AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate Third to Show Promise
The AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine candidate showed 90% efficacy in one dosing regimen; 62% in a second; and an average efficacy rate of 70%.
Once-weekly Semaglutide 2.0 mg Bests 1.0 mg Dose for A1c, Weight Reduction
Once-weekly semaglutide 2.0 mg vs 1.0 mg led to statistically significant, superior reductions in A1c and weight in type 2 diabetes patients not at goal, study finds.
Response to Dupilumab in Severe Asthma Predicted by Baseline FeNo
Increasing baseline FeNo levels were associated with reduced exacerbation and greater lung function improvement in dupilumab-vs-placebo-treated patients.
6 Essential COVID-19 Codes to Remember
COVID-19 cases are surging across the country as the US heads into holiday season. Counsel patients on staying safe and keep these billing codes very close at hand.
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate Achieves 94.5% Efficacy in Phase 3 Trial
Moderna announced safety and efficacy data from the phase 3 COVE trial that found mRNA-1273 94.5% effective in preventing infection with SARS-CoV-2.
Omega-3s, Vitamin D Fail to Prevent Incident Atrial Fibrillation
AHA 2020: Daily supplementation with 2000 IU of vitamin D3/day and/or 840 mg omega-3 fatty acids/day did not reduce or increase risk of incident atrial fibrillation.
DAPA-CKD Trial Findings Could Transform CKD Therapy
AHA: DAPD-CKD investigator Prof John McMurray talks to Patient Care about the “revolutionary” findings he will highlight at the AHA sessions on opening day.
George Bakris, MD, Lauds FIDELIO-CKD Findings, Discusses Finerenone
Finerenone, a non-steroidal, selective MRA, has distinct advantages over current treatments for diabetic kidney disease. Dr Bakris details these and the FIDELIO results.
Black Patients Less Likely to Receive Treatment Intensification for BP Control
AHA 2020 Virtual Scientific Sessions: Nearly one-third of racial disparities in hypertension treatment may be linked to inequities in treatment intensification, study authors suggest.
Passive Smoke Exposure in Childhood May Cause Subclinical LV Dysfunction in Adults
AHA 2020 Virtual Scientific Sessions: Cumulative exposure, exposure intensity, and number of household smokers in childhood all impact adult heart function, study authors found.
Survival Associated with Healthy Lifestyle Even with Multiple Meds on Board
AHA 2020 Virtual Scientific Sessions: Healthy lifestyle habits are inversely associated with-all cause mortality, study authors found.
Tezepelumab for Severe Asthma Meets Phase 3 Primary Endpoint
The novel monoclonal antibody could bring relief to millions of persons with severe, uncontrolled asthma, including those with a low eosinophil phenotype.
PREVIEW of AHA 2020 Scientific Sessions: Late-breaking Science, Days 4 and 5
Preview days 4 and 5 of the American Heart Association 2020 live late-breaking science sessions. Decide what you need to watch and when.
AHA 2020 Scientific Sessions Preview: Late-breaking Science, Days 1, 2 and 3
What to watch during the AHA 2020 late-breaking science sessions? We break down the first 3 days of clinical trial presentations for you, here.
Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate Achieves 90% Efficacy
Pfizer/BioNTech announced more than 90% efficacy for their vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection in the first interim analysis of phase 3 study.
Ticagrelor Wins Label Expansion to Reduce Risk of Recurrent Stroke, TIA
FDA approval is based on results of the phase III THALES trial, in which DAPT with ticagrelor and aspirin for 30 days reduced the rate of stroke and death by 17% vs aspirin alone.
COPD Self-management App Reduces Exacerbations, Readmissions vs Usual Care
Use of the myCOPD app after hospitalization for acute COPD exacerbation reduced subsequent exacerbations by nearly 50%, according to study authors.
CLINICAL FOCUS COLLECTION: Obesity
Obesity, a complex chronic disease in itself, underlies many of the fatal cardiac and cardiometabolic diseases of the 21st century. Find a wide collection of expert guidance in this collection.
Pharmacotherapy for Obesity Should Begin in Primary Care
Video: Obesity expert Dr Louis Aronne outlines the role of medication in obesity treatment and says primary care is absolutely the place to begin.
COVID-19 Patients with Obesity Have Lower Inflammatory Biomarkers, Study Finds
Obese patients hospitalized with COVID-19 had lower levels of inflammation biomarkers but outcomes similar to non-obese patients with elevated levels of those biomarkers.
COVID-19 Lockdown Sidelines Weight Control Effort Among Obese Youth
A longitudinal study of weight reduction in adolescents was redesigned to accommodate pandemic lockdown--and the results are very concerning.
Aspirin Reduces COVID-19 Mortality: Investigator's Insights
Dr Jonathan Chow reviews study findings that patients with COVID-19 taking low-dose aspirin had reduced risk for use of ICU, mechanical ventilation, and of death.
Influenza Coinfection with COVID-19: NIH Treatment Considerations
Recent NIH COVID-19 guideline updates include evidence-based considerations for treatment of patients hospitalized with flu and COVID-19 coinfection.
The Obesity Paradox: How Real is It?
Carl "Chip" Lavie, MD, author of the original book titled, "The Obesity Paradox" explains the paradox of metabolic health in the obese, how it wanes, and an essential element to maintain it.
Low-dose Aspirin Reduces Risk of COVID-19 Mortality in Hospitalized Patients
Reduced risk of mortality as well as of ICU admission and mechanical ventilation were observed in patients with COVID-19 taking daily aspirin for CV prevention.
Finerenone Slows Renal Decline, Improves CV Outcomes in FIDELIO-DKD
The investigational mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist slowed progression to renal failure by 18% and reduced the composite cardiovascular outcome by 14%, authors report.
Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients Have More, More Severe Complications vs Patients with Influenza
The first study to compare COVID-19 and influenza complications in hospitalized patients found COVID-19 patients more likely to be admitted to ICU and to die.
NIH Updates Testing, Treatment Guidelines During Cocirculation of Influenza and COVID-19
The new guideline section stresses that testing is the only way to accurately discriminate between the 2 viruses and advises on influenza vaccination and treatment.
Expert Update on Lp(a): Dr Patrick Moriarty Explains the Next CVD Target
Elevated lipoprotein A is a genetically determined independent risk factor for CVD, affecting up to 30% of the population. Phase 3 trials for the first treatment are underway.
Study: Heart Failure Patients Often Discharged Taking 10 or More Medications
Most HF patients were aking more than 5 medications on admission. The majority left taking more than 10, most not indicated for cardiovascular-related conditions.