Cardiology
Expert discussions on heart failure, arrhythmias, interventional procedures, and cardiovascular risk management.
Recent Discussions
What is your clinical approach to deprescribing vs continuing low-dose aspirin used for primary prevention in older adults who are already taking this medication?
I generally continue a low-dose aspirin in patients at higher risk (e.g., diabetes, CKD, strong family history) who would be at risk for a significant reduction in quality of life were s/he to have a cardiac/vascular/cerebrovascular event, provided there is no history of significant anemia (transfus...
When would you consider genetic screening of first-degree relatives in patients with bicuspid aortic valves?
We commonly screen first degree relatives with echo and offer the BAV patient genetic screening. If the patient was found to have a genetic mutation, we would further offer genetic family screening.
How should we approach the recommendation of intermittent fasting for weight loss in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, given the observed association of increased CV mortality with eating durations of less than 8 hrs?
I will admit my prejudice on this topic. I don’t understand the biologic plausibility of shortening the time during which meals are consumed to 8 consecutive hours a day with no snacking for 16 hours a day (but without calorie restriction) in order to lose weight. This would be like saying “have bru...
What is a reasonable approach to coronary calcification that is incidentally found on CT in a patient who does not have symptoms suggestive of angina?
This patient needs aggressive medical therapy and risk factor modifications. Statins will be the primary lipid-lowering agent but other agents as needed to get an LDL under 70. Hypertension needs to be identified and controlled. Aspirin is also a consideration depending on the extent of coronary cal...
Do you routinely check digoxin levels, and if so, when would you consider using Digibind in chronic digoxin use patients?
The subanalysis of the DIG trial gave some insight into the value of keeping digoxin levels below 1.0. If HF patients, I tend to look at the levels for that reason. I rarely use digoxin for AF as there is little evidence of benefit with some evidence of harm. Re: use of digibind, I limit this if t...
Do you consider bleeding risk in elderly, frail patients with atrial fibrillation to be similar for all NOACs?
I believe that apixaban carries a lower risk of bleeding, with particular reference to GI bleed, when compared to rivaroxaban and dabigatran. This is true in the population of AF patients at large and most probably in frail patients as well.
What is your go-to non-invasive test for the evaluation of angina in the primary care setting?
Great question, but not a simple answer! In my experience, there is no "go-to" noninvasive test for the evaluation of angina in the primary care setting. That is because each noninvasive test has its own strengths and pitfalls, which must be judiciously applied in the selection process for the indiv...
What is your approach to outpatient antihypertensive therapy after ICH for secondary prevention?
My approach to secondary prevention of ICH depends on the cause.With hypertensive ICH for secondary prevention, the blood pressure goal is less than 130/80 (This is from using the results of the SPS III trial, given the pathological disease mechanisms for both ischemic and hypertensive hemorrhages a...
What advice would you give to patients who are concerned about statin use and its controversies around brain health and dementia risk, based on previous studies?
I cannot think of any class of medications in cardiology that has undergone such scrutiny and investigation to try to find a reason not to take such an effective medication. From the earliest days of its use, one concern after another has arisen; from muscle deterioration, to increasing the risk of ...
Do you favor ticagrelor or prasugrel first-line for the treatment of ACS with planned PCI, provided no contraindications to either agent?
The data suggest that ticagrelor and prasugrel are preferred over clopidogrel in ACS, albeit with increased hazard of bleeding complications. In one of the few head-to-head comparison trials in ACS, ISAR-REACT 5, prasugrel had increased efficacy over ticagrelor. Based on the best available data, it ...