Articles tagged with Arteries
A novel MR angiography technique highly accurately identifies blockages in brain-supplying arteries and produces superior results compared to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and multidetector computed tomography (CT) angiography.
Recent studies have investigated the cost-effectiveness of drug-eluting stents compared to bare-metal stents. Two articles found that drug-eluting stents were used more frequently in private hospitals, but studies' quality and funding sources influenced their conclusions. The clinical indications for PCI have also been questioned due t...
A study published in Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions found that an olive oil emulsion improved stent delivery in patients with abnormal heart arteries. The emulsion was successfully used to place lubricated stents in 85% of patients with no negative effects months after the procedure.
A study examines the relationship between plaque build-up and artery blockage in patients with moderate risk of coronary artery disease. The results show that MSCT detects atherosclerosis, while MPI identifies ischemia, suggesting that narrowing of coronary arteries may not harm blood flow to the heart.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions president urges the FDA to consider the benefits of drug-eluting stents when evaluating risks. The use of these devices has been linked to a slightly higher risk of late blood clot formation, but the benefits of preventing restenosis outweigh the risks.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients who undergo angioplasty to open their totally blocked coronary arteries days after a heart attack do not reduce their risk of having another heart attack, going into heart failure, or dying. The study, which involved over 2,166 patients on five continents,...
A large international clinical trial found that stable patients who received late angioplasty after a heart attack did not have better outcomes than those on medical therapy alone. The study suggests that routine late opening of the blocked artery is unnecessary and should be reserved for unstable patients.
Whole-heart MRI technology has advanced to detect heart disease more effectively, reducing motion blurring and improving image quality. The study found that the technique was accurate in detecting significant narrowing of coronary arteries in 87% of patients.
Nicardipine has been found to be highly effective and safe in reversing the 'no-reflow' phenomenon, a condition that affects up to 50,000 patients annually. The study involved 1,454 patients who were treated with nicardipine, resulting in a success rate of 98%.
New research shows that consuming walnuts with high-fat meals limits artery damage and preserves elasticity. Unlike olive oil, walnuts' nutrient arginine helps maintain nitric oxide production, keeping arteries flexible.
Researchers found that more people with AIDS died from common causes in 2004 compared to 1999. A survey of gay men revealed a significant gap between self-identified straight men who have sex with men and their actual behavior.
Researchers found that elevated troponin-T and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels in the blood indicate high risk of deadly heart attacks. Patients with low levels may not benefit from aggressive treatment and could be harmed by invasive procedures.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a specific drug, enoxaparin, significantly reduces major bleeding risks during stent and angioplasty procedures. The researchers also showed that patients receiving this drug were more likely to achieve optimal blood thinning levels.
A combination of a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and a protease inhibitor may prevent the negative cardiovascular effects of long-term protease inhibitor use, including hardening of the arteries. This could allow patients to take their medications without worrying about these side effects.
A new drug has been shown to improve blood flow in diseased arteries by reactivating a damaged enzyme, reducing the risk of high blood pressure and heart attacks. The discovery is a significant development for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and aims to challenge orthodox thinking on heart health.
A study published in Circulation found that the financial burden on women with chest pain and blocked coronary arteries can total more than $1 million during their lifetime. Women with nonobstructive coronary artery disease also face significant costs, including higher drug expenses.
Researchers found that patient outcomes improved when treatment was based on the doctor's recommendation, with a significantly lower incidence of problems compared to alternative treatments. The study's results highlight the importance of physician judgment in making therapeutic decisions for patients with severe coronary artery disease.
A new study by UCLA researchers analyzed clots removed from the brain blood vessels of 25 stroke victims, revealing that they are composed of similar components. The analysis showed that red blood-cell accumulations often accumulated on clots after impaction in the brain artery, contradicting previous assumptions.
A preliminary study found that combining argatroban with intravenous rtPA treatment may help restore blood flow to the brain in patients with ischemic stroke. The combination therapy showed promising results, with six patients experiencing complete recanalization and four partially opening their blocked arteries.
Eating a single high-fat meal can reduce the body's ability to protect itself against heart disease and stroke by impairing the 'good' cholesterol's protective qualities. In contrast, consuming polyunsaturated fat-rich meals can increase the anti-inflammatory properties of HDL, helping to prevent plaque buildup.
