Research from the field of heart medicine. Covers light exposure and heart health, lifestyle and longevity, and regional cardiology care.
Researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine found that many reasons clinicians reject transplantation in cannabis users have no scientific basis. They identified areas where more research is needed, including interactions between cannabis and immunosuppressants.
A new study found that soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) levels are significantly higher in patients with heart failure, predicting both heart failure and death. When combined with traditional measures like BNP, suPAR's predictive ability increases.
A polypill combining blood pressure lowering agents, statins, and aspirin could avoid millions of premature deaths and cardiovascular disease cases annually. Its widespread availability would be affordable for most people globally, reducing CVD risk substantially.
A study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found that smartwatch health apps detecting atrial fibrillation generated a high rate of false positives and inconclusive results, especially in patients with certain cardiac conditions. Better algorithms and machine learning may help improve the accuracy of these devices.
A new study found that electronic gaming can precipitate life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias in susceptible children with previously unrecognized predispositions. The most common underlying causes were catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and congenital long QT syndrome types 1 and 2.
A large Kaiser Permanente study found that most patients with a thoracic aortic aneurysm less than 5.5 cm are not at high risk of experiencing dissection or requiring surgery. The study's findings support the current consensus guidelines recommending surgery for patients with larger aneurysms.
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.
Researchers developed an AI algorithm to assess retinal vasculature, predicting cardiovascular disease and death. The model captured half to two-thirds of circulatory disease deaths in those most at risk, outperforming traditional risk frameworks.
Researchers have identified specific magnetic resonance imaging features that indicate cardiac sarcoidosis patients are at higher risk for adverse cardiac outcomes, including ventricular arrhythmias. These findings suggest that patients with certain cardiac MRI features may benefit from implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
The journal Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications (CVIA) has published its final issue of Volume 6, featuring several important papers by leading cardiologists from China, the United States, and Turkey. The issue includes an In Memoriam paper in tribute to Dr. C.R. Conti, a Founding Editor of the journal.
A recent study found that 38% of people with cardiovascular disease were food insecure in 2017-2018, more than doubling from two decades earlier. Food insecurity exacerbates existing racial and ethnic health disparities and can lead to increased risk for cardiometabolic risk factors.
A collaborative home-based palliative care model has been shown to improve health care outcomes for adults with chronic heart failure. The study found that patients who received this care were less likely to die in the hospital and more likely to die at home compared to those who received usual care.
Researchers analyzed over 6,700 patients treated for blood clots and irregular heart rhythms. Stopping aspirin significantly reduced bleeding complications by 32.3% and prevented one major bleeding event per every 1,000 patients who stopped taking aspirin.
Researchers from Temple University Health System developed a device that significantly reduces blood clot size in pulmonary arteries, leading to improved heart function and shorter treatment duration. The breakthrough is based on data collected in the NIH-sponsored RESCUE trial.
A first-in-human study using the ModulHeart device showed significant improvements in cardiac output, left ventricular end diastolic pressure, and urine output in patients with heart failure. The study demonstrated the feasibility and safety of cardiorenal support among patients undergoing high-risk PCI.
A study using STS/ACC TVT Registry data found that most patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and cardiogenic shock who underwent TEER achieved successful MR reduction, with associated lower mortality and heart failure hospitalizations at one year. Device success was linked to improved survival rates in a high-risk population.
Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, is honored with the TCT Career Achievement Award for his transformative work in interventional cardiology and patient care. He has made significant global contributions to cardiovascular medicine.
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.
A new study found that strict lockdowns in France resulted in a measurable improvement in cardiovascular health, with reduced vascular stiffness and body weight. In contrast, partial lockdowns in Germany had little to no impact on cardiovascular health.
The American College of Cardiology's new four-part focus seminar series examines the importance of exercise in preventing and managing heart disease. Regular exercise is associated with changes in cardiac morphology, improved blood circulation, and reduced cardiovascular risk factors.
A new clinical practice guideline provides guidance on delivering women-focused cardiac rehabilitation programs to increase participation and improve outcomes. The guideline presents 15 recommendations to address inequities in cardiovascular disease care for women.
