Latest news with #BritishCardiovascularSociety
Medscape
10-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Mavacamten Showing Real-World Success in Treating oHCM
MANCHESTER — Mavacamten (Camzyos, Bristol Myers Squibb) continues to show promising results in patients with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM), a consultant cardiologist said at the recent British Cardiovascular Society Annual Conference 2025. William Jenkins, a consultant cardiologist at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, said that real world outcomes mirror those from clinical trials, including EXPLORER and VALOR-HCM. High Rates of Symptom Improvement Notably, data from three UK centres showed that about 70%-80% of patients experienced symptomatic improvement with mavacamten treatment. In addition, 90% saw a 30mmHg drop in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient – considered a significant reduction in obstruction. William Jenkins Although patients initially required 'very intense echocardiographic surveillance', Jenkins said 'it gets much easier' after the first few months of treatment. 'I think our reliance upon echocardiography will probably reduce as we get more experience with this,' he told Medscape News UK . A First-in-Class Therapy Mavacamten, a cardiac myosin inhibitor, is the first drug of its kind. It works by normalising contractility, reducing dynamic LVOT obstruction, and improving cardiac filling pressures in people with HCM. 'HCM is something that develops over decades,' Jenkins said. 'You can develop symptoms early, but you can have those symptoms for a really long time before you go on to develop other things like abnormal heart rhythms, heart failure, or dying suddenly.' He added that although oHCM is considered rare, many patients could benefit from treatment. Managing HCM still falls within general cardiology in some centres, Jenkins noted, raising concerns that patients may not be reviewed as frequently as needed. 'People live with it for years and years — if not decades — before they develop any of the end stage features of HCM,' Jenkins said. 'They can become very adapted to their symptoms.' Patient Advocacy and Experience Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy affects around 1 in 500 people in the UK and US, with about two thirds of cases involving obstruction. Katharine McIntosh, head of research and policy at Cardiomyopathy UK, told Medscape News UK that mavacamten had been a 'cause for excitement' among patients. 'It's the first big cardiomyopathy-specific drug.' McIntosh expressed frustration at the slow rollout of the drug, which was recommended for NHS use in England and Wales in 2023 and in Scotland in 2024. 'It's at the point now where one would have thought that everyone who should be on it would be getting onto it. But that's just not been the case,' she said. A recent Cardiomyopathy UK survey found that patients who accessed mavacamten were 'very positive' about its effects. Respondents described it as 'life changing' and felt like they had been given their lives back, McIntosh said. Challenges Facing Widespread Use One barrier is that mavacamten must be prescribed and monitored by specialists experienced in treating cardiomyopathies – resources not available at all centres. Prescribing guidance states that patients require echocardiography before and at regular intervals after starting treatment. Genetic testing for Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 (CYP2C19) is also needed to guide dosing. Long-Term Outlook Jenkins said that three key issues must be considered before prescribing mavacamten: Close early monitoring is needed, as the drug can cause left ventricular systolic dysfunction. CYP2C19-related drug interactions require pharmacy input. Counselling is essential due to potential foetal toxicity risks. 'Most people tolerate this [drug] very well', he said. After the initial 12-week period, follow-up can be reduced to every 3-6 months. 'This is an indefinite medication for a lot of people' Jenkins said. However, with an estimated annual cost of almost £14,000 per patient, he stressed the need for careful initial use. 'Right now, the indication is for symptomatic, severe LVOT obstruction,' he said. However, 'there's no reason in the long-term why this shouldn't become first-line'. Whether mavacamten offers benefit for oHCM patients without obstruction remains unclear. Jenkins has acted as a consultant to BMS and AstraZeneca. McIntosh had no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Women less likely to get life-saving care for deadly heart condition
A new analysis reveals that women are less likely than men to receive treatment for aortic stenosis, a potentially fatal heart condition. Researchers discovered that women are 11% less likely to be referred to a hospital specialist following a diagnosis of the heart valve disease. Academics noted that the findings reveal "inequities in management and care of this common and serious condition." The study also found differences in care among south Asian and black patients, as well as those from poorer backgrounds. Aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve or the area immediately around it, leads to obstruction of the blood flow from the heart, which leads to symptoms including dizziness, fatigue, chest pain and breathlessness. The condition is more common in elderly people. It is not possible to reverse but treatments can include a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or