Research from the field of heart medicine. Covers light exposure and heart health, lifestyle and longevity, and regional cardiology care.
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.
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 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.
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...
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.
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 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.
The study found that transcatheter edge-to-edge repair achieved a successful repair for nearly 9 out of 10 patients and reduced valve leakage from severe to moderate or less in almost 90% of patients. Patients who underwent the procedure were half as likely to die within one year compared with those in whom the procedure was unsuccessful.
A new study shows that transcatheter mitral valve repair significantly reduces hospitalizations by almost 50 percent and death by nearly 30 percent in heart failure patients with severe mitral regurgitation. The procedure, using Abbott's MitraClip system, improves symptoms, reduces hospitalizations, and leads to longer survival.
Researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine found that automated systems with alert banners increased MRA therapy prescriptions for heart failure patients by 30%. The system aims to improve care and reduce costs by streamlining medical information in one place. The study tested two notification types, finding that banner-like alerts...
A recent MRI study by the CNIC has established reference values for anatomical and functional parameters in adolescents' hearts, providing a crucial resource for clinical practice. The study involved 123 adolescents and aimed to fill the knowledge gap on 'normal' cardiac parameter values in this age group.
Using a dual-source CT scanner eliminates the need for beta-blockers and decreases nondiagnostic examinations, resulting in shorter CT completion times. The study found no difference in ED length of stay but demonstrated significant benefits in reducing nondiagnostic examinations.
A new review paper from Mayo Clinic outlines how obesity impacts common tests used to diagnose heart disease, such as ECG, CT scan, MRI, and echocardiogram. The study highlights the need for alternative approaches to prevent weight gain in patients with heart disease.
William L. Lombardi, MD, receives the TCT Geoffrey O. Hartzler Master Operator Award for his technical excellence and leadership in complex coronary disease therapies. He is recognized for developing novel CTO techniques and technologies to improve patient outcomes.
A new cell therapy has demonstrated significant benefits in improving the heart's pumping ability and reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, or stroke in patients with chronic heart failure. The therapy, using mesenchymal precursor cells (MPCs), also showed a strong signal in reducing inflammation and improving microv...
A study analyzing over 12,000 patients found that transesophageal echocardiography-guided transcatheter structural cardiac interventions were associated with a major complication rate of 3.6%. The most frequently reported complication was gastrointestinal bleeding.
A new study by the Cleveland Clinic found that high levels of erythritol, a popular artificial sweetener, are associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Researchers studied over 4,000 people and found those with higher blood erythritol levels were at elevated risk of experiencing a major adverse cardiac event.
Researchers have found a significant link between frequent marijuana use and an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), with daily cannabis users being about one-third more likely to develop the condition. The study used data from 175,000 people and suggested that cannabis use disorder is associated with a higher risk of CAD.
A recent study found that adverse pregnancy outcomes are largely driven by pre-pregnancy health issues such as diabetes and hypertension. The rate of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy rose by over 50% during the decade, while the shift in age distribution accounted for less than 2% of that change.
Research finds people with insomnia are 69% more likely to have a heart attack compared to those without the sleep disorder. Insomnia is also associated with an increased risk of heart attacks in people with diabetes and those who get less than five hours of sleep per night.
People with technology-assisted pregnancies are twice as likely to develop preeclampsia as those with traditional pregnancies, according to a study. Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy-related complication that poses risks to the pregnant person and baby.
A smartphone app-based cognitive behavioral therapy program lowered blood sugar levels and improved health behaviors in patients with diabetes. The study found a clear 'dose effect,' where participants completing more lessons saw greater benefits.
The new clinical document defines the required competencies for interventional cardiology, providing trainees with information to support training across all areas. Trainees must acquire experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team and complete a minimum of 250 procedures.
Researchers found a significant increase in new-onset diabetes after COVID-19 infection, with vaccination prior to infection showing protective effects. The study suggests that COVID-19 infection could be acting as a disease accelerator, amplifying risk for diabetes diagnosis.
Researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children have discovered that dysregulation of energy production is an early sign of heart failure. They found that lysine demethylase 8 (Kdm8) helps maintain balanced energy use, but its suppression leads to changes in metabolism.
Research highlights the intergenerational impact of prepregnancy heart health on offspring, with low pre-pregnancy cardiovascular health linked to pregnancy complications and higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Improving women's heart health before pregnancy could reduce these risks and have a positive impact on future generations.
A multinational study of over 600,000 heart failure patients found that the disease is relatively fatal, with an average annual death rate of 13%, and results in high healthcare costs. The study also identified new treatment opportunities for heart failure with preserved left ventricular function.
A study at Radboud University Medical Center found that pre-hospital troponin measurements can safely identify low-risk patients with chest pain, reducing the need for hospital visits. The results show a small risk of major adverse cardiac events, but also significant cost savings.
Assistant Professor Tracy Hookway at Binghamton University has received a five-year, $500,000 National Science Foundation CAREER Award to study the interplay between sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons on heart cells. Her research could lead to better understanding of cardiac health, including heart transplants, neurodegenerative d...
A new study by researchers from Lund University in Sweden has found that women with pregnancy complications are at an increased risk of heart disease. The study revealed that women with pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension had visible atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, compared to those without complications.
Preterm birth increases the risk of cardiovascular problems; combining steroids with statins could eliminate negative effects while retaining respiratory benefits. Researchers found that combined therapy improved lung function and reduced cardiovascular issues in rat pups.
A new expert consensus statement proposes a revised PCI treatment algorithm that expands the type of cases that can be performed with no-SOS, considering operator experience and facility preparation. The statement highlights low rates of complications and similar outcomes to PCIs performed at surgical centers.
A new study led by Columbia researchers discovered a link between serotonin and heart valve disease, specifically degenerative mitral regurgitation. The study found that patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were more likely to develop severe mitral regurgitation and require surgery at a younger age.