The 2022 ACC/AHA guideline updates chest pain definitions and establishes standardized data elements for consistent reporting. The new definitions focus on serious cardiovascular causes of chest pain and acute myocardial infarction, aiming to ensure accurate reporting across clinical trials and registries.
A clinical trial has shown that full-dose anticoagulation therapy is more effective than standard-dose prophylactic anticoagulation in preventing blood clotting complications in COVID-19 patients. The study found a significant reduction in venous or arterial clotting complications among patients who received full-dose treatment.
A study published in The Lancet reveals that AI-based risk profiling can improve treatment outcomes for women with heart attacks. By accounting for sex-related differences, the novel score refines current risk models and reduces mortality rates among female patients.
A new type of extravascular ICD using a lead placed behind the sternum effectively terminated acute and chronic life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. The device delivered anti-tachycardia pacing to terminate 70% of ventricular tachycardia episodes, with a defibrillation success rate of 98.7%.
A new risk score can help predict mortality for patients with atrial fibrillation who have undergone successful TAVR and been discharged home. The risk score was developed using data from the ENVISAGE-TAVI AF trial, which found that patients with certain clinical risks were more likely to die within a year of discharge.
A study of 22 million patients found that those with autoimmune disorders have a substantially higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The excess risk is similar to that of type 2 diabetes and affects the entire cardiovascular disease spectrum.
The study found that the probability of surviving cardiac arrest outside hospital has more than doubled in 30 years, from approximately 5% to 11%. The improvement is attributed to increased CPR training and better healthcare resources. However, ambulance delays and an increase in difficult-to-treat cases are hindering further progress.
The SECURE trial found that the polypill, containing aspirin, ramipril, and atorvastatin, achieves clinically relevant reductions in recurrent cardiovascular events among patients recovering from a heart attack. This simplified approach improves treatment adherence, leading to a 33% reduction in cardiovascular mortality.
The TCT MedTech Innovation Forum is an intensive summit bringing together clinicians, entrepreneurs, investors, and regulators to identify clinical challenges and drive innovation in medtech. The agenda features interdisciplinary perspectives on unmet clinical needs, financing, regulatory policy, and evolving healthcare delivery models.
A recent study published in JAMA found that despite overall improvements in cholesterol levels since 2008, sex, racial, and ethnic disparities persist in lipid control. The research team analyzed data from over 33,000 US adults and discovered significant variations in trends by race and ethnicity.
Researchers developed a polygenic risk score to predict sudden cardiac death in coronary artery disease patients. The study found that patients with high genetic risk scores had a 77% increased risk of sudden cardiac death.
A new study from the University of Sheffield suggests that giving antibiotics to those at high risk of developing a life-threatening heart infection significantly reduces their risk. Current UK guidelines against routine use of antibiotics for these patients may be putting them at unnecessary extra risk.
A RCSI study has found that babies born with Down Syndrome experience impaired changes in heart function and blood pressure in their lungs over the first two years of age. The research suggests that all babies with Down Syndrome should have their heart function monitored during childhood due to these common issues.
The new educational alliance will strengthen access to medical education and training for physicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals. The joint programs will focus on advancing the latest research in cardiovascular disease and interventional therapies.
A study of over 1.2 million people in 76 low- and middle-income countries found that hypertension prevalence is high among the least educated and poorest individuals, despite common assumptions. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to lower blood pressure in these regions.
The AABB has released clinical practice guidelines for the appropriate use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma, recommending its use for nonhospitalized patients at high risk for disease progression. The guidelines suggest that CCP is most effective when transfused with high neutralizing titers early after symptom onset.
A study of cardiology programs found that patients' documented DNR preferences are often suspended during TAVR procedures, with varying durations across programs. Only 26% had formal policies governing clinicians' responsibilities in these decisions.
Researchers from Boston Children's Hospital found that aging heart muscle cells accumulate new genetic mutations over time, but lose the ability to repair them. This accumulation of mutations can push the heart past a tipping point into disease.
