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Burst spinal artery aneurysm linked to Ecstasy use

A rare case of a posterior spinal artery aneurysm caused by Ecstasy use has been reported, highlighting the risk of severe complications from recreational drug taking. The teenager's symptoms worsened after a week, leading to an emergency transfer and successful surgery.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of NeuroInterventional Surgery·DateJul 3, 2014

Kawasaki disease and pregnant women

Researchers at UC San Diego have found that the health risks to pregnant women with a history of Kawasaki disease (KD) are low with proper management and care. The study, published in British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, also notes that the long-term risk for adults with KD is not known.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalBritish Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·DateMar 6, 2014

Molecular imaging predicts risk for abdominal aortic aneurysms

Researchers identify markers that can predict rupture in abdominal aortic aneurysms, including dense white blood cells and C-reactive protein levels. The study suggests that PET/CT scans with positive uptake could provide diagnostic support for surgery, while negative uptake may indicate safe avoidance of unnecessary procedures.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateOct 3, 2013

Operative death rates higher at weekend, warn researchers

Researchers found a 'weekday effect' in mortality rates for patients undergoing elective surgery, with higher risks at the weekend and end of working week. The study suggests poorer quality of care may contribute to this, particularly for patients with more diseases or previous admissions.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMay 28, 2013

Outside the box: UCLA uses brain aneurysm treatment to stop irregular heart rhythms

Researchers at UCLA successfully treated two patients with severe ventricular arrhythmias using a minimally invasive technique normally employed in treating brain aneurysms. The coil embolization procedure helped stop the electrical storms and eliminate the blood supply to the affected area, allowing the heart to return to normal rhythm.

University of Alberta research working towards treatment for aortic aneurysms in the abdomen

A research team led by Professor Zamaneh Kassiri has discovered that boosting TIMP3 levels can prevent the development of abdominal aneurysms. The study found that a protein called MMP2, despite being a contributor to heart and vascular disease, did not cause aneurysms when combined with TIMP3 deficiency.

Jeffrey W. Olin, DO, authors study that describes symptoms and severity of fibromuscular dysplasia

A patient registry has yielded crucial data on the clinical features and outcomes of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), a non-inflammatory vascular disease. The study found that 91% of patients are women diagnosed in their prime of life, with an average delay in diagnosis of four years from symptom onset.

Early menopause linked to increased risk of brain aneurysm

Research published online first in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery found a link between early menopause and an increased risk of cerebral aneurysms. Women who entered menopause at a younger age were more likely to develop brain aneurysms, while later menopause and hormone replacement therapy reduced the risk.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of NeuroInterventional Surgery·DateJun 11, 2012

JCI online early table of contents: Jan. 24, 2012

A team of researchers found that brown fat in adult men burns energy to generate body heat when exposed to cold temperatures, but not at warm temperatures. This discovery has significant implications for the human obesity epidemic, suggesting that increasing brown fat is unlikely to lead to weight loss and instead highlights the need f...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 24, 2012

Risk factor identified for acute aortic dissections

A study found that people with duplications in chromosome 16's 16p13.1 region are at 12-fold increased risk of thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections. Researchers from UTHealth and Baylor College of Medicine discovered this association, which may lead to aggressive forms of the disease and require closer monitoring.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJun 16, 2011

The contraceptive pill and HRT may protect against cerebral aneurysm

Research published in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery suggests that taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy may reduce the risk of developing cerebral aneurysms. The study found that women with cerebral aneurysms were less likely to have taken these medications and had an earlier average age of menopause.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of NeuroInterventional Surgery·DateMay 4, 2011