Articles tagged with Heart
Researchers report that patients who undergo non-cardiac surgery within six weeks of receiving a coronary stent are more likely to experience reduced blood flow to the heart, heart attack, and death. The risk is higher for those with recent heart attacks.
A new study from Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute found that high doses of antioxidant nutritional supplements can induce stem cell genetic abnormalities, potentially leading to cancer. Researchers discovered this danger zone when seeking a way to multiply human cardiac stem cells.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute found that pre-transplant smoking increases the risk of non-fatal cardiac events, while homeless donors are associated with higher complications and poor outcomes. Donor demographics also play a role in transplant survival rates, with males receiving opposite-gender hearts having worse outcomes.
A study by Henry Ford Hospital found that heart failure patients developing kidney failure after LVAD surgery experience significantly decreased survival rates and prolonged hospitalizations. The researchers suggest improving patient selection and reducing cardio-pulmonary bypass time to mitigate the risk of kidney failure.
Researchers have linked diabetes to a 40% greater risk of developing atrial fibrillation, with the risk rising for longer duration of diabetes and less controlled blood sugar levels.
A new blood test has reduced the number of biopsies performed on heart transplant patients by 50% in a landmark Stanford study. The test uses genomics technology to identify patients at low risk for rejection, allowing doctors to safely reduce biopsy frequency and improve patient quality of life.
Scientists from EVMS have identified STAT4 as a key factor in the development of Type 2 diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases. Eliminating STAT4 in rodent models reduced atherosclerosis, and a high-fat diet study showed that excess STAT4 leads to inflamed fat production.
Researchers from Virginia Tech and GE Global Research Center are developing novel cardiac computed tomography (CT) architectures and methods to improve image quality with low radiation. Their patented approach, interior tomography, can produce accurate images of a region of interest, reducing radiation exposure and accommodating larger...
Researchers identified KLF15 as a genetic factor regulating both heart failure and aneurysm disease. The study found that deficiency of this gene predisposes individuals to these cardiovascular diseases, but also discovered potential therapeutic targets through the inhibition of p53.
A large study found that walking at a brisk pace (3 miles per hour) or for two hours a week significantly lowers the risk of stroke in women. The study followed 39,315 female health professionals over 11.9 years and found lower risks for total, clot-related, and bleeding strokes.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute conclude that dronedarone is only moderately effective and lacks clear safety benefits. The review assesses data from the FDA approval process and compares dronedarone to amiodarone, a commonly used treatment for atrial fibrillation.
A new imaging technique using FDG PET can help doctors plan cardiac procedures, reducing cost and improving patient outcomes. The study found a trend toward better patient outcomes when FDG PET is used in diagnostic work-up.
Researchers found that adding chymase inhibitors to ACE inhibitors significantly boosted recovery of heart function in animals after a heart attack. This could lead to improved treatments for people with high blood pressure, heart failure, and other conditions.
Researchers have developed a flexible silicon electronics device that can map waves of electrical activity in the heart with high density and speed. The device uses 288 contact points and has the potential to localize and treat abnormal heart rhythms.
Researchers have developed biocompatible flexible electronics that can map large areas of tissue at once, monitoring electricity coursing through a beating heart. The technology has the potential to redefine design strategies for advanced surgical devices and implants.
A team of researchers has created a new implantable device that measures the heart's electrical output with greater resolution than current devices. The device uses flexible silicon technology to bring electronic circuits right to the tissue, enabling high-density maps of electrical activity.
A University of Montreal study found that men and women respond differently to stress, with high blood pressure and heart rate in women who are more defensive. Older men with low defensive reactions have higher cardiovascular rates. The study suggests that socialization and maintaining self-esteem contribute to these responses.
A recent study suggests that a deficiency of protein in the brain may contribute to cognitive impairment and congenital heart defects in Down syndrome patients. Researchers found lower levels of the protein in brains with Down syndrome compared to healthy controls, and an experimental drug increased its production.
The AFib Educator app and desktop widget provide detailed, animated diagrams of the human heart to help patients understand atrial fibrillation. Healthcare professionals can share resources with patients, including facts about signs, symptoms, prevalence, and risks, as well as links to additional information.
The Bench to Bassinet Program aims to translate scientific discoveries into usable treatments for congenital heart disease. Researchers will study genetic data and heart development to provide a comprehensive picture of healthy and abnormal hearts, ultimately informing clinical practice.
