Tag Archives: ESC

Presenters included cardiologists, Professors Michael Boehm (University of the Saarland, Homburg, Saarland, Germany) and Stefan Anker (University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany) and nephrologist, Matthew Weir (University of Maryland Medical Centre, Baltimore, Maryland, USA). Their presentations are summarised below. The addition of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) to angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition or receptor blockade (ARB) has been shown in randomised-controlled trials to improve morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure.1,2 In the EMPHASIS-HF study, the addition of eplerenone in pat

This topic was addressed by Dr Carolyn Lam (National Heart Centre, Singapore) during a Vifor satellite symposium. Iron deficiency is frequently defined as a serum ferritin <100 μg/L (or 100–299 ng/ml, if transferrin saturation [TSAT] <20%); the usual iron deficit in a 35–70 kg heart failure patient with a haemoglobin 10–14 g/dl is 1,000 mg. Iron deficiency is common irrespective of haemoglobin, sex, ethnicity, and even ejection fraction. In heart failure patients it adversely affects: functional status, including exercise capacity quality of life outcome Iron deficiency (but not anaemia) is associated with adverse prognosis. My

The DETO2X-AMI study questioned the current practice of routine oxygen therapy for all patients with suspected myocardial infarction (MI), said Dr Robin Hofmann (Karolinska Institutet at Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden) who presented the study at the meeting. This prospective, randomised, open label trial enrolled 6,229 patients with suspected heart attack from 35 hospitals across Sweden. Half of the patients were assigned to oxygen given through an open face mask and the other half to room air without a mask. The study – using a registry-based randomised clinical trial protocol – was representative of real world practice and used nati

Results from the PURE (Prospective Urban-Rural Epidemiology) study, carried out on 135,000 individuals aged 35 to 70 years from 18 low, middle and high-income countries (North America, Europe, South America, the Middle East, South Asia, China, South East Asia and Africa) has contrasted with current dietary advice, by finding that high carbohydrate intake is linked to worse total mortality and non-cardiovascular mortality outcomes, while high fat intake is associated with lower risk. “Our findings do not support the current recommendation to limit total fat intake to less than 30% of energy and saturated fat intake to less than 10% of energ

For advances in atrial fibrillation, we talk to Professor John Camm (St George’s, University of London), who analyses new AF guidance and the registry ‘real world’ data emerging in this field. Dr Jubin Joseph (St Thomas’ Hospital, London, and President of the British Junior Cardiologists’ Association) speaks about the implications of some of the coronary artery disease studies, and also the use of telemonitoring in heart failure. Finally, Professor Patrick Moriarty (University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA) discusses what effect the new PCSK9 inhibitors are likely to have on life for patients with familial hypercholesto

Editors: Zamorano JL, Bax J, Knuuti J, Sechtem U, Lancellotti P, Badano L Publisher: Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2015 ISBN: 978-0-19-870334-1 Price: £115 The second edition of the ESC textbook of cardiovascular imaging is a compendium of imaging expertise. The list of contributors alone should be enough to guarantee that there is something to learn for most involved in cardiology imaging. The strengths are that it takes someone with a very limited knowledge of any of the individual modalities and walks them through the basics of how images are formed, through to making advanced diagnostic decisions. Some sections manage to seamlessly

The guide, which has been published online in the European Heart Journal and Europace, covers four new oral anticoagulants: dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban (which are all now on the market for AF), and edoxaban, which is included provisionally, as it is not yet approved. The guide notes that: “Both physicians and patients will have to learn how to use these drugs effectively and safely in clinical practice,” and “Many unresolved questions on how to optimally use these drugs in specific clinical situations remain”. It sets out 15 clinical scenarios and gives “as practical answers as possible” for each one. The topics are: Pra

The statement, published online in the European Heart Journal (25th April 2013, doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/eht154), is written by a committee led by Dr Felix Mahfoud (Saarland University, Saar, Germany). They state that the data support the concept that radiofrequency ablation of the renal nerves reduces blood pressure and improves blood-pressure control in these difficult-to-treat patients, with results now extending to 36 months. The statement also reviews the appropriate screening measures necessary to select patients eligible for renal denervation. These are: office-based blood pressure >160 mmHg (>150 mmHg in patients with type 2 diab

ESC backs regulations for medical devices The European Society of Cardiology has said in a position paper that it welcomes the European Commission’s (EC) proposals for a new Regulation to govern the evaluation and approval of medical devices in Europe as an important step towards improving patient safety. The EC proposal document is available at http://ec.europa.eu/health/medical-devices/documents/revision/index_en.htm New risk analysis scoring system A new risk scoring system, based on the SMART study, allows doctors to determine more accurately the risk of cardiovascular disease patients developing a new event, such as heart attack or str

Heart failure The recommendations on devices, drugs and diagnosis in heart failure were developed by the ESC in collaboration with a heart failure association of the ESC. There have been several major updates since the previous guidance published in 2008.  The new updates include: In devices, left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have been hailed as a step change in the management of heart failure. LVADs are more reliable and lead to fewer complications than in 2008. Until now, LVADs have been used as a temporary measure in patients awaiting a heart transplant. Professor John McMurray (Glasgow, UK), chairperson of the ESC Clinical Practice