Research from the field of heart medicine. Covers light exposure and heart health, lifestyle and longevity, and regional cardiology care.
A Swedish registry analysis found a significant decline in ischemic stroke risk after AMI over the past decade. The risk decreased by 21% from 4.7% in 1998-2000 to 3.8% in 2007-2008, likely due to improved care and modernization of coronary care.
The study found that TAVI leads to significant improvements in health-related quality of life, including increased mobility and reduced discomfort, for patients with severe aortic stenosis. Patients reported remarkable increases in self-rated quality of life scores after TAVI procedure.
Analysis of four French registries from 1995 to 2010 shows significant improvements in management and outcomes for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients, resulting in a notable decrease in 30-day mortality rates. This improvement is attributed to increased use of coronary angiography/PCI and early adoption of recommended medications.
The ESC has launched a new acute cardiovascular care association, expanding its scope to cover the entire first seven days of acute cardiovascular disease. The association aims to improve quality of care through an integrated patient-oriented approach.
Research from the SPICI study found that adhering to a heart-healthy lifestyle in combination with drug treatment after an acute myocardial infarction treated with coronary artery balloon intervention (PCI) can lead to significant reductions in new cardiac events. The study estimated that preventing 300 to 400 cardiac events annually c...
Patients who resume smoking after a stroke are at three times the risk of dying within a year, with early relapse increasing mortality. The study highlights the importance of comprehensive smoking cessation interventions for post-stroke patients.
The ASTRID study found that patients with high and very high risk benefited from transfemoral TAVI, with mortality rates of 4.7% and 7.7%, respectively. The registry also showed differences in vascular complications and residual aortic regurgitation between valve types.
The PROTECT study found that zotarolimus-eluting and sirolimus-eluting stents have comparable rates of stent thrombosis at three years. The study also showed that dual antiplatelet therapy use can affect the long-term clinical relevance of stent type.
Research from the European Society of Cardiology reveals that normal-weight individuals with belly fat have a higher death risk than obese individuals. The study found that those with central obesity, even at a normal weight, had the highest cardiovascular death risk and death risk from all causes.
The IABP-SHOCK II trial randomized 600 patients to receive either an intraaortic balloon pump or conventional optimal medical treatment, but found no reduction in 30-day mortality rates. The study also showed that the IABP did not improve blood pressure, organ perfusion, or reduce treatment time in the intensive care unit.
A global registry study found that women with acute heart failure have similar in-hospital mortality rates as men, but receive fewer treatments. The study revealed differences in clinical presentation, co-morbidities, and treatment patterns between genders.
A new study confirms ECG as a cost-effective method for detecting cardiac abnormalities in young athletes, preventing fatal events. The program's mean cost per athlete is €115, with most subsequent examinations being low-cost echocardiograms.
Research presented at the ESC Congress 2012 found that patients who experience a cardiac arrest during or shortly after exercise are three times more likely to survive than those who experience an exercise-unrelated cardiac arrest. The study also showed that exercise-related cardiac arrests tend to occur in younger, male individuals an...
A country-wide German registry found that women received a lower percentage of drug eluting stents (DES) compared to men for the same condition. DES are known to decrease repeat target vessel revascularization procedures and provide favorable long-term results, especially in women with smaller epicardial vessels.
A study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that passive smoking increases platelet activation and carbon monoxide levels in healthy individuals. The researchers investigated three parameters: mean platelet volume (MPV), carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), and lactate.
Research from Bremen, Germany found that non-smokers experienced a 26% decrease in ST-elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMIs) following the introduction of a smoking ban. In contrast, active smokers showed little change in STEMI rates, highlighting the benefits of anti-smoking legislation.
A clinical study found that electronic cigarettes do not cause significant defects in cardiac function, unlike smoking tobacco cigarettes. The study compared the effects of e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes on 20 young daily smokers and 22 electronic cigarette users, showing no acute adverse effects from e-cigarette use.
A new protocol has excellent results and should become the standard of care for treating severe heart attacks. Paramedics trained to read ECGs expedite treatment by evaluating patients with chest pain and restoring blood flow to the heart within 30 minutes.
The American Heart Association has released a scientific statement addressing varied cardiac evaluation policies in transplant patients. The guidelines aim to standardize cardiac evaluation practices before kidney and liver transplantation, reducing unnecessary testing and improving patient outcomes.
The new 2012 Joint European Societies' Guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice focus on lifestyle changes, public health initiatives, and individual preventive measures to address the growing burden of CVD. Experts stress the need for a co-ordinated society-wide effort to reduce mortality.
