The “broken heart syndrome” – not always caused by a broken heart? A multi-national, multi-centered observational study on takotsubo cardiomyopathy found that physical triggers are more common than emotional triggers, patients present predominantly with chest pain, ECG changes, and troponin elevation. The study also generated surprising hypotheses about what medications have long-term benefit for these patients.
This is the first time a glucose lowering drug has been shown to decrease cardiovascular mortality in Type 2 diabetes! A randomized control trial found empagliflozen had significant cardiovascular benefits in Type 2 diabetics with established cardiovascular disease. For every 38 patients treated with empagliflozen for three years, one would be saved from death. Is this impressive result due to better glycemic control, or another effect of the drug?
Let us know what you think about the new Clinical Encounters segment! Follow us on Twitter @roundstable.
The papers
1. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1406761
2. Cardiovascular benefits of empagliflozen: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1504720
Good Stuff
1. Water on mars: http://news.sciencemag.org/space/2015/10/mars-once-hosted-lakes-flowing-water
2. #dayofdiabetes: http://tobesugarfree.com/2015/04/14/7-reasons-why-you-should-participate-in-dayofdiabetes-tomorrow/
Music Credits (Creative Commons)
In your Robotic Heart – Nicolai Heidlas https://soundcloud.com/nicolai-heidlas/in-your-robotic-heart
Drive – Nicolai Heidlas https://soundcloud.com/nicolai-heidlas/drive-fresh-upbeat-pop-background-music
Swingin’ Jazz – Nicolai Heidlas https://m.soundcloud.com/nicolai-heidlas/jazz-blues-background-music
“Searching for Jupiter” – Nicolai Heidlas https://soundcloud.com/nicolai-heidlas/searching-for-jupiter
All tracks have been modified for the purposes of this podcast.
