Articles tagged with Cardiology
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) has awarded Early Career Research Grants to two junior interventional cardiologists, Nadia Sutton and Eric Secemsky. Their projects focus on high-priority topics in cardiovascular disease, including coronary microvascular dysfunction and peripheral vascular interventions.
The next-generation Evolut FX TAVR system shows improved deliverability, tracking, and deployment compared to its predecessor. This is particularly beneficial for patients with difficult anatomies, where the new device's predictable deployment can improve coronary access, blood flow, and valve performance.
A study analyzing European guidelines found that patients with specific characteristics may benefit from longer-term treatment with multiple blood thinners. High-risk patients experienced higher rates of complications due to blood clotting, emphasizing the need for personalized care.
SCAI honored J. Dawn Abbott, MD, FSCAI and Douglas E. Drachman, MD, FSCAI with the Mason Sones Award for Distinguished Service for their efforts in education and quality of care. The Society also recognized Theodore A. Bass, MD, MSCAI, and Lee N. Benson, MD, MSCAI with lifetime service awards for their substantial contributions to SCAI.
A third-party analysis found that Impella support led to a greater extent of revascularization and lower heart failure and angina symptoms in patients undergoing high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The study showed a 40% greater reduction in residual SYNTAX Score post-PCI with Impella compared to IABP.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) has released an expert consensus on the management of in-stent restenosis and stent thrombosis. The guidelines emphasize frequent use of intracoronary imaging to determine the precise etiology and guide selection of treatment options.
A study found that heart transplant patients receiving organs from active COVID-19 positive donors had increased risk of death at six months and one year compared to those receiving organs from recently recovered COVID-19 patients and COVID-19 negative patients.
A study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that vigorous exercise is safe for people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a rare inherited disorder affecting the heart muscle. The research, published in JAMA Cardiology, suggests that restrictions on exercise may be unnecessary for individuals with HCM.
A global clinical trial found that bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) are nearly as safe and effective as conventional metal stents in treating coronary artery disease. The study, led by a researcher from the Mount Sinai Hospital, showed improved outcomes for patients when properly implanted.
A new study found an initial decline in diabetes mellitus plus cardiovascular disease-related mortality, but it reversed from 2014 to 2019. The researchers emphasized the need for primary prevention of diabetes and early diagnosis to prevent cardiovascular complications and mortality.
Researchers developed a new tool to predict heart disease risk in those over 40 based on their total exposure to heart disease risk factors. The study found that black patients have a 46% greater risk of developing heart disease compared to white patients.
The use of drug-coated balloons (DCBs) in coronary angioplasty is gaining importance, particularly for treating in-stent restenosis. Newer devices are being developed, and upcoming trials aim to enhance the evidence base for DCB treatment, especially in patients with de novo disease.
International emergency medical services received the Andreas Grüntzig Ethica Award for their exceptional contribution to interventional cardiovascular medicine and patient care. The award highlights the importance of EMS networks in facilitating effective treatment of STEMI patients.
The latest clinical evidence on TAVI in younger patients with aortic stenosis will be discussed, including factors that determine the choice between TAVI and surgical aortic valve replacement. Valve design and implantation technique can also influence long-term outcomes and future treatment options.
The study used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure acute pressure changes inside the heart, discovering that pressure increases when patients receive a specific medication called adenosine. This technology can help doctors better diagnose and monitor patients with heart disease and heart failure.
A recent study found that healthy dietary patterns are strongly associated with improved fitness in middle-aged adults. The study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, examined over 2,380 participants and found that a Mediterranean-style diet with fresh whole foods and minimal processed items led to higher cardio...
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions is launching a program to introduce future physicians to interventional cardiology. The Ready to Launch - Careers in Cardiology program will host medical students from the Phoenix area and provide them with impactful conversations, training paths, and hands-on demonstrations.
Researchers developed an AI algorithm called CathEF to estimate left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) from standard angiogram videos, providing real-time information for clinical decision-making. The tool was trained on a large dataset and demonstrated strong correlations with echocardiographic LVEF measurements.
EuroPCR 2023 brings together experts in interventional cardiovascular medicine to share knowledge, skills, and innovations. The event features 220 workshops, live-streamed sessions, and a scientific abstract competition.
Dr. Miaomiao Zhang's research aims to automate late mechanical activation detection from cardiac magnetic resonance images using machine learning and AI techniques. This could lead to more accurate placement of CRT electrodes and improved patient outcomes.
