New insights on optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after stent implantation

Patients who have a stent implanted to open a blocked coronary artery face dual risks of developing blood clots and of having excessive bleeding in the months following the procedure. While routine treatment with aspirin plus a second anti-clotting drug, known as dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), can prevent blood clots, these drugs may increase risk for bleeding, especially among patients who are older or in poorer health. For patients at either high or low risk of bleeding, the optimal duration of treatment to prevent blood clots without increasing bleeding risk following stent implantation has not been clear.

Novel AI-powered imaging technique shows promise in evaluating patients for percutaneous coronary intervention

Patients with narrowing of at least 50% in three major coronary arteries did equally well when treated with a minimally invasive stent placement guided either by ultrasound-based imaging or by a novel, artificial-intelligence-powered (AI), non-invasive imaging technique derived from angiography, researchers reported at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.25) on March 30 in Chicago. The work was simultaneously published in The Lancet.

Open-heart bypass surgery and less invasive procedure show similar outcomes in heart disease study

In sharp contrast to earlier studies, patients with severe triple-vessel heart disease fared equally well whether they underwent open-heart bypass surgery (CABG) or a less invasive procedure called PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) at five years of follow-up, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.25) on March 30 in Chicago. The research was simultaneously published in The Lancet.

Nurse-led heart health counseling reduces serious cardiac events after acute coronary syndrome

Patients who were counseled on heart medications and lifestyle modifications by specially trained nurses were 30% less likely to experience cardiovascular death, heart attack or stroke five years after being hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) compared with those who received standard care, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.25) on March 30 in Chicago.

High-resolution maps show anemia’s impact on children in Africa and Asia

Children living in poverty often suffer from anemia, a condition linked to serious health risks. A research team led by statistical experts from the University of Innsbruck has now provided high-resolution estimates of anemia prevalence among children in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Their model-based analysis draws on a dataset comprising about 750,000 observations from 37 countries.