TCTMD’s Top 10 Most Popular Stories for March 2020

Unsurprisingly, COVID-19 dominated TCTMD’s most popular news in March 2020. The different topics that made the list speak to how quickly the world changed in a few short weeks. At the start of the month it seemed likely that the American College of Cardiology/World Congress of Cardiology meeting would likely still go ahead; by the end of March, that optimism looks laughable given the stories pouring in from other hard-hit countries. The only outlier in the top 10 this month—let’s call it a “good news story”—was a study looking at olive oil consumption and its potential to reduce cardiovascular disease in the US.

1. COVID-19 and the Heart: Insights From the Front Lines

As COVID-19 cases go global, a picture is emerging as to its CV impact and how cardiologists in hard-hit regions are coping.

2. COVID-19 Poised to Upend the Cath Lab, ACC and SCAI Say

Be prepared, experts urge. Much is still unknown about how the novel coronavirus will affect day-to-day and emergency CVD care.

3. ACE Inhibitors, ARBs, and COVID-19: New Insights, Advice

Experts stress there is not enough evidence to suggest these medications can worsen COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.

4. Olive Oil Consumption Linked to CVD Benefits in the US

Americans tend to consume far less olive oil than their Mediterranean counterparts, but beneficial signals are still seen.

5. ‘Terrified’ Healthcare Workers Fear Lack of Protection Against COVID-19

“You wouldn’t send a soldier into war without a gun or body armor,” one doctor says. Front-line physicians offer some tips.

6. COVID-19 Should Not Guide Use of ACE Inhibitors/ARBs, Heart Societies Say

More research is needed, but for now, there’s no evidence that background use of the agents harms or helps in COVID-19.

7. First ESC Meeting of 2020 Canceled Due to Novel Coronavirus

It’s a wise move, Mamas Mamas says, both for the health of the attendees and for the patients they care for back home.

8. Cardiac Injury in COVID-19 Sharply Increases Risk of Death

Wuhan researchers have published details on 416 hospitalized patients, but treatment pathways remain unclear.

9. ACC Releases Initial Cardiac Guidance on Novel Coronavirus

One piece of advice is to not overlook classic symptoms and presentation of acute MI in the context of COVID-19.

10. Who Should Head to the Cath Lab in the COVID-19 Pandemic?

The new, detailed guidance does not amount to “hard and fast rules.” SCAI says hospitals need to make case-by-case decisions.