Articles tagged with Arteries
A new study suggests that performing coronary angioplasty through a wrist artery instead of the groin can improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. The procedure saves approximately $3,700 per patient and could result in a nationwide cost savings of $300 million annually.
Researchers found that male former drinkers were at increased risk for accelerated rates of arterial stiffness compared to moderate drinkers. Long-term heavy drinking habits over 25 years may affect the elasticity of arterial walls and premature age arteries, interfering with blood flow.
A new digital library of artery sounds recorded during Doppler ultrasound procedures will be created to help clinicians better interpret the data. The database aims to increase accuracy and confidence in diagnosing cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.
A major report found that young adults with even a small amount of calcified coronary plaque are strongly associated with increased risk of developing clinical coronary heart disease over the ensuing decade. Those with the highest scores had a greater than 20 percent chance of dying of a heart event.
The presence of coronary artery calcium in adults aged 32-46 years is associated with a significant increase in fatal and nonfatal heart disease events. A 5-fold higher risk of CHD events and 3-fold higher CVD event risk were observed among those with any CAC
Researchers found that coronary artery calcium scores can help personalize treatment for patients with mild to moderate high blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease. The study suggests using these scores to determine the most appropriate blood pressure treatment strategy for each patient.
Experts develop five-stage system to classify heart disease risk, including earlier stages for previously underrecognized populations. The new system puts focus on those who pass stress tests or have less obvious danger signs.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have identified a key role for the SHP-1 enzyme in stent failure in people with diabetes. By suppressing smooth muscle cell growth, SHP-1 may lead to more effective surgical stents.
Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine have identified a protein inhibitor drug that prevents blood vessel blockages, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. The study found that PAI-039 decreased blockage formation by about 50 percent, producing a powerful effect in preventing vascular diseases.
Researchers using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) found no association between light to moderate alcohol consumption and coronary artery disease (CAD). The study analyzed 1,925 consecutive patients and characterized plaques, but no relationship was found between atherosclerosis, clinical risk factors, and patient drinki...
A Yale-led research team identified a protein called ALK1 that binds to LDL cholesterol, facilitating its transport into cells. This finding could lead to a new therapeutic approach for reducing atherosclerosis and slowing heart disease.
The Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN) aims to enhance global efforts to improve stroke care by increasing the rate of mechanical thrombectomy from less than 100,000 procedures today to 202,000 annually by 2020. This initiative seeks to reduce global stroke disability and improve patient outcomes.
A study found that women at low cardiovascular risk have a significant prevalence of coronary artery calcification, associated with an increased risk of ASCVD and modest improvement in prognostic accuracy compared to traditional risk factors. The presence of CAC was linked to higher risk for CHD and all-cause mortality.
A new project funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute aims to create tissue-engineered arteries that can be used for transplant surgery. The researchers are working on creating cells that can grow into arterial tissue, which could overcome current limitations of blood vessel transplantation.
A new study found that cardiac PET/CT imaging can detect calcium in arteries, a sign of plaque buildup, reducing the risk of future heart attack and stroke. Researchers discovered that patients with high levels of calcification were more likely to experience adverse cardiac events.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have found the Rabep2 gene plays a major role in forming collateral vessels that protect tissues from stroke damage. Variants of this gene may explain individual differences in survival rates after artery blockages.
A large-scale multicenter prospective study found that PCI on coronary artery lipid-rich plaque (LRP) detected by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was not associated with subsequent major adverse cardiac events (MACE). The study suggests that NIRS-defined LRP is a safe and stable condition, contrary to previous autopsy-based studies.
A major international study found that drug-eluting stents are equally effective as bypass surgery for patients with left main coronary artery disease, with fewer complications. The EXCEL trial followed 1,905 patients and showed stents to be safer in the first 30 days after treatment.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan campus develop synthetic heart valves made of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel, reducing the need for animal tissues in bypass surgery. The new material allows surgeons to practice techniques in a more realistic and safe environment.
The DOCTORS trial found that optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides useful additional information beyond standard angiography, leading to better functional outcomes and more frequent antiplatelet use. OCT also revealed stent underexpansion, incomplete lesion coverage, and edge dissection, resulting in improved procedure strategies.
Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis have similar coronary calcification as those with type 2 diabetes, both five times higher than in healthy controls. Early cardiovascular risk assessment is recommended for those with psoriasis due to increased atherosclerosis risk.
A Kyoto University study found that green tea polyphenol reduces inflammation and promotes elastin production, protecting against aneurysm progression. The researchers suggest daily green tea intake as a new preventative strategy for abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Researchers found that immunizing children with the flu nasal spray did not provide better direct or community protection against influenza than the inactivated influenza vaccine, but offered similar protection. This contradicts earlier studies suggesting the nasal spray vaccine provided better herd immunity.
Researchers in Jerusalem found that small and medium-sized HDL particles were more closely associated with protection against coronary atherosclerosis. The study, led by Dr. Chobufo Ditah, suggests that these particles may be better markers of coronary heart disease risk than traditional HDL-C.
A new minimally invasive surgical approach for lung cancer patients has shown promise in reducing bleeding risk and post-operative pain. The VATS lobectomy procedure uses ultrasonic energy to seal pulmonary arteries, allowing for faster recovery times and potentially improving survival rates.
A study published in Circulation found that increasing IGF-1 levels in macrophages could reduce plaque buildup and lower the risk of heart disease in older adults. Higher IGF-1 levels were associated with less plaque buildup and more stable plaques.
A decade-long study of thousands of Americans found that exposure to fine particulate matter and traffic-related pollutants accelerates the progression of coronary artery calcium scores. This acceleration is associated with a 20% faster rate of calcium deposits in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered a new culprit behind heart disease: the fragmentation of elastic fibers within the arterial wall. This finding could revolutionize the way we detect and treat heart disease, as it suggests that traditional strategies may not be effective in addressing the underlying cause.
A team of surgeons from the Bakoulev Center for Cardiovascular Surgery successfully implanted bioabsorbable vascular grafts into five children born with single-ventricle congenital malformations. The grafts are designed to biodegrade, allowing the patient's own cells and proteins to reconstitute natural functioning tissue.
Scientists have developed a new imaging system that can produce three-dimensional images of the insides of arteries, revealing fatty arteries in all their detail. This breakthrough technology has the potential to help doctors diagnose plaque vulnerability in patients and better identify heart disease.
Researchers found that PAD patients taking high-dose statins had a 33% lower risk of amputation and 29% lower risk of death compared to those taking no statins. Low-to-moderate dose statin users also showed significant reductions in these risks, with benefits evident across different statin doses.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that sedentary behavior is associated with increased amounts of calcium deposits in heart arteries, leading to a higher risk of heart attack. Reducing daily sitting time by 1-2 hours can have a significant positive impact on future cardiovascular health.
The Society for Vascular Medicine coalition advocates for PAD treatment guidelines that improve health outcomes in Medicare beneficiaries. The recommendations include reclassifying the ankle brachial index, comprehensive medical intervention, and supervised exercise training programs.
A treatment called prostatic artery embolization (PAE) decreases nocturnal urination frequency and improves quality of life in men with enlarged prostates. PAE is a less invasive option compared to surgery, performed on an outpatient basis.
A recent study of nearly 3,000 patients found that elevated levels of glycoprotein acetylation (GlycA) offset the benefits of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in preventing heart disease. Inflammation of artery walls is a contributing factor to heart attacks and strokes.
A study suggests that breast arterial calcification visible on digital mammography is linked to coronary arterial calcification and cardiovascular risk. The presence of breast arterial calcification appears to be an equivalent or stronger risk factor for CAC than other well-established cardiovascular risk factors.
A high coronary artery calcium score may signal an increased risk of developing cancer, chronic kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study found that individuals with high scores had a higher risk of cancer, with a 53% increased risk of developing the disease during follow-up.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that stenting of narrow pulmonary artery was successful in majority of patients, but accompanied by serious complications. The procedure showed a high success rate of over 75% and 14% complication rate.
Researchers have developed a synthetic nanoparticle that can simultaneously detect and treat atherosclerotic plaques, offering new hope for preventing deadly heart attacks and strokes. The nanoparticles use MRI to visualize plaque buildup and trigger a therapeutic response.
A new study found that people without cardiovascular disease in their 80s are more likely to develop dementia. Researchers also discovered a link between low levels of artery-clogging calcium deposits and a lower risk of dementia.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne are using supercomputers to create personalized 3D models of patients' arteries, helping cardiologists predict plaque buildup and tailor stents. This technology aims to reduce heart disease's toll by identifying high-risk plaques earlier.
