Articles tagged with Myocardial Infarction
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have discovered a new way to generate more blood vessels following a heart attack by turning fibroblasts into endothelial cells. Increasing the level of p53 in scar-forming cells significantly reduces scarring and improves heart function after heart attack.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered that fibroblasts can transform into endothelial cells, which form blood vessels. This finding suggests a potential new strategy for improving heart repair after a heart attack.
Researchers have found that post-heart-attack arrhythmias are triggered by a power grid-like failure inside cardiac cells, disrupting mitochondria and causing chaotic cell-to-cell signaling. This disruption can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias like fibrillation, but pretreatment with certain medications may help prevent them.
Sepsis affects more hospital patients than any other diagnosis, with half of all in-hospital deaths involving the condition. Researchers say a national system is needed to hold hospitals accountable for sepsis diagnosis and care, building on lessons from heart attack treatment.
Research reveals that young men and women who had a heart attack have poorer health and quality of life if they have limited social support, including friends, family, and emotional connections. This study provides new insights into the importance of social support for younger patients after a heart attack.
A new study finds that healthy lifestyle habits, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, can prevent four out of five coronary events in men. Researchers followed 20,721 Swedish men for 11 years and found that those with low-risk behaviors had significantly lower risk of heart attack.
University of Leeds researchers found that a single missed care step can lead to a 46% increased chance of death within a month of discharge and a 74% increased chance of dying within one year. The nine identified pathways of care include pre-hospital electrocardiogram, aspirin prescription, and cardiac rehabilitation referral.
Scientists at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute have discovered a connection between elevated PCSK9 levels and acute heart attacks in patients. Elevated PCSK9 levels were found in blood samples from patients who had experienced a heart attack, but not in those who had never had one or had recovered from a previous attack.
A new study found that early administration of ticagrelor, an anti-clot medication, in the ambulance may prevent stent thrombosis in heart attack patients. The ATLANTIC study showed a significant reduction in stent thrombosis at 24 and 30 hours in the ambulance treatment arm compared to the in-hospital treatment arm.
A new study found that complete revascularisation of all significantly blocked arteries leads to better outcomes in heart attack patients compared to only unblocking the culprit artery. Patients who underwent complete revascularisation had a lower risk of major adverse cardiac events, including death, recurrent MI, and heart failure.
The NOMI trial found that nitric oxide inhalation improved cardiac recovery, particularly in patients who had not previously received nitroglycerin. However, it did not reduce infarct size. The study suggests that further investigation is warranted for STEMI patients.
A new diagnostic technique using Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) measurement has shown that it can help avoid stents or surgery in over one-fifth of heart attack patients. The study found that patients with FFR values above 0.80 can be safely treated medically, without the need for coronary revascularisation surgery.
A European study found that experimental agent TRO40303 was ineffective in preventing tissue damage when impaired blood flow is corrected in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The study suggests that high-quality modern care may leave little room for improvement in STEMI treatment.
The FAME 2 trial found that FFR-guided drug-eluting stenting significantly reduced major adverse cardiac events compared to medical therapy in patients with stable coronary artery disease. The rate of death, MI, or urgent revascularisation was lower with PCI than MT.
The FOCUS Study found that patients taking a polypill had higher adherence rates compared to those receiving individual medications. The study identified factors contributing to non-adherence, including age, depression, and complexity of treatment.
A novel polypill with a fixed-dose combination of blood thinner, cholesterol-lowering drug, and angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor shows promise in increasing patient adherence to treatment following a myocardial infarction. The study found that patients were more likely to take their medication when given as a polypill compared t...
A new trial found that darapladib did not reduce the risk of major coronary events or cardiovascular death in patients with an acute coronary syndrome. The study's findings challenge the notion that inhibition of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 is a worthwhile approach for patients with coronary heart disease.
A clinical trial found that darapladib, a Lp-PLA2 inhibitor, did not reduce the risk of recurrent major coronary events after an acute coronary syndrome event. The study involved over 13,000 participants and followed them for two and a half years.
A new analysis reveals that cardiac clinic trial participants do not accurately represent the broader patient population. The study suggests using broader enrollment criteria and existing patient registries to improve clinical trial participation and generalizability.
A study analyzed data from a cardiovascular registry and found that clinical trial participants had lower risk profiles and more favorable prognoses compared to non-participants. The researchers noted that efforts to improve trial participation are needed to enhance the generalizability of results.
