Michael O'Riordan

Hamilton

Senior Journalist, Cardiovascular Research Foundation at TCTMD

Medical journalist with @TCTMD. Likes running marathons, baseball, and vegetarian food. Dislikes snow, flat (bike) tires, and stress fractures.

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Articles

Troponin Spikes After Exercise Not Linked to CAD in Middle-aged Athletes

1 week ago | tctmd.com | Michael O'Riordan

Release of cardiac troponin after intense endurance exercise is common, but it doesn’t signal occult disease. Elevations in cardiac troponin (cTn) after long bouts of aerobic exercise are not associated with subclinical coronary artery disease in middle-aged athletes, a new study shows.
No Change in HF Outcomes When Private Equity Buys the Hospital

1 week ago | tctmd.com | Michael O'Riordan

However, acquired hospitals may be inappropriately selecting patients and doing more profitable cardiac caths. After private equity takes over a hospital, there appear to be no changes in outcomes among patients with heart failure (HF) despite a decrease in the clinical risk profile of those admitted for treatment, according to a new analysis.
Majority of US Adults Have High Long-term Risk of CVD: NHANES

2 weeks ago | tctmd.com | Michael O'Riordan

Using the PREVENT risk equation, one-fifth were at high risk over 10 years, rising to two-thirds over the next 30 years. One in five US adults are at an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) over the next decade and the majority are at a heightened risk over the next 30 years, according to a new analysis.
PREVENT Risk Calculator Works Well in Patients With High and Low Lp(a)

2 weeks ago | tctmd.com | Michael O'Riordan

Lp(a) only modestly improved prediction when added to risk estimates, but it still can be used to personalize care. The latest American Heart Association (AHA) calculator for assessing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk performs well in patients with high and low lipoprotein(a) levels, a new analysis shows. While Lp(a) is not included in the AHA’s PREVENT equations, risk prediction was only modestly improved when investigators added it to the calculator.
FDA Approves Triple Therapy Polypill for High Blood Pressure

2 weeks ago | tctmd.com | Michael O'Riordan

The combination will be available in several doses and is also approved as a first-line option for patients with hypertension. The US Food and Drug Administration approved a triple therapy polypill for the treatment of patients with hypertension, manufacturer George Medicines announced yesterday.
Liberal Transfusion Strategy for Acute MI and Anemia Doesn’t Impact QoL

3 weeks ago | tctmd.com | Michael O'Riordan

The lack of effect shouldn’t detract from MINT, which showed a strong trend toward benefit with liberal blood transfusion. A more liberal transfusion strategy for patients with acute MI and anemia does not improve quality of life when compared with a more restrictive approach, according to an analysis of the MINT trial.
Inclisiran Plus Usual Care Improves LDL Control in ACS: VICTORION-INCEPTION

3 weeks ago | tctmd.com | Michael O'Riordan

Nearly two-thirds of patients reached < 70 mg/dL with the small interfering RNA therapy. The rapid addition of small interfering RNA therapy to usual care after a recent ACS helps more patients achieve recommended LDL-cholesterol targets than does usual care alone, data from the VICTORION-INCEPTION study show.
‘Quick and Sustained’ Bumps in HR and BP When Beta-blockers Stopped Post-MI

1 month ago | tctmd.com | Michael O'Riordan

News Conference News EuroPCR 2025 The findings hint at why the AβYSS trial failed to show it was safe to stop beta-blockers after an MI in stable patients. PARIS, France—Patients with myocardial infarction and preserved LVEF who stop their beta-blocker have significant rises in heart rate and blood pressure that appear to increase the likelihood of adverse outcomes, particularly among those with hypertension, an analysis of the AΒYSS trial shows.
Tendyne Approved in US for High-risk Patients With Mitral Valve Disease

1 month ago | tctmd.com | Michael O'Riordan

The approval is tightly defined: the system will be for patients ineligible for surgery and with anatomy unfavorable for TEER. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the Tendyne transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) system for the treatment of patients with mitral valve dysfunction, device manufacturer Abbott announced today.
Underexpanded Acurate neo2 Valves Tied to Worse Outcomes: ACURATE IDE

1 month ago | tctmd.com | Michael O'Riordan

News Daily News EuroPCR 2025 This factor helps explain why the device failed to match other commercially approved devices in the IDE trial. PARIS, France—More than one in five Acurate neo2 transcatheter heart valves (Boston Scientific) implanted in patients as part of the ACURATE investigational device exemption (IDE) study were underexpanded, a new analysis shows. In these cases, patients fared significantly worse compared with those with a fully opened valve.