This Week in Cardiology Aug 29 2025 This Week in Cardiology
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Aug 29, 2025 Explore the surprising implications of coronary artery calcium scans and their links to LDL cholesterol. Dive into the Digit-HF trial, revealing how Digitoxin can reduce mortality in heart failure. Discover innovative potassium management strategies from the PODCAST trial that may lower arrhythmias in ICD patients. Plus, a critical look at the true benefits of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. This discussion promises valuable insights for healthcare professionals navigating the latest in cardiac care.
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CAC-0 Is Not An Innoculation
- A CAC score of zero does not guarantee absence of non-calcified plaque, especially in younger patients with high LDL.
- In symptomatic CAC0 individuals, higher LDL predicted more non-calcified plaque and higher CHD risk, most pronounced <45 years.
Younger Plaques Are Often Non-Calcified
- Non-calcified plaques are more common in younger patients and more likely to cause MI than heavily calcified lesions.
- The Danish cohort showed an age gradient: LDL-associated plaque and events were strongest under age 45.
Treat LDL Rather Than Chase CAC Scans
- If prevention matters to a patient, start statin therapy rather than relying on a CAC scan to decide.
- A CAC scan rarely changes the core decision to treat elevated LDL for long-term risk reduction.