Research on the heart and how it stays healthy. Covers light exposure, tissue maintenance, trauma-related cardiovascular risk, and circadian effects.
Emory Health Sciences has received $10 million in NIH ARRA grants to advance research in areas like organ transplantation, pulmonary diseases, and addiction. The funding also supports students and teachers through summer research positions.
A study of heart disease patients reveals those with prior atherosclerosis are more likely to die in the hospital and receive less recommended therapy. Researchers found these patients were also more likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes, and earlier stroke and heart failure incidence.
A study by the Association of American Medical Colleges predicts a 46% increase in demand for cardiothoracic surgeons while supply decreases by 21% by 2025. This shortage could lead to extended waiting times, unnecessary complications, and deaths, particularly affecting populations with limited access to medical care.
A 16-year-old girl, Hannah Clark, has made a remarkable recovery after having her transplanted heart removed 10.5 years after it was implanted. Her own heart had recovered sufficiently to operate on its own, allowing the donor heart to be removed without major complications.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that atrial fibrillation significantly increases hospitalization due to worsening heart failure in patients not receiving beta-blockers. However, the risk of all-cause mortality was similar between those with and without atrial fibrillation.
A University of Alberta study shows that heart transplant recipients can significantly improve their physical fitness, including cardio-respiratory fitness, muscle mass, and maximal strength. However, exercise training did not improve heart or blood-vessel function.
Local laws and insurance reimbursement policies prevent EMS workers from implementing national guidelines on transporting cardiac arrest patients. Community misperceptions about hospital care also hinder efforts to terminate unsuccessful resuscitation efforts.
Researchers found that pig heart valves used to replace defective aortic valves in human patients failed much earlier and more often than expected. Four out of 106 patients developed severe impairment after less than four years, requiring surgery to replace the valves.
A study of over 7,500 individuals found that first-degree atrioventricular block is associated with a two-fold increased risk of atrial fibrillation, a three-fold increased risk of pacemaker implantation, and a 1.4-fold increased risk of all-cause death. The researchers suggest that the natural history of this condition may not be as b...
A study of 2911 men found that severe sleep-related breathing disorders are associated with a higher risk of abnormal heart rhythms. Different types of breathing problems are linked to different categories of arrhythmia, with obstructive sleep apnea linked to ventricular arrhythmias and central sleep apnea linked to atrial fibrillation.
Patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) are at risk of sudden incapacitation while driving. A new consensus statement recommends driving restrictions based on the type of ICD and individual patient risk. The guidelines aim to balance patients' independence with safety concerns.
The European Heart Rhythm Association recommends increasing remote monitoring of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices to enhance patient safety and reduce physician workload. This approach allows for immediate identification of device malfunctions and physiological changes, enabling timely interventions and cost-effective care.
Researchers found that an overactive enzyme plays a role in atrial fibrillation, but does not act alone. The study revealed a synergy between the enzyme and a specific calcium channel mutation, which is necessary for arrhythmia development.
A study published by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center identified a critical gene, SHP2, essential for normal heart and skull formation. Neural crest cells' differentiation failure leads to severe anatomical and functional deficits.
Mayo Clinic is leading a six-year study to determine whether catheter ablation is more effective than drug therapy for treating atrial fibrillation. The trial will randomize patients over three years, examining effectiveness and safety of left atrial catheter ablation versus current state-of-the-art drug therapy.
A new study found that nearly a third of first-degree relatives of BAV patients have enlarged aortas, a potentially serious condition. The study also revealed that 53% of BAV patients had enlarged aortas, and 9.4% of first-degree relatives had BAV.
Dr. Eric Olson has been awarded the Lefoulon-Delalande Foundation Grand Prize for his pioneering work on gene regulation in the cardiovascular system. His research has illuminated fundamental principles of organ formation and provided new insights into cardiac development, advancing our understanding of congenital heart defects.
The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation recommends increased surveillance following generic immunosuppression medication changes to avoid adverse effects. This advisory aims to inform transplant practitioners about the challenges of prescribing generic medications in thoracic transplantation patients.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have received NIH grants to advance their work on regenerating damaged hearts using stem cells and preventing urinary tract infections by analyzing cranberry juice's molecular mechanisms. The studies aim to develop new therapies for heart damage and UTIs, potentially replacing antibiotics.
A Hopkins study found critical mistakes in life-saving maneuvers like chest compressions and defibrillations in children undergoing arrests. Hands-on training with simulated arrests improved fledging doctors' performance, while experience was key to success.
