Heart Failure

Cost-effectiveness analyses have not been conducted on the DAPA-HF trial as of yet, but in healthcare systems in which dapagliflozin is not particularly expensive, results are likely to be favorable, said John McMurray, MD, FRCP, FESC, professor of medical cardiology in the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences at the University of Glasgow.

Although the study did not pinpoint the exact mechanism behind the link, the authors wrote that the presence of plaque below the gumline can allow oral bacteria to reach the circulatory system. Certain bacteria that reach the gut can trigger inflammation.

Dapagliflozin was shown to not only benefit patients at risk of heart failure, both with and without diabetes, but treat patients with established heart failure as well, said John McMurray, MD, FRCP, FESC, professor of medical cardiology in the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences at the University of Glasgow.

A new study says that more than 1 in 10 of the 17 million cancer survivors in the United States will die from cardiovascular disease (CVD).

In patients with heart failure, both with and without diabetes, dapagliflozin was shown to provide identical efficacy and possibly beneficial effects on the heart, said John McMurray, MD, FRCP, FESC, professor of medical cardiology in the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences at the University of Glasgow.

This week, the top managed care news included research that shows stents may offer no more value than drugs for some heart patients; a ban on flavored tobacco products gains momentum; a survey finds most American families struggle with social factors that impact health.

Quality of life and 6-minute walk test also improve with this treatment combination.

Called Diabetes Can Break Your Heart, the initiative seeks to get doctors and patients talking about the connection between diabetes and heart failure, so that symptoms are not missed and treatment that could prevent heart failure occurs early. A Diabetes Heartbreaker tour, which will feature a virtual reality experience with immersive technology, will kick off this weekend at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Philadelphia.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is often an inherited condition and patients may not show symptoms, or those symptoms may be vague, such as fatigue or shortness of breath. The condition can cause varied levels of risk and can result in sudden cardiac death.

The rate of decrease in deaths from heart disease (HD) slowed between 2011 and 2014 versus 2000 and 2011, while the population above 65 years jumped 22.9% and there was a concurrent 38% rise in deaths from HD among this patient population.

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham first isolated the kinase HIPK2 from among hundreds of potential targets by using bioinformatics to hone in on the protein kinase as a target for study.

The number of uninsured children in the United States rose by more than 400,000 between 2016 and 2018 and now stands at over 4 million; mortality from heart failure rose 20.7% between 2011 and 2017 and is likely to keep climbing sharply; US District Judge Myron Thompson issued a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking Alabama from enforcing a near-total abortion ban.

Results are based on the DECLARE-TIMI 58 cardiovascular outcomes trial, presented last year at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

The new indication is based on results of the CREDENCE trial, which found that canagliflozin reduced the risk of renal failure or death by 30% in those that had both type 2 diabetes and diabetic kidney disease.

This week, the top managed care stories included Purdue Pharma filing for bankruptcy; new data showing the number of people who get screened for HIV at least once falls far short of what CDC recommends; findings that most US hospital markets are now highly concentrated.

The FDA grants fast track designation of AstraZeneca's dapagliflozin; California to conduct public awareness campaign against vaping; no new US measles cases.

This week, the top managed care news included a diabetes drug showing positive results in treating heart failure; new lipid guidelines promoting the use of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors; and a study finding doctors are more likely to prescribe opioids if they are in a hurry.

Studies on anticoagulants and SGLT2 inhibitors, and guidelines for dyslipidemia and more are anticipated at the meeting.

This week in managed care, the top news included outcomes results in treating heart failure; US prevention experts said more women should get BRCA testing; the American Heart Association offered an advisory on treating high triglycerides with prescription omega-3 fatty acids.

Dapagliflozin And Prevention of Adverse-outcomes in Heart Failure includes patients with and without type 2 diabetes, although the topline results did not specify if results were similar in these 2 populations.

A discussion with Naeem Khan, MD, vice president of US cardiovascular and metabolic diseases at AstraZeneca, on lessons from the wave of cardiovascular outcomes trials, the new focus on renal outcomes, and what’s next for SGLT2 inhibitors.

The EMPEROR trials could lead to new indications for the SGLT2 inhibitor for patients with and without diabetes.

This week, the top managed care news included HHS announcing a finalized rule requiring the disclosure of drug prices in television ads; a report finding high satisfaction with employer health coverage despite the cost; a study finding heart failure is surging among young adults.

Federal prosecutors have reached a $17 million settlement with Acadia after Medicaid fraud allegations; rates of heart failure–related deaths are on the rise among adults between 35 and 64 years old; the FDA has asked manufacturers of sunscreen to review the safety of the chemicals used in their products after a new study found that many of the ingredients in sunscreen may be absorbed into the bloodstream upon use.

For SGLT2 inhibitors and a fish oil capsule, there was plenty of good news; for aspirin, not so much. A recap of the American College of Cardiology's 68th Annual Scientific Session, held March 16-18, 2019, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

More than a decade after an FDA mandate for cardiovascular outcomes trials, cardiologists say insights gained on how 2 new drug classes affect heart failure in diabetes should be used to prevent complications. Several sessions at the 68th Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology addressed this topic.

A session at the 68th American College of Cardiology Scientific Session continues the ongoing debate whether a CMS reimbursement model has contributed to rising mortality in patients with heart failure.

The 68th American College of Cardiology Scientific Session and Exposition opens with a study that suggests the Apple Watch can detect atrial fibrillation with a reasonable degree of accuracy, giving people an opportunity to get in touch with their doctor before a serious event like a stroke.

In recent years, the big news on the first day of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Session and Exposition has involved a therapy—usually an expensive cholesterol drug with a name almost no one could pronounce: proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors. This year, it's tech, and an easy-to-pronounce name: Apple.

A technology update, a new drug approval, and a drug recall due to more impurities.