MDMA’s Cardiac Safety Concerns; Entresto Generics; Heart Disease ‘Older Than Moses’

FDA reviewers questioned the cardiac safety of midomafetamine (MDMA), among other concerns raised ahead of an advisory committee meeting on a potential drug indication for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Annual healthcare costs associated with cardiovascular risk factors are projected to reach $400 billion in the year 2050, when costs for cardiovascular conditions are estimated at $1,490 billion. (Circulation)

A study suggested that drinking alcohol and in-flight hypobaric hypoxia together reduced sleep quality, increased heart rate, and resulted in extended bouts of hypoxemia. (Thorax)

In people without major cardiovascular risk factors, even low levels of albuminuria were linked to cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. (European Journal of Preventive Cardiology)

The FDA approved the first generics of sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto) for people with heart failure. (MPR)

The benefits of renin-angiotensin system blockade for heart failure applied to Black and non-Black patients alike, a meta-analysis showed. (JAMA)

Blood-based biomarkers of neurodegeneration, especially neurofilament light chain, were predictive of heart failure severity. (JACC: Heart Failure)

Older adults hospitalized for heart failure had a high risk of kidney complications, with an estimated 6% risk of progressing to dialysis within the following year. (JAMA Cardiology)

Compared with single arterial grafting, multiple arterial revascularization was associated with better long-term survival after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for both women and men. (European Heart Journal)

Cardiovascular outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention were markedly worse for patients with multivessel disease who had previously declined or were ineligible for CABG. (Journal of the American Heart Association)

Beyond low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, excess apolipoprotein b was associated with cardiovascular risk across the sexes, and even predicted all-cause mortality in women. (Journal of the American College of Cardiology)

“It’s literally older than Moses, and we find it’s almost certainly just part of the human condition,” said a cardiologist from Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, whose group found evidence of heart disease in ancient mummies. (KCTV5)

A phase III study found that investigational plozasiran reduced triglycerides in familial chylomicronemia syndrome, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals announced.

High triglyceride levels were linked to recurring atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation in a retrospective analysis. (Clinical Cardiology)

A dynamic rise and fall in high-sensitivity troponin values in patients with acute ischemic stroke and elevated troponin was not indicative of myocardial infarction. (JAMA Neurology)

An Indian cardiologist ended his hunger strike for more beds for his hospital department. (Times of India)

Perinatal outcomes were not significantly worse after in utero diuretic exposure. (European Journal of Heart Failure)

Adult survivors of childhood cancer had more risk factors that put them at a several-fold higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events by age 50 compared with the general population. (Lancet Oncology)

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