Cardio Round-Up: Gamification May Benefit Heart Patients; and Much More

Gamification Interventions May Help Economically Disadvantaged Adults at Elevated Risk for Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events

The findings of a new study indicate that a gamification intervention may benefit economically disadvantaged adults at high risk for adverse cardiovascular events. The study was published in JAMA Cardiology. “Health promotion efforts commonly communicate goals for healthy behavior, but the best way to design goal setting among high-risk patients has not been well examined,” the researchers wrote.

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Heart Failure Linked to Increased Risk of VTE

Heart failure (HF) is an independent risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE), according to a study published in Korean Circulation Journal. To conduct this study, researchers investigated the risk of VTE, PE, and DVT in patients with HF before April 15, 2020, in the following databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase. According to the results, patients with HF had increased risk of both VTE (risk ratio [RR]=1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI],1.34-1.84), and PE (RR=2.00, 95% CI, 1.38-2.89).

Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1 Alpha as a Surrogate Marker in PAD

The findings of a new study suggest that hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) may be a surrogate marker after revascularization in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The results appeared in the journal Vascular Specialist International. In this prospective study, researchers assessed 40 patients with PAD (mean age, 62). “The HIF-1α levels were decreased in all patients on postoperative days, T2 and T3, compared with the preoperative values. Our results indicated that HIF-1α may be a surrogate marker after revascularization in patients with PAD. Further studies are needed to analyze the sensitivity, specificity, and cut-off values of HIF-1α in patients with PAD,” the researchers concluded.

Screening for AFib Could Reduce Stroke Risk in Elderly Adults

Screening for atrial fibrillation (AFib) in older adults (75-76-year-olds) may reduce the risk of stroke, severe bleeding and death, according to a study published in The Lancet. The study comprised of almost 28,000 individuals, all all 75- and 76-year-olds in the two Swedish regions of Halland and Stockholm. The population of interest were all randomized to either screening (n=13,979) or to a control group (n=13,996), who received standard care. According to the results, the detection of AFib was higher in the screening group, and the screening group also had a slightly lower incidence of death, stroke and severe bleeding than the control group.