causa de óbito do atleta. Como isso é possível e por que isso muda tudo o que achávamos saber sobre morte súbita no esporte?Neste episódio, Fernanda Justo e Mateus Prata recebem a Dra. Luciana Janot para desmontar, ponto a ponto, o que há de mais atual sobre emergências cardiovasculares no esporte, unindo ACC/AHA 2025, ESC 2020, SBC/SBMEE 2019 e o novo Posicionamento SBC de Emergências em Eventos Esportivos (2026).
Witam Państwa, nazywam się Jarosław Drożdż, pracuję w Centralnym Szpitalu Klinicznym Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Łodzi, skąd nagrywam podcast Kardio Know-How. W tym odcinku omawiam wytyczne kardiologii sportowej. W codziennej praktyce obserwuję zderzenie dwóch światów – świata medycyny i świata sportu – oraz częsty konflikt pomiędzy potrzebą bezpieczeństwa a potrzebą realizowania pasji przez pacjentów. Zbyt często spotykam się z sytuacją, w której osobom z chorobami serca automatycznie odradza się aktywność sportową, a nawet niewielkie odchylenia w badaniach prowadzą do zakazów uprawiania sportu, mimo że korzyści z regularnej aktywności fizycznej są ogromne i zdecydowanie przewyższają ryzyko. Tymczasem najnowsze wytyczne ACC/AHA dotyczące kwalifikacji sportowców z chorobami układu sercowo-naczyniowego, opublikowane pod adresem https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001297, prezentują zupełnie nowe podejście oparte na wspólnym podejmowaniu decyzji z pacjentem, a nie na automatycznych zakazach. Autorzy podkreślają, że nagły zgon sercowy podczas wysiłku fizycznego jest zdarzeniem bardzo rzadkim, występującym z częstością mniejszą niż 1 na 100 tysięcy sportowców, a całkowite wyeliminowanie ryzyka nie jest możliwe niezależnie od rodzaju aktywności. Zamiast zakazywać sportu, wytyczne wskazują na konieczność odpowiedniego przygotowania, dostępności defibrylatorów AED oraz indywidualnej oceny ryzyka, ponieważ większość zagrożeń można ograniczyć bez odbierania pacjentom możliwości realizacji ich pasji. Szczególnie ważne jest nowe spojrzenie na choroby, które jeszcze dekadę temu niemal automatycznie wykluczały z uprawiania sportu, takie jak kardiomiopatia przerostowa, rozstrzeniowa, arytmogenna, zapalenie mięśnia sercowego czy niektóre wady zastawkowe. Współczesne podejście zakłada trzy etapy postępowania: dokładne rozpoznanie i ocenę ryzyka, edukację pacjenta i jego rodziny oraz wspólne podjęcie decyzji o dopuszczeniu do aktywności wraz z planem monitorowania i postępowania w razie wystąpienia objawów. Dużą rolę przypisano również elektrokardiografii, której dokładna analiza pozwala wykryć większość kanałopatii i kardiomiopatii odpowiedzialnych za nagłe zgony sercowe u młodych sportowców. Największą zmianą w stosunku do wcześniejszych dokumentów jest jednak filozofia postępowania – wytyczne z 2025 roku w wielu sytuacjach zastępują dawną strategię „zakazać” podejściem „pozwolić pod określonymi warunkami”, co doskonale pokazuje zestawienie z zaleceniami z 2015 roku. Dodatkowe omówienie nowych rekomendacji ACC można znaleźć pod adresem: https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2025/12/09/17/52/2025-acc-aha-sports-participation-guidelines-for-athletes-with-cv-abnormalities. Moim zdaniem jest to jedna z najważniejszych zmian w kardiologii sportowej ostatnich lat, ponieważ w centrum procesu decyzyjnego ponownie stawia człowieka, jego cele życiowe i prawo do aktywności fizycznej, a rolą lekarza staje się nie zakazywanie sportu, lecz pomaganie w jego możliwie bezpiecznym uprawianiu. Szczegółowy TRANSKRYPT do odcinka.Podcast jest przeznaczony wyłącznie dla osób z profesjonalnym wykształceniem medycznym.
Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions The 2026 Cholesterol Revolution: PREVENT Scores, Hidden Risk Markers, and CAC ScansThe script explains how 2026 ACC/AHA guideline changes aim to make heart attacks more preventable by shifting from short-term “10-year risk” thinking to “lower for longer,” precision prevention, and primordial prevention starting earlier in life. It critiques the older Pooled Cohort Equations for underestimating risk in younger people and introduces the PREVENT equation, which adds 30-year risk plus kidney, metabolic, and social factors. It highlights lipoprotein(a) as a largely genetic once-in-a-lifetime test and hs-CRP as an inflammation marker, and emphasizes coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring as a tiebreaker for statin decisions (0, 1–99, ≥100). Cases illustrate these tools, including tighter LDL goals (
This week Kate, Mark and Henry talk about empathetic robots, mother-baby singing groups for postpartum depression, and new American College of Cardiology lipid guidelines.Indiana AFP POEMs course in French Link: https://www.iafp.org/2026ac Empathetic robots: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41359230/ Weekly singing groups for postpartum depression: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41087020/ACC/AHA/etc lipid guidelines: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41824552/A 2025 study in the journal Family Practice finding that the two most trustworthy lipid guidelines recommended against using CAC, while all five less trustworthy guidelines due to poor methods or COI recommended it. Go figure.Smartphones in schools: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41489912/
Updated cholesterol guidelines introduce important changes in cardiovascular risk assessment and lipid management that directly impact pharmacist practice. This course reviews key updates from the new ACC/AHA dyslipidemia guideline, including risk assessment tools, LDL-C targets, and evolving roles for statin and nonstatin therapies. You will be better prepared to identify practice-relevant recommendations and support evidence-based lipid management in patient care.HOSTRachel Maynard, PharmDGameChangers Podcast Host and Clinical Editor, CEimpactLead Editor, PyrlsJanelle Ruisinger, PharmD, FAPhAAssociate Dean for Academic Affairs and Clinical ProfessorThe University of Kansas School of PharmacyPharmacists, REDEEM YOUR CPE HERE!CPE is available to Health Mart franchise members onlyTo learn more about Health Mart, click here: https://join.healthmart.com/PRACTICE RESOURCEReceive the exclusive Practice Resource to use as a reference guide for this episode by enrolling in the course. Click here to enroll!CPE INFORMATIONLearning ObjectivesUpon successful completion of this knowledge-based activity, participants should be able to:1. Describe key pharmacist-relevant updates in the new ACC/AHA Guideline for the Management of Dyslipidemia.2. Differentiate risk assessment and lipid-lowering treatment considerations that may influence pharmacist recommendations under the updated guideline.Rachel Maynard and Janelle Ruisinger have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.0.75 CEU/0.75 HrUAN: 0107-0000-26-156-H01-PInitial release date: 5/4/2026Expiration date: 5/4/2027Additional CPE details can be found here.