A cohort study found that reinfection rates are low after successful hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment in people who inject drugs, suggesting a benefit of treatment in this population. The risk for reinfection was highest among those with ongoing injecting drug use and needle sharing.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that carotid artery stenting can be just as effective as surgery in preventing long-term stroke and improving durability. The research recommends expanding insurance coverage for this minimally invasive procedure, which can improve blood flow to the brain.
The Le Bonheur Children's Heart Institute team will discuss the management of Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants at the 2022 PDA Symposium. The symposium aims to develop guidelines for managing PDA, with a focus on transcatheter closure in extremely low birth weight infants.
A study of 12,000 Medicare beneficiaries with heart failure at risk for requiring a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) found racial and sex disparities in LVAD access. Adjusting for individual poverty and community-level social determinants of health did not alter the inequity in one-year survival among groups.
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.
A Spanish study combines genetic and imaging data to predict patient prognosis, identifying those at risk of malignant arrhythmias or severe complications. The findings open the way for personalized medicine in treating dilated cardiomyopathy.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that making small behavioral changes can significantly reduce cardiovascular risk. Participants who received a lifestyle intervention showed improvements in physical activity, diet, and sedentary time, leading to decreased blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
A large clinical trial conducted at Ochsner Health found that social determinants of health, including financial stress and lack of health literacy, have a significant impact on blood pressure control rates among patients with uncontrolled hypertension. The study suggests that these barriers can eliminate racial disparities in hyperten...
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that people with hypertension are more likely to require hospitalization for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. The study, published in Hypertension, highlights the importance of avoiding infection and seeking medical attention if symptoms persist.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that people with high genetic risk for stroke can reduce their risk by 30-45% by adopting a healthy cardiovascular lifestyle. The study followed 11,568 adults over 28 years and showed that modifying lifestyle risk factors can offset genetic risk.
Hospitalized COVID-19 patients with high blood viscosity have a 60% higher death rate than those with low blood viscosity. The study suggests that checking for blood viscosity early on could help determine the best treatment course and improve outcomes.
A study found ranolazine reduces inflammation and atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels, lowering the risk of heart attack or stroke. The established drug also has an anti-inflammatory effect, reducing chronic vascular inflammation.
A study found that patients with a specific form of age-related macular degeneration are at significant risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Researchers discovered a strong association between the disorder's subretinal drusenoid deposits and high-risk vascular diseases.
The study found that patients with severe stress-induced myocardial ischemia are likely to benefit from heart bypass surgery or angioplasty, while those with mild or no ischemia are not. Early revascularization was associated with a more than 30 percent reduction in mortality compared to patients treated with medication.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that adults with abnormal heart metabolism are up to three times more likely to experience life-threatening arrhythmias. The study used MRI techniques to detect abnormal ATP levels and predict future sudden cardiac death.
Researchers investigated radiation exposure among health professionals performing structural heart interventions, revealing higher doses for echocardiographers and cardiologists compared to sonographers. The study highlights the need for safer procedures and protective measures to mitigate radiation risks.
The TCT MedTech Innovation Forum brings together clinicians, entrepreneurs, investors, payors, and regulators to identify clinical challenges and opportunities for innovation in cardiovascular care. The forum aims to shape the future of patient care through informed discussion and real-world insight.
Eating one avocado a day for six months improved overall diet quality by eight points and slightly decreased LDL cholesterol levels. However, avocados had no effect on belly fat or weight gain in participants with overweight or obesity.
A study finds that redlined neighborhoods are associated with increased risk of heart disease, comorbidities, and reduced access to healthcare. Residents of these neighborhoods face lower cholesterol screening rates, higher diabetes and obesity rates, and limited health insurance options.
A new study found that exposure to air pollution and indoor burning without ventilation significantly increases the risk of heart disease mortality. Researchers created maps of eight environmental risk factors across Golestan Province, Iran, and identified associations between death and these factors, controlling for traditional risk f...
A recent study examined changes in Korean adults' diet quality and cardiometabolic risk factors from 2007 to 2018. The research found declining trends in diet quality and increasing risks of obesity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes.