A 5-year population health program in New Ulm, Minnesota, has achieved substantial decreases in heart disease risk factors, including high cholesterol and blood pressure. The study found improved cardiovascular health indicators, with positive changes in fasting glucose and triglycerides.
A recent study found that approximately 1 in 6 aging individuals would be reclassified as having 'at goal' blood pressure under the new guidelines, despite frequent use of antihypertensive medications. The study suggests that less stringent blood pressure goals may increase the risk for heart attacks and strokes among older adults.
Researchers found that implantable defibrillators and modern treatments have reduced mortality rates among adults with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, improving life expectancy. The study also showed a lower rate of deaths directly associated with the disease, especially sudden cardiac death.
The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines now recommend statin therapy for individuals with an elevated estimated risk of a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years. A study found that 97% of adults aged 66-75 qualify for statin therapy, with 100% of men in this age group being eligible.
A study in a rural Midwestern community found that the new cholesterol guidelines substantially increased the number of individuals who qualify for a statin. The biggest driver of this increase was that a larger number of older individuals without known heart disease qualified for a statin under the new guidelines.
The Heart of New Ulm Project demonstrated population-level improvements in blood pressure and lipids, with increases in residents meeting blood pressure and LDL cholesterol goals. Lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, quitting smoking, and increased physical activity, also showed significant effects on HDL levels and total cholestero...
A new study by Dr. Ankur Kalra identifies a significant risk factor for heart failure progression in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy patients using Doppler Tissue Imaging. The finding could lead to more aggressive management and closer monitoring of high-risk patients.
The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation has successfully implanted the world's smallest cardiac pacemaker as part of a global clinical trial. The Medtronic Micra Transcatheter Pacing System is a miniature device that delivers electrical impulses to pace the heart through an electrode, eliminating the need for surgical wires.
A Minneapolis Heart Institute Fellow is recognized as a finalist for the ACCF Young Investigators Awards, focusing on using non-invasive tools to identify heart attack survivors at risk of sudden cardiac death. The study used contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to assess scar size and predict future outcomes.
A new telemedicine program integrating office visits with supplemental phone coaching improves cardiovascular disease risk factors such as fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, stress reduction, and medication adherence. Adults who engaged in five or more coaching sessions showed significant improvements.
Researchers analyzed electronic health records to identify individuals at risk of familial hypercholesterolaemia. Only 4.3% of those identified were diagnosed, highlighting the need for improved provider recognition and treatment.
Researchers used cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to identify patients with mild heart disease who were at high risk of developing more serious heart problems. The study found that these patients had nearly three times the likelihood of experiencing a major cardiac event over time compared to those without a mild heart attack.
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables in early adulthood has been linked to reduced rates of coronary heart disease in middle-aged adults. Young women who ate 8 servings or more per day were 40% less likely to develop calcified plaque in their arteries 20 years later.
A study of STEMI patients found that patient and family satisfaction with acute care transfers was significant, with most feeling the transfer was necessary and well explained. However, some would have preferred to stay at their local facility.
A study of 1,059 residents found that a decline in optimal lifestyle score was associated with a nearly 3-fold increased risk of incident MS. Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and reducing BMI were strongly linked to lower MS risk.
A recent study by the Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network found that bone marrow mononuclear stem cells did not improve heart function significantly at one year compared to six months. The treatment also showed a measurable decrease in scar tissue, but its effectiveness was no different from a placebo.
Percutaneous repair of paravalvular prosthetic regurgitation can mitigate known risks associated with increases in implanted valves, particularly in patients at high-risk of cardiac surgery. The technique has shown durable symptom relief and reduced mortality rates in selected patients.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that long-term outcomes in patients with advanced coronary artery disease are better than expected. The researchers analyzed data from 1,200 consecutive patients with refractory angina and found a low mortality rate of 3.9% at one year and 28.4% at nine years.
A large registry study found that aortic stenosis and dissection are uncommon yet critical causes of sudden death in young, competitive athletes, usually during exercise. Many cleared players were allowed to participate despite suspicions of cardiovascular conditions.
The risk of cardiovascular sudden death in young competitive athletes is extremely low, occurring only about 30% of the time and in a small percentage of those due to diseases detectable by ECGs. Current screening initiatives have potential impact on 10-15 million young adults but do not provide evidence for necessity of ECGs
A clinical decision support tool helped identify high-risk patients before coronary interventions, leading to reduced bleeding complications and shorter hospital stays. The use of bivalirudin as a bleeding avoidance strategy improved patient outcomes, including lower complication rates and death.
A study at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions found that ECMO, accompanied by mechanical CPR and therapeutic hypothermia, can lead to unexpected survival in patients with massive myocardial infarctions. Four out of five patients survived hospital discharge with improved ejection fractions.
Researchers found that the mortality rate for type A acute aortic dissections is still extremely high, with a near 1% per hour risk during the initial onset. The study suggests that medical management alone may not be sufficient to reduce mortality rates, emphasizing the need for rapid diagnosis and intervention through surgery.
A study reveals that Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy, or broken heart syndrome, can be deadly when compounded by other co-morbidities. Researchers found that severe hypotensive heart failure and low blood pressure are linked to high mortality rates in women, highlighting the need for improved diagnosis and treatment guidelines.