Updated cholesterol guidelines introduce important changes in cardiovascular risk assessment and lipid management that directly impact pharmacist practice. This course reviews key updates from the new ACC/AHA dyslipidemia guideline, including risk assessment tools, LDL-C targets, and evolving roles for statin and nonstatin therapies. You will be better prepared to identify practice-relevant recommendations and support evidence-based lipid management in patient care.HOSTRachel Maynard, PharmDGameChangers Podcast Host and Clinical Editor, CEimpactLead Editor, PyrlsJanelle Ruisinger, PharmD, FAPhAAssociate Dean for Academic Affairs and Clinical ProfessorThe University of Kansas School of PharmacyGET CE FOR LISTENING!Stay Compliant. Grow Clinically. Practice with Confidence. Pharmacist CE Subscription: All your CE in one convenient subscription. All episodes, CE, and Practice Resources for the GameChangers Clinical Update is included with your Pharmacist CE Subscription. But wait…there's even more!The Pharmacist CE Subscription includes: - Compliance and licensure CE - GameChangers Clinical Updates - Practical continuing education across patient care topics *The subscription does not include microcredentials or certificates, which are available separately for pharmacists seeking specialized service training. Purchase Now!PRACTICE RESOURCEReceive the exclusive Practice Resource to use as a reference guide for this episode by purchasing the Pharmacist CE Subscription. CPE REDEMPTIONThis course is accredited for continuing pharmacy education! Click the link below that applies to you to take the exam and evaluation to claim credit:If you are already enrolled in this course, click here to redeem your credit. To purchase the Pharmacist CE Subscription and claim your CPE credit, click here or to purchase this course individually, click here. CPE INFORMATIONLearning ObjectivesUpon successful completion of this knowledge-based activity, participants should be able to:1. Describe key pharmacist-relevant updates in the new ACC/AHA Guideline for the Management of Dyslipidemia.2. Differentiate risk assessment and lipid-lowering treatment considerations that may influence pharmacist recommendations under the updated guideline.Rachel Maynard and Janelle Ruisinger have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.0.75 CEU/0.75 HrUAN: 0107-0000-26-156-H01-PInitial release date: 5/4/2026Expiration date: 5/4/2027Additional CPE details can be found here.Follow CEimpact on Social Media:LinkedInInstagram
A trial found that discontinuing beta-blockers in stable post-MI patients without heart failure was noninferior to continuing them, suggesting long-term use may be unnecessary. Second, the 2026 ACC/AHA lipid guideline promotes earlier, personalized intervention using the PREVENT risk calculator and expanded biomarkers to reduce lifetime cardiovascular risk. Finally, a JAMA study found thiazide diuretics carry meaningful hyponatremia risk, especially in older adults and women, urging careful patient selection
Episode 218: Statin Therapy Fundamentals What are statins? Zohal: Statins are medications that lower cholesterol by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which prevents cholesterol synthesis in the liver. By doing so, statins decrease low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Why should we lower LDL? Zohal: There are four main lipoproteins that transport fats in blood, including chylomicrons, VLDL, LDL, and HDL. This is where we get our “bad cholesterol” vs. “good cholesterol”. Of these, LDL is most associated with an increased risk in cardiovascular disease, while a higher HDL is associated with lower risk. Thus, reducing LDL subsequently reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Arreaza: The lowest LDL I've seen was 25, and the highest HDL was 60. HDL doesn't really have a strict upper limit, but most people fall between 40 and 60. Extremely high HDL—above 100—may not always be protective and can sometimes signal underlying issues. Zohal: My HDL is 70! Statins are used for both primary prevention, meaning preventing cardiovascular disease before it occurs, and secondary prevention, meaning preventing disease progression in patients who already have cardiovascular disease. History of statins. Zohal: In the early 1900's, researchers were studying the association between cholesterol and atherosclerosis, and at that time, they primarily used animal subjects. These studies were initially not taken seriously, because most believed cardiovascular disease in humans were simply due to aging and was not preventable. It wasn't until the middle of the century when researchers began observing that increased levels of LDL and decreased HDL was correlated with an increased rate of heart attacks. This finding prompted interest in determining the pathway of cholesterol synthesis in the human body. Statins were first discovered in the 1970s when researchers identified compounds that inhibit a critical step in cholesterol synthesis. The first statin approved for clinical use was Lovastatin in 1987. Since then, multiple statins have been developed, including Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin, Simvastatin, and Pravastatin. Further clinical trials in the 1990s and 2000s showed that statins significantly reduce myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular mortality. Why do Statins Matter in Primary Prevention Zohal: Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death worldwide. As previously mentioned, elevated LDL cholesterol contributes to the development of atherosclerotic plaques within arteries, which can lead to heart attack and stroke. By lowering LDL cholesterol and stabilizing plaque formation, statins implemented in a timely manner significantly reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Arreaza: One of the things I love most about primary care is prevention. You're working upstream, often quietly, humbly, helping people avoid disease before it starts. And the truth is—you rarely see the full impact of your actions. You don't get a notification that says, “this patient didn't have a heart attack because of you.” But every time you help someone control their blood pressure, quit smoking, improve their diet, or stay consistent with their medications, you're shifting their tracks. You're reducing risk in ways that may never be fully visible. That's the paradox and the beauty of it: in primary care, your highest victories are often events that never happen. Who Should Receive Statins for Primary Prevention? Zohal: Recommendations slightly differ depending on who you ask. We look to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the American College of Cardiology, and the American Heart Association for their recommendations regarding statins for primary prevention. USPSTF on statins. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (or USPSTF for short) is an organization that works to improve the health of people nationwide by making evidence-based recommendations on effective ways to prevent disease & prolong life. They recommend statins for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in: Adults 40–75 years old With one or more cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, or smoking AND a 10-year cardiovascular risk of 10% or greater Their recommendations are graded A, B, C, D, and I, depending on the strength of evidence and this is a Grade B recommendation. Arreaza: So, you have to meet all the criteria to receive a statin, according to USPSTF: 40-75, one CV risk factor and a high 10-y ASCVD score, by the way, the ASCVD risk calculator was introduced in 2013 by AHA/ACC. It is available online for free and many EHRs have integrated this tool into their software. For example, if you use EPIC, you can type .ascvd and get a score automatically. What about patients with a cardiovascular risk less than 10%? Zohal: For patients with a 7.5–10% risk, some may offer statin therapy on a case-by-case basis as this is a Grade C recommendation. But I'll get more into this later. Even without trying, every night you go to bed a little wiser. Thanks for listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast. We want to hear from you, send us an email at RioBravoqWeek@clinicasierravista.org, or visit our website riobravofmrp.org/qweek. See you next week! _____________________ References: Grundy SM, et.al, Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2019 Jun 18;139(25):e1082-e1143. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000625. Epub 2018 Nov 10. Erratum in: Circulation. 2019 Jun 18;139(25):e1182-e1186. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000698. Erratum in: Circulation. 2023 Aug 15;148(7):e5. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001172. PMID: 30586774; PMCID: PMC7403606. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30586774/ U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2022, August 23). Statin use for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults: Preventive medication.https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/statin-use-in-adults-preventive-medicatio American College of Cardiology ASCVD Risk Estimator: https://tools.acc.org/ascvd-risk-estimator-plus/#!/calculate/estimate/ Guideline Central. (2026, March). ACC/AHA dyslipidemia guideline spotlight (March 2026).https://www.guidelinecentral.com/insights/mar-2026-accaha-dyslipidemia-guideline-spotlight/ Endo A. A historical perspective on the discovery of statins. Proc Jpn Acad Ser B Phys Biol Sci. 2010;86(5):484-93. doi: 10.2183/pjab.86.484. PMID: 20467214; PMCID: PMC3108295. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20467214/ Theme song, Works All The Time by Dominik Schwarzer, YouTube ID: CUBDNERZU8HXUHBS, purchased from https://www.premiumbeat.com/.