Researchers have created artificial arteries containing both endothelial and media layers, demonstrating normal communication and function. The new technique allows for miniaturized arteries to test drugs for efficacy and side effects, potentially enabling quicker experimentation and more accurate testing.
A randomized clinical trial found that high-flavanol chocolate improved uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index but did not decrease the risk of preeclampsia or improve placental weight. The results suggest that flavanol content may not be the sole factor behind chocolate's effects during pregnancy.
A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association underscores the need to understand and treat heart disease in women. Women's hearts are different from men's, with unique symptoms such as palpitations, back pain, or jaw pain, which can be misdiagnosed due to lack of awareness.
Researchers found Aged Garlic Extract slows total plaque accumulation by 80% and reduces soft plaque in patients with metabolic syndrome. The study reversed deadly plaque buildup in arteries, a potential breakthrough in treating heart disease.
Researchers developed a potential therapy using adipose-derived stem cells to promote blood vessel growth and revascularization. The study successfully treated animals modeled with CLI, showing improved tissue reperfusion and reduced morbidity.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine suggest atherosclerosis is driven by processes similar to brain diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Protein buildup inside macrophages, facilitated by p62, interferes with their ability to function.
A new classification of coronary congenital diseases aids in identifying secondary defects, which can severely affect cardiovascular health. The scheme helps clinicians diagnose anomalies and prevent future complications, particularly sudden death and myocardial infarction in children and competitive athletes.
A multicenter study found that patients with low blood flow in the back of the brain are at higher risk for recurrent strokes. The study used a new MRI-based technology to identify patients who can benefit from angioplasty, which may outweigh the risks for some individuals.
A new antiplatelet drug called PZ-128 has shown safe and fast effects in preventing blood clots, with reversal of its effects possible within 24 hours. The study found that the more PZ-128 was administered, the better it blocked platelet aggregation, with up to 100% effectiveness.
A study led by Dr Gerry McCann found that treating multiple narrowed arteries during a heart attack does not increase the amount of heart muscle damage. The research suggests it is safe for cardiologists to insert stents in all discovered narrowings while treating a heart attack.
Researchers from the University of Otago and Japan found that administering ghrelin daily improved blood flow in affected limbs, promoting new blood vessel growth and cell survival. This suggests a potential new treatment for critical limb ischemia, an advanced form of peripheral artery disease.
A multicenter clinical study found that pravastatin reduced the occurrence of strokes and specific vascular events, while no difference was observed for other stroke subtypes. The study's results contribute to the establishment of guidelines for statin use in preventing strokes caused by larger artery atherosclerosis.
A new approach to treating obesity involves embolizing the gastric artery to suppress appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin. Initial results show that three out of five morbidly obese patients experienced significant weight loss, including one patient who lost 50 pounds in nine months.
A team of cardiologists used a virtual reality device to guide the recanalization of a chronically blocked right coronary artery. The procedure was completed successfully with implantation of two drug-eluting stents, demonstrating potential for improved operator comfort and efficiency in interventional cardiology.
A Yale study published in JAMA found that the proportion of non-acute PCIs classified as inappropriate decreased from 26% to 13% between 2010 and 2014. This decline was attributed to improved clinical decision-making, documentation, and national performance improvement campaigns.
A combination therapy of endovascular revascularization followed by supervised exercise resulted in greater improvement in walking distances and health-related quality-of-life measures at one year compared to supervised exercise only. This is a significant benefit for patients with peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication.
A new treatment using vascular endothelial growth factor fused to a bioengineered carrier promotes the recovery of kidney function in pigs with chronic renovascular disease. The study shows that this treatment can improve kidney function, potentially leading to substantial implications for the management of renovascular disease.
Researchers found that eating more fruits and vegetables as young adults was associated with less calcified coronary artery plaque 20 years later. People who ate the most fruit and vegetable at the start had a 26% lower risk of developing calcified plaque compared to those who ate the least.
A head-to-head comparison study by Johns Hopkins researchers shows that non-invasive CT scans are better at spotting clogged heart vessels than stress tests. CT angiograms detected blockages in nine out of ten people, while stress tests picked up blockages in six out of ten.