A simple-to-use risk score identifies low-risk STEMI patients, allowing early discharge and reducing hospital length of stay by a day. This strategy results in estimated savings of nearly $7,000 in total hospital costs.
Patients with prior open heart surgery who experience a severe heart attack and receive a coronary stent have similar outcomes to those without previous CABG. The study found that reperfusion rates were higher in the prior-CABG group compared to previous studies.
A new study published in JAMA found that noninvasive CT scanning technology combined with fractional flow reserve can improve diagnostic accuracy for heart disease. The DeFACTO study involved 252 patients from 17 centers worldwide, showing improved detection of coronary artery disease using this approach.
A new study by the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation found that Optim lead insulation paper may not prevent insulation abrasions in St. Jude Medical defibrillator leads, raising concerns about patient safety. The study suggests that patients with these leads should be regularly evaluated for potential failures.
Experts propose a new model of care collaboration for diagnosing, treating, and following patients with emergent cardiovascular conditions. Regionalized systems of care can improve clinical outcomes by providing rapid diagnosis, effective care coordination, and appropriate follow-up care.
The Minneapolis Heart Institute will receive $63 million to support innovative stem cell therapy development for heart disease, as part of the National Institutes of Health's Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network. The network aims to drive public health advances in cardiovascular cell therapy.
Researchers found that chronic right ventricular pacing significantly reduces survival in ICD patients with left ventricular dysfunction, but biventricular defibrillator devices mitigate this effect. The study suggests that CRT-D therapy may be beneficial for these patients despite high right ventricular pacing requirements.
A pre-procedure bleeding risk score can predict greater risk and higher costs for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures. The study identified that high-risk patients experience increased rates of complications, longer hospital stays, and higher total costs.
A study found a significant mismatch between the growth of cardiac catheterization laboratories and the need for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures. PCI centers have grown 12.9% over eight years, but STEMI rates have declined, leaving many patients without access to care.
A recent study found that selected 90-year-old patients who experience acute heart attacks can benefit from coronary stenting, leading to reasonable outcomes and low cardiovascular readmissions. The study suggests that reperfusion therapy should be considered for this age group, which is expected to quadruple by 2050.
A community-wide preventive initiative involving 10,000 adults significantly reduced cardiovascular risk factors, including smoking, stress levels, and hypertension. The program's success was attributed to its comprehensive approach, which included healthcare initiatives, worksite programs, and broad community engagement.
The FOCUS trial found that patients with chronic ischemic heart disease who received stem cell therapy had a significant increase in left ventricular ejection fraction, with improvements correlated to the number of progenitor cells in their bone marrow. This study provides valuable insights for future therapies and trials.
A study published in Circulation Research found that the size of a heart attack and subsequent left-ventricular function are significantly different based on the time of day onset of ischemia. The greatest amount of injury to the heart occurs when individuals have a heart attack between 1:00am and 5:00am.
A study found that women and young men make up a substantial portion of heart attack patients without known coronary disease. These groups are less likely to receive preventive medications, which could reduce their risk of heart attacks.
A study found that elite female marathoners have less plaque buildup than their sedentary counterparts, with similar characteristics when plaque forms. In contrast, male marathon runners tend to develop more plaque volume and stenosis.
A new study found that therapeutic hypothermia confers similar neurologic and survival benefits in cardiac arrest patients with preexisting cardiomyopathy as those without the condition. However, cardiogenic shock was more prevalent in patients with cardiomyopathy, leading to lower survival rates with favorable neurologic outcomes.
A study published at the American Heart Association scientific sessions found that delays in therapeutic hypothermia and return of spontaneous circulation significantly worsen neurologic outcomes. Caregivers with a thorough understanding of post-cardiac arrest neurologic states can better manage patients at discharge.
A study found that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients can survive to the age of 90, with most deaths unrelated to the disease. The study analyzed data from 1,297 HCM patients and showed a greater proportion of patients reaching 90 years or older than expected in the general population.
Despite advancements in treating STEMI patients needing emergency artery-opening procedures, delays continue to occur, particularly during transfers between hospitals. Researchers found that 34.2% of patients experienced delays, with the most frequent reasons being referral hospital delays and cardiac arrest.
A study found that ICD patients are living longer, with an average of nine years after implantation. However, right ventricular pacing negatively affects survival rates, while cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves outcomes.
A study found that newer cardiac CT scanners deliver significantly less radiation than previous technology, allowing for non-invasive imaging of coronary arteries in young patients. The researchers used a combination of medication and new scanner technology to obtain excellent images without sedation or anesthesia.
Researchers extracted 148 Medtronic Sprint Fidelis leads without major complications, showing successful extraction rates. The study provides new insights into the procedure's feasibility in large volume centers.
A study finds ranolazine effective for refractory angina, but only 59% of patients remain on the medication after one year. Adherence issues, including cost and side effects, are major concerns.
A new study found that implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) can effectively prevent sudden cardiac death in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy. The average survival time for ICD patients was seven years, outpacing the typical lifespan of an ICD battery.
Since 2003, Minnesota hospitals without cardiac catheterization labs have dramatically improved their acute heart attack or STEMI guidelines and protocols. As a result, the state has seen a significant decline in cardiovascular mortality rates, with a 50% decrease from 2002 to 2009.
A study found that young adult patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy survived cardiac arrest after receiving therapeutic hypothermia. The treatment was successful despite marked left ventricular wall thickness and other risk factors.