Pharmacist-Led Patient Self-Testing Superior to Usual Care for Warfarin Management in Mechanical Heart Valve Patients: Evidence from a Multicentre RCT in China
Posted inCardiology Internal Medicine news

Pharmacist-Led Patient Self-Testing Superior to Usual Care for Warfarin Management in Mechanical Heart Valve Patients: Evidence from a Multicentre RCT in China

A multicentre RCT in China found that pharmacist-led patient self-testing (PST) significantly improves time in therapeutic range and reduces major bleeding and thromboembolism in patients with mechanical heart valves compared to traditional outpatient clinic care.
Redefining Post-Cardiac Arrest Care: Two-Year TTM2 Data Confirm No Long-Term Advantage for Targeted Hypothermia
Posted inCardiology Critical Care news

Redefining Post-Cardiac Arrest Care: Two-Year TTM2 Data Confirm No Long-Term Advantage for Targeted Hypothermia

This 2-year follow-up of the TTM2 trial demonstrates that targeted hypothermia at 33°C provides no long-term benefit for functional or cognitive recovery compared to targeted normothermia. The findings emphasize the importance of early fever management and suggest a recovery plateau after six months post-arrest.
GnRH Agonists Linked to Accelerated Coronary Plaque Progression Compared to Antagonists in Prostate Cancer Patients
Posted inCardiology news Oncology

GnRH Agonists Linked to Accelerated Coronary Plaque Progression Compared to Antagonists in Prostate Cancer Patients

A randomized clinical trial demonstrates that the GnRH agonist leuprolide leads to significantly greater coronary plaque progression, specifically noncalcified plaque, compared to the antagonist relugolix in men with prostate cancer, offering a potential biological explanation for differential cardiovascular risks.
Standardized DOAC Interruption Protocols Result in Low Residual Levels, but Apixaban and Renal Impairment Merit Closer Monitoring
Posted inCardiology General Surgery news

Standardized DOAC Interruption Protocols Result in Low Residual Levels, but Apixaban and Renal Impairment Merit Closer Monitoring

The DALI cohort study reveals that while current DOAC interruption protocols are generally effective, 13.1% of apixaban users maintain levels ≥30 ng/mL before surgery. However, these residual levels did not correlate with increased surgical blood loss, suggesting other factors drive perioperative bleeding.