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Balloon pulmonary angioplasty, a novel treatment for chronic blood clots in lung arteries, gives patients a new lease on life, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University study shows

A novel treatment approach called balloon pulmonary angioplasty has been shown to be effective in treating chronic blood clots in lung arteries. The procedure improves exercise capacity and quality of life, with some patients able to stop medications altogether. Refinements in technique have improved the procedure's safety and efficacy.

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalJACC Advances·DateApr 13, 2023

Assessing the accuracy of artery models

Hokkaido University researchers evaluate a material used to build model arteries, finding it suitable for medical education and surgical practice. The study also highlights the potential for improved assessment of 3D printing technology in creating highly accurate models of individual patient's artery structure.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 11, 2023

Asymptomatic, CT angiography-detected coronary artery disease associated with 8-fold increased risk for heart attack

A cohort study of over 9,000 persons found that asymptomatic middle-aged individuals with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis are at an 8-fold increased risk for myocardial infarction. The study highlights the importance of identifying and addressing obstructive coronary artery disease in patients without known cardiovascular disease.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 27, 2023

Smokeless tobacco and cigarettes confer similar adverse vascular health risks

A new study finds that smokeless tobacco products increase the risk of developing peripheral artery disease by two-fold compared to non-users. The study analyzed data from 14,344 participants and found a significant association between smokeless tobacco use and PAD, with a rate of 4.4 cases per 1,000 person years.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 22, 2023

Short night-time sleep linked with nearly doubled risk of clogged leg arteries

A new study published in European Heart Journal Open found that sleeping less than five hours a night is associated with a 74% raised likelihood of developing peripheral artery disease (PAD). The study also suggests that lifestyle changes such as being physically active and optimising pain management could lower the risk of PAD.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 15, 2023

Current air pollution standards tied to higher heart risks

A Kaiser Permanente study of 3.7 million adults found long-term exposure to fine particle air pollution increases the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease, especially in neighborhoods with lower socioeconomic status. The research lends support for strengthening air quality standards to protect public health.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 24, 2023

Decoding brain arteriovenous malformations in the Asian population: a Chinese Neurosurgical Journal study

A nationwide registry of AVM patients from 52 hospitals in mainland China investigated the efficacy of different treatments on patient groups. The study found that categorizing treatment strategies based on disease severity is an ideal approach, and a multidisciplinary comprehensive assessment promotes individualized treatment protocols.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Neurosurgical Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2023

Death, hospital readmission more likely for Black patients after coronary stenting

A Michigan Medicine study found that Black patients who undergo minimally invasive procedures for clogged arteries are more likely to die or be readmitted to the hospital months after the procedure. Social determinants of health, including community economic well-being and preexisting health conditions, played a significant role in the...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Heart Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 22, 2022

Bivalirudin found to be safer and more effective than heparin for treating heart attack patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

A new study has shown that bivalirudin is a safer and more effective anticoagulant than heparin for treating heart attack patients. The trial found that bivalirudin significantly reduced death, major bleeding, and thrombosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 6, 2022

Treating aneurysms with injectable toothpaste-like biomaterials

Researchers have developed an injectable shear-thinning hydrogel that exhibits enhanced cohesive strength, resisting fragmentation even under pulsating liquid flows. The gel, similar to toothpaste, retains its structure when force is removed, making it a potential breakthrough in treating critical vascular conditions.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2022

Study finds higher complication rate after heart attack in people with autoimmune disease

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that individuals with autoimmune diseases are at a higher risk of complications after a heart attack. The research emphasizes the importance of controlling cardiovascular disease risk factors and developing personalized treatment plans for this population.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateSep 14, 2022

Dedicated women’s heart centers can improve accurate diagnoses and outcomes

A prospective study in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found that dedicated women's heart centers can significantly improve clinical and psychological outcomes for women with myocardial ischemia. The study, which followed 154 patients, showed a significant decrease in chest pain frequency and improved quality of life after attending...

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 7, 2022

”No pain, no gain” approach improves walking ability with peripheral artery disease

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that walking for exercise at a pace that induces leg pain or discomfort improves walking ability among people with peripheral artery disease. The study involved 264 participants who walked at home at either a comfortable pace or a pace that induced leg symptom...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateJul 27, 2022

High blood viscosity can predict higher risk of death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

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.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateJul 18, 2022

Stress testing can help determine which patients are likely to benefit from heart procedures to improve survival

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.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 11, 2022