Articles tagged with Arteries
A man developed excruciatingly painful episodic headaches after eating a Carolina Reaper, the world's hottest chilli pepper. His symptoms cleared up on their own, and a CT scan later showed that his affected arteries had returned to normal width.
A randomized clinical trial found a smartphone application to have a 94% diagnostic accuracy for assessing blood flow in wrist arteries, surpassing the traditional Allen test. The study highlights the potential of smartphone applications to aid physicians in making decisions at the bedside.
Researchers compared mouse and human blood vessels using three-dimensional imaging, revealing that mice have a more robust vascular structure against lower limb ischemia. The inferior gluteal artery in mice extends further than in humans, allowing for better bypassing of obstructions.
A new study found that 3D-printed models of blood vessels are as effective as commercial models in training medical students, providing a more realistic experience. The 3D printing technology can reproduce patient anatomy, allowing trainees to practice with variations before real procedures.
A new study shows that interactive virtual reality (VR) technology improves accuracy and confidence among interventional radiologists when treating complex conditions like splenic artery aneurysms. The VR platform provides a 3D view of internal anatomy, allowing physicians to better plan their approach.
Researchers found that imaging technologies more precisely predict who's at risk for heart attacks, allowing for timely prevention. The study used PET/CT imaging to measure coronary artery calcium, revealing existing disease and identifying patients at high risk.
The University of Michigan has developed a new surgical device called the 'arterial everter' that can connect arteries more quickly and easily. The device, which is currently in development and partnership with Baxter, may reduce surgery time by up to an hour and improve patient outcomes.
A new scientific statement by a Mayo Clinic led team suggests that conservative treatment may be more effective for women with SCAD. The average age of women with SCAD ranges from 45 to 53 years, and it is the No. 1 cause of heart attack during pregnancy and in the period right after giving birth.
A newly discovered gene called MeXis has been found to act within clogged arteries to remove excess cholesterol from blood vessels. This study suggests that long non-coding RNAs play a crucial role in the development of heart disease and may lead to new insights into treating cardiovascular disease.
Patients with acute cardiac syndrome and cardiogenic shock living far from Halifax have significantly lower survival rates due to limited access to cardiac catheterization. The study found that patients with direct access to invasive care had a mortality rate of 41.7%, compared to 83.5% for those without direct access.
A specialized stenting system has been shown to benefit certain stroke patients by reducing the risk of complications. The Wingspan Stent System Post-Market Surveillance Study found a complication rate of just 2.6 percent among patients with intracranial stenosis due to cholesterol plaque.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Jonathan Vande Geest at the University of Pittsburgh has received a $673K NIH grant to construct biomimetic, small-diameter vascular grafts that mimic the body's own blood vessels.
A study of 13,237 veterans found that elective coronary revascularization procedures at VA hospitals had better travel distances but more variable outcomes compared to community-based facilities. The researchers also noted differences in costs between the two settings.
A meta-analysis of trials involving nearly 5,000 patients found no differences in mortality between percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting. Percutaneous coronary intervention is less burdensome on patients, enabling rapid return to work without long-term hospitalization.
A study of nearly 62,000 hospitalizations found that 17.6% of PAD patients were readmitted within 30 days after revascularization procedures, with complications being the primary cause of readmission for 30% of cases. Strategies to prevent readmissions focus on high-risk patients with PAD and improving post-procedure care.
A study published in the American Journal of Pathology found that higher levels of the protein CXCL5 are associated with clearer heart arteries and lower risk of coronary artery disease. Researchers believe that mimicking or increasing CXCL5 production could lead to new prevention and treatment strategies for CAD.
A new Northwestern Medicine clinical trial found that stem cell therapy did not improve walking ability in people with peripheral artery disease, despite exercise showing significant improvements. The study led by Dr. Mary McDermott demonstrated that regular exercise can increase six-minute walking distance in patients with PAD.
Researchers found that stem cell injections improved circulation, induced gene expression changes, and reduced inflammation in diabetic mice with peripheral artery disease. The study suggests that stem cell treatment could help alleviate symptoms in severe PAD patients.
A new study suggests that the benefits of heart stents for stable angina may be due to the placebo effect. The ORBITA trial found no significant improvement in patient symptoms or quality of life after receiving a stent compared to a simulated procedure.
A new study suggests that physically active white men are at a higher risk of developing plaque buildup in their heart arteries by middle age. The study found that those who exercised the most were 27% more likely to develop this condition, compared to those who exercised less.
