Articles related to Cardiology

Despite having anti-psychotic, anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic properties, quetiapine is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular death and sudden cardiac death when used in conventional doses. For the first time, the current investigation demonstrated that quetiapine taken off-label and in modest doses raises the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), stroke, and cardiovascular death.

A UK study reports that a history of irregular menstrual cycle was associated with higher risk for afib in women. A finding from the Vitamin D and Omega 3 Trial (VITAL) Rhythm Study reveals that when controlled for height and body size, women are at higher risk than men for afib, suggesting that biological sex and body size account for much of the protective effect of female sex. And as separately reported, early rhythm control is associated with lower risk for CV events as compared to usual care.

Exploring the Korean National Health Insurance claims database revealed that rhythm control via ablation or drugs, initiated within 1 year of diagnosis of AF, was associated with lower risk for cardiovascular events. This held true for both low risk and higher risk patients. The study analyzed data on more than 35,000 patients with a median age of 70.

In a prospective study following the diet and activity records of more than 100,000 individuals in France, artificial sweeteners were positively correlated with cardiovascular diseases. Analyzing 900,000 person-years of data showed: Total artificial sweetener intake was associated with CVD risk Artificial sweeteners were more strongly associated with cerebrovascular disease Aspartame was associated with increase cerebrovascular events Acesulfame K and sucralose were associated with increased coronary heart disease risk

These recommendations “attempt to provide practical guidance for clinicians and patients regarding the use of nonstatin therapies to further reduce ASCVD risk in situations not covered by the guideline until such time as the scientific evidence base expands.”

Questions run across a host of topics, and in September you can challenge yourself in mortality risk, myocardial infarction (MI), insomnia, liver cancer, lipids, and Parkinson’s disease guidelines. Each question is worth 4 points with bonuses for quick response. Speed matters in this quiz. Why not give it a try and see if you can get on the leaderboard of the Smartest Doc?