Older US veterans who did not have atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease but started taking statin medication had a 25% decreased risk of death from any cause, compared with those who did not get a new statin prescription, researchers reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Mortality risks linked to cardiovascular events, including heart attack or stroke, were reduced by 20% among statin users, while the overall risk of a cardiovascular event was 8% lower.

A corticosteroid treatment burst for as little as three days was associated with a higher risk of severe adverse events, such as heart failure, sepsis and gastrointestinal bleeding, researchers reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine. "Our findings are important for physicians and guideline developers because short-term use of oral corticosteroids is common and the real-world safety of this approach remains unclear," according to researchers.

Radiology practices can boost patient volumes as they resume imaging services by strengthening relationships with community partners to provide fast, effective and safe patient treatment amid the COVID-19 pandemic, writes Rebecca Farrington of Healthcare Administrative Partners. Practices should also create a marketing plan that addresses logistics, supportive technology and safety for current and former patients, active patients whose appointments are being rescheduled, and the public, she writes.

A review and analysis of 453 trials involving 21 antidiabetic medications published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that metformin was an appropriate first-line therapy among patients with type 2 diabetes who have low cardiovascular risk. For those at high cardiovascular risk who are receiving metformin-based background therapy, researchers said treatment choices should be based on the drugs' cardiovascular profiles and a patient's personal preferences and therapeutic priorities.

Close to half of Americans have communicated remotely with a health care provider since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, but just 21% have talked with their provider about using health IT, researchers reported in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. That lack of dialogue might have negative impacts on patient-provider communications and patient engagement, said Dr. David Haggstrom, senior study author.

In a private call with US governors, HHS Secretary Alex Azar and Vice President Mike Pence strongly indicated that the administration will renew the public health emergency for COVID-19 before it expires this month, sources said. Pence said the administration is working on the extension, and Azar said he couldn't imagine any circumstance in which the declaration would not be renewed.

ASNC2020 is going virtual with an all-access approach that gives you the high-quality education, convenience and value you need now. The program kicks off Sept. 9 and runs through Oct. 14 with 20-plus virtual live sessions. The event then continues through September 2021 with Meeting on Demand. You'll get unlimited access to the whole program -- live/virtual sessions ranging from keynote to Cases with the Aces, exhibitor and community activities, CME/CE/MOC credit plus Meeting on Demand -- for one low price. Early-registration discounts are available for a limited time. Register for your all-access ASNC2020 pass.

ASNC has transformed its traditional Nuclear Cardiology Board Exam Prep Course into a virtual experience that is responsive to attendees' specific learning needs. The program will launch in mid-September, when attendees receive 19 prerecorded talks -- including cases highlighting key concepts -- and four mock exams for them to work through at their own pace. On Oct. 17-18, faculty and participants will convene on a live virtual platform for comprehensive review of each mock test. Experts will explain the correct and incorrect answers as well as field additional questions posed by attendees both before and during the live sessions. Register now.