A new cardiac catheter combines fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIm) with intravascular ultrasound to measure plaque composition, providing a more accurate prediction of heart attacks. The device has been tested in living swine hearts and human coronary artery samples, showing promising results.
A recent analysis of published studies suggests that transradial catheterization can cause persistent damage to the radial artery's cells, persisting for several months after the procedure. Researchers emphasize the need for caution and explore novel techniques to minimize local arterial injury during radial catheterization.
Research shows people of South Asian descent with a family history of coronary heart disease are more likely to have high levels of calcium buildup in their arteries. A CT scan may be an important test for those at risk, according to UT Southwestern cardiologists.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that CABG reduces the risk of fatal heart disease and myocardial infarction in patients with type 1 diabetes by 45% and 47% respectively, compared to PCI.
The guidelines introduce a clear definition of when to start the clock for percutaneous coronary intervention, recommending vessel opening within 90 minutes from STEMI diagnosis. The document also updates recommendations on medications, PCI access, and fibrinolysis, emphasizing the importance of timely treatment.
Patients without coronary artery calcium had significantly lower risk of future heart attacks or strokes, even with diabetes, high blood pressure, or bad cholesterol levels. A CT scan may be worthwhile to discuss treatment options and add more information about the patient's 10-year risk.
A genetic variant at chromosome 6p24 is associated with five vascular diseases, including coronary artery disease and hypertension. The variant enhances the activity of endothelin-1 gene, promoting vasoconstriction and hardening of arteries.
Researchers found that a receptor called Notch is crucial in the process of artery formation, directing sprouting cells into developing arteries. The study provides new insights into how vascular networks are established and may lead to identifying new therapeutic approaches to stimulate growth of new arteries after organ injury.
Researchers found that sildenafil reduced clumping of blood platelets by 30 percent and increased activity of an enzyme that helps prevent restenosis. If similar results are found in clinical trials, sildenafil could be used to coat drug-eluting stents or given orally after stent implantation.
Researchers have developed a new skin cell model to study the genetic mutation ACTA2-R258C, which is linked to early-onset aortic aneurysm and moyamoya-like cerebrovascular disease. The study found that the mutation disrupts cytoskeleton functions, leading to impaired smooth muscle contraction and increased risk of heart disease.
Researchers have found that genes for coronary heart disease (CAD) also influence reproduction, suggesting a trade-off between heart disease and fertility. The study, published in PLOS Genetics, reveals CAD genes have been positively selected for through evolution, improving human reproduction.
Researchers found that in fit, young people, increased right ventricular outflow tract pressure during exercise may be a normal physiological response. This finding challenges the assumption of equal systolic pressures in the lung arteries and heart pumping to them.
A University of Alberta research team found that patients with obesity have a higher risk of infection within 30 days after heart bypass surgery, and 88% of these patients received non-surgical PCI. This increased risk may be due to the fact that patients with obesity are more likely to receive PCI.
Researchers found that urinary cortisol levels were strongly associated with asymptomatic coronary heart disease in both women and men. Surprisingly, dopamine was inversely related to heart risk, indicating higher levels are linked to lower coronary calcium buildup.
Researchers found that marathon running had no association with pre-atherosclerotic changes, but age was independently linked to stiffer arteries. The study suggests that runners can complete multiple marathons without increasing their risk of atherosclerosis.
Researchers found that aspirin is marginally beneficial for those who have had a previous heart attack or stroke, but offers no apparent benefit for patients with no prior history of cardiovascular issues. The study suggests that further clinical trials are needed to confirm the findings.
Researchers found that nearly 18% of participants aged 50 and older had healthy vascular aging, with the youngest group most likely to achieve this. Lifestyle measures such as staying lean, avoiding diabetes, and maintaining favorable cholesterol levels were also crucial in achieving healthy vascular function.
A new computational model reveals how mechanical forces from blood flow influence white blood cell migration into the artery wall, and suggests that neutrophils are primary cell types in plaque at two timepoints during atherosclerosis. The model provides insights into plaque growth and could inform clinicians in choosing treatment plans.
A ground-breaking study suggests that a non-invasive post-mortem technique could be used to identify the cause of death in up to 92% of adult post-mortem investigations, potentially replacing invasive autopsies. The technique, known as PMCTA, uses computed tomography and angiography to diagnose causes of death with high accuracy.
