The
American College of Cardiology has jotted down some advanced technologies like
wearable technologies, possible changes to stenting practices, state
legislation on energy drinks, expanded use of minimally invasive heart repair
procedures, and the development of a new class of cholesterol lowering drugs
that would make news in 2015.
Wearable
technologies to monitor a person's health outside their physician's office
would play an increasing role in health care as these devices can measure pulse
rate and use sensors to track length and type of exercise.
An
approach of risks, benefits, and timing of complete revascularization after a
heart attack would involve the practice of inserting stents in multiple
arteries.
Recommendations
are there for young athletes for eligibility and temporary or permanent
disqualification of athletes with heart conditions from participation in
competitive sports. It also discusses the use of performance-enhancing
substances and dietary supplements, diagnostic testing strategies, legal
considerations and other topics.
An
alternative to open heart surgery, transcatheter aortic valve replacement, has
been available in the United States for inoperable patients. So far, these new
heart repair options are only available for high risk patients, including those
considered too frail for surgery.
Food
and Drug Administration was expected to make a decision on whether to approve
edoxaban, as this would be the fourth drug on the market as an alternative to
warfarin, which for decades was widely prescribed for patients to prevent
strokes due to atrial fibrillation.
PCSK9
inhibitors, a new class of cholesterol-lowering medications that would
dramatically lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), known as
"bad" cholesterol, especially in patients with unusually high blood
cholesterol levels that don't respond to other treatments.
Research
has shown that comprehensive, exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation reduces
mortality rates in patients after myocardial infarction. Diet and physical
activity both prevent and help treat many established atherosclerotic risk
factors, including elevated blood pressure, insulin resistance and glucose
intolerance, elevated triglyceride concentrations, and obesity.
Team-based
care continues to grow; state legislatures are likely to weigh in on issues of
training adequacy, reimbursement, and patient safety, as it fosters collaboration
and leverage each team member's unique skills, knowledge and training.
Legislation
is likely to emerge the growing abuse of energy drinks among children and
scholastic athletes, at a state level. Many medical communities believe that
the increased number of children who visit their offices and emergency rooms
after consuming energy drinks merits changes in public policy aimed at reducing
consumption by minors.