Researchers have identified a key enzyme, myeloperoxidase, as a significant predictor of mortality in Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) patients. High levels of the enzyme increase the risk of death by more than double over a 13-year period.
A new risk score tool developed by researchers at Intermountain Medical Center has been shown to more accurately predict patients' risk for cardiac disease and death. The Intermountain Risk Score, which includes age, sex, and routine blood test results, improved doctors' ability to measure patient risk by up to 57%.
A new study by Henry Ford Hospital finds regadenoson to be a safe alternative to conventional medication used in cardiac nuclear stress tests for heart transplant patients. The drug did not cause adverse side effects such as low blood pressure or heart block, and showed no signs of these conditions.
Jennifer C. Hirsch, M.D., M.S., receives the Nina Starr Braunwald award for her work developing an assessment tool for infants' sensory and motor skills following congenital heart defects surgery. The award supports research and education for women in cardiac surgery.
Researchers found that men and women who drank four or more cups of coffee daily had an 18% lower risk of hospitalization for heart rhythm disturbances. The study involved 130,054 participants and showed consistent results among different ethnic groups, smokers, and nonsmokers.
A pilot study found that a college course focused on social issues related to food resulted in healthier diets than traditional health-focused courses. Students who took the 'Food and Society' course reported an improvement in their healthful eating diet score, increased vegetable consumption, and decreased high-fat dairy consumption.
A recent study published by the American Heart Association found that children with insomnia and shorter sleep duration have impaired modulation of heart rhythm during sleep. This impairment can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in young children, highlighting the importance of healthy bedtime habits for their overall...
A standard ICD test is associated with significant thought-processing problems that improve for most patients after one year. The study found that more than one-third of participants experienced cognitive decline, mainly affecting attention and memory.
A new study found that adding electrocardiogram testing to standard medical history and physical examinations for young athletes can better identify key cardiovascular abnormalities responsible for sports-related sudden deaths. However, the study also showed a significant rate of false positive results.
A nationwide study found that blacks are substantially less likely than whites to know they have atrial fibrillation or use warfarin as treatment. This disparity could explain why the black population has a higher incidence of stroke and death from strokes compared to the white population.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have created a new way to measure the activity of a molecule involved in ischemic preconditioning, which strengthens cardiac tissues after a heart attack. The discovery could lead to the development of a new medication or treatment to help patients better resist heart damage.
A randomized trial found that remote ischemic conditioning with repeated blood pressure cuff inflations reduced heart tissue damage in AMI patients by 30%, with benefits increasing to 50% for those with most threatened heart tissue. Improved heart function and potential applications beyond AMI were reported.
A new gene, KCNN3, has been identified as a significant contributor to the risk of atrial fibrillation. This gene regulates potassium channels in the heart, which can be targeted for therapeutic intervention.
A common gene variant has been associated with an increased risk of lone atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat that affects younger individuals without known heart disease. The genetic variation affects a protein involved in controlling the heart's electrical activity and may provide new drug targets for treatment.
A new chemical compound has been discovered that may help treat and prevent diastolic heart failure, a condition where the heart is unable to relax after contraction. The research found that adding tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) to blood vessels can restore function to the heart and prevent the disease from developing.
The NHLBI is awarding $23.6 million to develop preclinical testing of devices for pediatric circulatory support, expanding life-saving options for infants and children born with congenital heart defects or those who develop heart failure.
Researchers found that CT scans are more accurate than MRI in ruling out coronary artery disease. Extended-duration transdermal nicotine therapy was also shown to increase smokers' chances of quitting successfully.
A landmark study published in JAMA found that catheter ablation significantly improves quality of life and reduces symptoms of atrial fibrillation compared to drug therapy. The treatment, which destroys abnormal heart tissue, resulted in a 66% success rate for patients with no recurrent irregular heartbeats or symptoms.
A study published by Dr. Stephanie Fuller at the Society of Thoracic Surgeons found that deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) does not impair language skills, attention, and other neurocognitive abilities in school-age children. The use of DHCA was not predictive of worse performance for any neurodevelopmental outcome.
A new software technology allows doctors to visualize 3D images of heart arteries in the catheterization lab, improving assessment and treatment of coronary artery disease. This can reduce radiation exposure and decrease analysis time for cardiologists.
