TCTMD’s Top 10 Most Popular Stories for December 2021

With the advent of Omicron and reassurance about mRNA vaccine safety, TCTMD’s top 10 saw a fresh wave of COVID-19 news this month. But the end of 2021 also brought more typical cardiology stories: the US Food and Drug Administration approval of inclisiran (Leqvio, Novartis) to lower LDL levels, data that suggest stopping statins ups the risk of MACE, and evidence of undertreatment in patients with PAD. And finally, two feature articles from our Glancing Back, Looking Forward series made the cut for December’s list, exploring how news that made headlines in 2021 will likely have a lasting impact in the months or years to come.

1. Questions Raised About Study Linking mRNA Vaccines to Increased ACS Risk

An “expression of concern” was initially attached to the abstract, which made the rounds on social media among vaccine skeptics. A correction for the controversial study has since been issued.

2. FDA Approves Inclisiran, a Twice-Yearly Injection to Lower LDL Levels

The drug’s indicated for patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or hypercholesterolemia who need further LDL-lowering despite taking maximum-dose statins.

3. Another Study Links Stopping Statins to MACE in the Elderly

This is the latest observational study to see an uptick in events after discontinuation, but an RCT is needed to prove causation.

4. Cardiologist Tests Positive for Omicron COVID-19 After Trip to PCR London Valves

The meeting took major precautions, and the individual was thrice vaccinated.

5. COVID-19: TCTMD’s Dispatch

We’re curating a list of COVID-19 research and other useful content, and updating it regularly.

6. FEATURE US Chest Pain Guidelines Will Change Practice, Though Gaps Remain

The great strengths of the document—its breadth and inclusiveness—are also chief causes for complaint.

7. New Insights Into Myocarditis and mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines

Myocarditis, typically mild, was significantly more common with Moderna vaccines than in the unvaxxed, population data show.

8. Large Series Confirms Myocarditis Post-COVID-19 Vax Is Mild in the Young

Fewer than 20% of adolescent patients had impaired LVEF, with function normalizing early on. Long-term data are still lacking.

9. Statins Underprescribed in PAD Before and After Interventions

Patients treated surgically were almost twice as likely as those who had an endovascular intervention to receive a first prescription for statins.

10. FEATURE FFR’s Future: Negative Trials Spur Debate Over Technology’s Role

Some say the test still has a niche, albeit smaller in light of recent studies, as a means to defer—not justify—a stent.

For highlights of the year gone by, check out the latest On Record video featuring TCTMD Managing Editor Shelley Wood and Senior Clinical Editor Mamas Mamas, BMBCh, DPhil. This month’s Rox Heart Radio podcast, hosted by Roxana Mehran, MD, offers predictions for 2022.