The Texas Heart Institute and The University of Texas at Austin receive a four-year, $2.37 million NIH grant to develop injectable hydrogel electrodes for preventing and managing ventricular arrhythmias. Researchers have already demonstrated the feasibility of pacing the heart using the hydrogel in a porcine model.
A new onsite deep-learning based FFR-CT algorithm demonstrates excellent diagnostic performance, with high interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility. The algorithm showed AUC of 0.975, sensitivity of 93.5%, and specificity of 97.7% for hemodynamically significant stenosis.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution is associated with an increase in hospital procedures for heart failure patients, including stress tests and prothrombin time tests. This suggests that high PM2.5 exposure may lead to increased cardiovascular morbidity and promp...
The program guide for TVT 2023 showcases over 200 world-renowned faculty experts, with a focus on clinical decision-making and strategies for treating valvular heart disease. The summit highlights the latest advances in transcatheter valve therapy and nonsurgical procedures.
A study supported by the National Institutes of Health found that younger women are nearly twice as likely to be rehospitalized after a heart attack as men. The disparity is largely due to higher rates of risk factors such as obesity and depression among women, which contribute to more adverse outcomes.
A long-term analysis reveals that approximately one-third of CTEPH patients also have left heart disease, which can worsen breathing symptoms and requires more comprehensive diagnostic approaches. The study suggests that treatment options for both conditions may overlap, necessitating further research to find effective therapies.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals that individuals born preterm or large for gestational age have a significantly increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation up to middle-age. In contrast, those born small for gestational age only show an increased risk up to the age of 18.
A new study found that quality of heart failure care is equitable for 11 of 14 evidence-based clinical care measures, with no disparities in care between Black and white patients. However, the study highlights areas for improvement, including gaps in care quality and social determinants of health.
The green Mediterranean diet significantly regressed proximal aortic stiffness by 15% compared to the healthy Mediterranean diet's 7.3% and control diet's 4.8%. A large-scale clinical trial of 300 participants over 18 months showed the diet's powerful effect on vascular aging physiology.
A study by an international research team has found a mechanism that occurs in brown bears and paraplegics, preventing the formation of blood clots. The discovery could lead to new treatments for venous thromboembolism, a life-threatening condition.
The European Society of Cardiology has published a detailed guidance on the natural pacemaker method, which mimics the heart's normal function. This method can benefit approximately half of the 1.4 million patients who will receive a pacemaker in 2023, particularly those with atrioventricular block or left bundle branch block.
EACVI 2023 is a patient-focused, multimodality imaging event that showcases the latest advancements in echocardiography, CMR, nuclear cardiology, and cardiac CT. The congress highlights novel treatments for long COVID, new technologies such as robotic imaging, fusion imaging, and AI.
Researchers develop a new technique to measure blood attenuation using a fluorophore-coated guidewire, improving the accuracy of near-infrared fluorescence in cardiovascular imaging. The method provides accurate information on vessel walls and outperforms existing correction methods.
A novel treatment approach called balloon pulmonary angioplasty has been shown to be effective in treating chronic blood clots in lung arteries. The procedure improves exercise capacity and quality of life, with some patients able to stop medications altogether. Refinements in technique have improved the procedure's safety and efficacy.
A nationwide study found that more experienced resident physicians are at risk of medical errors when working extended-duration shifts or long weekly hours, similar to first-year residents. The study calls for policy changes to limit work hours and extend safer training periods in the US.
A new study from Uppsala University found that patients can experience twice as much improvement in blood pressure by changing medication as they would by doubling their current dose. The study, involving 280 patients and testing four different blood pressure-lowering drugs, challenges the conventional strategy of recommending equally ...
The new American Heart Association scientific statement emphasizes the importance of including non-biological factors and social determinants in CVD risk assessment for women. These factors include economic stability, neighborhood safety, education level, and access to quality healthcare, which disproportionately affect women from dive...
The ACC Cardio-oncology Course aims to equip clinicians with the latest strategies and best practices for managing cardiovascular health in cancer patients. The course will feature joint presentations of oncologists and cardiologists, showcasing real-life patient care and collaboration across teams.
A new study published in Nature finds that artificial intelligence (AI) surpasses human sonographers in accurately assessing cardiac function from echocardiogram studies. The research, conducted at the Smidt Heart Institute, demonstrates AI's potential to improve the quality and effectiveness of heart evaluations.
Researchers found decreased lung injury, coughing up blood, and mortality rates after balloon pulmonary angioplasty between 2013 and 2022. The minimally invasive procedure is now considered a safer option for inoperable CTEPH patients.
