Payal Kohli, MD, FACC

Undiagnosed AF was discovered in 3% of individuals; 2% of individuals with known AF who were not on oral anticoagulation were also identified.

Pulmonary vein ablation has not gained recognition as a "cure" for atrial fibrillation so a new approach would be welcomed.

Statins used for primary prevention in elderly patients result in a significant reduction in MI and stroke.

Influenza infection may contribute to increases in cardiovascular hospitalizations and elevated rates of acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Patients with mechanical heart valves are not candidates for dabigatran; excess bleeding curtailed the first study to test it.

Reassess rate vs rhythym control, appropriate anticoagulation therapy and potential drug-drug interactions.

Novel oral anticoagulants vary in bioavailability when taken with or without food.

Artificial sweeteners are associated with both weight gain and weight loss and a counterintuitive effect on human physiology.

PCI is not recommended for asymptomatic adults who are highly functional and report no exercise-induced symptoms.

Bleeding risk is increased in patients receiving oral anticoagulation and concomitant aspirin.

Incidence of CHD was more than double in twins diagnosed with PTSD than those without the disorder.

All-cause mortality was 80% lower among subjects who maintained normal weight, ate moderately, exercised, and did not smoke compared with those who followed none of these habits.

Oral apixaban for acute VTE was superior to enoxaparin followed by warfarin.

Novel anticoagulants have a half life much shorter than warfarin and so adherence and medication error are significant issues.

Oral anticoagulation with rivaroxaban must continue while initiating a switch to warfarin. Duration of overlap will be variable.

Direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran or factor Xa inhibitor apixaban or rivaroxaban? All are good choices for specific patient types.

The “infectious” hypothesis of atherosclerosis (including bacterial and viral etiologies) may have new support.

Simvastatin 40 mg once daily can attenuate increases in cardiorespiratory fitness in response to exercise training.

HAS-BLED, HEMORRHAGES, OBRI: Risk calculators to assess potential for bleeding in AF patients before anticoagulation.

Periprocedural dabigatran increases the risk of bleeding and thromboembolic complications compared with warfarin during radiofrequency ablation of AF.

Among many considerations when ordering or interpreting a stress test are the limitations and adequacy of the stress modality (exercise, vasodilator, ionotrope) as well as the imaging modality used. Here, top-line reminders for primary care practice.

The CHA2DS2-VASc score improves risk determination by incorporating age 65 to 74 years, female sex, and history of vascular disease.

Aldosterone antagonists, eg, eplerenone, decrease adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with HF and AF.

CD4+ count and viral load were complementary and were independently associated with increased incidence of AF.

Interruption of anticoagulation with rivaroxaban or warfarin should be bridged with an agent such as low-molecular weight heparin.

Could the left atrial appendage closure device, known as the Watchman, become an alternative to oral anticoagulation for select patients? Here, more on the 2 trials that have introduced the possibility.

Female CV mortality lags behind male mortality; lifetime risk assessment, not 10-year risk, is a better estimation tool for women

Patients who consumed a Mediterranean-style diet had a 30% reduction in major cardiovascular events compared with patients who ate a diet low in saturated fat.

A recent meta-analysis of beta-blocker use in patients with HF found that the drugs conferred no reduction in rates of mortality or hospitalization among patients with comorbid AF.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, of the incretin class of antidiabetes drugs, are weight neutral, avoid hypoglycemia, and result in an average reduction in HbA1c of 0.5% to 1.0%