Pump thrombosis is a potentially life-threatening complication of continuous-flow left ventricular assist device support. Escalation of antithrombotic therapy has historically been associated with variable efficacy and high rates of bleeding. Previous guidelines suggest thrombolytic therapy as an alternative treatment option in patients with device thrombosis in whom surgical device exchange would result in unacceptable operative risk. This blog will explore the use of thrombolytics for pump thrombosis and highlight important factors to consider with this strategy.
Managing Septic Shock in Patients with a Broken Heart: Focus on Hemodynamic Management with Fluids and Vasoactive Agents
Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Currently, national guidelines do not address sepsis management in patients with underlying heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Several factors make the management of sepsis in patients with HFrEF uniquely challenging, including a heightened risk of volume overload and the need for alternative vasoactive regimens to maintain cardiac output. The purpose of this blog is to provide practical considerations in the hemodynamic management of septic patients with HFrEF using fluids and vasoactive agents.
Help or Hype: Vericiguat for Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction
The recently published VICTORIA study assessed the efficacy and safety of vericiguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, and met its primary composite outcome of death from cardiovascular causes or first hospitalization for heart failure. This blog describes four reasons why despite a technically positive study, I’m not sure I see a significant role for vericiguat in this population.
Smoking Cessation Pocket Guide
Share this post: Created by: Kristin Watson PharmD, BCCP and and Brent N. Reed, PharmD, BCCP Reviewed by: Stormi Gale, PharmD, BCCP Share this post:
Hypertension Pocket Guide
Share this post: Created by: Stormi Gale, PharmD, BCCP and Brent N. Reed, PharmD, BCCP Reviewed by: Kristin Watson, PharmD, BCCP Share this post:
Say It Ain’t (Mostly) So? DOAC therapy for Stroke Prevention in Patients with Liver Disease and Atrial Fibrillation
Use of oral anticoagulation therapy in patients with liver disease is complex. The risks and benefits of therapy need to be considered as those with liver disease can be at heightended risk of bleeding. This blog post will review the literature surrounding the use of oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation and liver disease and recommendations on selecting therapy, if any, will be discussed.
Antibiotics and Cardiovascular Adverse Effects: A Focus on Fluoroquinolones and Macrolides
Macrolides and fluoroquinolones (FQs) are two of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics; however, recent studies have revealed that these medications are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular (CV) adverse events (AEs) including arrhythmias and valvular regurgitation. This blog summarizes recent literature on CV AEs associated with FQs and macrolides and provides recommendations on their use within certain at-risk populations.
Update: Vasodilators in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure – Even Muddier Than Before?
In the time since our last post on this topic, two randomized controlled trials have been conducted to test the effects of early vasodilator therapy in patients with acute decompensated heart failure, and both came up short. But is this a failure of the drugs themselves or were the populations simply too diverse to detect an effect?
You’ve Got this! Tips on Nailing Your Pharmacy Residency Interview
Residency interviews can be both exciting and nerve-wracking for candidates. In this blog post, we provide tips for students and residents who are preparing for post-graduate residency training interviews.
Up in Flames: Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients with Stable Ischemic Heart Disease Receiving Anticoagulation for A-fib
The optimal antithrombotic regimen in patients with AF and comorbid CAD remains unclear. Current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines provide minimal guidance on whether to continue antiplatelet therapy in combination with anticoagulation in this population. Additionally, while the 2017 European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend oral anticoagulation alone, there is little supporting evidence for this recommendation. This blog discusses the implications of the recently published AFIRE study, which attempts to answer the question: In patients with stable CAD and AF, is combination therapy necessary or is anticoagulation monotherapy sufficient?