Advancements in hypertension management are shifting the landscape of treatment, from new guideline recommendations to technological innovations. This course explores key highlights from the AHA's recent scientific statements, including single-pill combination therapy and the clinical limitations of some blood pressure devices, alongside updates to the 2025 hypertension guidelines. You will gain a clear understanding of how these changes affect patient care, medication strategies, and pharmacist-driven interventions.Recent ACC/AHA Cholesterol Guidelines further emphasize comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment and evidence-based management of dyslipidemia alongside other major risk factors such as hypertension. These updates complement the hypertension topics discussed in this episode by reinforcing the importance of coordinated, risk-based approaches to reducing cardiovascular disease. This resource provides a concise, guideline-based overview of hypertension management, summarizing the 2025 ACC/AHA recommendations for blood pressure classification, treatment goals, and stepwise pharmacotherapy. It highlights first- and second-line antihypertensive options, emphasizes individualized, risk-based treatment decisions, and outlines practical considerations for therapy initiation, intensification, and monitoring to optimize cardiovascular outcomes.HOSTRachel Maynard, PharmDGameChangers Podcast Host and Clinical Editor, CEimpactLead Editor, PyrlsGUESTTomasz Jurga, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, BCCP, HF-Cert, CDCES, AACCClinical Pharmacist PractitionerLTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical CenterPharmacists, REDEEM YOUR CPE HERE!CPE is available to Health Mart franchise members onlyTo learn more about Health Mart, click here: https://join.healthmart.com/PRACTICE RESOURCEReceive the exclusive Practice Resource to use as a reference guide for this episode by enrolling in the course. Click here to enroll!CPE INFORMATIONLearning ObjectivesUpon successful completion of this knowledge-based activity, participants should be able to:1. Identify recent guideline and practice updates that may influence the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of hypertension.2. Discuss current and emerging tools and strategies that support safe, effective, and individualized hypertension management.Rachel Maynard has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose. Tomasz Jurga has disclosed that a grant from Merck supported Pharmacy Times Continuing Education activities, including speaking honoraria. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.0.1 CEU/1.0 HrUAN: 0107-0000-26-073-H01-PInitial release date: 4/6/2026Expiration date: 4/6/2027Additional CPE details can be found here.
Advancements in hypertension management are shifting the landscape of treatment, from new guideline recommendations to technological innovations. This course explores key highlights from the AHA's recent scientific statements, including single-pill combination therapy and the clinical limitations of some blood pressure devices, alongside updates to the 2025 hypertension guidelines. You will gain a clear understanding of how these changes affect patient care, medication strategies, and pharmacist-driven interventions.Recent ACC/AHA Cholesterol Guidelines further emphasize comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment and evidence-based management of dyslipidemia alongside other major risk factors such as hypertension. These updates complement the hypertension topics discussed in this episode by reinforcing the importance of coordinated, risk-based approaches to reducing cardiovascular disease.This resource provides a concise, guideline-based overview of hypertension management, summarizing the 2025 ACC/AHA recommendations for blood pressure classification, treatment goals, and stepwise pharmacotherapy. It highlights first- and second-line antihypertensive options, emphasizes individualized, risk-based treatment decisions, and outlines practical considerations for therapy initiation, intensification, and monitoring to optimize cardiovascular outcomes.HOSTRachel Maynard, PharmDGameChangers Podcast Host and Clinical Editor, CEimpactLead Editor, PyrlsGUESTTomasz Jurga, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, BCCP, HF-Cert, CDCES, AACCClinical Pharmacist PractitionerLTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical CenterGET CE FOR THIS LISTENING!The GameChangers Clinical Update Series for Pharmacists delivers 52 expert-led podcast episodes and 30+ hours of clinically actionable continuing education, all for a one-time purchase of just $99—that's less than $3 per hour for high-impact learning you can apply immediately in practice. Click here to enroll. PRACTICE RESOURCEReceive the exclusive Practice Resource to use as a reference guide for this episode by purchasing the GameChangers Clinical Update Series. CPE REDEMPTIONThis course is accredited for continuing pharmacy education! Click the link below that applies to you to take the exam and evaluation to claim credit:If you are already enrolled in this course, click here to redeem your credit. To purchase the Clinical Update Series and claim your CPE credit, click here or to purchase this course individually, click here. CPE INFORMATIONLearning ObjectivesUpon successful completion of this knowledge-based activity, participants should be able to:1. Identify recent guideline and practice updates that may influence the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of hypertension.2. Discuss current and emerging tools Follow CEimpact on Social Media:LinkedInInstagram
Listener feedback, the huge CLOSURE-AF trial of LAAC vs best medical therapy, previews of CHAMPION AF, and the controversial ACC/AHA lipid treatment guidelines are the topics John Mandrola, MD, discusses in this week's podcast. This podcast is intended for healthcare professionals only. To read a partial transcript or to comment, visit: https://www.medscape.com/twic I Listener Feedback COBRRA Trial https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2510703 Closure AF published in NEJM CLOSURE-AF Trial https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2513310 CHAMPION AF Rationale - Watchman FLX vs DOACs in Patients With AF https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37279840/ LIPID Guidelines ACC/AHA Joint Committee Guideline on Management of Dyslipidemia https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2025.11.016 You may also like: The Bob Harrington Show with the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine, Robert A. Harrington, MD. https://www.medscape.com/author/bob-harrington Questions or feedback, please contact news@medscape.net
Lipids remain central to cardiovascular prevention. The 2026 ACC/AHA Dyslipidemia Guideline introduces several important shifts: • PREVENT equations replace older ASCVD risk calculators • Lipoprotein(a) measurement recommended at least once in all adults • ApoB helps identify residual lipoprotein risk • Coronary artery calcium scoring refines treatment decisions • LDL-C targets return, with
Updated Guidelines for Perioperative Cardiovascular Management for Noncardiac Surgery Guest: Michael Cullen, M.D. Host: Kyle Klarich, M.D. This episode of Mayo Clinic's “Interviews With the Experts” reviews the assessment of patients with known or suspected cardiovascular disease undergoing noncardiac surgery. Dr. Michael Cullen discusses recommendations from 2024 ACC/AHA perioperative guidelines regarding medication management before and after noncardiac surgery, including recommendations for antiplatelet therapy and bridging anticoagulation. Finally, he highlights new recommendations in the recent 2024 ACC/AHA perioperative guidelines and compare these guidelines to the 2022 European Society of Cardiology perioperative guidelines. Topics Discussed: How should clinicians approach the assessment of a patient prior to noncardiac surgery? How should physicians and APPs manage cardiac medications around the time of noncardiac surgery? What are some of the new recommendations in the 2024 ACC/AHA guidelines for perioperative management prior to noncardiac surgery? How do the 2024 ACC/AHA perioperative guidelines differ from the 2022 ESC noncardiac surgery guidelines? Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices. LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services Cardiovascular Education App: The Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular CME App is an innovative educational platform that features cardiology-focused continuing medical education wherever and whenever you need it. Use this app to access other free content and browse upcoming courses. Download it for free in Apple or Google stores today! No CME credit offered for this episode. Podcast episode transcript found here.
