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New Competitor for Apple Watch ECG; Andexxa Cleared; Sugar Substitutes

Connected health device-maker Withings is releasing a three-electrode ECG watch dubbed Move ECG, which is under review for clearance by the FDA and is substantially cheaper than the Apple Watch Series 4 with similar capabilities. (Ars Technica)

Artificial intelligence (AI) analysis of ECG data from wearable devices was on par with cardiologists for detecting and labeling a variety of arrhythmias in one study, researchers reported in Nature Medicine. Another in the same issue showed AI-analysis of 12-lead ECG was accurate for asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction detection.

A mysterious case of fluid overload after the flu was finally solved by echo. Can you guess the diagnosis? (New York Times)

The FDA cleared the way to broader commercialization of the factor Xa inhibitor antidote andexanet alfa (Andexxa). (MPR)

More casualties in the ongoing “sartan” contamination mess: Torrent Pharmaceutical’s losartan and Aurobindo’s valsartan and combinations of it with amlodipine or hydrochlorothiazide. MedPage Today has more on the “industry-wide issue” with probable carcinogens in the antihypertensives.

Inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) appears to be a prediagnostic predictor of lung cancer rather than a causal risk factor, according to a study in BMJ. Reduced cancer incidence was seen in the CANTOS trial targeting CRP with a biologic drug.

A meta-analysis of sugar substitute studies showed lower blood pressure with use. (BMJ)

Two rare heart-liver-kidney triple organ transplants were performed within 30 hours of each other in Chicago, AP reports.

Acute cardiovascular events take a financial toll on earnings and employment that lasts for at least 3 years, a Canadian cohort study showed. (CMAJ)

Cognitive impairment was more likely for hypertensive patients with progressive cerebral small vessel disease despite antihypertensive use. (Hypertension)

Largely off-label use of testosterone continues despite a decline after the FDA’s safety warnings and negative observational studies. Use has consistently been higher for men with than without coronary artery disease, even though they are at highest risk, researchers reported in JAMA Internal Medicine.

2019-01-07T13:45:00-0500

Source: MedicalNewsToday.com