The EVINCI study found that non-invasive imaging tests, such as multi-slice CT and radionuclide imaging, can accurately diagnose coronary artery disease in most patients. This approach could safely avoid invasive procedures in 75% of cases, reducing unnecessary treatments.
A new survey found that only 36.5% of coronary heart disease patients in Europe participate in cardiac rehabilitation, despite the American Heart Association's recommendation. The study suggests that smoking, older age, and lower educational attainment are associated with lower attendance rates.
A new study from Children's National Medical Center found that routine echocardiogram screenings can identify three times as many cases of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) as clinical examinations. The screenings can detect clinically silent RHD in children, allowing for early intervention and prevention of serious complications.
A new program, RACE-ER, has been implemented to improve heart attack treatment times and patient survival rates. The initiative, which involves all hospitals and emergency services in North Carolina, has reduced the time from diagnosis to treatment from 103 minutes to 91 minutes.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine are pioneering a new way to diagnose heart disease by focusing on fluid dynamics, not muscle mechanics. This approach uses advanced ultrasound techniques to visualize blood flow in the heart, providing clues for early detection and effective therapeutic interventions.
The European Society of Cardiology has released new guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure, emphasizing the importance of new device recommendations and increased use of left ventricular assist devices. The guidelines also highlight the benefits of cardiac resynchronisation therapy in patients with mild symptoms.
Results from the first-in-human studies show meaningful and sustained low clinical events after treatment with the Parachute system, demonstrating a near-full New York Heart Association (NYHA) class improvement at two years.
At EuroPCR 2012, expert panel discussions highlighted the potential for interventional cardiologists to support stroke patients with mechanical thrombectomy. Keynote speakers emphasized the need for education and training in interventional neuroradiology to ensure timely care for these patients.
The Stent for Life Initiative is driving equal access to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in Europe, reducing mortality and morbidity among acute coronary syndrome patients. PPCI rates are increasing across participating countries, with a focus on improving patient awareness and streamlining healthcare systems.
Two US Army physicians, Col. Gregory J. Argyros and Alan J. Magill, were inducted as Masters in the American College of Physicians for their contributions to internal medicine through teaching, research, and medical practice. The honors recognize the Army's commitment to board certification, continuing education, and exceptional patien...
Researchers conducted a 10-year retrospective study on HIV patients in San Francisco, finding that they suffered sudden cardiac death at a rate four times higher than the general population. The study suggests that HIV changes the electrophysiology of the heart, increasing the risk of conduction abnormalities and sudden death.
A new program will coordinate regional systems to reduce time from heart attack to treatment, building on the successful Mission: Lifeline program. The Regional Systems of Care Demonstration Project aims to develop coordinated, regional systems of care that start at the 911 call and include ambulance transport and hospital treatment.
A new report provides detailed criteria for clinicians to determine when cardiac catheterization is a reasonable option for evaluating patients with heart disease. The guidelines identify 166 possible clinical scenarios and assess the appropriateness of each indication, concluding that cardiac catheterization is appropriate in about ha...
A new study found that patients who received guidance on sexual activity before leaving the hospital were more likely to recapture their sex lives after a heart attack. Researchers urge doctors to address sexual health as an important part of overall physical function, especially for women.
The updated consensus statement provides guidance on setting up, operating, and maintaining high-quality cardiac catheterization laboratories. Modern cath labs now incorporate minimally invasive techniques for congenital heart defects and valvular heart disease, as well as developing hybrid labs with surgical features.
The new guidelines stress CVD prevention should be a lifelong effort starting in the womb, with greater emphasis on behavioral aspects. They highlight evidence from clinical trials and observational studies showing that 90% of heart attacks may be prevented through personal lifestyle choices.
A recent study published at the EuroPRevent2012 meeting found that regular jogging increases life expectancy by 6.2 years in men and 5.6 years in women. The study analyzed data from over 20,000 participants and showed a significant reduction in mortality risk among joggers.
Scientists have developed a new imaging method that combines PET and CT scanning to identify patients at high risk of a heart attack. The technique, which targets active calcification in coronary arteries, shows promise in improving heart attack prediction and reducing mortality rates.
Global cardiovascular disease leaders urge the world to adopt a 25% reduction target for premature NCD mortality by 2025. The Taskforce, comprising leading CVD organizations, aims to reduce the global burden of CVD and address its impact on families and economies.
A global study presented at the World Congress of Cardiology reveals that patients with rheumatic heart disease are not receiving necessary surgery or secondary prevention treatments. In Africa and India, only 41% of patients enrolled had received surgery, highlighting a dire lack of surgical services available in most centers.
