Cardio Round-up: Are Beta-blockers Linked with Sleep Disruption?

A new systematic review and meta-analysis in Hypertension suggests that while beta-blockers taken for various cardiovascular conditions are not likely to cause depression, they may be associated with some sleep disorders. The present study represents the first of its kind, examining the spectrum of mental health side effects potentially related to beta-blockers. The study population included data on more than 53,000 individuals from across 285 eligible studies. “We found no indication of an association between beta-blocker use and depression,” a study author said. “The same was true for most of the other mental health symptoms, as reported in the studies that were included in our analyses. However, sleep-related symptoms such as unusual dreams or insomnia did emerge during beta-blocker therapy for some patients.”

Researchers may have developed a deep learning model that is effective at detecting electrolyte imbalance via electrocardiography (ECG). The patient sample included 92,140 patients who underwent a lab electrolyte exam and ECG within 30 minutes. The learning model was created using 83,449 ECGs of more than 48,000 of the patients (the internal validation cohort of 12,091 patients). “To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to develop an artificial intelligence algorithm for detecting electrolyte imbalance and to show the interpretable patterns of decision making using artificial intelligence in the biosignal domain,” the authors wrote.

New data from recent clinical trials has led to the recommendation of the use of rivaroxaban in the Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2021 supplement. Recommendation 10.38 (Section 10 – Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Management), which addressed long-term dual antiplatelet therapy and combination therapy with aspirin plus low dose rivaroxaban, was added to the Antiplatelet Agents section. Also added to the section were new evidence taken from the THEMIS, THEMIS-PCI, COMPASS, and VOYAGER-PAD clinical trials. “The risks and benefits of dual antiplatelet or antiplatelet plus anticoagulant treatment strategies should be thoroughly discussed with eligible patients, and shared decision-making should be used to determine an individually appropriate treatment approach,” the authors wrote.

Check out this video interview with Dr. Hiren Shah, an assistant professor of medicine at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, about recent updates in venous thromboembolism (VTE) research and therapy, including a discussion of the MAGELLAN trial.