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Association of time to surgery after COVID-19 infection with risk of postoperative cardiovascular morbidity

A study of nearly 4,000 patients found that the longer the time between COVID-19 diagnosis and surgery, the greater the risk of major cardiovascular events during or following surgery. This association could inform discussions on optimal surgical timing and perioperative outcomes for patients with a history of COVID-19 infection.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 14, 2022

Tropic cyclones on the rise in low- and middle- income countries yet remain least studied of climate-related events

Research highlights the need for high-quality studies on tropical cyclones in low- and middle-income countries to understand long-term consequences. The public health impact extends beyond injuries and cardiovascular diseases, affecting neuropsychiatric conditions and infectious diseases.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateNov 30, 2022

Obesity drug helps teens lose weight, study finds

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that semaglutide, an approved obesity drug for adults, also helps adolescents with obesity lose weight and have healthier hearts. After 68 weeks, 72.5% of participants who received semaglutide had achieved at least 5% weight loss compared to just 17% on placebo.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 2, 2022

Cleveland Clinic researchers identify diabetes drug metformin as potential atrial fibrillation treatment in collaborative research

Researchers found that metformin targeted 30 genes associated with atrial fibrillation, showing direct effects on gene expression for eight. The study suggests metformin may be a promising candidate for treating atrial fibrillation due to its potential to reduce the risk of complications such as stroke and heart failure.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateOct 11, 2022

Care gap: Hospital readmission rate for younger women is higher than for younger men after a heart attack

A new study found that younger women hospitalized with heart attacks had a significantly higher prevalence of cardiac risk factors and comorbidities compared to younger men. This led to higher rehospitalization rates and all-cause readmission rates, emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts to improve prevention strategies.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 5, 2022

TAVR is an affordable and effective strategy for treating aortic stenosis patients

A budget impact analysis found that catheter-based TAVR is an affordable and effective strategy for treating aortic stenosis patients, with lower total costs compared to surgical SAVR. The study showed that the upfront cost of TAVR is partially offset by reduced healthcare resources, making it a more efficient option.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 12, 2022

Transplanted gut bacteria causes cardiovascular changes in mice

Researchers found that transplanted gut bacteria from mice with obstructive sleep apnea caused increased blood pressure and impaired coronary function in recipient mice. Probiotics improved symptoms for the recipients but not the donor mice, highlighting a potential therapeutic strategy to mitigate cardiovascular disease.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2022

Dedicated women’s heart centers can improve accurate diagnoses and outcomes

A prospective study in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found that dedicated women's heart centers can significantly improve clinical and psychological outcomes for women with myocardial ischemia. The study, which followed 154 patients, showed a significant decrease in chest pain frequency and improved quality of life after attending...

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 7, 2022

The prevalence of hypertension in low- and middle-income countries increases more sharply in rural areas

A meta-analysis of nearly 300 studies reveals a higher hypertension prevalence in urban areas but with a narrowing gap over time and socio-economic development, indicating rapid increase in rural areas. The study highlights the need for increased awareness and control measures in rural areas to address the growing burden of hypertension.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 22, 2022

Wrist-worn devices are shown by mass general researchers to be cost-effective for screening of atrial fibrillation

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital found that wrist-worn devices are more cost-effective than traditional electrocardiograms and pulse palpation for screening individuals with atrial fibrillation. The use of these devices was also associated with a reduction in stroke incidence.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Health Forum·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 5, 2022

New heart model to help treat patients with heart failure

Researchers at RCSI University have created a new lab-based model to test devices for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The model enables testing of the left atrium and ventricle, two independently controlled chambers that simulate blood flow during the resting phase.

SourceRCSI·JournalFrontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine·DateJul 26, 2022

Major expansion of open-source neuroimaging data set to boost stroke recovery research

A newly expanded data set of brain scans from stroke patients called ATLAS now includes 1,271 MRI images with manually segmented lesions, facilitating large-scale stroke recovery research. Researchers hope to develop algorithms to automate lesion segmentation, enabling clinicians to predict patient responses to therapies.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalScientific Data·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 27, 2022

Chinese Medical Journal review explores the role of macrophages in the progression of acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease

A recent review article highlights the crucial role of macrophages in the progression from acute kidney injury (AKI) to chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study suggests that targeting specific signaling pathways and altering macrophage activation can prevent renal fibrosis and CKD. Therapeutic strategies such as clodronate liposomes an...

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 20, 2022

From cavefish to humans: Evolution of metabolism in cavefish may provide insight into treatments for a host of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke

Researchers studied cavefish genome-wide map of liver tissue to understand metabolism evolution and its potential applications for humans. The study found striking similarities in metabolic adaptations among cavefish populations, raising questions about universal adaptation mechanisms that could be triggered in other species like humans.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalNature Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2022

Cardiac progenitor cells generate healthy tissue after a heart attack

A team of researchers has successfully treated damaged pig hearts with cardiac progenitor cells, demonstrating the formation of new cardiac tissue and improved cardiac function. The treatment could potentially be used to treat patients with serious heart failure, particularly older patients with coexisting conditions.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2022

Doctors diagnosing fetal heart disease benefit from explanatory AI

Researchers found that AI-enhanced diagnosis helps doctors accurately detect fetal congenital heart disease, with fellows making the most accurate diagnoses. The new system uses graphical charts to represent the AI's analysis of ultrasound videos, improving accuracy and trust among medical professionals.

SourceRIKEN·JournalBiomedicines·DateApr 4, 2022

Cleveland Clinic-led trial finds that experimental ‘gene silencing’ therapy reduces lipoprotein(a), an important risk factor of heart disease, by up to 98%

A Cleveland Clinic-led trial found that an experimental 'gene silencing' therapy significantly reduced blood levels of lipoprotein(a), a key driver of heart disease risk, by up to 96%-98%. The therapy targets the gene responsible for Lp(a) production and has shown strong efficacy with no major safety concerns reported.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateApr 3, 2022

Daily activities like washing dishes reduced heart disease risk in senior women

Researchers found that daily life movement, including housework and self-care activities, significantly benefits cardiovascular health. Women with at least four hours of daily life movement had a 43% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, 62% lower risk of cardiovascular disease death.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 22, 2022

Study finds higher risk in families of Black patients with inherited heart muscle disease

A study led by Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds that Black patients with dilated cardiomyopathy have a higher risk of family members being affected. The research analyzed data from 1,220 patients and their relatives, revealing that 39% of Black patients had at least one first-degree family member with the condition.

Artificial intelligence identifies individuals at risk for heart disease complications

Researchers developed AI tools to precisely measure the synergistic effects of existing medical conditions on the heart and blood vessels. The study found that comorbidities significantly influenced transplant risks, with some adults facing 405 times higher risks than those without cardiomyopathy.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalPLOS Digital Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 24, 2022