A Spate of New Cardio Guidelines; Another HVAD Recall; Hang Glider’s Cardiac Arrest

The American College of Cardiology updated its guidance on nonstatin therapies for reducing LDL cholesterol levels to address the use of bempedoic acid (Nexletol), evinacumab (Evkeeza), and inclisiran (Leqvio). (Journal of the American College of Cardiology)

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) released new guidelines on sudden cardiac death prevention, cardiovascular management in noncardiac surgery, cardio-oncology, and pulmonary hypertension. (European Heart Journal)

Research from this week’s ESC Congress showed that suboptimal sleep was associated with a higher likelihood of heart disease and stroke, with approximately 70% of events potentially prevented with good sleep all around.

Also at ESC, a randomized clinical trial of artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiology found the technology to be better than humans at interpreting echocardiograms.

In Germany, smartphone-based screening for atrial fibrillation more than doubled the rate of detection compared with usual care in the eBRAVE-AF randomized trial. (Nature Medicine)

Five years into the SURTAVI trial, intermediate-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) instead of surgery had better valve gradients but more paravalvular leaks, new pacemaker implants, and valve reinterventions. (JAMA Cardiology)

Mount Sinai announced a new tool identifying TAVR patients with atrial fibrillation at greater risk of mortality after the procedure.

Introducing the GRACE 3.0 score that better predicts outcomes for both sexes presenting with acute coronary syndrome. (The Lancet)

The PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab (Repatha) maintained its safety over a median 5 years of follow-up in open-label extension studies. (Circulation)

FDA announced Medtronic’s recall of HeartWare HVAD batteries due to potential problems with battery failure. Vigilance of power sources, alarms, and battery indicator lights are recommended.

Meanwhile, the device’s successor, HeartMate 3, was newly found to boost survival by at least 5 years in advanced heart failure, according to Abbott.

In heart failure patients with chronic kidney disease, survival was worse among those with reduced rather than preserved ejection fraction. (Heart)

UltraSight’s AI-powered guidance software for cardiac ultrasound received the CE Mark.

Congestion in heart failure can be traced back to inflammation, endothelial activation, and mechanical stress. (JACC: Heart Failure)

ŌNŌCOR reported the first successful endovascular removal of a large, hemodynamically problematic intra-atrial thrombus associated with an indwelling central line.

A prominent Henry Ford cardiologist allegedly pushed hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 even after it was deemed ineffective, according to emails released by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. (Detroit Free Press)

Cardiac arrest is said to have killed a man hang gliding in Washington state. (MyNorthwest)