Witam Państwa, nazywam się Jarosław Drożdż, pracuję w Centralnym Szpitalu Klinicznym Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Łodzi, skąd nagrywam podcast Kardio Know-How. W tym odcinku rozpoczynam kontynuuję omawianie doniesień z tegorocznego kongresu AHA.Pacjent z migotaniem przedsionków po przezskórnej rewaskularyzacji często wymaga połączenia DOAC z terapią przeciwpłytkową i w wielu przypadkach jest to rozwiązanie nie tylko dopuszczalne, lecz konieczne. W terapii potrójnej – DOAC, ASA i inhibitor P2Y12 – jedynym rekomendowanym inhibitorem P2Y12 jest klopidogrel, ponieważ ticagrelor i prasugrel znacząco zwiększają ryzyko krwawień, co potwierdzają zarówno wytyczne ESC 2023, jak i dane kliniczne dostępne m.in. w przeglądzie: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12429601/pdf/jcm-14-06331.pdf. Obecne standardy ESC/PTK oraz ACC/AHA wskazują, że potrójna terapia powinna trwać jak najkrócej, z reguły jedynie w trakcie hospitalizacji, a wyjątkowo do miesiąca u chorych szczególnie wysokiego ryzyka zakrzepicy. Przy wypisie odstawiamy ASA i pozostawiamy schemat DOAC + klopidogrel, co ma najsilniejsze potwierdzenie naukowe, zwłaszcza w badaniu AUGUSTUS: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa1817083. Terapia podwójna trwa standardowo 12 miesięcy po OZW i złożonej PCI oraz 6 miesięcy po prostej rewaskularyzacji w PZW, po czym przechodzi się do monoterapii DOAC. Badanie OPTIMA-AF zaprezentowane na AHA pokazało, że skrócenie terapii DOAC + P2Y12 do jednego miesiąca nie zwiększa ryzyka powikłań niedokrwiennych, za to redukuje liczbę krwawień aż o połowę. Przeciwna strategia, czyli przedłużanie terapii DOAC + klopidogrel ponad 12 miesięcy, okazała się szkodliwa, co jednoznacznie wykazano w badaniu ADAPT AF-DES: https://www.nejm.org/doi/abs/10.1056/NEJMoa2512091. Najnowsze dane – w tym badanie AQUATIC (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2507532) oraz metaanaliza opublikowana w Circulation: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.125.077141 – potwierdzają, że każdy dodatkowy lek przeciwpłytkowy podawany z DOAC zwiększa liczbę krwawień i powikłań ogółem, nie przynosząc korzyści niedokrwiennych. W świetle tych wyników zarówno wytyczne, jak i najnowsza literatura konsekwentnie promują strategię maksymalnego skracania terapii skojarzonych oraz szybki powrót do monoterapii DOAC. Praktyczny wniosek jest jednoznaczny: u pacjentów z AF po PCI obowiązuje zasada „jak najkrócej w połączeniu, jak najszybciej DOAC solo”, zgodna z aktualnym stanem wiedzy i wynikami największych badań ostatnich lat. Szczegółowy TRANSKRYPT do odcinka.Podcast jest przeznaczony wyłącznie dla osób z profesjonalnym wykształceniem medycznym.
HelixTalk - Rosalind Franklin University's College of Pharmacy Podcast
In this episode, we review the newly published 2025 ACC/AHA hypertension guidelines. Key Concepts Instead of the Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE) from 2013, the 2025 hypertension guidelines recommend a new risk equation called PREVENT, which incorporates new risk factors and does not include race as part of the risk calculation. The guidelines recommend starting two antihypertensive medications for initial therapy in stage II hypertension and one antihypertensive medication for stage I hypertension. The guidelines no longer recommend specific first-line therapies for black patients. Instead, all patients without compelling indications should be initiated on a thiazide, ACE inhibitor, ARB, or dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker regardless of race/ethnicity. All patients should have a blood pressure goal of < 130/80 mmHg. Some patients may consider a more stringent goal of < 120/80 if they have diabetes or are at a higher risk of future ASCVD events. References Jones DW, Ferdinand KC, Taler SJ, Johnson HM, Shimbo D, Abdalla M, Altieri MM, Bansal N, Bello NA, Bress AP, Carter J, Cohen JB, Collins KJ, Commodore-Mensah Y, Davis LL, Egan B, Khan SS, Lloyd-Jones DM, Melnyk BM, Mistry EA, Ogunniyi MO, Schott SL, Smith SC Jr, Talbot AW, Vongpatanasin W, Watson KE, Whelton PK, Williamson JD. 2025 AHA/ACC/AANP/AAPA/ABC/ACCP/ACPM/AGS/AMA/ASPC/NMA/PCNA/SGIM Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2025 Aug 14. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001356. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40811497.
Confira os temas do Check-up Semanal de hoje: Diretriz Chest para hemotransfusão no CTI; Critério Heaven de intubação difícil; Hipertireoidismo subclínico e demência; Fototerapia na prevenção das complicações de icterícia neonatal; Diretriz de risco cirúrgico ACC/AHA. Ouça agora!Confira esse e outros posts no Portal Afya e siga nossas redes sociais!FacebookInstagramLinkedinTwitter
Dr. Flora welcomes renowned cardiologist Dr. Purvi Parwani, director of the Women's Heart Clinic at Loma Linda University Health, for a deep dive into the often-misunderstood realm of women's cardiac health. They tackle the critical issue of how medical research, historically based on men, has often overlooked women's unique cardiac physiology and disease presentation. Dr. Parwani sheds light on the subtle ways women experience heart attacks and the biases that can lead to delayed diagnosis. They also delve into the significant impact of perimenopause and menopause on heart disease risk, stressing the importance of preventive care. If you are someone who needs actionable advice on nutrition, exercise, and how to empower yourself in the medical space... this one is for you!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dr. Purvi Parwani is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Loma Linda University and the Director of Echo Lab and Cardiac Imaging services at Loma Linda University Health. She obtained her medical degree from B.J. Medical College in India, then completed medical and cardiology training at the University of Connecticut Medical Center and the University of Oklahoma. She additionally completed a year of an advanced cardiovascular imaging fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. Her clinical and research interests include advanced cardiac imaging and women's cardiovascular disease. She is the immediate past chair and board member of the Society of CMR. She serves as a member of the ASE and ACC Imaging Leadership Council at the American College of Cardiology. She has contributed to multiple societal statements as an author and is on the guideline committee for a few incoming ACC/AHA guideline statements. She was awarded the 2020-2021 Woman of Distinction by the California legislature assembly, 40th Assembly District. Find her on Instagram!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------It's time to end the burnout cycle and start prioritizing YOU. Head over to Everae's website and book a FREE Discovery Call today!Join Dr. Flora every Wednesday with tips to feel unstuck from your rut. Follow @drflorasinha on Instagram to stay up to date!
