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New criteria provide guidance about when to use cardiac catheterization to look for heart problems

A new report provides detailed criteria for clinicians to determine when cardiac catheterization is a reasonable option for evaluating patients with heart disease. The guidelines identify 166 possible clinical scenarios and assess the appropriateness of each indication, concluding that cardiac catheterization is appropriate in about ha...

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMay 9, 2012

ACCF, SCAI publish new standards defining best practices for modern cardiac cath labs

The updated consensus statement provides guidance on setting up, operating, and maintaining high-quality cardiac catheterization laboratories. Modern cath labs now incorporate minimally invasive techniques for congenital heart defects and valvular heart disease, as well as developing hybrid labs with surgical features.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMay 8, 2012

Long-term outcome similar with thrombus aspiration and stents in PCI

A study published in Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions found that thrombus aspiration during PCI provides similar long-term outcomes to conventional stent use in STEMI patients. The analysis of the PASSION trial data reported no significant difference in major adverse cardiac events between the two groups.

SourceWiley·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateMay 2, 2012

Middle-of-the-night PCIs do not adversely affect success of next-day procedures

A new study published in Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions found that middle-of-the-night PCIs do not adversely affect the safety and effectiveness of procedures performed the next day by the same operator. The researchers identified no significant difference in complication rates or outcomes between PCIs performed durin...

SourceWiley·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateMar 30, 2012

Persistent depression linked with cognitive decline in older patients with coronary artery disease

A study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found that persistent depression symptoms may be associated with significant declines in cognitive performance in older patients with coronary artery disease who underwent cardiac catheterization. Patients with persistent depressive symptoms exhibited greater decline in attention/exec...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of General Psychiatry·DateMar 5, 2012

Heart rate recovery predicts clinical worsening in pulmonary hypertension

A new study found that heart rate recovery at one minute after a six-minute walking distance test is highly predictive of clinical worsening and time to clinical worsening in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. Patients with low heart rate recovery were more likely to experience clinical worsening events and had s...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateNov 18, 2011

Positive results for unprotected left main coronary artery PCI with drug-eluting stents

A multicenter study published in Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions found that elective unprotected left main coronary artery PCI with drug-eluting stents resulted in favorable outcomes for patients with normal left ventricular function, including low rates of cardiac death and target lesion revascularization. Patients ag...

SourceWiley·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateJun 22, 2011

Drug-eluting stents are preferred therapy for revascularization of chronic total occlusions

A systematic review found drug-eluting stents (DES) reduce restenosis and target revascularization in chronic total occlusions, offering a safe approach with similar adverse events as bare metal stents. DES implantation is associated with significant reductions in angiographic and clinical restenosis compared to bare metal stents.

SourceWiley·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateFeb 9, 2011

Sheathless transradial intervention highly successful in treating complex lesions

A novel approach to angioplasty using standard guiding catheters has shown a 90% success rate in treating complex coronary lesions through the radial artery. The procedure, known as sheathless transradial PCI, promotes widespread adoption of transradial PCI in the US and offers benefits for patients with even the most complex procedures.

SourceWiley·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateDec 7, 2010

Cardiac Cath Lab Director

The new bimonthly journal Cardiac Cath Lab Director is being launched by SAGE, providing administrators and managers with the latest research and evidence-based information on cardiac catheterization procedures. Topics include cardiovascular anatomy, department administration, diagnostic techniques, and patient safety.

SourceSAGE·JournalCardiac Cath Lab Director·DateSep 21, 2010

Drug-eluting stents confirmed safe, effective for long-term use

A study published in Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions confirms the safety and effectiveness of drug-eluting stents (DES) for long-term use. The use of DES reduces the occurrence of myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, and mortality compared to bare-metal stents.

SourceWiley·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateAug 18, 2010

Complete revascularization improves outcomes for CAD patients

A retrospective study found that complete revascularization significantly improved outcomes for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), with a 3-year mortality rate of 6.6% compared to 14.8% in those with incomplete revascularization. The study also revealed that advanced medical therapy may contribute to improved mortality rates.

SourceWiley·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateApr 23, 2010

CCTA: Cost-effective, noninvasive alternative to invasive cardiac catheterization for the evaluation of significant CAD

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a cost-effective alternative to invasive cardiac catheterization, reducing costs by $789 per patient and radiation exposure by minimal amounts. The study suggests that CCTA can effectively triage patients with low CAD risk, potentially eliminating the need for cardiac catheterization.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateApr 21, 2010

Individualized stroke treatment available for patients, though underutilized

Researchers found that 89% of patients treated with catheter-based therapy (CBT) showed significant improvement in neurologic disability and NIHSS score. CBT may be an effective alternative for ischemic stroke patients ineligible for intravenous thrombolysis, with potential benefits including earlier treatment windows.

SourceWiley·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateMar 26, 2009

Capture study shows safety of carotid stenting in 'real-world' setting

The CAPTURE study found that carotid stenting can be performed safely and effectively by community physicians who receive proper education and training. The study involved 3,500 high-surgical risk patients and 353 physicians at 144 hospitals across the US, with similar outcomes among experienced and less-experienced physicians.

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateDec 14, 2006

MRI cardiac catheterization poised for success in children with congenital heart disease

MRI cardiac catheterization provides a detailed three-dimensional picture of the heart, enabling interventional cardiologists to see blood vessels inside and out. This technology is already being used to diagnose congenital heart disease in children and has the potential to replace traditional diagnostic catheterization procedures.

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateAug 12, 2005