Cardiology

Fenofibrate Cuts Residual Risk in Statin Users

An elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and several randomised clinical trials have shown that lowering LDL-C levels with statins results in a substantial reduced CVD morbidity and mortality. However, a significant number of treated patients continue to experience events, despite targeting LDL-C levels according to current guidelines. Moreover, even upon high doses of statins, a substantial residual risk remains.

Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2021

Acute Stroke: Preventing stroke and managing complications

GPs are ideally placed to identify patients with modifiable risk factors for stroke and to institute prevention strategies, including lifestyle changes and antihypertensive and anticoagulation therapy when appropriate. GPs can also help reduce morbidity in stroke survivors through recognising and managing complications such as depression, sexual dysfunction and fatigue

Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2021

How Much Diagnostic Testing for Low-risk Acute Chest Pain?

Acute chest pain is one of the most common reasons for emergency department (ED) visits and is
a symptom of a wide variety of diseases, ranging from a trivial ailment to life-threatening disorders.

Modern Medicine – Issue 3 2021

Causes of Death in Heart Failure are Diverse

Heart failure is a disease with a poor prognosis and its appearance frequently signals the final phase of many processes, one of the most prominent of which is ischaemic heart disease. Mortality is comparable to that of the most common cancers, with <50% four-year survival.1 Deaths due to non-cardiovascular causes, particularly cancer, may be increasing.

Modern Medicine – Issue 3 2021

Moxonidine for Hypertension in Metabolic Syndrome

The centrally acting antihypertensive, moxonidine, reduces blood pressure (BP) in mild-to-moderate hypertensive patients as effectively as most first-line antihypertensives when used as monotherapy, and also in combination with other antihypertensive agents. It improves the metabolic profile in patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance, is well tolerated, has a low potential for drug interactions and may be administered once daily in most patients.
 

Modern Medicine – Issue 3 2021

Managing Residual Cardiovascular Risk with Fenofibrate

Although statins are the first-line treatment for hyperlipidaemia, risk of cardiovascular disease remains even with treatment. Fibrates such as fenofibrate have been shown to have a role in further reducing cardiovascular risk, especially in cases of metabolic syndrome and severe hyperlipidaemia and dyslipidaemia.

Modern Medicine – Issue 2 2021

How to Optimise Therapy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

The prognosi s for patients with heart failure is poor, with high rates of hospitalisation and mortality. It is essential to optimise pharmacotherapy and device therapies that improve the prognosis for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Modern Medicine – Issue 2 2021

Detecting Atrial Fibrillation after Cryptogenic Stroke – NICE Guideline Update

Cryptogenic strokes (including transient ischaemic attack [TIA]) have no identified probable cause after diagnostic assessment, and account for around 15% to 40% of ischaemic strokes. When people are treated for stroke, they are also tested for atrial fibrillation. However, if they have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, it may not occur during the initial assessment, or during subsequent diagnostic tests. Implantable cardiac monitors can identify atrial fibrillation and are helpful for identifying paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in people who have had a cryptogenic stroke.

Modern Medicine – Issue 1 2021