Cardiology Digest Podcast 001

We review the latest cardiovascular research on the risks of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis, a new drug for pulmonary arterial hypertension, the effects of coffee on the cardiovascular systems, and the financial ties between doctors and companies.

Studies reviewed

Caffeine and cardiac contractions

Randomized case-crossover study exploring whether caffeine affects premature atrial contractions (PACs) and ventricular contractions (PVCs) in healthy adults.

During the study, it was found that caffeinated coffee was not associated with premature atrial contractions.

Marcus et al 2023

Marcus GM, Rosenthal DG, Nah G, Vittinghoff E, Fang C, Ogomori K, Joyce S, Yilmaz D, Yang V, Kessedjian T, Wilson E, Yang M, Chang K, Wall G, Olgin JE. Acute Effects of Coffee Consumption on Health among Ambulatory Adults. N Engl J Med. 2023 Mar 23;388(12):1092-1100

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Open Payments Program

Examine the Open Payments Program (OPP) data, revealing trends in industry payments to cardiologists from 2014 to 2019, including the necessity for transparency.

It’s absolutely necessary to have transparency in these financial relationships, and the study sheds light on the extent of payments and the types of payments being made.

Zhang et al 2023

Zhang R, Purkayastha S, Ying X, Kahn PA, Zhang R, Li S, Qu V, Kini V. Trends in Industry Payments to Cardiologists From 2014 to 2019. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2023 May;16(5):e009820

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Sotatercept

Sotatercept has shown promising results in improving the six-minute walk distance of individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but it’s associated with several side effects and more research is required before it can be considered a first-line therapy.

The primary endpoint of a six-minute walk distance improved by a median of 34 meters in those treated with sotatercept compared with only 1 meter in the placebo group.

Hoeper et al 2023

Hoeper MM, Badesch DB, Ghofrani HA, Gibbs JSR, Gomberg-Maitland M, McLaughlin VV, Preston IR, Souza R, Waxman AB, Grünig E, Kopeć G, Meyer G, Olsson KM, Rosenkranz S, Xu Y, Miller B, Fowler M, Butler J, Koglin J, de Oliveira Pena J, Humbert M; STELLAR Trial Investigators. Phase 3 Trial of Sotatercept for Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. N Engl J Med. 2023 Apr 20;388(16):1478-1490

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Subclinical coronary atherosclerosis

Discover how subclinical coronary atherosclerosis detectable computed tomographic angiography (CTA) can pose a significant risk for myocardial infarction (MI) in asymptomatic middle-aged men and women in a Danish cohort.

Extensive or obstructive subclinical atherosclerosis conveys substantial excess risk for myocardial infarction.

Fuchs et al 2023

Fuchs A, Kühl JT, Sigvardsen PE, Afzal S, Knudsen AD, Møller MB, de Knegt MC, Sørgaard MH, Nordestgaard BG, Køber LV, Kofoed KF. Subclinical Coronary Atherosclerosis and Risk for Myocardial Infarction in a Danish Cohort : A Prospective Observational Cohort Study. Ann Intern Med. 2023 Apr;176(4):433-442.

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Join us for more informative overviews of contemporary research, as we break down complex medical concepts into digestible nuggets of knowledge, suitable for both medical students and healthcare professionals eager to keep up to date in cardiology.