Articles tagged with Heart
A new study by the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation found that Optim lead insulation paper may not prevent insulation abrasions in St. Jude Medical defibrillator leads, raising concerns about patient safety. The study suggests that patients with these leads should be regularly evaluated for potential failures.
A multicenter observational study found that Black patients with the V122I mutation have a median survival time of 26 months after diagnosis, with declining heart function and quality of life. The study establishes an increased risk of death from cardiac amyloidosis among carriers of this mutation, particularly after age 60.
The University of Leicester is set to receive a significant boost in cardiovascular research thanks to a record-breaking £7 million donation. This major gift will support the creation of a unique UK facility for cardiovascular science and enable researchers to develop novel tools for clinical use, ultimately benefiting patients.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have found that ranolazine can significantly reduce arrhythmias triggered by carbon monoxide exposure. The anti-angina drug works by targeting a sodium channel in the heart, potentially protecting against cardiac events caused by carbon monoxide poisoning.
Researchers found that around 26% of people aged 87-89 had previously undiagnosed heart problems. These conditions can lead to breathlessness and heart failure, but are treatable with established drugs like beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors.
Researchers have developed a new technique to detect and target tiny electrical disturbances in the heart, resulting in an 86% success rate in treating atrial fibrillation. The CONFIRM trial found that this approach significantly improved outcomes compared to conventional catheter procedures.
A new targeting technology has been found to improve outcomes for patients with atrial fibrillation, with an 86% success rate after a single procedure. The technology, known as focal impulse and rotor modulation (FIRM), allows doctors to detect and shut down the electrical sources of the arrhythmia in minutes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have defined the structure of mitoKATP, a potassium channel protecting against tissue damage due to heart attacks and strokes. The discovery improves heart cell survival and demonstrates an essential life-saving role.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have received $2 million to develop artificial tissue models for testing new drugs that target myofibroblasts, which contribute to heart disease. The study aims to understand how these cells alter the electrical and mechanical properties of heart tissue.
A large prospective study found that cardiac surgery has become significantly safer, even for high-risk patients, with complication rates at 5%, compared to previously reported 10%. The study also failed to show acadesine, a protective drug, reduced complications.
A Wake Forest Baptist study found no cases of cardiac complications related to Taser use, even when probes landed on the chest and may have traveled across the heart. The study analyzed 1,201 real-life Taser uses by law enforcement agencies.
Moderate coffee consumption as part of a daily routine may be linked with a significantly lower risk of heart failure. The study found that moderate coffee drinking reduces the risk by as much as 11 percent, while excessive consumption has no benefit and may even be dangerous.
A new mouse model reveals that abnormal heart cell development during embryogenesis may be responsible for congenital heart disease. The study suggests that genetic mutations, such as the GATA4 mutation, can lead to underdevelopment of heart walls and septal defects.
A small study exposed young, healthy volunteers to ozone for two hours, showing vascular inflammation and changes in autonomic nervous system control. The findings suggest a plausible explanation for the link between acute ozone exposure and death.
A meta-analysis of 24 studies found that 12% of heart patients develop clinically significant PTSD symptoms, doubling their risk for future cardiac events and death. The study suggests that underdiagnosis may be even more pronounced in cardiac practices than in other types of medical practices.
A natural compound found in fruits, nuts and red wine has shown improved physical performance and endurance in lab models. Researchers plan to test resveratrol on diabetics with heart failure to improve heart function and exercise capabilities.
Research found no increase in infective endocarditis among dental patients following updated guidelines, which restrict antibiotic use to those at greatest risk of complications. The study's results are reassuring but suggest further research is needed to support the findings.
Scientists have identified a new protein function that protects heart cells from damage during extreme hypertension and cardiac pressure overload. The discovery could lead to the development of treatments for conditions like cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's.
A simple blood test can identify people at high risk of dying within a month after non-cardiac surgery. The test called Troponin T measures protein markers of heart injury and is strongly associated with 30-day mortality.
New UCSF research establishes a stronger causal link between alcohol consumption and serious palpitations in patients with atrial fibrillation. Patients with atrial fibrillation had almost a four and a half times greater chance of having an episode if they were consuming alcohol than if they were not.
