Research from the field of heart medicine. Covers light exposure and heart health, lifestyle and longevity, and regional cardiology care.
The study group report emphasizes the need for systematic screening by 12-lead ECG to identify hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and other lethal cardiovascular diseases. The consensus document advocates for a common European screening protocol based on 12-lead ECG to prevent sports-related sudden death.
The European Society of Cardiology awarded Ireland's Minister for Health and Children the Gold Medal for his efforts to move cardiovascular disease up the political agenda. The Minister has led initiatives in public health and medical arenas, including heart health promotion and data registration standards.
The European Society of Cardiology is calling for consistency across Europe in terms of data collection and analysis in cardiology. The CARDS meeting aims to agree European data standards, enabling local, national and international comparisons of data using set standards.
A study by OHSU researchers has identified genetic defects in five genes as responsible for a minority of unexplained sudden cardiac deaths. The findings provide hope that gene defects may also have caused remaining deaths and bring closer to predicting who is vulnerable to sudden death.
Cardiologists at Duke University Medical Center found that aggressive therapies such as anti-clotting drugs and invasive procedures were not used adequately in patients with conflicting blood chemical results. Patients with positive troponin levels had increased mortality, while those with elevated CK-MB but negative troponin did not h...
The STARR program improves patient knowledge of exercise and diet goals by 56.7%, while also increasing exercise and diet compliance to 67%. The program shows positive trends in weight loss, stress, blood pressure, diabetes control, and lipid goals.
A 12-week lifestyle intervention program helped 64% of patients achieve their blood pressure goal and 67% reach their diastolic blood pressure goal. The program also showed significant reductions in LDL cholesterol and fasting glucose levels.
A new analysis found that Atacand(R) improved NYHA functional class in a broad spectrum of CHF patients, with 35.4% showing improvement and 9% worsening. The medication also reduced the development of atrial fibrillation and Type II diabetes mellitus in these patients.
Crestor effectively tackles elevated non-HDL cholesterol levels, a key risk factor for heart attacks and strokes, in patients with metabolic syndrome. The medication demonstrates significant results in reducing the incidence of these cardiovascular diseases.
A study of 32,372 patients found that coronary artery aneurysms are associated with a high 5-year mortality rate of 29.1%. Experts emphasize the need for aggressive monitoring and modification of coronary risk factors for all patients with angiographic evidence of aneurysms, regardless of size.
A UH-led group of experts has developed new stent designs to minimize complications in the treatment of aortic abdominal aneurysm (AAA) and coronary artery disease (CAD). These innovative stents feature genetically engineered cartilage cell-coated designs and novel mechanical properties that mimic human arteries.
A study found that 25% of patients who require emergency heart surgery after failed angioplasty are at risk of harm or death if delayed. The researchers estimated one to two patients per 1,000 angioplasties could be harmed by additional delays.
A joint effort by Michigan hospitals led to improved delivery of proven medications, reduced use of potentially toxic dye, and lower risk-adjusted rate of in-hospital death. The project also showed reductions in unnecessary use of a blood thinner after the procedure.
Researchers at the Emory Heart Center found that oral tetrahydrobiopterin can significantly lower blood pressure in patients with poorly controlled hypertension. The study showed a significant reduction in blood pressure after just three weeks of therapy, likely due to increased availability of nitric oxide and enhanced vasodilation.
Atrial fibrillation is associated with decreased endocardial nitric oxide in the left atrial appendage, leading to increased superoxide levels and higher risk of blood clots. The study's findings may provide new avenues for therapeutic interventions in humans with AF.
A study by Duke University Medical Center cardiologists found that patients with atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure have similar mortality rates when treated with drugs controlling the heart's rhythm compared to those controlling the heart's rate. The study, which analyzed data from over 1,000 patients, also found no diff...
Researchers at Emory University Health Sciences Center found that diabetics with non-emergency PCI procedures have similar angina-specific quality of life to non-diabetics. However, those who experienced a NQWMI had greater physical limitation, indicating worsening symptoms prior to the acute event.
A new study published in the CREST trial found that cilostazol significantly reduces stent restenosis by 39.5% compared to standard therapy alone. The drug showed promise in patients with diabetes and small blood vessels, a subgroup previously difficult to treat.
A study of 27 women aged 35-44 found that 50% of their deaths were due to undetermined causes, a stark contrast to men of the same age group. Researchers are now focusing on novel, unorthodox causes for these unexpected deaths.