Today, we look back on one of our most-loved episodes by our listeners. We are joined by special guest Dr Shaun Roberts to discuss in-depth cases of patients with tricky cardiac conditions who require non-cardiac surgery.Resources for today's episode:ANZCA Blue Book 2021ESC Guidelines on cardiovascular assessment and management of patients undergoing non cardiac surgery2014 ACC/AHA guideline on Perioperative Cardiovascular Evaluation and Management of Patients Undergoing Non-cardiac Surgery Feel free to email us at deepbreathspod@gmail.com if you have any questions, comments or suggestions. We love hearing from you! And don't forget to claim CPD for listening if you are a consultant or fellow. Log us as a learning session which you can find within the knowledge and skills division, and as evidence upload a screenshot of the podcast episode. Thanks for listening, and happy studying!
In this debut episode of JACC This Week with Editor-in-Chief Dr. Harlan Krumholz, we explore groundbreaking studies and timely insights from the July 1st issue. Highlights include the impact of wildfire smoke on heart failure risk, new hemodynamic data on mechanical circulatory support in cardiogenic shock, and sobering cardiovascular mortality trends over the past 25 years. Plus, updates on aspirin use, cognitive impairment in CVD, ACC/AHA performance measures, and a leadership reflection from ACC President Dr. Christopher Kramer.
In this special edition of JACC, Dr. Valentin Fuster offers an in-depth summary of the 2025 ACC/AHA guidelines on acute coronary syndromes, highlighting expert perspectives and landmark updates. The episode explores key topics including high-sensitivity troponins, antithrombotic strategies, and a global push toward harmonized cardiovascular care guidelines. With historical context and forward-looking commentary, it's an essential listen for clinicians navigating the evolving landscape of acute cardiac care.
Send us a textToday we're introducing a new format—the first episode in our Clinical Practice Guidelines series. This week, Drs. Mike and John Fralick discuss the 2025 ACC/AHA Clinical Practice Guidelines for Acute Coronary Syndrome. Here we go! Support the show
Send us a textWelcome back Rounds Table Listeners! Today we're introducing a new format—the first episode in our Clinical Practice Guidelines series. This week, Drs. Mike and John Fralick discuss the 2025 ACC/AHA Clinical Practice Guidelines for Acute Coronary Syndrome. Here we go!2025 ACC/AHA/ACEP/NAEMSP/SCAI Guideline for the Management of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes (0:00 - 18:56)Mike's interview with Dr. Jeff Carson:Episode 110 - Restrictive versus Liberal Transfusion in Myocardial Infarction with Dr. Jeff CarsonThe Good Stuff:Egg cracking tips! (18:57 - 19:47)Jerro (19:48 - 20:47)Questions? Comments? Feedback? We'd love to hear from you! @roundstable @InternAtWork @MedicinePods
2024 ACC/AHA guideline update, including biomarker testing, MINS, and other consulting tips Master perioperative medicine! Learn when to hold ACE inhibitors, how to manage OSA without delaying surgery, and why "NPO after midnight" is outdated. We're joined by Dr. Avital O'Glasser, our Chief of Perioperative Medicine! Claim CME for this episode at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org! Patreon | Episodes | Subscribe | Spotify | YouTube | Newsletter | Contact | Swag! | CME Show Segments Intro Case Preoperative Assessment & Consulting Tips Risk Calculators Frailty Pulmonary Considerations Cardiovascular Meds & BP Management NPO: Why Are We Still Doing This? Biomarkers & Postoperative Risk MINS Outro Credits Written and produced, show notes, cover art, CME, and infographics: Paul Wurtz MD. Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP Reviewer: Molly Heublein MD Showrunners: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP Technical Production: PodPaste Guest: Avital O'Glasser MD Disclosures Dr. O'Glasser reports no relevant financial disclosures. The Curbsiders report no relevant financial disclosures. Sponsor: EZResus Listeners of the Cribsiders and Curbsiders podcasts get access to a 2-month free trial,letting them use 100% of the features of the For more information, www.ezresus.com/curbsiders and Use promo code Curbsiders Sponsor: Freed Visit Freed.ai and Usecode:CURB50 to get $50 off your first month when you subscribe. Sponsor: Mint Mobile Get 3 months of premium wireless service from Mint Mobile for $15 a month.Shop plans at mintmobile.com/curb
Due to advancements in medical and surgical care, the survival of patients with congenital conditions into adulthood has dramatically increased. However, as these individuals transition to adulthood, their unique physiology, chronic complications, and evolving care needs create significant challenges for their management when they are admitted to adult intensive care units (ICUs). This episode will discuss adult congenital disease in the ICU. Dr. Zanotti is joined by Dr. Cameron Dezfulian, a pediatric and adult critical care physician. He is the director of the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program Development for the Section of Critical Care at Texas Children's Hospital and a faculty member at Cardiothoracic Critical Care at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center. He is also a Senior Faculty member at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Additional resources: ACC/AHA 2008 Guidelines for the Management of Adults With Congenital Heart Disease. Circulation 2008: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.190690 Special Considerations in Critical of the Congenital Heart Disease Patient. E Neethling, et al. Can J Cardiol. 2023: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36682483/ Management of the Critically Ill Adult with Congenital Heart Disease. WB Kratzert, et al. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2018: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29500124/ Adults with childhood-onset chronic conditions admitted to US pediatric and adult intensive care units. J Edwards, et al. J Crit Care 2015: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25466316/ Down Syndrome. MJ Bull. N Eng J Med 2020. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1706537 Books and Music mentioned in this episode: The Bible: https://bit.ly/3EK4LL6
February 7-14 is Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week. In this, Dr. Sergio Zanotti discuss adult congenital heart disease through the lens of his experience as a patient. He shares some reflections based on my experience as a lifelong patient with complex adult congenital heart disease and a recent procedure that allowed him to experience medical care from the patient side. Additional resources: ACC/AHA 2008 Guidelines for the Management of Adults With Congenital Heart Disease. Circulation 2008: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.190690 The Bell Curve. By Atul Gawande. The New Yorker 2004: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2004/12/06/the-bell-curve Website for the Adult Congenital Heart Association: https://www.achaheart.org/ Books and music mentioned in this episode: Montaigne. By Stefan Zweig: https://bit.ly/4gEOVP2 The Heart. A Novel. By Maylis De Kerangal: https://bit.ly/41ehqin The Essays: A Selection (Penguin Classics). By. Michel de Montaigne: https://bit.ly/3EvFwvW