valve replacement surgery. If left untreated it can lead to serious complications, including heart failure, heart rhythm abnormalities, and death. The analysis suggests some people are less likely to receive this treatment. Experts from the University of Leicester examined GP data on 155,000 people diagnosed with aortic stenosis between 2000 and 2022 in England. Presenting their findings to the British Cardiovascular Society conference in Manchester, experts said as well as women being less likely to be referred for hospital care, they are 39% less likely to have a procedure to replace their aortic valve. Researchers also found people living in poorer neighbourhoods are 7% less likely to be referred for hospital care after a diagnosis compared to people from wealthier neighbourhoods. Meanwhile, black patients are 48% less likely to undergo a procedure to replace their aortic valve compared to white patients. South Asian patients are 27% less likely to undergo a procedure compared to their white counterparts, according to the study, which was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and supported by NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre. Dr Anvesha Singh, associate professor at the University of Leicester and consultant cardiologist, who was involved in the research, said: 'Previous studies have shown lower rates of valve replacement in women, and clinicians had assumed that women were less likely to be diagnosed with aortic stenosis. 'This analysis using large, real-world data clearly shows that this is not the case, giving us the clearest picture yet of what is happening in day-to-day clinical practice. 'Our study highlights potential inequities in management and care of this common and serious condition. More research is needed to understand the reasons for this and the true prevalence of aortic stenosis in different groups.' Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, clinical director at the British Heart Foundation, which supported the research, and consultant cardiologist, said: 'This study of over 150,000 GP records has unveiled disparities in access to aortic valve treatment for women, south Asian and black people, and people living in more deprived communities. 'We don't yet have the full picture, but these findings are concerning and we need more research to understand what is driving the differences seen. 'This will be crucial to enable action to address any underlying causes stopping some people from having access to the heart valve treatment and care they need, when they need it.'
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Women less likely to get care for potentially fatal heart condition
Women are less likely than men to be given treatment for a potentially fatal heart condition, according to a new analysis. Researchers in the UK found women are 11% less likely to be referred to a hospital specialist after a diagnosis of the heart valve disease aortic stenosis. Academics said the findings show 'inequities in management and care of this common and serious condition' after they also found differences in care among south Asian and black patients as well as those from poorer backgrounds. Aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve or the area immediately around it, leads to obstruction of the blood flow from the heart, which leads to symptoms including dizziness, fatigue, chest pain and breathlessness. The condition is more common in elderly people. It is not possible to reverse but treatments can include a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or valve replacement surgery. If left untreated it can lead to serious complications, including heart failure, heart rhythm abnormalities, and death. The analysis suggests some people are less likely to receive this treatment. Experts from England's University of Leicester examined GP data on 155,000 people diagnosed with aortic stenosis between 2000 and 2022 in England. Presenting their findings to the British Cardiovascular Society conference in Manchester, experts said as well as women being less likely to be referred for hospital care, they are 39% less likely to have a procedure to replace their aortic valve. Researchers also found people living in poorer neighbourhoods are 7% less likely to be referred for hospital care after a diagnosis compared to people from wealthier neighbourhoods. Meanwhile, black patients are 48% less likely to undergo a procedure to replace their aortic valve compared to white patients. South Asian patients are 27% less likely to undergo a procedure compared to their white counterparts, according to the study, which was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and supported by NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre. Dr Anvesha Singh, associate professor at the University of Leicester and consultant cardiologist, who was involved in the research, said: 'Previous studies have shown lower rates of valve replacement in women, and clinicians had assumed that women were less likely to be diagnosed with aortic stenosis. 'This analysis using large, real-world data clearly shows that this is not the case, giving us the clearest picture yet of what is happening in day-to-day clinical practice. 'Our study highlights potential inequities in management and care of this common and serious condition. More research is needed to understand the reasons for this and the true prevalence of aortic stenosis in different groups.'