A recent study found that cardiac CT scans are useful for excluding coronary disease in selected patients, but may be limited by a high number of nondiagnostic cases. The test can identify significant stenosis with high sensitivity and negative predictive value, suggesting its potential as an alternative to conventional angiography.
Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) who are physically active have a significantly lower death rate than inactive individuals. A study published in Circulation found that higher physical activity levels are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and death in PAD patients.
Researchers developed a new imaging technique using stress first-pass perfusion MRI with delayed contrast-enhancement, demonstrating an accuracy of 88 percent in detecting coronary artery disease. The non-invasive method can potentially replace traditional angiography and guide clinical decision-making.
A study suggests that a diet high in vegetables can inhibit the development of atherosclerosis, a condition where fatty plaques build up in blood vessel walls. Researchers found that mice fed a vegetable-rich diet had smaller plaque buildup and improved cholesterol levels compared to those on a vegetable-free diet.
Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University developed a new vascular graft material combining polydioxanone and elastin fibers, ideal for strength and tissue regeneration. The material undergoes slow degradation, causing few adverse reactions and promoting cell recognition and interaction with the body.
Researchers present a new non-invasive cardiac imaging technology that enables accurate evaluation of cardiac blood vessel narrowing and blood supply to the heart muscles in a single imaging session. The technology combines SPECT perfusion imaging with CT coronary angiography, providing more accurate information than stand-alone tests.
Researchers found that an intracellular protein called synectin is a key regulator of arterial growth, impairing development when disrupted. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic approaches for coronary artery disease and vascular biology research.
A study by Yale University School of Medicine found that door-to-balloon time matters for all patients, regardless of time to presentation. The results show a significant decrease in mortality rates when patients receive rapid treatment, even if they arrive late.
Researchers identified risk factors for PAD progression in large blood vessels, with smoking being a powerful predictor, while diabetes was linked to small vessel PAD. Effective preventive measures include smoking cessation, altering cholesterol levels through diet, exercise, and medication.
The lecture highlights the evolution of interventional cardiology, from longer procedure times and higher risks of heart attacks to advancements in steerable guidewires, perfusion catheters, and drug-eluting stents. Bioabsorbable stents offer a promising solution by dissolving into carbon dioxide and water once healed.
A study found that HDL from CETP-deficient individuals promotes enhanced cholesterol efflux from macrophages through an apoE- and ABCG1-dependent pathway. This finding raises hope for using a CETP inhibitor to elevate HDL levels and reduce the incidence of atherosclerosis.
The study found that African American men had fewer and less severe coronary obstructions than their white counterparts, despite similar estimated probabilities of obstruction. This paradox raises questions about the factors contributing to racial disparities in cardiovascular disease outcomes.
Researchers found that white men had more severe coronary obstructions in a study of 311 veterans, contradicting expectations. African American men, however, tend to have lower levels of severe obstructions and yet still experience high mortality rates from coronary artery disease.
A study found that higher levels of education are associated with lower prevalence of coronary artery calcium, a marker of subclinical cardiovascular disease. Individuals with less than a high school degree had four times higher CAC prevalence compared to those with more than a college education.
A study of 2913 young adults found that those with lower educational levels had a four-fold higher prevalence of coronary artery calcium (CAC) deposits, compared to those with higher levels. The researchers suggest that early life preventive measures are needed to address social and economic disparities in health.
Fat cells surrounding coronary arteries release pro-inflammatory proteins and hormones that regulate inflammation, blood pressure, and insulin activity. These epicardial adipocytes also induce angiogenesis, a process that contributes to the development of atherosclerosis.
Researchers found similar mortality rates between stenting and CABG procedures, with certain stents showing better results. A meta-analysis of drug-eluting stent efficacy also demonstrated the superiority of sirolimus-stents over paclitaxel-stents.
Researchers have uncovered a complex network of how one bad guy regulates another bad guy, finding a key peptide hormone called angiotensin controls the expression of an important part of PDGF. This discovery could lead to specific inhibitors of growth factor production to reduce the incidence of common vascular disorders.
A new study found that using one stent in both the main artery and a side branch is as effective as using two separate stents. The simpler approach showed lower rates of complications, such as increased procedure time and heart damage markers.
A new generation of CT scanner assesses coronary artery health and cardiac anatomy in a single heartbeat, providing clear images of the heart's damage. Researchers also identified predictors of procedural success, including comorbidity and outcome after percutaneous coronary interventions.
