CardioExchange Archive

Weight Loss at High Altitude: Obese people lose weight at high altitudes, according to a new study in Obesity. Lippl et al. studied 20 obese patients before and after a 1-week stay at high altitude. Patients weighed less and had a higher metabolic rate after the high-altitude stay. The authors concluded that “hypobaric hypoxia seems to play a major role, although the physiological mechanisms remain unclear.” High altitude also reduced blood pressure.

Large VTE Prevention Trial Initiated: Daiichi Sankyo yesterday announced the initiation of the largest double-blind, randomized phase III trial for the treatment and prevention of recurrent VTE. The trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of edoxaban, an investigational oral Factor Xa inhibitor, in 7,500 patients with DVT and/or PE. (Edoxaban is also being compared with warfarin in 16,500 patients with AF in ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48.)