Research published in Circulation suggests that prolonged QRS duration is a significant predictor of sudden cardiac death in men. The study, which tracked 2,049 Finnish men for 19 years, found that even slight delays in electrical impulses through the heart can increase the risk of SCD.
New research reveals that obese adolescents, even those without symptoms of heart disease, already have structural and functional changes to their hearts. The study found that measures of heart size and function were increased in parallel to BMI, indicating damaged hearts with thicker walls and impaired systolic and diastolic function.
A Vanderbilt University study found that azithromycin carries a significant increased risk of cardiovascular death, especially among those with high-risk factors. The researchers compared over 348,000 prescriptions of azithromycin to millions of similar records from patients not treated with antibiotics.
A novel ambulatory cardiac monitor, Zio Patch, has been found to be effective in diagnosing irregular heart rhythms and preventing unnecessary follow-up care. The study showed that 59% of symptomatic patients did not have arrhythmia and may not require further work-up.
A new study published in JAMA found that elderly women with atrial fibrillation are at a higher risk of stroke than men. The study suggests that these women may need more effective stroke prevention therapy, which could be targeted towards female sex as a key risk factor.
A new study found that patients who received guidance on sexual activity before leaving the hospital were more likely to recapture their sex lives after a heart attack. Researchers urge doctors to address sexual health as an important part of overall physical function, especially for women.
A new study found that heart patients with a distressed personality type (Type D) reported worse health after having an implanted internal defibrillator. Those who received a shock from their device within the first year scored themselves up to 30 points lower than others, indicating poorer overall health and mental well-being.
Researchers found that sildenafil improved echocardiographic measures of heart function in children and young adults with single ventricle heart disease palliation. The study suggests a potential advance in managing patients with these types of heart defects.
Researchers found that heart attack survivors living less than 100 meters from a major roadway have a 27% increased risk of dying over 10 years compared to those living at least 1,000 meters away. Long-term exposure to air pollution near roadways is also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death.
A study published at the University of Granada found that heart rehabilitation programs significantly improved cardiovascular health in patients with heart disease. The program reduced total cholesterol and plasma triglyceride levels, promoted healthier eating habits, and increased physical activity among participants.
Researchers at UC Irvine found that moderate to severe COPD patients with low heart disease risk had a significantly better prognosis. The study suggests addressing cardiac risk factors can improve outcomes in people with COPD, and highlights the importance of cardiovascular health for lung disease patients.
A major new study published in The Lancet found that all babies should be offered screening for heart defects at birth, with pulse oximetry showing high accuracy and effectiveness in detecting the condition. The research included data on close to 230,000 babies and showed that pulse oximetry picked up over three-quarters of heart defects.
Researchers at the University of Washington have found that cells in blood vessel walls pull more tightly together when flowing past rapidly, reducing vascular leakage and potentially leading to new drug designs and improved surgical procedures. This discovery highlights the role of cellular forces in the progression of cardiovascular ...
Researchers discovered that strong light can activate a protein called Period 2, which regulates heart metabolism and minimizes damage from heart attacks. This finding suggests that daylight exposure could reduce the risk of having a heart attack or suffering damage from one.
Experts propose a new model of care collaboration for diagnosing, treating, and following patients with emergent cardiovascular conditions. Regionalized systems of care can improve clinical outcomes by providing rapid diagnosis, effective care coordination, and appropriate follow-up care.
A recent study published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery found that patients with atrial fibrillation who undergo cardiac surgery without treatment have a lower long-term survival rate compared to those with sinus rhythm. Successful surgical treatment of A-fib during cardiac surgery can improve patient outcomes an...
Researchers investigated omega-3 supplements' effects on cardiac diastolic function, finding no improvement in older adults. The study suggests that omega-3's benefits may fall on other aspects of cardiovascular function.
Researchers found that women's hearts showed no increase in blood flow during mental stress, unlike men, who experienced an increase. This difference could predispose women to heart problems under stress.
A 25% increase in high blood pressure screening in 19 developing countries could reduce CVD events and deaths by up to 3%. The study found that only one-third of people with high blood pressure are aware of their condition, and even fewer receive treatment.
A new Harvard report presents preliminary data showing that taxing salt products or implementing industry reductions can lead to significant reductions in cardiovascular disease deaths. The study found that these strategies could save money by reducing healthcare costs associated with hypertension and CVD events.