A study of 352 patients found that sirolimus-eluting stents significantly improved minimum coronary artery diameter at 8 months, reducing restenosis rates by 42% and major cardiac events by 23%. The technology offers promising results for endoluminal therapy, potentially rivaling bypass surgery.
A new study aims to investigate how physicians treat end-stage heart failure patients, focusing on the use of inotropic drugs. The research hopes to provide a framework for selecting care options, including palliation, for older heart failure patients near the end of life.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have triggered a protective immune response in mice, significantly reducing atherosclerosis by 60% through immunization. The study aims to develop a vaccine to interrupt the inflammatory process and prevent heart attacks and strokes.
A recent study found that heart failure patients cared for by cardiologists had significantly lower one-year death rates compared to those treated by other types of physicians. The study analyzed data from 38,702 Canadian patients and found that cardiologist-managed patients had a mortality rate of 28.5%, compared to 31.7% for general ...
The SPORTIF III study demonstrates Exanta's efficacy in preventing stroke and systemic embolic events, with a 41% reduced risk of major bleeding events compared to warfarin. The fixed-dose oral medication offers a convenient alternative to traditional treatment, eliminating the need for coagulation monitoring and dietary restrictions.
A new imaging technique combining transesophageal magnetic resonance (TE MRI) with standard cardiac MRI provides better views of plaque buildup in the aorta. The combined approach revealed more detailed images of plaque thickness, area, and volume than individual techniques, showing promise for improved diagnosis.
Dr. Shah will receive the ACC's Gifted Teacher Award for his teaching, and the Vulnerable Plaque Lifetime Achievement Award from AEHA for his pioneering research on preventing and reversing plaque buildup. These awards recognize his contributions to advancing cardiovascular care.
Researchers studied nondiabetic adults with a family history of diabetes and found they were 1.4 times more likely to develop coronary artery disease. Obese individuals were also at higher risk, defined by a body-mass index greater than 30, with a 2.2 times increased risk compared to normal weight individuals.
A new Emory University study reveals that depression has a negative impact on CABG outcomes, with depressed patients experiencing less improvement in physical function. The research emphasizes the importance of treating symptoms of clinical depression aggressively in cardiovascular disease patients.
Research from the University of Michigan found that even with prenatal diagnosis, infants with one or more risk factors have a significantly lower chance of survival. However, in utero diagnosis has led to more pregnant women receiving specialty care, resulting in a higher-risk group of patients.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that consuming more saturated fats can lead to higher amounts of visceral fat, which is linked to a stronger risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. A diet low in saturated fat and high in polyunsaturated fat, such as the Mediterranean diet, may help reduce visceral fat.
At the ACC's 52nd Annual Scientific Session, Emory Heart Center physicians will share information on the latest advances in cardiovascular medicine. Dr. Douglas Morris will present on new biological insights and approach to post-bypass patients, highlighting recent achievements in cardiac rehabilitation.
Patients who received outpatient cardiology care had lower two-year mortality rates compared to those without. Concurrent care by cardiologists and primary care physicians may improve outcomes.
A team of biomedical engineers and pediatric cardiologists are developing new technologies to assist surgeons in surgical planning for Fontan treatment. They aim to improve the efficiency and customization of the procedure, leading to better outcomes for young heart patients.
Duke University cardiologists report that DX-9065a, an experimental anti-coagulant, has cleared another hurdle in becoming a potential new treatment for patients with coronary artery disease. The agent inhibits Factor Xa, preventing blood clot formation earlier in the coagulation process.
Researchers at Duke University found significant racial disparities in heart disease symptoms and functional status among African-American patients. They reported higher levels of chest pain and poorer quality of life compared to white patients, despite receiving similar procedures.
Researchers found that elderly patients are less likely to undergo invasive procedures such as bypass surgery and angioplasty after age 75. Despite a decline in procedure use among older adults, many elderly patients remain willing to consider these treatments when recommended by their physicians.
A recent study found that glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, proven to prevent death and heart attacks, are being used in only 25% of eligible patients. This suggests a significant room for improvement in treatment protocols.
A recent study found that women undergoing bypass surgery experience less improvement in depression, shortness of breath, and health-related physical limitations compared to men. Women also reported a more negative evaluation of their surgery and recovery process.
Researchers have found that vitamin B-vitamins can reduce the risk of repeat blockage in coronary arteries by 48 percent. This is based on a clinical trial involving 205 patients who received either a placebo or vitamin B-vitamins, with significant differences observed between the two groups.
Researchers found that troponin levels can accurately predict future heart attack risk, even when traditional measures are negative. The study suggests using troponin as a reliable indicator of cardiac cell damage, rather than creatine kinase-MB, to detect high-risk patients.
