British Cardiovascular Society

This prospective study by Sung et al assessed the relationship between physical activity (PA) and the development of coronary artery calcification (CAC). Interestingly, the researchers identified a correlation between PA and the prevalence and the progression of CAC, regardless of baseline CAC scores.25,485 participants, free of overt cardiovascular disease, were included.

Physical activity associated with progression of coronary artery calcification By Ahmed El-Medany This prospective study by Sung et al assessed the relationship between physical activity (PA) and the development of coronary artery calcification (CAC). Interestingly, the researchers identified a correlation between PA and the prevalence and the progression of CAC, regardless of...

The British Medical Journal (BMJ) has recently launched an online resource to support health care professionals, patients and researchers with important research, best practice information, and online courses on Ischemic Heart Disease.

The content is free to access until the end of the year (2021) and can be accessed at: https://www.bmj.com/company/resources-on-Ischemic-heart-disease/

Resources on Ischemic Heart Disease The British Medical Journal (BMJ) has recently launched an online resource to support health care professionals, patients and researchers with important research, best practice information, and online courses on Ischemic Heart Disease. The content is free to access until the end of the year (2021) a...

The culmination to the cardiovascular year will review the biggest and most relevant topics of the past 12 months. This course is a must-attend for consultants and cardiology trainees who wish to keep up to date on advances in cardiology. There will also be a live Q&A session posing questions to the expert panel.

Year in Cardiology Course The culmination to the cardiovascular year will review the biggest and most relevant topics of the past 12 months. This course is a must-attend for consultants and cardiology trainees who wish to keep up to date on advances in cardiology. There will also be a live Q&A session posing questions to the...

By Ahmed El-Medany

A study by Schrage et al assessed 12,164 individuals from 3 European population-based cohorts. Absolute iron deficiency was defined as a ferritin

There was no association between severe absolute iron deficiency and CV mortality (HR = 1.01; 95% CI, 0.76-1.34; P = .95), CAD development (HR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1-1.5; P = .05) or incident stroke (HR = 1.1; 95% CI, 0.87-1.4; P = .42),

Iron deficiency linked with development of coronary artery disease By Ahmed El-Medany A study by Schrage et al assessed 12,164 individuals from 3 European population-based cohorts. Absolute iron deficiency was defined as a ferritin

Cardiac MRI key diagnostic tool in suspected cardiac tumour, predictive of prognosis.

This research by Shenoy et al included 903 individuals undergoing CMRI for suspected cardiac tumour.
The cardiac MRI diagnosis of 'no mass' was made for 25% of the cohort, 'pseudomass' for 16%, thrombus for 16%, 'benign tumour' for 17%, and 'malignant tumour' for 23%. The MRI diagnosis was accurate in 98.4% of patients.

Cardiac MRI key diagnostic tool in suspected cardiac tumour, predictive of prognosis By Ahmed El-Medany This research by Shenoy et al included 903 individuals undergoing CMRI for suspected cardiac tumour. The cardiac MRI diagnosis of 'no mass' was made for 25% of the cohort, 'pseudomass' for 16%, thrombus for 16%, 'benign tumour' for 17%, and 'malignant tumour' for 23%. The MRI diag...

Presented by Dr. Chiriacò at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions, a prospective study including 349 diabetic participants assessed the long-term effects of elevated blood pressure at night.

'It is important that health care professionals look for abnormal blood pressure dipping patterns in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes,' Chiriacò said.

Nocturnal increase in blood pressure associated with increased mortality in diabetics By Ahmed El-Medany Presented by Dr. Chiriacò at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions, a prospective study including 349 diabetic participants assessed the long-term effects of elevated blood pressure at night. 'It is important that health care professionals look for a...

In intermediate risk patients with acute chest pain and suspected acute coronary syndrome, early CT coronary angiography did not alter overall coronary therapeutic interventions or one year clinical outcomes, but reduced rates of invasive angiography while modestly increasing length of hospital stay.

Early CTCA in patients with suspected ACS: RCT – results By AJ Gray et alTaken directly from BMJ  In intermediate risk patients with acute chest pain and suspected acute coronary syndrome, early CT coronary angiography did not alter overall coronary therapeutic interventions or one year clinical outcomes, but reduced rates of invasive angiography while m...

