Insights for Stratification of Risk in Brugada Syndrome
Jan 01, 2021
Overview:Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited disease with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Despite the wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, young and apparently healthy individuals are the most frequently affected by this devastating event.1,2 During the last... more
Obesity after Smoking Cessation – Rationale of a Complex Interplay
Jun 21, 2019
Overview:By Koji Hasegawa*, Maki Komiyama, Yuko Takahashi Smoking cessation is one of the most effective ways to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. It is astonishing that 7-28% of patients who have survived a coronary heart disease still smoke.1 As one... more
Anti-inflammatory Treatment for Ischaemic Heart Disease – A Word of Caution
Jul 26, 2019
Overview:By Juan Carlos Kaski*, DSc, MD, DM (Hons), FRCP, FESC, FACC, FAHA, FRSM Atherogenesis is an inflammatory process in its own right. Rapid coronary artery disease progression and plaque disruption are associated with vascular and systemic inflammation. Moreover, inflammation has... more
Prior antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy and mortality in stroke
May 02, 2012
Overview:Background Today there is widespread use of antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events. Bearing in mind the associated hemorrhagic side-effects of these medications, there are potentially harmful effects especially in patients experiencing a stroke. Knowledge... more
Vorapaxar in the secondary prevention of atherothrombotic events
May 17, 2012
Overview:Background It is established that patients who had an atherosclerotic event such as stroke, myocardial infarction or peripheral artery disease receive secondary prevention medical treatment. This treatment which also comprises antiplatelet therapy using aspirin or thienopyridines has been shown to... more
Don’t use Dabigatran off-label with mechanical valves
Oct 31, 2012
Overview:Recently, several case reports have been published regarding the occurrence of mechanic valve thrombosis despite anticoagulation therapy with dabigatran etexilate (1,2). Dabigatran etexilate is an oral direct thrombin inhibitor that has recently been approved for anticoagulation of non-valvular atrial fibrillation... more
Aspirin and the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
Jan 01, 2020
Overview:By Professor John McNeil*, Monash University The efficacy of low-dose aspirin for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease has been established in a series of randomized clinical trials dating from the early 1970s. Subsequent primary prevention trials suggested similar efficacy... more
Rivaroxaban: From Research to Medicine
Mar 21, 2019
Overview:By Elisabeth Perzborn (formerly Pharma R&D Discovery Research Bayer AG, Germany) Heparins and VKA have been the mainstay of anticoagulant therapy for more than 60 years. These traditional anticoagulant agents, affecting multiple coagulation factors, are associated with several limitations. These... more
Impact of resting heart rate on mortality, disability and cognitive decline in patients after ischaemic stroke
Aug 26, 2013
Overview:Background Stroke is a disabling condition and constitutes the second most frequent cause of death leading to disability, cognitive impairment, and a huge economic burden on health care systems. Hypertension is regarded as one leading risk factor for stroke and... more
Temporal Trends in infective endocarditis in the context of prophylaxis guideline modifications
Jun 18, 2012
Overview:The present study evaluats the impact of the restriction of antibiotic prophylaxis on the incidence of infective endocarditis (IE), based on recent guidelines. The authors found that changes in IE antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines have not given rise to an increase... more