Research found that eating three or more servings of fruit and vegetables daily can reduce the risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD) by 18 percent. The study, published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, also highlighted the importance of public health awareness and dietary assessments for PAD patients.
A new study found that cardiovascular diseases account for one-third of global deaths, with the highest rates in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The study also revealed a plateau in CVD mortality rates in high-income countries and an increase in low- and middle-income countries.
Researchers found that injecting an anti-inflammatory steroid directly into the tissue surrounding a leg artery reduced inflammatory biomarkers and prevented repeat blockages. The treatment showed promise for improving treatment outcomes for patients with peripheral artery disease.
A new study found that simple calf muscle stretching can improve blood flow and reduce leg pain in people with peripheral artery disease. After four weeks of daily stretches, participants were able to walk half a city block farther and their leg discomfort was prolonged.
Peripheral artery disease affects 200 million people worldwide, but less than half receive appropriate medication and lifestyle counseling. This study highlights the need to improve quality of care for high-risk individuals, who are at risk of adverse outcomes such as coronary heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.
Coronary artery disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that responds to a Mediterranean-style diet rich in anti-inflammatory compounds, experts claim. A brisk daily walk of just 22 minutes can also significantly reduce biological risk factors for sedentary adults.
Researchers discovered graphene can withstand extreme pressures, potentially increasing desalination efficiency. Graphene-based filtration membranes may enable more productive desalination processes.
A new issue of Vascular Medicine dedicated to vascular disease in women highlights sex-related differences in risk factors, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic outcomes. The collection includes original research articles and reviews on topics such as peripheral artery disease, venous thromboembolism, and aortic disease.
Dr. Debabrata Mukherjee advises against bioresorbable stents due to their high cost, longer insertion time, and lack of improved results compared to conventional drug-eluting stents. The recent clinical trial results show a higher risk of device thrombosis with Absorb stents.
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that eating peanuts with a meal can help prevent arterial stiffening and keep blood vessels healthy. The researchers observed a 32% reduction in triglyceride levels after peanut consumption compared to a control group.
A simple fix to avoid unnecessary coronary stents has been discovered, involving the administration of intracoronary nitroglycerin during procedures. By doing so, cardiologists can identify and treat coronary artery spasm, reducing the need for stenting procedures.
The new iFR tool has been shown to be equivalent to the current preferred tool FFR in terms of major adverse events and patient outcomes. It also resulted in markedly less patient discomfort and reduced procedure-related adverse events compared to FFR.
A new study by Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute researchers suggests that calcified plaque is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events, contradicting previous assumptions about soft plaque. The study found that patients with more calcified plaque were more likely to experience major adverse coronary events.
A Phase 2 trial found that synthetic high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) injections had no effect on reducing fatty deposits in arteries, despite being well-tolerated. The study's findings suggest that low-dose CER-001 may not be a promising agent for treating patients with acute coronary syndrome.
Researchers found that treating secondary blockages after a major heart attack using fractional flow reserve technology can improve patient outcomes and reduce the need for subsequent invasive procedures. This approach resulted in a 65% lower risk of all-cause mortality, non-fatal heart attack, stroke, and revascularization at 12 months.
A new study published by the American College of Cardiology found that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not needed in all cases of fully blocked arteries. Treatment with medications alone was shown to be equal to PCI in terms of major adverse events over three years.
Researchers found that measuring ceramides in the blood can predict major cardiovascular events among patients with and without blockages. Ceramides were linked to a threefold to fourfold greater risk of cardiovascular events compared to those with low ceramide levels.
Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive treatment that reduces urinary tract symptoms in men with enlarged prostates, with an 89% cumulative success rate at short-term evaluation. Long-term follow-up shows 78% cumulative success rates, making it a viable option for patients exploring alternatives to open surgery.
A study of 2,485 patients with ischemic stroke found a higher incidence of migraine among those with cervical artery dissection (CEAD), particularly in men and younger patients. The research suggests considering migraine as a marker for increased risk of CEAD-related ischemic strokes.
Researchers from CU Boulder are exploring the connection between gut microbiota and arterial dysfunction in both mice and humans. The study aims to identify lifestyle or pharmacological strategies that may preserve microbial health, enhance arterial function, and reduce the risk of age-related cardiovascular disease.
A new study reveals that headaches are a far more frequent symptom of stroke in children than adults. Headache was reported in 6% of children under age 3 and 46% of those 3 or older, according to the research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2017.