A regional prevention project involving 10,000 adults has shown a 24% reduction in acute heart attacks in a five-quarter period compared to the previous period of evaluation. The Heart of New Ulm Project combines environmental, peer leadership and individual interventions to prevent coronary heart disease.
A study found that young African-American competitive athletes with sickle cell trait are at risk of sudden death, particularly during football training. The study suggests that pre-participation screening is crucial to identify and prevent such deaths.
A multicenter study found that recalled Sprint Fidelis implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) leads failed at a higher rate in younger patients, women, and individuals with hereditary heart disease. However, the failure was not associated with death or serious injuries.
A recent study found that patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can safely continue taking clopidogrel, but bleeding complications are associated with using a Dacron patch. The study analyzed 260 consecutive patients and found no significant difference in operative blood loss between those on clopidogrel and aspirin alone.
A study using advanced imaging technologies has shed new light on left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC), a cardiomyopathy associated with heart failure, stroke, and arrhythmias. The research reveals that developing cardiac risks appear to progress over time in patients with LVNC.
A new study presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions found that community education in rural and suburban areas significantly shortens treatment time for heart attack patients. The study, which examined the effect of a regional Level 1 MI program, found that patients who received outreach education came to the ho...
Despite a high frequency of cardiac risk factors, many patients presenting with acute heart attacks are not on primary prevention medications. The study found that nearly 400,000 patients present annually with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the US, highlighting the need for improved preventive care.
A US clinical trial demonstrated the strong safety profile of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells in patients after a severe heart attack. The study found improvements in left ventricular ejection fraction and volumes at six months, suggesting potential benefits for cell therapy trials.
A regional protocol initiative improved aortic dissection patient care, reducing time to diagnosis from 4.3 hours to 160 minutes. The protocol, implemented in 32 hospitals, also led to a 55% reduction in time to intervention for surgically managed patients.