Two new studies presented at the World Congress of Cardiology show that coordinated screening and control programmes can identify patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) early, reducing treatment costs. In Uganda and Fiji, children were screened using a stethoscope and portable echocardiography machine, detecting 1.5% RHD cases.
A new study found that exposure to alcohol use in Bollywood movies is directly associated with alcohol consumption among Indian adolescents. The study, presented at the World Congress of Cardiology, reveals that students who were highly exposed to such content were 2.78 times more likely to have tried alcohol.
A new study from Hong Kong reveals that smokefree legislation has led to a decrease in total smokers, but hard-to-quit 'hardcore' smokers have increased. The number of hardcore smokers grew from 23.8% to 29.4% among males and 10.6% to 16.3% among females between 2005 and 2008.
Three large studies from India, China, and the Middle East expose a consistent pattern of inadequate treatment for women with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), resulting in poorer outcomes. Women tend to be admitted later, have more comorbid disease, and receive less aggressive treatment than men.
A recent study found that short-term treatment with omega-3 fatty acids improves arterial stiffness and moderates the negative effects of smoking on vascular elastic properties in smokers. The cardioprotective effects of omega-3 fatty acids are attributed to their anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic properties.
A new study at the World Congress of Cardiology found that women with diagnosed heart disease are more likely to give birth to female babies. The study, which reviewed 200 pregnant women with cardiac disease, found that 75% of their children were female.
A new study has identified left-ventricular hyper-trabeculation as a common feature among black male athletes, with a prevalence of 6.8% compared to 0.4% in non-athletes. This finding raises concerns about the challenges of differentiating between athlete's heart and serious medical conditions in this demographic.
A recent study published in the European Heart Journal found that RAAS inhibitors significantly reduced all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with high blood pressure. The treatment was shown to have a beneficial effect on mortality, particularly for ACE inhibitor users.
A large-scale study analyzing 190,000 patients found that bypass surgery resulted in a lower death rate compared to coronary angioplasty. The study's lead investigator notes that while bypass surgery is not the best option for every patient, it can now be recommended with more confidence.
Researchers found that lower doses of clot-busting drug tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) effectively dissolve clots in patients with moderate pulmonary embolism, leading to earlier hospital discharge and reduced complications. Eighty percent of pulmonary embolism patients could benefit from this treatment.
The CORONARY trial found that off-pump CABG reduces the need for blood products, reoperations, and pulmonary complications, but increases the risk of technical failure. The study suggests that patient-specific decisions can be made for bypass surgery, allowing surgeons to individualize the technique.
A dual-chamber pacemaker reduces the relative risk of fainting episodes by 57% in patients with severe asystolic NMS, according to a new study. The treatment is effective in reducing syncopal recurrences in this highly selected population.
Two-year data show comparable death and durability rates between catheter-placed heart valves and open-heart surgery in very old patients. Valve durability appears to be comparable, with no significant difference in mortality between the two groups over time.
A new study found that the novel oral anti-coagulant rivaroxaban is as effective as traditional treatment for blocked lung blood vessels, with lower rates of major bleeding. The EINSTEIN-PE trial compared rivaroxaban to standard therapy and demonstrated its non-inferiority in treating pulmonary embolism.
Researchers recommend including race-specific criteria to reduce false positives and anxiety among healthy black athletes. A study found 43% of black athletes would be identified for further investigation under current guidelines.
A 10-week program combining interactive lessons and healthier food options significantly reduced cardiovascular risk factors in sixth-graders. Students showed improvements in dietary habits, physical activity levels, and physiological markers such as blood pressure and cholesterol.
A new study found that pregnancy increases the risk of heart attack, with more severe attacks and different causes than in non-pregnant women. The standard approach to managing heart attacks during pregnancy may not always be best, and alternative treatments may be needed to prevent complications.
Research suggests that interventions targeting obesity in adolescents should be tailored to gender differences, with exercise and sports benefiting boys and drinking milk predicting healthier weight in girls. Regular physical activity and improved school lunches are also key predictors of obesity.
A recent study found that community hospitals can safely and effectively perform elective angioplasty without on-site cardiac surgery units. The study showed no significant differences in death rates or complications between patients undergoing elective angioplasty at facilities with and without on-site cardiac surgery units.
A randomized controlled trial found that consuming three servings of raisins per day can significantly reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with mild hypertension. Raisins' high potassium content is believed to be the key factor behind this effect.