Researchers at TUM have developed a method to create mini-hearts in Petri dishes using stem cells. The resulting organoids mimic the earliest stages of human heart development and can be used to investigate congenital heart defects, potentially leading to new treatment methods.
A new study finds that clear and accurate information about the cause of death, provided in multiple formats, can influence family members' decisions to seek follow-up screening for inherited heart conditions. The study suggests that communication from death investigators and health care professionals is crucial in addressing families'...
Researchers found that statin users can engage in moderate-intensity exercise without exacerbating muscle injury or symptoms. The study's findings are reassuring for people experiencing muscle pain or fatigue from statins and provide important guidance for maintaining physical activity and heart health.
A study by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found a 38% increase in sudden cardiac arrest among all Ventura County residents and a 77% increase among Hispanic residents during the first two years of the pandemic. Overall survival from sudden cardiac arrest declined from 15.3% to 10%.
Stuart J. Pocock, a renowned statistician, will receive the TCT Career Achievement Award for his groundbreaking work in interventional cardiology. His research has transformed patient care through evidence-based insights, improving survival and quality of life for heart disease patients worldwide.
Researchers from the Smidt Heart Institute found that individuals with spherical hearts are 31% more likely to develop atrial fibrillation and 24% more likely to develop cardiomyopathy. The study identified four genes associated with cardiomyopathy and a greater risk of developing atrial fibrillation.
A recent study suggests that cardiac sphericity, or the roundness of the heart, may be a useful indicator for diagnosing cardiovascular conditions. The research used machine learning to analyze medical images and found a link between increased sphericity and future heart troubles.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) released an updated expert consensus statement on transcatheter left atrial appendage closure, focusing on best practices for endovascular devices. The recommendations emphasize operator experience, patient selection, and imaging guidan...
The study found substantial drop in laboratory radiation, with most cases producing undetectable radiation exposure to cardiology staff. The new radiation protection system reduces overall room radiation and eliminates head and face exposure, promoting workplace safety.
A new study published in the European Heart Journal shows that using waist-to-height ratio instead of BMI provides a clearer picture of patient outcomes in heart failure. The researchers found that greater adiposity is associated with worse outcomes, including high rates of hospitalization and reduced health-related quality of life.
Supervised exercise training is safe and may improve exercise capacity and quality of life for people with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Exercise therapy has been shown to be more effective in improving quality of life compared to medications for this condition.
Researchers found that hematopoietic stem cells use aggrephagy to collect and destroy misfolded proteins, a process that is critical for maintaining stem cell fitness and longevity. Boosting this pathway could help preserve stem cell health and mitigate blood and immune disorders.
A recent study published in JAMA demonstrates the effectiveness of a minimally invasive procedure called renal denervation (RDN) to treat uncontrolled hypertension. RDN uses ultrasound energy delivered through a small balloon to denervate the renal artery, reducing sympathetic nerve activity and decreasing blood pressure.
Children from low-income neighborhoods are more likely to develop preventable heart disease due to high blood pressure, according to a new study. The research highlights the importance of considering neighborhood-related factors when diagnosing hypertension in youth.
A clinical study published in the European Heart Journal found that ghrelin increases the heart's pump capacity in patients with heart failure, improving cardiac output by 28% after two hours of treatment. The treatment also showed a 10% higher pump capacity at follow-up.
The prevalence of metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) has been found to increase significantly among U.S. adults over the past two decades, according to a new study published in JAMA Network Open. The research highlights the need for effective strategies to improve metabolic health status and prevent obesity-related complications.
A phase 2 study found that ANGPTL3 inhibitor therapy reduced triglycerides by up to 70% in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia who had previously experienced acute pancreatitis. The treatment, evicanumab-dgnb, also showed potential for cardiovascular prevention by reducing apolipoprotein B levels.
Researchers at Brigham and Boston Medical Center found associations between kidney damage and increased risk of heart disease and death. The study analyzed kidney tissue from 597 adults with chronic kidney disease, linking specific lesions to cardiovascular events.
High-dose anticoagulation reduces intubations and deaths by 30% in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, especially those with ARDS. The study found a significant reduction in mortality and need for ICU care among patients treated with therapeutic anticoagulation.
A virtual care team consisting of physicians and pharmacists improved the adoption of life-saving therapies in patients with heart failure, leading to increased use of evidence-based treatments and better patient outcomes. The strategy was safe and effective, with comparable length of stay and safety events between the groups.