A new study found that closing the left atrial appendage during cardiac surgery significantly reduces thromboembolism risk, a leading cause of stroke, by 40%. The procedure also shows promise for patients who cannot take anticoagulant medications.
A recent study found that Embol-X and CardioGard devices did not significantly reduce overall number of brain infarcts during aortic valve replacement, but may affect size. However, patients treated with these devices experienced reduced delirium after surgery. Further research is needed to clarify potential health outcomes.
Researchers will use simulators to recreate the experience of working in a high-rise office block, walking across a wobbly bridge, or dancing in a crowded stadium. The study aims to better understand how vibrations from tall buildings can affect people's health and wellbeing.
A new study found that patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) taking digoxin are at a higher risk of death, regardless of heart failure status. The risk increases with higher levels of digoxin in the bloodstream.
A blood test for high-sensitivity troponin T can identify patients with heart damage after non-cardiac surgery, allowing for timely treatment to prevent deaths. The test showed that approximately 18% of patients sustain a heart injury after surgery, which may account for up to 1 in 4 deaths in the first 30 days.
A study found that nearly a quarter of older patients developing new microbleeds after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) experience cognitive decline. Microbleeds are detrimental to thinking and memory, and factors associated with increased risk include previous cardiovascular intervention and prolonged anticoagulant exposure.
A large study found that levosimendan did not significantly reduce rates of death, heart attack, kidney dialysis, or mechanical assist device use among patients at high risk for low cardiac output syndrome. However, the drug reduced low cardiac output syndrome and required less use of other inotropes.
A large observational study found that CT scans detect subclinical leaflet thrombosis in 12.1% of patients after aortic valve replacement, increasing the risk of transient ischemic attacks but not death or stroke. Oral anticoagulants reduced the risk of clots, while anti-platelet therapy was associated with increased risk.
A recent study found that uninterrupted treatment with dabigatran before, during, and after atrial fibrillation ablation significantly reduced the incidence of major bleeding events compared to warfarin. The trial showed a 5.3% reduction in major bleeding events, with major bleeds occurring in 1.6% of patients receiving dabigatran.
The American Chemical Society's president will focus on critical areas of chemistry, including energy sustainability and LGBT student research, at the annual meeting. The event features a symposium on sustainable energy and another on LGBT graduate and postdoctoral students in chemistry.
A new study found that genotyping and personalized warfarin dosing can lower the risk of certain adverse events, such as bleeding and blood clots. The Genetic InFormatics Trial showed a 27% reduction in adverse events with genotype-guided dosing compared to clinically guided dosing.
Researchers found that a pacemaker delivering a pacing program designed to detect and stop abnormal heart rhythms can significantly reduce fainting episodes in patients with recurrent syncope. The study, known as SPAIN, showed a seven-fold reduction in recurrences of syncope in patients who used the program.