February 7-14 is Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week. In this, Dr. Sergio Zanotti discuss adult congenital heart disease through the lens of his experience as a patient. He shares some reflections based on my experience as a lifelong patient with complex adult congenital heart disease and a recent procedure that allowed him to experience medical care from the patient side. Additional resources: ACC/AHA 2008 Guidelines for the Management of Adults With Congenital Heart Disease. Circulation 2008: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.190690 The Bell Curve. By Atul Gawande. The New Yorker 2004: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2004/12/06/the-bell-curve Website for the Adult Congenital Heart Association: https://www.achaheart.org/ Books and music mentioned in this episode: Montaigne. By Stefan Zweig: https://bit.ly/4gEOVP2 The Heart. A Novel. By Maylis De Kerangal: https://bit.ly/41ehqin The Essays: A Selection (Penguin Classics). By. Michel de Montaigne: https://bit.ly/3EvFwvW
Join us as we review recent practice-changing articles on a new triple pill for hypertension, how arm position affects blood pressure, early TAVR for asymptomatic patients with severe AS, liberal versus restrictive transfusion strategy in patients with acute brain injury, and a quick overview of the 2024 ACC/AHA perioperative medicine guidelines. Fill your brain hole with a delicious stack of tofurkey cakes! Featuring Paul Williams (@PaulNWilliamz), Rahul Ganatra (@rbganatra), Jen DeSalvo (@drjendesalvo), and Matt Watto (@doctorwatto). Claim CME for this episode at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org! Episodes | Subscribe | Spotify | Swag! |Mailing List | Contact | CME! Credits Written and Hosted by: Rahul Ganatra MD, MPH; Jen DeSalvo MD; Paul Williams, MD, FACP, Matthew Watto MD, FACP Cover Art: Matthew Watto MD, FACP Reviewer: Rahul Ganatra MD, MPH Technical Production: Pod Paste Showrunners: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP Show Segments Intro, disclaimer A new triple pill for hypertension How arm position affects blood pressure Early TAVR for asymptomatic patients with severe AS Liberal versus restrictive transfusion strategy in patients with acute brain injury A quick overview of the 2024 ACC/AHA perioperative medicine guidelines Outro Sponsor: Freed You can try Freed for free right now by going to freed.ai. And listeners of Curbsiders can use code CURB50 for $50 off their first month. Sponsor: AquaTru Today listeners receive 20% off any AquaTru purifier! Just go to AquaTru.com and enter code “CURB“ at checkout. Sponsor: Uncommon Goods To get 15% off your next gift, go to uncommongoods.com/curb.
The following question refers to Sections 2.1 and 4.2 of the 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure.The question is asked by CardioNerds Academy Intern Dr. Adriana Mares, answered first by CardioNerds FIT Trialist Dr. Christabel Nyange, and then by expert faculty Dr. Shelley Zieroth. Dr. Zieroth is an advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist, Head of the Medical Heart Failure Program, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Cardiac Sciences Program, and an Associate Professor in the Section of Cardiology at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Zieroth is a past president of the Canadian Heart Failure Society. She has been a PI Mentor for the CardioNerds Clinical Trials Program. The Decipher the Guidelines: 2022 AHA / ACC / HFSA Guideline for The Management of Heart Failure series was developed by the CardioNerds and created in collaboration with the American Heart Association and the Heart Failure Society of America. It was created by 30 trainees spanning college through advanced fellowship under the leadership of CardioNerds Cofounders Dr. Amit Goyal and Dr. Dan Ambinder, with mentorship from Dr. Anu Lala, Dr. Robert Mentz, and Dr. Nancy Sweitzer. We thank Dr. Judy Bezanson and Dr. Elliott Antman for tremendous guidance. Enjoy this Circulation 2022 Paths to Discovery article to learn about the CardioNerds story, mission, and values. American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024As heard in this episode, the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024 is coming up November 16-18 in Chicago, Illinois at McCormick Place Convention Center. Come a day early for Pre-Sessions Symposia, Early Career content, QCOR programming and the International Symposium on November 15. It's a special year you won't want to miss for the premier event for advancements in cardiovascular science and medicine as AHA celebrates its 100th birthday. Registration is now open, secure your spot here!When registering, use code NERDS and if you're among the first 20 to sign up, you'll receive a free 1-year AHA Professional Membership! Question #36 A 50-year-old woman presents to establish care. Her medical history includes COPD, prediabetes, and hypertension. She is being treated with chlorthalidone, amlodipine, lisinopril, and a tiotropium inhaler. She denies chest pain, dyspnea on exertion, or lower extremity edema. On physical exam, blood pressure is 154/88 mmHg, heart rate is 90 beats/min, and respiration rate is 22 breaths/min with an oxygen saturation of 94% breathing ambient room air. BMI is 36 kg/m2. Jugular venous pulsations are difficult to assess due to her body habitus. Breath sounds are distant, with occasional end-expiratory wheezing. Heart sounds are distant, and extra sounds or murmurs are not detected. Extremities are warm and without peripheral edema. B-type natriuretic peptide level is 28 pg/mL (28 ng/L). A chest radiograph shows increased radiolucency of the lungs, flattened diaphragms, and a narrow heart shadow consistent with COPD. An electrocardiogram shows evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy. The echocardiogram showed normal LV and RV function with no significant valvular abnormalities. In which stage of HF would this patient be classified?AStage A: At Risk for HFBStage B: Pre-HFCStage C: Symptomatic HFDStage D: Advanced HF Answer #36 Explanation The correct answer is A – Stage A or at risk for HF. This asymptomatic patient with no evidence of structural heart disease or positive cardiac biomarkers for stretch or injury would be classified as Stage A or “at risk” for HF. The ACC/AHA stages of HF emphasize the development and progression of disease with specific therapeutic interventions at each stage. Advanced stages and disease progression are associated with reduced survival. The stages were revised in this edition of guidelines to emphasize new terminologies of “at risk” for Stage A and “pre...
In the ACOG practice bulletin 203, the ACOG states that, “Traditionally, the diagnosis of hypertension (HTN) in pregnancy has been 140/90, on 2 occasions at least 4 hrs apart“. The keyword there is… “Traditionally”. In 2017, the ACC/AHA redefined hypertension with Stage I HTN being 130/80. Do some societies recommend the use of this lowered blood pressure criteria in pregnancy? It's a complicated answer. Does aspirin help prevent preeclampsia in women with Stage I (130/80) hypertension? The answer may surprise you! In this episode, we will do a deep dive into ACOG PB 203, the ACOG practice advisory from 2022 in response to the CHAP trial, and discuss the CLIP 2021 published data. This is a story of CHIP, CHAP, and CLIP… And we will give clear clinical implications of each in this episode!
In this episode, experts discuss a crucial 2024 document outlining appropriate use criteria for multimodality imaging in cardiovascular evaluation before non-emergent non-cardiac surgery, addressing the rising annual surgeries and associated cardiac risks. They delve into balancing the necessity of imaging with cost-effectiveness while exploring the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance future evaluations.
