Cardiovascular agents

New heart failure drug extends survival by up to two years

A re-analysis of trial data reveals that the highly effective new drug sacubitril-valsartan could extend life by two years compared with enalapril for cardiovascular patients.…

Negative media coverage about statins may lead patients to stop therapy early

Negative press coverage about statins has been linked to patients deciding to stop taking their statin therapy too early, researchers warn.…

Lowering blood pressure targets cuts cardiovascular disease deaths

Study shows treatment using lower blood pressure targets reduces chance of cardiovascular death by 43%.…

Intensive lowering of blood pressure cuts heart attacks and strokes, review says

Intensive blood pressure reduction is more beneficial for patients than less intensive BP reduction, concludes a review published in The Lancet.…

FDA approval for potassium lowering drug comes with label warning

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug to treat potentially fatal levels of potassium in patients with chronic kidney disease.…

Heart drugs are not reaching patients in low income nations

Medicines used to prevent cardiovascular disease are unavailable and unaffordable for the majority of patients living in low income countries, according to research published in The Lancet.…

Beta-blockers may increase cardiovascular risks in surgery for hypertensive patients

Patients with uncomplicated hypertension who undergo non-cardiac surgery may face a higher risk of a major adverse cardiovascular event if they are being treated with a beta-blocker, new research shows.…

Anticoagulant antidote idarucizumab gets European regulator’s initial approval

Idarucizumab (Praxbind), a unique drug that can neutralise the effect of anticoagulant dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa), has been recommended for marketing authorisation by the European medicines safety watchdog.…

Heart failure treatment Entresto recommended for approval in Europe

Entresto, a combination of valsartan and sacubitril, could receive a marketing authorisation after a recommendation from the European Medicines Agency.…

Lowering target systolic blood pressure to 120mmHg could reduce rates of cardiovascular disease

A target systolic blood pressure of 120mmHg — rather than 140mmHg — reduces rates of cardiovascular disease and risk of death in hypertensive patients aged 50 years and over, a study shows.…