The severe heart disease of old age, characterized by aortic valve narrowing (aortic stenosis) combined with cardiac amyloidosis, has long been associated with a high risk of death. For years, treatment has focused on replacing the narrowed heart valve, while often leaving the amyloid deposits in the heart muscle untreated. A groundbreaking international study led by MedUni Vienna and University College London has now demonstrated that combining heart valve replacement with specific drug therapy can significantly prolong life for patients with this condition.

Led by Christian Nitsche (Department of Medicine II, Clinical Division of Cardiology, MedUni Vienna) and Thomas Treibel (Department of Cardiovascular Imaging, University College London), the research team analyzed data from 226 patients with aortic stenosis and concomitant cardiac amyloidosis from ten countries. Their study revealed that both aortic valve replacement and treatment with the drug tafamidis for amyloidosis were associated with a lower risk of death.

Most impressively, the survival benefit was highest in patients who received both forms of treatment. “Our results show that patients with both conditions who received valve replacement and specific amyloidosis therapy had similar long-term survival rates to people with aortic stenosis without amyloidosis,” emphasized study leader Christian Nitsche.

The targeted therapy can slow the progression of amyloidosis, while valve replacement treats the mechanical stress caused by the narrowed heart valve. The research suggests that around ten percent of patients with aortic stenosis also have amyloidosis, but this is often not diagnosed in everyday clinical practice.

“Our findings also suggest that patients with severe aortic valve stenosis should be screened for amyloidosis so that we can offer them targeted life-prolonging treatment options,” Christian Nitsche emphasized.

This study offers new hope for patients with severe heart disease and highlights the importance of combining therapy to improve outcomes. By targeting both the mechanical stress caused by aortic stenosis and the debilitating effects of cardiac amyloidosis, doctors can now provide their patients with more effective life-prolonging treatment options.

Breaking Down Barriers to IBS Relief: The Mediterranean Diet’s Promising Pilot Study Results

A groundbreaking pilot study from Michigan Medicine researchers has revealed that the Mediterranean diet may provide symptom relief for individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Conducted on patients diagnosed with either IBS-D (diarrhea) or IBS-M (mixed symptoms of constipation or diarrhea), this innovative study aimed to compare the efficacy of two popular dietary interventions: the Mediterranean diet and the low FODMAP diet.

The research team randomly assigned participants into two groups, one following the Mediterranean diet and the other adhering to the restriction phase of a low FODMAP diet. The primary endpoint was an FDA-standard 30% reduction in abdominal pain intensity after four weeks. Notably, while both diets showed symptom relief, the low FODMAP group experienced greater improvement measured by both abdominal pain intensity and IBS symptom severity score.

The study’s findings are significant, given that a majority of patients with IBS prefer dietary interventions over medication. Furthermore, restrictive diets like low FODMAP can be difficult to adopt due to their complexity and potential for nutrient deficiencies. In contrast, the Mediterranean diet is already well-established as a beneficial eating pattern for overall health.

The study’s lead author, Prashant Singh, MBBS, emphasized that “restrictive diets can be costly and time-consuming” and may even lead to disordered eating behaviors. The researchers believe that further studies comparing the long-term efficacy of the Mediterranean diet with the low FODMAP reintroduction phase are necessary to fully understand its potential as an effective intervention for patients with IBS.

The University of Michigan’s William Chey, M.D., senior author on the paper, added that “this study adds to a growing body of evidence which suggests that a Mediterranean diet might be a useful addition to the menu of evidence-based dietary interventions for patients with IBS.”

Starting statin therapy as soon as possible can dramatically reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke for patients with diabetes, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Despite clinicians’ recommendations, nearly one-fifth of diabetic patients choose to delay taking statins, which is a proven and effective way to lower cholesterol levels.

Researchers from Mass General Brigham conducted an analysis of electronic health records of 7,239 patients with diabetes who started statin therapy over a nearly 20-year period. The study found that those who delayed statin therapy for more than a year were significantly more likely to experience heart attacks or strokes compared to those who started taking the medication right away.

The median age of the patients in the study was 55, and about half of them were women. The researchers used artificial intelligence methods to gather data from the electronic health records and found that nearly one-fifth (17.7%) of the patients declined statin therapy when it was first recommended by their clinicians. However, they later accepted the therapy after a median of 1.5 years.

The study’s findings are clear: starting statin therapy on time can save lives. For diabetic patients who delayed taking the medication, the rate of heart attacks or strokes was 8.5%, compared to just 6.4% for those who started taking statins immediately.

Clinicians should use this information to guide shared decision-making conversations with their patients, said senior author Alexander Turchin, MD, MS. “Time is of the essence for your heart and brain health,” he added.

The researchers’ findings are timely, given that heart attacks and strokes remain the leading causes of complications and mortality for patients with diabetes. Statin therapy has been proven to reduce risk by preventing plaque buildup in blood vessels, which can lead to delivery problems for the heart and brain.

The study’s authors emphasize the importance of early intervention and encourage diabetic patients to discuss their individual risks and treatment options with their clinicians. By starting statin therapy on time, patients with diabetes can significantly reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke, and improve their overall health and well-being.