A pilot study demonstrates a new self-expanding cylindrical filter is effective in preventing plaque dislodgement and blockage in older vein grafts. The procedure collected plaque material from 77% of patients without complications, paving the way for further clinical trials.
A new handheld echocardiography device has been shown to detect heart abnormalities with minimal training, offering a major step forward in heart health screening. The device can reasonably detect left ventricular dysfunction and pericardial effusion, but may require additional training for other conditions.
A Phase Ib clinical trial led by Duke University Medical Center cardiologists has cleared its first hurdle for a potential new treatment that prevents the formation of blood clots earlier than other agents. The drug inhibits Factor Xa, a pivotal clotting factor involved in blood clot formation.
The International Lipid Information Bureau (ILIB) emphasizes the importance of statins in lowering cholesterol and preventing coronary heart disease. Landmark clinical trials have shown that statins prevent CHD, heart attacks, revascularization, and strokes.
A new study has found that the rate of clots forming inside stents is three times higher than generally appreciated, with a 3.5% risk for patients with acute coronary syndromes. This finding may prompt cardiologists to rethink their approach to stent placement and consider alternative treatments to lower this risk.
Researchers at Northwestern University report a rare but potentially fatal blood disease known as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) associated with clopidogrel use. The disorder causes mass destruction of blood platelets, anemia, and other severe symptoms.
Researchers at Yale and Alexion discovered harmful complement activation in patients with acute coronary syndrome, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study found that activated complement levels increased by up to 70% in ACS patients' hearts, compared to 16% in stable angina patients.
A new cost analysis by Duke University Medical Center cardiologists suggests that selectively implanting stents in a more select group of patients could save the healthcare system up to $162 million annually. The study found that about 8% of patients wouldn't need a stent, achieving similar clinical success rates as stent insertion.
A new scoring system used in treadmill testing has been found to improve the accuracy of diagnosing heart disease, with 77% accuracy overall compared to 69% for expert cardiologists. This method is more accurate than expensive diagnostic equipment and can provide a second opinion for physicians.
New guidelines published by three major national medical organizations emphasize a simple treatment mnemonic -- ABCDE -- that outlines the ten most important treatment elements of stable angina management. Lipid-lowering therapies clearly improve patient outcomes, while Vitamin E and Vitamin C therapy have not yet been proven.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found a new drug reduces the size of myocardial infarctions without necessarily reducing incidence. This challenges traditional trial methods that focus on reducing death and heart attacks.
A new study finds that routine use of coronary stents yields better outcomes and is more cost-effective than traditional balloon angioplasty. The Optimal PTCA versus Primary Stent Strategy (OPUS) Trial showed a significant reduction in death, heart attack rates, and the need for second procedures after six months.
New research suggests that US high school athletes' cardiovascular screenings are insufficient, leaving them vulnerable to potentially fatal heart problems. The American Heart Association's guidelines for screening young athletes were issued in 1996 and have not been updated since.
A new study surveyed 26 men and 26 women with congestive heart failure, using standardized measurements to assess their quality of life. Women scored higher than men in physical functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, mental health scores, depression, and feelings of peacefulness.
The FDA has cleared Cook's low-profile GR II Coronary Stent, allowing cardiologists to treat blockages in hard-to-reach blood vessels without bypass surgery. This new stent could benefit thousands of U.S. heart disease patients who previously required heart bypass surgery.
The Cook GR II Coronary Stent has received FDA clearance for treatment of acute or threatened vessel closure in patients with failed interventional therapy. The stent features a flat metal design and low profile for improved radial strength and trackability.
A Duke University study found that elderly patients treated for a heart attack by a cardiologist had a 12% lower chance of dying compared to those treated by a primary care physician. The researchers suggest that this difference in outcomes is due to the specialized training and focus on heart disease of cardiologists.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found that exercise treadmill tests and myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) are equally effective in detecting heart disease and predicting outcomes in women. This discovery will enable physicians to screen and treat their female patients more accurately.
A study published in the American Heart Association scientific meeting found that cardiologist care significantly reduces heart attack mortality. The research, led by Dr. James Jollis, analyzed Medicare claims data from 220,535 patients diagnosed with a heart attack in 1992 and discovered that patients cared for by cardiologists had a ...
A new outcomes scorecard system developed by cardiologists at Duke University aims to improve the accuracy of comparing hospitals' performance in common cardiology procedures. The system analyzed data from almost 8,000 coronary disease patients and showed a wide variation in death rates among hospitals.