A study of over 5,000 US adults found that those who felt part of their community had a 22% reduced risk of heart attack. The researchers suggest that friendly neighborhoods may be an extension of social support networks, excluding antisocial behaviors.
Fenofibrate cuts cardiovascular disease risks by 30 per cent in women with type-2 diabetes, a five-year study reveals. The drug also reduces the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease or having a stroke by 30 per cent in women and 13 per cent in men.
Researchers found consistent improvements in the use of evidence-based treatments and medications, as well as an increase in quality improvement initiatives. Hospitalization rates dropped for all racial groups, with notable declines in heart attack, unstable angina, and ischemic stroke rates.
A study found that only 34% of men and 42% of women were told to take daily low-dose aspirin for heart attack prevention. The disconnect may be due to time constraints and uncertainty about therapy's benefits versus potential harms. Expanded primary care teams could help improve guideline adherence.
A UCLA-led analysis found that changes in treatment over the past decade have associated with higher survival rates for all patient groups, regardless of age or risk factors. The study tracked 6.5 million patients treated for heart attacks between 2002 and 2011 and found improved outcomes with earlier cardiac catheterization
A new study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal suggests that combining clinical judgement with electrocardiogram and blood tests can effectively reduce unnecessary hospital admissions for chest pain. The findings could make a huge difference to a large number of patients, particularly in regions with high incidence rates of he...
A new study analyzing hospital data from 2001 to 2010 found that young women with a heart attack have longer hospital stays and are more likely to die in the hospital compared to men. The study suggests that raising awareness of controlling cardiovascular risk factors is crucial for improving outcomes in this population.
A new study suggests that niacin should no longer be prescribed for most patients due to potential increased risk of death and dangerous side effects. The therapy was found to have no benefit in reducing heart attacks and strokes, despite raising HDL cholesterol levels.
Patients with a history of stroke are at higher risk for major adverse cardiovascular events and death after elective non-cardiac surgery. A recent study found that the time elapsed between stroke and surgery is critical in determining this risk, with those experiencing a stroke less than 9 months prior being particularly vulnerable.
A new study published in The Lancet compares two drugs used to prevent blood clot formation during emergency heart attack treatment. The results suggest that systematic use of heparin rather than bivalirudin after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) could save health services substantial sums of money while potentially im...
A new US-based study of over 25,000 older men shows that testosterone therapy is not associated with an increased risk of heart attack. In fact, men with cardiovascular problems who used testosterone had a lower rate of heart attacks compared to those who did not.
The study found that hospitalizations for STEMI increased from 3.7 to 15.8 per 100,000 population over the decade, despite improvements in treatment intensity.
Researchers found that quitting snus, a Swedish smokeless powder tobacco, reduced the mortality risk by nearly half compared to those who continued using it. After a heart attack, cessation of snus use was associated with similar health benefits as smoking cessation.
African-American barbers will be enlisted in the fight against hypertension through a new grant, which aims to train barbers to conduct blood pressure checks and steer patients to lifesaving medical care. The study aims to test the effectiveness of barbershop hypertension programs and their cost-effectiveness.
Women aged 55 and under are twice as likely to suffer a heart attack, die, or require artery-opening procedures if they're moderately or severely depressed. The study found that each 1-point increase in depression symptoms is associated with a 7% increase in the presence of heart disease in women 55 and younger.
A new study found that heart attack patients with kidney problems are less likely to receive recommended treatments, including angiograms and invasive procedures. However, recent studies suggest these risks may be overstated, and clinicians can ensure patient hydration reduces the risk of injury.
The study found no difference in mortality rates between patients who received preoperative beta-blockers and those who did not. However, patients who received preoperative beta-blockers had higher rates of new-onset atrial fibrillation compared to those who did not.
A study found that Sjögren's Syndrome significantly increases the risk of heart attack in patients, particularly within the first year following diagnosis. The research highlights the importance of active management of cardiovascular risk factors to reduce the risk of a future heart attack.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a genome-editing approach that permanently reduces cholesterol levels in mice through a single injection. This approach could significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks in humans, translating to a potential 90% reduction in heart attack risk. The technique targets the PCSK9 gene and ...
Research published in mBio shows that stress and emotional shock can trigger heart attacks by dispersing bacterial biofilms on arterial walls. Bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa are found in atherosclerotic carotid arteries, and their dispersion can cause plaque deposits to rupture into the bloodstream.
