Anticoagulants lead as Pharmaceutical Technology lists ten of the most popular tweets on cardiovascular in May 2020, based on data from GlobalData’s Influencer Platform. The top tweets were chosen from influencers as tracked by GlobalData’s Influencer Platform, which is based on a scientific process that works on pre-defined parameters. Influencers are selected after a deep analysis of the influencer’s relevance, network strength, engagement, and leading discussions on new and emerging trends.

Top tweets on cardiovascular in May 2020

1. Atul Gupta’s tweet on anticoagulants improving survival of Covid-19 patients

Atul Gupta, an interventional radiologist, shared an article on the likelihood of anticoagulants or blood thinners, which slow down the clotting process, to improve the survival of hospitalised Covid-19 patients. The research could help in changing the care protocols for preventing clotting associated with coronavirus patients, the article further noted.

Researchers also found less difference in bleeding events among patients treated with and without the anticoagulants. Medical experts are of the opinion that anticoagulants, whether taken orally or intravenously, can help prevent deaths on account of strokes, heart attacks, and pulmonary embolism.

Username: Atul Gupta

Twitter handle: @AtulGupta_MD

Retweets: 547

Likes: 995

2. Raviele Antonio’s tweet on ventricular arrhythmias

Raviele Antonio, a cardiologist, shared an article on ventricular arrhythmias or abnormal heart beats originating from the LV papillary muscles manifesting unique QRS morphologies in lead V1, which aid in rapid and accurate localisation; Rr (53%), R with a slurred downslope (29%), and RR (11%) with an intrinsicoid deflection time <74 ms.

Username: Raviele Antonio

Twitter handle: @drraviele

Retweets: 97

Likes: 194

3. Eric Topol’s tweet on managing coagulopathy in patients with severe Covid-19

Eric Topol, a cardiologist, scientist, and author, shared an article on some recommendations for the diagnosis of clotting and its prevention in patients suffering from severe coronavirus. The findings suggest that clotting in severely affected Covid- patients is associated with an increased risk of death.

Measures to diagnose and prevent clotting have become relevant because of a substantial proportion of patients developing unrecognised, venous and arterial thromboembolic complications, the article noted.

Username: Eric Topol

Twitter handle: @EricTopol

Retweets: 91

Likes: 181

4. Dr Purvi Parwani’s tweet on CMR techniques for myocardial tissue characterisation

Dr Purvi Parwani, a cardiologist, shared an article on the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC’s) review of the use of cardiovascular imaging for myocardial tissue characterisation and fibrosis. The article describes the two concepts of fibrosis – interstitial and replacement, and also associates myocardial fibrosis with poor prognosis.

Username: Dr Purvi Parwani

Twitter handle: @purviparwani

Retweets: 52

Likes: 106

5. Dr Deepak Bhatt’s tweet on PCI and coronary artery bypass surgery reduction

Dr Deepak L Bhatt, executive director of interventional cardiovascular programs, tweeted on how striking the results from the REDUCE-IT REVASC trial revealed a 32% reduction in stenting and a 39% reduction in coronary artery bypass surgery, remarkable in a blinded, placebo-controlled trial with independent, blinded endpoint adjudication.

Username: Dr Deepak L Bhatt

Twitter handle: @DLBHATTMD

Retweets: 52

Likes: 199

6. Mirvat Alasnag’s tweet on the role of imaging for diagnosing MINOCA

Mirvat Alasnag, an interventional cardiologist, shared an article on the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging to diagnose a heart attack or myocardial infarction with no obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA).

Although conventional coronary angiography is a standard method of investigation, advancements in intracoronary imaging and non-invasive cardiac imaging technologies, offer more accurate diagnosis and prognosis of the condition.

Username: Mirvat Alasnag

Twitter handle: @mirvatalasnag

Retweets: 38

Likes: 108

7. Ethan Weiss’ tweet on the association between cardiovascular drug therapy and mortality in Covid-19 patients

Ethan Weiss, a cardiologist, shared an article on the relationship of cardiovascular disease and drug therapy with in-hospital death among hospitalised patients with Covid-19. Although the study confirmed increased risks of deaths due to an underlying cardiovascular condition, it did not confirm the potential risks associated with ACE inhibitors or ARBs.

Despite uncertainties around whether Statins should be administered to Covid-19 patients or not, several scientific societies believe that important medications should not be discontinued without clinical evidence of causing harm.

Username: Ethan Weiss

Twitter handle: @ethanjweiss

Retweets: 36

Likes: 103

8. Laxmi Mehta’s tweet on the importance of recognising and treating hypertensive disorders during pregnancy

Laxmi Mehta, a cardiologist, shared an article on hypertensive disorders complicating approximately 5-10% of pregnancies and at the same time increasing long term risk of heart disease. The study points at the growing pregnancy-related deaths being caused in the US because of cardiovascular disease, with the proportion increasing with time.

Rise in maternal mortality has been linked to increasing number of pregnancies at advanced maternal age, along with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, and the growing number of women with congenital heart disease surviving to childbearing age.

Username: Laxmi Mehta

Twitter handle: @DrLaxmiMehta

Retweets: 35

Likes: 55

9. Robert Harrington’s tweet on US fast-tracking research to combat the Covid-19 crisis

Robert Harrington, a cardiologist and clinical researcher, shared an article on fast-tracked studies to evaluate the effects of Covid-19 on the body’s cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems. The article noted that 12 scientific teams were awarded a $1.2 million in grants by the American Heart Association to begin research on the subject.

As many as 750 proposals were submitted, with an aim to respond more accurately to the Covid-19 crisis, the article detailed.

Username: Robert Harrington

Twitter handle: @HeartBobH

Retweets: 27

Likes: 62

10. Rory Hanlon’s tweet on the ‘second surge’ of diseases

Rory Hanlon, a cardiologist, shared an article on the ‘second surge’ of Covid-19 virus cases, stating that the surge is of all the non-Covid diseases, which were earlier not apparent to specialists and doctors. He further added that neither has Covid been suppressed, nor cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses.

Username: Rory Hanlon

Twitter handle: @ohanloncmr

Retweets: 22

Likes: 53