Two new studies presented at the World Congress of Cardiology show that coordinated screening and control programmes can identify patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) early, reducing treatment costs. In Uganda and Fiji, children were screened using a stethoscope and portable echocardiography machine, detecting 1.5% RHD cases.
A global study presented at the World Congress of Cardiology reveals that patients with rheumatic heart disease are not receiving necessary surgery or secondary prevention treatments. In Africa and India, only 41% of patients enrolled had received surgery, highlighting a dire lack of surgical services available in most centers.
A new study at the World Congress of Cardiology found that women with diagnosed heart disease are more likely to give birth to female babies. The study, which reviewed 200 pregnant women with cardiac disease, found that 75% of their children were female.
A new study from Hong Kong reveals that smokefree legislation has led to a decrease in total smokers, but hard-to-quit 'hardcore' smokers have increased. The number of hardcore smokers grew from 23.8% to 29.4% among males and 10.6% to 16.3% among females between 2005 and 2008.
A new study presented at the World Congress of Cardiology found that high normal blood pressure becomes less of a risk factor for incident cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease with age. The study showed similar risks for diagnosed high blood pressure across all age groups.
A recent study found that short-term treatment with omega-3 fatty acids improves arterial stiffness and moderates the negative effects of smoking on vascular elastic properties in smokers. The cardioprotective effects of omega-3 fatty acids are attributed to their anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic properties.
Three large studies from India, China, and the Middle East expose a consistent pattern of inadequate treatment for women with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), resulting in poorer outcomes. Women tend to be admitted later, have more comorbid disease, and receive less aggressive treatment than men.
A study of 434,190 individuals in Taiwan found that exercise can help smokers quit and reduce the risk of heart attack. Regular physical activity increased life expectancy by 3.7 years among smokers.
The Indian Heart Watch study reveals alarming levels of lifestyle and biological risk factors driving India's CVD epidemic. The country faces a growing CVD crisis due to high prevalence of obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity.
Patients with rheumatic heart disease in the Middle East are being admitted too late for surgery, highlighting the need for early screening and prevention programs. The World Heart Federation calls for coordinated efforts to prevent progression to severe RHD, which can be prevented with penicillin.
A large multicenter trial found that surgical management had no significant impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes at 14 months of age for infants with single-ventricle heart defects. Instead, innate patient characteristics and general medical morbidity during the first year of life played a crucial role in shaping these outcomes.
The Minneapolis Heart Institute will receive $63 million to support innovative stem cell therapy development for heart disease, as part of the National Institutes of Health's Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network. The network aims to drive public health advances in cardiovascular cell therapy.
Research finds improved survival rates among patients with non-shockable cardiac arrests when given CPR based on updated guidelines. The likelihood of survival to discharge increased from 4.6% to 6.8%, and one-year survival doubled from 2.7% to 4.9%
The University of Ottawa Heart Institute's bedside genetic test has successfully protected patients with a specific genetic variant from adverse events. The test uses a simple cheek swab and has been shown to be effective in reducing high on-treatment platelet reactivity, a marker for complications after stenting.
A study found that invasive treatment strategies, including heart testing and pacemaker implantation, can increase survival rates for patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1. The treatment approach resulted in a lower incidence of sudden death and improved overall survival.
A new study reveals that non-invasive coronary CT angiography (CCTA) scans can quickly and reliably determine which patients with chest pain can be safely discharged from emergency departments. The test was found to have a lower 30-day event rate than traditional care, making it a valuable tool for identifying low-risk patients.
A pre-procedure bleeding risk score can predict greater risk and higher costs for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures. The study identified that high-risk patients experience increased rates of complications, longer hospital stays, and higher total costs.
Patients diagnosed with aortic stenosis who are too sick for open-heart surgery have better survival rates and an improved quality of life after undergoing catheter-based heart valve replacement. The minimally invasive procedure adds years to life and life to years, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
A study of over 200,000 people found that adults who sat for 11 hours or more per day had a 40% increased risk of dying in the next three years. Regular physical activity can still reduce this risk, but avoiding prolonged sitting is also crucial.
Two-year data show comparable death and durability rates between catheter-placed heart valves and open-heart surgery in very old patients. Valve durability appears to be comparable, with no significant difference in mortality between the two groups over time.