More Significant Risk Factor than Diabetes, Sleep Apnea CHAPEL HILL, NC—Developing posttraumatic stress disorder as a young adult doubles a veteran’s risk of a transient ischemic attack before middle age, according to a new study. The research, published in the Stroke...
Sacubitril/Valsartan Underused in VA Heart Failure Patients
A preponderance of evidence supports the use of sacubitril/valsartan, the first angiotensin II receptor blocker-neprilysin inhibitor-for mortality reduction in patients with heart failure, but the medication remains underprescribed, according to new research.
VA TAVR Results Comparable to Outside Care
How do veterans fare when they undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement with the VA? That was the question asked by a study which sought to examine their association with short- and long-term mortality, length of stay, and rehospitalization within 30 days.
Cardiologist Visits Increase Statin Use at VA
HOUSTON—Statin use remains suboptimal in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to a VA study trying to find out why. Michael E. DeBakey VAMC researchers and colleagues assessed whether outpatient care with a cardiology provider is associated...
VA Study Shows Benefit of PCSK9 Inhibitors After Maximizing Other Therapies
HOUSTON—Veterans who have experienced acute coronary syndrome within the past year face a substantial risk of a repeat event. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors significantly reduce that risk, but determining who would benefit most and...
No Link Between Anthrax Vaccine, ‘Lone AFib’
ATLANTA—Concerns have been raised about a possible link between receipt of anthrax vaccine adsorbed and atrial fibrillation in military personnel without identifiable underlying risk factors or structural heart disease. A study in Human Vaccines & Immunotherapies...
Improving OAC Adherence in Atrial Fibrillation Patients
DURHAM, NC—Treatment of atrial fibrillation patients isn’t always in line with clinical guidelines, but improving adherence to oral anticoagulation has proven to be challenging, according to a new study. The article in Circulation reported on adherence to the American...
NASA Partners with Academia for CVD Prediction Tool in Younger Adults
Federal medicine played a crucial role in the development of a new online tool to better predict which middle-aged adults are at the greatest risk of having acute myocardial infarction or stroke over the next decade.
VA Research Determines Which Beta Blocker Is Better in Heart Failure
ST. LOUIS—Current clinical guidelines recommend the use of beta blockers in all heart failure patients with with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Which beta blocker to use—carvedilol or metoprolol succinate—remained unclear, however, according to a...
New VA Analysis Refutes Link Between Heart Failure, Incident Cancer
With about 350,000 patients with heart failure diagnoses being treated in the VHA, recent studies suggesting that the cardiovascular condition increases risk of cancer have been worrisome.
Medications, interventions underused in veterans with peripheral artery disease
Nearly 30% of veterans with peripheral artery disease (PAD) die within four years of diagnosis, while others experience limb amputation or critical limb ischemia.
Rank as socioeconomic proxy affects stroke outcomes in MHS patients
Do socioeconomic disparities exist in the U.S. military healthcare system with ischemic stroke admissions? A new study says they do.
In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Has Higher Survival Rates at VA Hospitals
Veterans who suffer cardiac arrest during a VA hospital stay are more likely to survive the experience than patients who have such events cardiac arrests in other U.S. hospitals. And, a year later, they are also more likely to still be alive.
Mental Health Diagnoses Increase Coronary Artery Disease Risks in Women Veterans
BOSTON — Depression and anxiety can be debilitating on their own. For women veterans, the conditions raise an additional concern: They significantly increase the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD)—the leading cause of death in the United States.
Using EMR to Improve Statin Adherence in MHS
DURHAM, NC -- Even though HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) lower cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease, nearly half of patients stop taking statin medications one year after they are prescribed. A study published by PLoS One noted that discontinuation...