In this episode, Dr. Valentin Fuster reviews a pivotal document on Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) in cardiology, highlighting their critical role in shaping health outcomes. He outlines ten key insights, emphasizing the need for standardized definitions and integration of SDOH into electronic health records to promote equitable healthcare and improve patient outcomes.
Commentary by Dr. Valentin Fuster
HelixTalk - Rosalind Franklin University's College of Pharmacy Podcast
In this episode, we discuss principles for medication use in the geriatric patient population and summarize the updated 2023 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults. Key Concepts The Beer's Criteria was originally developed by Dr. Mark Beers in 1991 to identify medications in which the risks may outweigh the benefits in nursing home patients. This list is now maintained by the American Geriatrics Society and includes a variety of drug safety information related to elderly patients including medications that are considered potentially inappropriate (Table 2 and 3), medications used with caution (Table 4), drug-drug interactions (Table 5), drugs with renal dose adjustments (Table 6), and drugs with anticholinergic properties (Table 7). The newest update prefers apixaban over other DOACs for VTE and atrial fibrillation in elderly patients. This is a very controversial recommendation given that other guidelines (e.g. from the ACC/AHA) have not published a similar preference of one DOAC over another. Many of the medications that are potentially inappropriate involve drugs that have anticholinergic properties and drugs that increase the risk of incoordination and falls. Other resources exist to guide drug therapy decisions in elderly patients. As an example, the STOPP/START criteria (published in the European Geriatric Medicine journal) outlines drugs to avoid but also drugs to consider in elderly patients. References By the 2023 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria Update Expert Panel. American Geriatrics Society 2023 Updated AGS Beers Criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. J AM Geriatr Soc. 2023;71(7):2052-2081. doi:10.1111/jgs.18372. O'Mahony D, Cherubini A, Guiteras AR, Denkinger M, Beuscart JB, Onder G, Gudmundsson A, Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Knol W, Bahat G, van der Velde N, Petrovic M, Curtin D. STOPP/START criteria for potentially inappropriate prescribing in older people: version 3. Eur Geriatr Med. 2023 Aug;14(4):625-632. doi: 10.1007/s41999-023-00777-y.
CardioNerds Atrial Fibrillation Series Co-Chairs Dr. Colin Blumenthal (University of Pennsylvania Cardiology fellow) and Dr. Kelly Arps (Duke University Electrophysiology Fellow) join the 2023 atrial fibrillation guideline writing committee Chair Dr. José Joglar (UT Southwestern) and Vice Chair Dr. Mina Chung (Cleveland Clinic). They review the key takeaways from the 2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation. Audio editing by CardioNerds academy intern, student doctor Pace Wetstein. This podcast was developed in collaboration with the American Heart Association. For more on these guidelines, access the AHA Science News AF Guideline landing page. CardioNerds Atrial Fibrillation PageCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron!
The study in question is a randomized clinical trial looking at the Million Hearts Model. This model paid health care organizations to assess and reduce CV risk. Obviously, this is an important goal. Heart disease, specifically, atherosclerotic vascular disease, is a leading killer of humans. Any reduction of heart disease should have a benefit on both a person and a population. But paying health systems to do specific things is a policy intervention. Even though a policy, like this one, makes sense, policies can have benefits and potential harms. (An example is the hospital readmissions reduction program (HRRP), which penalized hospitals for excess readmissions. This resulted in a fewer readmissions but it also associated with an increase in death rates in patients with heart failure.)Both Andrew and I were happy that the nudging of Million Hearts was studied The Trial and ProgramThis was a big pragmatic cluster randomized trial that ran over 4 years. More than 300 organizations were randomly assigned 1:1 to have the Million Hearts model or standard care. There were two parts of the model. First there was $10 for every patient who had their 10-year risk calculated with a risk equation. (ACC/AHA is a simple one you can do in 15 seconds with a smartphone.) Then CMS paid each organization $0, $5, or $10 PBPM for each high-risk beneficiary with an annual risk reassessment, with monthly payment amounts dependent on mean risk score change across all of the organization's high-risk beneficiaries reassessed.Keep in mind that the only components of the risk calculation that are modifiable are cholesterol and blood pressure. (*smoking cessation for smokers). Foy pointed out that Million Hearts was in many ways an incentive system to nudge providers, who then may nudge patients, to take more BP and cholesterol medicine. Sensible Medicine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.The authors chose two primary outcomes: one a MACE endpoint with MI, stroke, and TIA. The second primary was the same as the first, plus CV death. They originally planned to include only high-risk patients, but then added moderate-risk patients. This factored heavily in the results. Patients were mostly 75 year-olds, men-women split 2/3rds, 1/3rd. Outcomes were derived from claims data—which is messy when it comes to judging MIs and TIAs and specific causes of death. The Results:The first primary endpoint (MI, stroke, TIA) occurred at a rate of 14.8 per 1000 patient-years vs 17.0 per 1000 patient-years. The Hazard ratio came to 0.97 (90% CI - 0.93-1.0). The P-value was 0.09. (The authors had previously stipulated that the P threshold would be 0.10). The second primary, adding in CV death, was similar. A HR of 0.96 (90% CI 093-0.99) and a P = 0.02. These are positive results. But let's look further. Drivers of the Results: The results were driven almost exclusively by moderate risk patients. Look at Table 3. Reductions in events rates were largest and significant statistically in the moderate-risk but not high-risk group. That is something we have emphasized here at Sensible Medicine. Even though you would think that high-risk patients have the most to gain, they also have more competing risks and perhaps more chance for treatment harm. Like so many other studies, the sweet spot for primary prevention seems to be in the moderate-risk group. Unintended Consequences: A second finding, noted by Andrew, was the highly significant increase in all-cause hospitalizations in the intervention group. These had the most significant p-values of the entire study. Other Limitations:The Million Hearts model randomization was offered to more than 500 organizations but only 342 accepted. This raises the question of generalizability. Were the 342 organizations special in some way? Another factor is that outcomes were modeled on a sample of events—not raw counts. The choice to use 90% confidence intervals rather than 95% confidence intervals and P thresholds of 0.1 rather than the more standard of 0.05 is a weakness. For instance, the first primary endpoint would have missed significance if this were evaluated in the usual fashion. I did not find a strong justification for this choice. Readers with statistical expertise, please weigh in. Our Conclusions: First, we were both happy that a policy was studied rather than just implemented because it made sense. This should serve as a model for future policy endeavors. Second, there did look to be a modest effect on reducing important outcomes. And, these were driven mostly be moderate-risk (not high-risk) patients. This argues for a heterogenous treatment effect based on co-morbidity. Third, the statistically significant increase in all-cause hospitalizations in the intervention arm suggests that more aggressive attempts at blood pressure and cholesterol levels may have risen the risk of off-target ill effects. In the end, Andrew felt like the study was a wash. He did not feel strongly that the Million Hearts endeavor made a real difference. Comments on our Audio— I think we misspoke about the patient years. We said per 100,000 patient years. It was 1000 patient years. I also think we misspoke about deaths being similar. It was actually slightly lower in the intervention arm. Recall that Sensible Medicine remains a subscriber supported site. Thanks for your generous support. We are excited to bring you content that can't easily be found elsewhere. I have an excellent recording to post soon on screening for atrial fibrillation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sensible-med.com/subscribe
