According to a recent study the baseline lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) concentration was found to have prognostic value for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in individuals with elevated triglyceride levels receiving statin therapy. Icosapent ethyl (IPE) demonstrated a consistent reduction in MACE occurrence across various levels of Lp(a), even in cases where clinically relevant elevations were present. This study’s findings were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

The post hoc analysis study involved 8,179 individuals receiving statin therapy for established cardiovascular disease or were aged ≥50 years with diabetes and had ≥1 one additional risk factor, had fasting triglyceride levels ranging from 1.69 to 5.63 mmol/L and had low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels ranging from 1.06 to 2.59 mmol/L. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 2 g of IPE twice daily or a placebo that matched the appearance of IPE. This study analyzed the relationship between the continuous baseline Lp(a) mass concentration, and the risk of experiencing the first and total MACE. Additionally, the effects of IPE on the occurrence of the first MACE event were analyzed in participants with Lp(a) concentrations either ≥50 or <50 mg/dL.

Among the 7,026 participants (86% randomized) had their baseline Lp(a) levels assessed. The median concentration of Lp(a) was found to be 11.6 mg/dL. The analysis revealed significant relationships between Lp(a) levels and both first and total MACE (P < 0.0001). IPE showed a significant reduction in first MACE among subgroups with Lp(a) concentrations ≥50 and <50 mg/dL.

The above study demonstrated the prognostic value of the baseline Lp(a) concentration for MACE in individuals with elevated triglyceride levels who were receiving statin therapy. IPE consistently reduced the occurrence of MACE across different levels of Lp(a), even in instances where clinically relevant elevations were present.

According to a recent study, the early administration of dapagliflozin during hospitalization for acute heart failure (AHF) is considered safe and fulfills a component of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) optimization. Additionally, dapagliflozin has been associated with evidence indicating enhanced diuresis in individuals with AHF. This study’s findings were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

In this open-label, multicenter trial, 240 patients were randomly assigned within one day of hospital presentation for hypervolemic AHF to either structured usual care with the protocol of diuretic titration until the 5^th day or dapagliflozin 10 mg once daily or discharge from hospital. The primary outcome of the study, diuretic efficiency indicated by cumulative weight change per cumulative loop diuretic dose, was compared between treatment groups using a proportional odds model adjusted for initial weight.

There was no difference observed in terms of diuretic efficiency between dapagliflozin and standard care. Dapagliflozin resulted in lower loop diuretic doses (560 mg [Q1-Q3: 260-1,150 mg] compared with 800 mg [Q1-Q3: 380-1,715 mg]) and fewer intravenous diuretic up-titrations to achieve similar weight loss compared to standard care. Initiating dapagliflozin early did not lead to an increase in adverse events related to diabetes, heart health, or kidney function. Additionally, dapagliflozin was linked to enhanced median 24-hour natriuresis and urine output, facilitating quicker hospital discharge during the study period.

Thus, it can be concluded that the administration of dapagliflozin at an early stage during hospitalization for AHF is regarded as a safe practice and fulfills a component of optimizing GDMT. Additionally, there is evidence indicating that dapagliflozin promotes enhanced diuresis in individuals with AHF.

A recent study showed that the use of eldecalcitol may help in preventing the onset of sarcopenia in individuals with prediabetes by enhancing skeletal muscle volume and strength.  This study’s findings were published in the Lancet Healthy Longevity.

In this randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial, a total of 1094 participants were divided into two groups, with 548 in the eldecalcitol group and 546 in the placebo group. The primary endpoint of the study was the incidence of sarcopenia over a 3-year period in the intention-to-treat population, characterised by weak handgrip strength (<18 kg for women and <28 kg for men) and low appendicular skeletal muscle index (<5·7 kg/m² for women and <7·0 kg/m² for men in bioelectrical impedance analysis). Hypercalcaemia was identified as 10·4 mg/dL (2·6 mmol/L) or higher, while a level of 11·0 mg/dL or higher was considered enough to warrant discontinuation of the study.

Eldecalcitol demonstrated a statistically significant preventive effect on the incidence of sarcopenia when compared to the placebo, with 25 participants (4.6%) out of 548 in the eldecalcitol group and 48 participants (8.8%) out of 546 in the placebo group. There was no variance in the occurrence of adverse events between the two groups.

Thus, it can be concluded that eldecalcitol could potentially prevent sarcopenia in individuals with prediabetes by increasing skeletal muscle strength and volume, ultimately reducing the risk of falls