Recent studies evaluate the effectiveness of drug-eluting and absorbable stents in treating acute coronary syndromes, including the ACUITY Timing Trial and TAXUS-V ISR trial. The trials suggest that these stents may offer better alternatives to traditional therapies, such as glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and vascular brachytherapy.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital found that topical lubrication improves outcomes in coronary stent procedures, particularly for patients with abnormal arteries. The study showed that lubricated stents were successfully placed in 85% of patients with no negative effects months after the procedure.
A multicenter randomized trial found that paclitaxel-eluting stents significantly reduce ischemic target vessel revascularization by 40 percent and angiographic restenosis at 9 months compared to VBT. Drug-eluting stents are now considered the treatment of choice for most patients with ISR of previously implanted bare-metal stents.
The TAXUS Express trial showed that paclitaxel-eluting stents reduced restenosis by 40% and cardiac events by 11.5%, compared to vascular brachytherapy. The benefits were achieved without compromising safety, making drug-eluting stents the new standard of care for most patients with restenosis.
A study of 150 healthy married couples found that hostility in women was associated with atherosclerosis, while controlling behavior in men or their wives was linked to increased hardening of the arteries. The findings suggest that low-quality relationships are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
A study at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that angioplasty with drug-eluting stents resulted in outcomes equivalent to bypass surgery for patients with left main coronary artery disease. The treatment was shown to have similar short- and intermediate-term clinical outcomes, despite higher risk patient demographics.
A recent study found that women are more likely to develop infections after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, leading to a higher risk of death. The researchers discovered that urinary, digestive, respiratory and skin and subcutaneous tissue infections were more common in women than men.
A recent study published in Anesthesiology found that xenon was administered safely to patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, showing its potential as a neuroprotectant. The discovery could lead to new treatments for conditions such as strokes and brain injuries, where nerve damage is a major concern.
The REALITY trial found that sirolimus-eluting and paclitaxel-eluting stents had similar rates of restenosis and major adverse cardiac events. Longer follow-up is needed to determine if one stent type has a clinical advantage
A study by the University of Cincinnati found that a combination of a new medication and ultrasound treatment can reopen blocked brain arteries in nearly 70% of patients. This is an improvement over previous studies, which achieved partial or complete reopening in around 55% of patients.
Research finds that women's heart disease has distinct characteristics, including cellular and microvascular dysfunction. The study highlights the importance of considering gender-specific risk factors and diagnostic tools to improve detection and treatment.
A study at the University of Chicago Medical Center found that erectile dysfunction is a stronger predictor of significant coronary heart disease than traditional risk factors. Men with ED had reduced exercise endurance, decreased ejection fraction, and higher evidence for coronary artery blockages.
Researchers found that watching comedy films increased brachial artery blood flow in 19 out of 20 participants, while sad movies reduced it. The impact was equivalent to a bout of aerobic exercise or starting statin treatment.
A new UCSD laser technique allows researchers to precisely create and image blood clots in the brain in real time, shedding light on small strokes implicated in dementia. The study enables controlled observation of brain response to stroke, paving the way for potential prevention strategies.
A Northwestern University study found that self-directed walking exercise at least three times a week slows the decline of physical abilities in people with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Participants with the worst PAD at the start of the study were most likely to benefit from this type of regular exercise program.
Researchers discovered that macrophages secreting a specific enzyme trigger the rupture of unstable plaques in arteries, leading to cardiovascular events. The study suggests targeting this enzyme may help stabilize precarious plaques and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers found that dark chocolate improved arterial flow and reduced platelet activity, benefiting vascular health in smokers. A daily treat of 40g dark chocolate improved smoothness of arterial flow for eight hours.
A study found that fat surrounding internal thoracic arteries produces a factor that can relax the artery, alleviating contraction during CABG surgery. Retaining this fat tissue may help improve blood flow, providing an alternative to drugs that cause cellular damage.
A new study published in Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions found that drug-eluting stents reduce the incidence of restenosis, heart attacks, and death by fourfold compared to conventional stents. Medicated stents were effective in keeping vein grafts open without affecting other parts of the bypass.
A team led by Dr. Rajabrata Sarkar identified the MMP2 gene as essential for growing new arteries when existing arteries are blocked. In mice, the specific DNA sequences of the MMP2 gene that are expressed during artery growth were also discovered, shedding light on the normal process of angiogenesis.