The Independent
05-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Women less likely to get life-saving care for deadly heart condition
A new analysis reveals that women are less likely than men to receive treatment for aortic stenosis, a potentially fatal heart condition. Researchers discovered that women are 11% less likely to be referred to a hospital specialist following a diagnosis of the heart valve disease. Academics noted that the findings reveal "inequities in management and care of this common and serious condition." The study also found differences in care among south Asian and black patients, as well as those from poorer backgrounds. Aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve or the area immediately around it, leads to obstruction of the blood flow from the heart, which leads to symptoms including dizziness, fatigue, chest pain and breathlessness. The condition is more common in elderly people. It is not possible to reverse but treatments can include a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or valve replacement surgery. If left untreated it can lead to serious complications, including heart failure, heart rhythm abnormalities, and death. The analysis suggests some people are less likely to receive this treatment. Experts from the University of Leicester examined GP data on 155,000 people diagnosed with aortic stenosis between 2000 and 2022 in England. Presenting their findings to the British Cardiovascular Society conference in Manchester, experts said as well as women being less likely to be referred for hospital care, they are 39% less likely to have a procedure to replace their aortic valve. Researchers also found people living in poorer neighbourhoods are 7% less likely to be referred for hospital care after a diagnosis compared to people from wealthier neighbourhoods. Meanwhile, black patients are 48% less likely to undergo a procedure to replace their aortic valve compared to white patients. South Asian patients are 27% less likely to undergo a procedure compared to their white counterparts, according to the study, which was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and supported by NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre. Dr Anvesha Singh, associate professor at the University of Leicester and consultant cardiologist, who was involved in the research, said: 'Previous studies have shown lower rates of valve replacement in women, and clinicians had assumed that women were less likely to be diagnosed with aortic stenosis. 'This analysis using large, real-world data clearly shows that this is not the case, giving us the clearest picture yet of what is happening in day-to-day clinical practice. 'Our study highlights potential inequities in management and care of this common and serious condition. More research is needed to understand the reasons for this and the true prevalence of aortic stenosis in different groups.' Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, clinical director at the British Heart Foundation, which supported the research, and consultant cardiologist, said: 'This study of over 150,000 GP records has unveiled disparities in access to aortic valve treatment for women, south Asian and black people, and people living in more deprived communities. 'We don't yet have the full picture, but these findings are concerning and we need more research to understand what is driving the differences seen. 'This will be crucial to enable action to address any underlying causes stopping some people from having access to the heart valve treatment and care they need, when they need it.'
Telegraph
05-06-2025
- General
- Telegraph
NHS less likely to treat women for fatal heart conditions
The NHS is less likely to treat women for a potentially fatal heart condition than men, according to a new analysis. Researchers found that women are 11 per cent less likely to be referred to a hospital specialist after a diagnosis of the heart valve disease aortic stenosis. Academics said the findings show ' inequities in management and care of this common and serious condition' after they also found differences in care among south Asian and black patients as well as those from poorer backgrounds. Aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve or the area immediately around it, leads to obstruction of the blood flow from the heart, which causes symptoms including dizziness, fatigue, chest pain and breathlessness. The condition is more common in elderly people. It is not possible to reverse but treatments can include a transcatheter aortic valve implantation or valve replacement surgery. Serious complications If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, including heart failure, heart rhythm abnormalities and death. Experts from the University of Leicester examined GP data on 155,000 people diagnosed with aortic stenosis between 2000 and 2022 in England. Presenting their findings to the British Cardiovascular Society conference in Manchester, experts said women are not only less likely to be referred for hospital care, they are also 39 per cent less likely to have a procedure to replace their aortic valve. Researchers also found that people living in poorer neighbourhoods are 7 per cent less likely to be referred for hospital care after a diagnosis compared to people from wealthier neighbourhoods. Meanwhile, black patients are 48 per cent less likely to undergo a procedure to replace their aortic valve compared to white patients. South Asian patients are 27 per cent less likely to undergo a procedure, according to the study, which was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and supported by the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre. 'Inequities in care' Dr Anvesha Singh, an associate professor at the University of Leicester and consultant cardiologist who was involved in the research, said: 'Previous studies have shown lower rates of valve replacement in women, and clinicians had assumed that women were less likely to be diagnosed with aortic stenosis. 'This analysis using large, real-world data clearly shows that this is not the case, giving us the clearest picture yet of what is happening in day-to-day clinical practice. 'Our study highlights potential inequities in management and care of this common and serious condition. More research is needed to understand the reasons for this and the true prevalence of aortic stenosis in different groups.' Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, a consultant cardiologist and the clinical director at the British Heart Foundation, which supported the research, said: 'This study of over 150,000 GP records has unveiled disparities in access to aortic valve treatment for women, south Asian and black people, and people living in more deprived communities. 'We don't yet have the full picture, but these findings are concerning and we need more research to understand what is driving the differences seen. 'This will be crucial to enable action to address any underlying causes stopping some people from having access to the heart valve treatment and care they need, when they need it.'
