Secondary analysis of data from the TITRe2 trial found restrictive transfusion thresholds following cardiac surgery not superior to liberal thresholds when evaluating morbidity and cost at three months.

Many cardiac surgery programs support early extubation of suitable CABG patients once they enter intensive care, based on clinical and economic benefits. Now some hospitals have shifted extubation to the cardiac operating room (OR) for a wide range of patients, young and old, with good results.

Updating a prior report on 30-day transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) outcomes of Medicare patients, researchers found several characteristics significantly associated with one-year mortality, according to an article published March 10 in JAMA.

Here is what I am looking forward to at the American College of Cardiology’s confab next weekend—besides warm weather and sunshine.

Physicians have begun to question the value of 30-day mortality as a measure of quality, saying that it may sway decisions to treat or not to treat high-risk cardiac surgery and MI patients, the New York Times reports.

Robotic technology is allowing cardiac surgeons to perform delicate surgery that is less invasive and minimizes risk, the Mayo Clinic News Network reported.

It’s all about the whole diet, say experts in a draft of scientific findings on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) website. The results, published for comment through April 8, offer diets for physicians to consider with their patients when working to improve cardiovascular risks, heart disease, obesity, and other health concerns.

A multi-disciplinary writing panel led by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association has begun work on a new guideline for the management of hypertension to update 12-year-old recommendations.  Nine additional medical societies have signed on as partners in the effort.