A prospective pilot study by Schierbeck et al (2021), presented at ESC 2021, investigated the practicality of drone-delivered automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Three AED-equipped drones were placed within controlled airspace in Sweden, covering approximately 80,000 inhabitants (125 km2).

Defibrillator drones? A potential method of reducing response time in OHCA By Ahmed El-Medany A prospective pilot study by Schierbeck et al (2021), presented at ESC 2021, investigated the practicality of drone-delivered automatic ex

Treatment with a 'quadpill' containing quarter doses of four antihypertensive drugs demonstrated better blood pressure control than initial monotherapy with full-dose irbesartan, according to findings from the phase III QUARTET trail, which was presented at the ESC Congress 2021.

Polypill beats monotherapy for hypertension: results from the QUARTET stud By Ahmed El-Medany Treatment with a 'quadpill' containing quarter doses of four antihypertensive drugs demonstrated better blood pressure control than initia

A prospective pilot study by Schierbeck et al (2021), presented at ESC 2021, investigated the practicality of drone-delivered automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Defibrillator drones? A potential method of reducing response time in OHCA By Ahmed El-Medany A prospective pilot study by Schierbeck et al (2021), presented at ESC 2021, investigated the practicality of drone-delivered automatic ex

92 senior representatives of the Inequalities in Health Alliance (IHA) have written to the Prime Minister calling for a cross-government strategy to reduce health inequalities.

The letter makes call for a cross-government health inequalities strategy with clear measurable goals, that consider the role of every department and every available policy lever.

Inequalities in Health Alliance calls on Prime Minister to reduce health inequalities. 92 senior representatives of the Inequalities in Health Alliance (IHA) have written to the Prime Minister calling for a cross-government strategy to r

Overall, 83.8% of the 123 707 beds available overnight were occupied between April and June this year, show bed occupancy rates data from NHS England. 82 trusts exceeded the 85% rate which is generally considered to be the limit at which hospitals are able to work safely and effectively.

Danger: High levels of hospital bed occupancy rates in England Taken directly from BMJ news Overall, 83.8% of the 123 707 beds available overnight were occupied between April and June this year, show bed occupancy rate

Many cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators are not approved by regulators for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which makes patient access to MRI challenging, but there is no evidence of increased clinical risk. It is estimated that patients have a 50–75% probability of requiring an MRI during the lifetime of the device.This

Reducing barriers to MRI in patients with CIEDs Taken directly from European Heart Journal  Many cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators are not approved by regulators for magnetic resonance imaging (MR

Many cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators are not approved by regulators for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which makes patient access to MRI challenging, but there is no evidence of increased clinical risk. It is estimated that patients have a 50–75% probability of requiring an MRI during the lifetime of the device....

Reducing barriers to MRI in patients with CIEDs Taken directly from European Heart Journal  Many cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators are not approved by regulators for magnetic resonance imaging (MR

Over the last 4 decades, percutaneous coronary intervention has evolved dramatically and is now an acceptable treatment option for patients with advanced coronary artery disease.

Percutaneous Coronary Revascularisation: Historical Breakthroughs  Taken directly from JACC Over the last 4 decades, percutaneous coronary intervention has evolved dramatically and is now an acceptable treatment option

What leadership imperatives are most essential for health leaders following the emergency stages of the COVID-19 pandemic?

In this consensus statement, 32 co-authors from 17 countries with expertise in various aspects of health leadership, health care, public health, and related fields outline 10 imperatives to

Guidance for Health Care Leaders During the Recovery Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic A Consensus StatementTaken directly from JAMA Network Open Question What leadership imperatives are most essential for health leaders following the em

Presented by Professor Michele Brignole, San Luca Hospital, Milan, APAF-CRT was a two-phase trial in individuals with severely symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) with narrow QRS.The first phase, focused on morbidity and showed that AV junction ablation and cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) reduced hospitalisation due to heart failure and improved heart failure
/SupraventricularArrhythmias (CRT)

Highlights from Day 2 of the ESC 2021 congress – APAF-CRT By Ahmed El-Medany Presented by Professor Michele Brignole, San Luca Hospital, Milan, APAF-CRT was a two-phase trial in individuals with severely symptomatic