Researchers at University of Leicester are developing innovative method to map and target abnormal electrical signals in the heart, benefiting millions with atrial fibrillation. This approach enables cardiologists to treat AF more accurately, potentially reducing need for second procedures.
The Pediatric Cardiac Genomics Consortium aims to identify genetic and epigenetic causes of congenital heart disease. The collaboration seeks to discover preventive strategies, targets for treatment, and better diagnostic information for families.
A study found that Medicare beneficiaries who attended more cardiac rehabilitation sessions had better outcomes, including a reduced risk of heart attack and death. Researchers analyzed data from over 30,000 patients age 65 and older, finding that those who attended all 36 sessions had the lowest mortality rates.
A study published in the December 2009 issue of HeartRhythm found that only half of eligible heart failure patients received implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) to prevent sudden cardiac death. The study also revealed wide variations in ICD use, with certain patient groups more likely to receive the devices.
Certain cardiac pacemakers may inadequately stimulate a patient's heart while undergoing an MRI scan due to the magnetic pulses mixing with electronic pulses from the pacemaker. This can lead to incorrect or absent stimulation and is potentially dangerous for the patient undergoing the scan.
A large-scale study found that less than half of eligible patients with heart failure receive cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices. The therapy is particularly beneficial for patients with disorganized heartbeats, but widespread variations in CRT use were observed among practices and patient characteristics.
Researchers have identified cardiac myosin-binding protein C as a potential new diagnostic biomarker for heart attacks, particularly useful for mild attacks. cMyBP-C becomes nearly 20 fold more abundant than before within 5 minutes following a heart attack, suggesting its value in early diagnosis.
Researchers have developed a mathematical model of heart cells to understand the effects of oxidized CaM kinase on cardiac electrical activity. Oxidation activates the enzyme, leading to a vicious cycle that advances heart disease.
A recent study by Michigan Medicine found that only 7.6% of cardiac arrest victims survive, with factors such as restored pulse and bystander CPR significantly improving survival rates. Experts emphasize the need for increased awareness and use of devices to shock the heart to change these dismal survival rates.
A new study suggests that adult stem cells can differentiate into heart cells to repair damage, offering a promising new treatment for heart attack patients. The Phase I trial showed significant improvements in heart function and reduced arrhythmias after administration of the stem cells.
Researchers at UCSD and Stanford University developed a computational tool to simulate blood flow on computers, optimizing surgical designs for the Fontan surgery. This tool allows doctors to test plans and evaluate blood flow patterns before operating, potentially reducing risks associated with the procedure.
Exposure to tobacco smoke in either the donor or recipient before heart transplantation leads to accelerated immune system rejection of the transplanted heart. The study found a significant reduction in the transplanted organ's chance of survival by 33-57 percent.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are using a mouse model to identify genes that cause congenital heart defects, which affect up to 1% of live births. The goal is to develop a diagnostic chip that can rapidly identify genetic root causes of specific heart defects.
The VCU Medical Center and Richmond Ambulance Authority partnership has improved resuscitation and survival rates for cardiac arrest patients by training paramedics to lower body temperature in the field and using high-tech strategies. The strategy resulted in a two-fold improvement in return of spontaneous circulation and an increase ...
A study of 500 patients found that EKG readings can yield false positive diagnoses for left ventricular hypertrophy with a rate of 77-82%, while false negatives occur at a rate of 6-7%. This can lead to unnecessary additional screenings.
Continuous chest compression-CPR has been shown to improve cardiac arrest survival in Arizona, with a 32% survival rate compared to 6% for standard CPR. This study found that bystanders can save more lives by performing chest compressions only instead of mouth-to-mouth CPR.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that young athletes should undergo both EKG and echocardiogram screenings to detect early signs of life-threatening heart defects. Abnormal findings were discovered in 36 athletes, highlighting the importance of comprehensive screening programs.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine discovered a link between fat accumulation around the heart and aorta, as well as within the liver, and decreased cardiac pumping function. Measuring body mass index (BMI) does not accurately predict the amount of unwanted fat in these areas.
A large clinical trial testing two resuscitation strategies found both equally successful; no additional benefit from using an impedance threshold device during CPR. The study involved approximately 11,500 participants and stopped enrollment early based on preliminary data suggesting no significant improvement in survival rates.
Penn researchers identify a novel cellular source of atrial fibrillation, the most common type of abnormal heart beat, and suggest a more precise way to treat AF with reduced side effects.