A large study finds that high levels of certain air pollutants are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular problems, including irregular heart rhythms and lung blood clots. The research suggests that particulate matter is particularly harmful for elderly people.
A new study has found that non-obstructive coronary artery disease is associated with a 28-44% increased risk of major adverse cardiac events such as heart attacks or death. Patients with non-obstructive disease should consider preventive therapies like quitting smoking and taking preventative medications.
A study of nearly 65,000 older patients with pneumonia found that azithromycin reduced mortality by 17.4%, while increasing the risk of heart attacks by 5.1%. The treatment also had a slight increase in cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure
New research reveals that up to 10.1% of people who have a heart attack are newly diagnosed with diabetes due to unrecognized A1C levels. Recognizing diabetes in these patients is crucial as it can guide treatments for coronary artery disease and prevent additional cardiovascular complications.
Women aged 55 or younger are more likely to experience poorer physical functioning, mental functioning, quality of life, chest pain, and physical limitations after a heart attack. This disparity is attributed to various factors, including undetected chest pain, access issues, and increased work-life responsibilities.
A new study found that delaying anti-clotting medication after a coronary artery stent can increase the risk of heart attack and death. Filling prescriptions promptly within days of hospital discharge may help prevent these complications.
Research found that eating more fibre, especially cereal fibre, can improve long-term survival rates after a heart attack. Those who ate the most fibre had a 25% lower chance of dying in nine years compared to those who ate least fibre.
Researchers developed a new ultrasound device that can identify vulnerable arterial plaques, which are more likely to break off and cause heart attacks or strokes. The device uses dual-frequency intravascular ultrasound technology to detect contrast agents, making it easier to highlight vulnerable plaques on ultrasound images.
A new study from the University of Surrey found that performing an electrocardiogram (ECG) test on patients with suspected heart attacks while they are being transported to hospital by ambulance can significantly reduce mortality rates. The study, which analyzed data from nearly half a million adults admitted with a heart attack in Eng...
Scientists at Case Western Reserve University have discovered how MRP-14 generates dangerous clots that could trigger heart attack or stroke. MRP-14 binds to a platelet receptor called CD36 to activate platelets, promoting pathologic blood clotting.
Research suggests that interrupting diurnal rhythms impairs healing immediately after a heart attack, while normal cycles promote better outcomes. Maintaining circadian rhythms during the first few days after an attack can improve scar formation and healing.
A study comparing heparin and bivalirudin found that patients treated with heparin had significantly fewer major cardiovascular events at 28 days compared to those receiving bivalirudin. Heparin was also shown to reduce repeat heart attacks caused by stent thrombosis.
A worldwide study of 7,500 patients found that giving steroids during bypass surgery does not improve health outcomes and may increase the risk of heart attack. The study challenges a decades-long practice in cardiac surgery, suggesting that steroids should not be used prophylactically.
The sodium pump's hybrid function enables simultaneous import of protons, raising questions about its role in pathologies. This discovery may have important implications for conditions like muscle exercise, heart attacks, and strokes.
Patients given aspirin after non-heart-related surgery had a higher risk of serious bleeding than those who did not receive aspirin. Aspirin did not reduce incidence of post-operative heart attacks and death, according to data from POISE-2.
A recent study published in JAMA found that metformin treatment did not improve ventricular function in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) without diabetes. The study showed no significant difference in left ventricular ejection fraction between the metformin and placebo groups.
A JAMA study finds that biodegradable polymer biolimus-eluting stents (BP-BES) have similar safety outcomes to durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents (DP-EES) after two years, with noninferiority found for death and heart attack rates. The rates of target-lesion revascularization were also noninferior between the groups.
Researchers developed a hydrogel that delivers enzyme inhibitors to damaged heart tissue, minimizing long-term damage and improving heart function. The gel's responsive design allows it to release inhibitors in response to the activity level of the enzyme.
The study found that aleglitazar did not decrease the time to cardiovascular death, nonfatal heart attack, or nonfatal stroke among patients with type 2 diabetes. The drug was associated with increased risks of kidney abnormalities, bone fractures, gastrointestinal bleeding, and hypoglycemia.
Researchers identified plasma levels of microRNA 122 and 126 that decline before a person suffers a heart attack, suggesting these markers may help predict imminent risk. The discovery could lead to the development of a blood test to identify people at high risk of having a heart attack.