CardioNerds co-founder Dr. Dan Ambinder joins CardioNerds join Dr. Pooja Prasad, Dr. Khoa Nguyen and expert Dr. Abigail Khan (Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, School of Medicine) from Oregon Health & Science University and discuss a case of mechanical valve thrombosis. Audio editing by CardioNerds Academy Intern, student doctor Adriana Mares. A 23-year-old pregnant woman with a mechanical aortic valve presented to the maternal cardiac clinic for a follow-up visit. On physical exam, a loud grade three crescendo-decrescendo murmur was audible and transthoracic echocardiography revealed severely elevated gradients across the aortic valve. Fluoroscopy confirmed an immobile leaflet disk. Thrombolysis was successfully performed using a low dose ultra-slow infusion of thrombolytic therapy, leading to normal valve function eight days later. Treatment options for mechanical aortic valve thrombosis include slow-infusion, low-dose thrombolytic therapy or emergency surgery. In addition to discussing diagnosis and management of mechanical valve thrombosis, we highlight the importance of preventing valve thrombosis during the hypercoagulable state of pregnancy with careful pre-conception counseling and a detailed anticoagulation plan. See this case published in European Heart Journal - Case Reports. US Cardiology Review is now the official journal of CardioNerds! Submit your manuscript here. CardioNerds Case Reports PageCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron! Pearls - mechanical valve thrombosis The hypercoagulable state of pregnancy presents a risk for women with mechanical heart valves with contemporary data estimating the rate of valve thrombosis during pregnancy at around 5%. Thrombolytic therapy is a (relatively) safe alternative to surgery and should be considered first line for treatment of prosthetic valve thrombosis in all patients, especially in pregnant women. Pre-conception counselling and meticulous anticoagulation management for patients with mechanical heart valves are key aspects of their care. The evaluation for prosthetic valve thrombosis in pregnant persons requires a review of anti-coagulation history and careful choice of diagnostic testing to confirm the diagnosis and minimize risks to the parent and the baby. Multi-disciplinary care with close collaboration between cardiology and obstetrics is critical when caring for pregnant persons with cardiac disease. Show Notes - mechanical valve thrombosis How can we counsel and inform women with heart disease who are contemplating pregnancy? Use the Modified World Health Organization classification of maternal cardiovascular risk to counsel patients on their maternal cardiac event rate and recommended follow-up visits and location of delivery (local or expert care) if pregnancy is pursued. To learn about normal pregnancy cardiovascular physiology and pregnancy risk stratification in persons with cardiovascular disease, enjoy CardioNerds Episode #111. Cardio-Obstetrics: Normal Pregnancy Physiology with Dr. Garima Sharma. Adapted from the 2018 ESC Guidelines for the management of cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy What is the differential diagnosis for a new murmur in a pregnant person who has undergone heart valve replacement? Normal physiology - elevated flow from hyperdynamic state and/or expansion of blood volume in pregnancy. Pathologic - increased left ventricular outflow tract flow from turbulence of flow due to pannus ingrowth, new paravalvular leak, or obstructive mechanical disk motion from vegetation or thrombus. What are diagnostic modalities for the evaluation of suspected prosthetic valve thrombosis? The 2020 ACC/AHA guidelines gave a class I recommendation for evaluation of susp...
The following question refers to Section 4.5 of the 2021 ESC CV Prevention Guidelines. The question is asked by Dr. Maryam Barkhordarian, answered first by pharmacy resident Dr. Anushka Tandon, and then by expert faculty Dr. Noreen Nazir. Dr. Nazir is Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she is the director of cardiac MRI and the preventive cardiology program. The CardioNerds Decipher The Guidelines Series for the 2021 ESC CV Prevention Guidelines represents a collaboration with the ACC Prevention of CVD Section, the National Lipid Association, and Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association. Enjoy this Circulation 2022 Paths to Discovery article to learn about the CardioNerds story, mission, and values. Question #33 Mr. V is a 37-year-old man who presents to clinic after a recent admission for anterior STEMI and is status-post emergent percutaneous intervention to the proximal LAD. He has mixed hyperlipidemia and a 10 pack-year history of (current) tobacco smoking. Which of the following points related to tobacco use is LEAST appropriate for today's visit? A Providing assessment and encouragement for smoking cessation, even if for only a 30-second “very brief advice” intervention. B Reviewing and offering pharmacotherapy support options for smoking cessation if Mr. V expresses readiness to quit today. C Recommending a switch from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes as a first step towards cessation, as e-cigarettes are safer for use. D Discussing that smoking cessation is strongly recommended for all patients, regardless of potential weight gain. Answer #33 Explanation Answer C is LEAST appropriate and therefore is the correct answer. Answer C is not appropriate. Although e-cigarettes may be more effective than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation, the long-term effects of e-cigarettes on cardiovascular and pulmonary health are unknown. According to the 2019 ACC/AHA prevention guidelines, e-cigarettes may increase the risk of CV and pulmonary diseases; their use has been reportedly associated with arrhythmias and hypertension. Therefore, neither the ESC nor ACC/AHA suggest clinicians recommend e-cigarettes over traditional cigarettes to patients. Answer A: Smoking cessation is one of the most effective CVD risk-lowering preventive measures, with significant reductions in (repeat) myocardial infarctions or death. ESC guidelines emphasize the importance of encouraging smoking cessation even in settings where time is limited. “Very brief advice” on smoking is a proven 30-second clinical intervention, developed in the UK, which identifies smokers, advises them on the best method of quitting, and supports subsequent quit attempts. While ESC does not explicitly suggest a frequency of assessment, the 2019 ACC/AHA guidelines specifically recommend that “all adults should be assessed at every healthcare visit for tobacco use and their tobacco use status recorded as a vital sign to facilitate tobacco cessation.” Answer B: The ESC suggests (class 2) that offering follow-up support, nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline, and bupropion individually or in combination should be considered in smokers. A meta-analysis of RCTs in patients with ASCVD reflects that varenicline (RR 2.6), bupropion (RR 1.4), telephone therapy (RR 1.5), and individual counselling (RR 1.6) all increased quit rates versus placebo; NRT therapies were well-tolerated but had inconclusive effects on quit rates (RR 1.22 with 95% CI 0.72-2.06). The 2019 ACC/AHA recommendation to combine behavioral and pharmacotherapy interventions to maximize quit rates is a class 1 recommendation. Answer D: The ESC gives a class 1 recommendation to recommending smoking cessation regardless of weight grain. Smokers who quit may expect an average weight gain of 5 kg, but the health benefits of tobacco cessation (both CVD and non-CVD related) consistently outweigh risks from weight...