Researchers at Intermountain Medical Center discovered a strong relationship between atrial fibrillation and the development of Alzheimer's disease in a study of over 37,000 patients. Patients with atrial fibrillation were 44% more likely to develop dementia than those without, with younger patients facing higher risks.
A recent study found that catheter ablation is more effective than drugs in treating atrial fibrillation, with 63% of patients free of arrhythmias one year after treatment. The procedure involves destroying heart tissue responsible for erratic electrical signals, resulting in improved quality of life and reduced symptoms.
A landmark follow-up study found that ICDs reduce the risk of death from any cause by 37 percent in heart attack survivors, translating to 1.2 life-years saved, and greatly amplifying their value as a chronic therapy.
Researchers found that a high-calorie exercise program involving daily long-distance walking resulted in greater fat mass loss and improved insulin sensitivity compared to standard cardiac rehabilitation. After five months, the high-calorie group showed significant improvements in heart risk factors and weight reduction.
A new study published in Archives of Internal Medicine finds that women with chest pain but no coronary artery disease are at an elevated risk for cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke. The study suggests that these patients require a different treatment regimen and highlights the need to reevaluate their risk assessment.
A new study by Penn State professor Donna Korzick explores the link between estrogen deficiency and increased risk of heart disease in women. Researchers hope to identify proteins that respond to low-estrogen environments, which could lead to new treatments for heart disease.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center used new imaging technology to discover nearly 200,000 people in the US suffer 'silent' heart attacks each year. These unrecognized myocardial infarctions are linked to a surprisingly high risk of untimely death and may be more common than previously believed.
Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke, wood smoke, or cooking oil smoke for as little as 10 minutes affects cardiovascular function in both men and women. Men exhibit a stronger sympathetic response, while women show a healthier parasympathetic response. These findings confirm previous research on the negative effects of tobacco smoke o...
Researchers found a significant increase in serious heart rhythm disturbances associated with bisphosphonate therapy. However, non-serious cases showed no overall increased risk of atrial fibrillation. The study urges additional investigations to determine the link between the two conditions.
Researchers have discovered a potential treatment for Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT), a rare inherited heart disorder that causes sudden cardiac deaths. Flecainide, a drug used to treat heart arrhythmias, has been found to reduce calcium release in heart cells, counteracting the cause of CPVT.
A study published in Journal of Intensive Care Medicine found that patients who received coronary angiography after cardiac arrest were twice as likely to survive without significant brain damage. Coronary angiography, an imaging procedure that shows blood flow through the heart, was independently associated with good neurologic outcomes.
A study reveals nearly two-thirds of children receiving routine interventional cardiology procedures may be treated with off-label pediatric cardiac devices due to lack of regulatory oversight. The devices were used for approved purposes in 63% of patients, with stent implantations being 99% off-label.
Researchers compared two groups of patients with coronary artery disease and severe heart failure, finding that surgical ventricular reconstruction made no difference in key clinical outcomes. The study's findings challenge conventional wisdom that making the heart smaller and more normal makes it stronger.
A study at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that lower-income families and African-Americans have a lower quality of life after cardiac surgery. The Pediatric Cardiac Quality of Life Inventory (PCQLI) was developed to assess health-related quality of life in children and adolescents.
Researchers identified 14 gene variants associated with prolonged QT interval, a known risk factor for sudden cardiac death. Individuals with the top genotype scores were found to have a higher risk of prolonged QT intervals and increased mortality.
A study published in the Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases found that ischemic stroke patients with abnormal heart electrical cycles are at higher risk of death within 90 days. Prolonged QTc intervals, especially above 440ms for women, are associated with the worst prognosis.
A new risk score identifies patients who are likely to receive a survival benefit from combined heart and kidney transplants, based on factors such as peripheral vascular disease, age, and kidney function. The study found that low-risk patients with combined kidney failure and heart failure may benefit from combined transplantation.
Researchers found a decrease in heart attack diagnoses using ECG, while biomarker-based diagnoses increased, contributing to stable hospitalization rates. Additionally, cardiogenic shock incidence declined over 30 years, likely due to reperfusion therapy and primary angioplasty.
A new study published in Psychological Science suggests that young, healthy individuals who stereotype old people are at risk of heart disease years down the road. Researchers analyzed data from over 400 participants and found a striking link between negative age attitudes early in life and poor cardiovascular health later on.
A national study conducted at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that women with suspected coronary artery disease who suffer from depression have significantly higher health care costs. Depression was associated with a 15-53% increase in cardiovascular costs over five years, translating to $1,550-$3,300 higher annual costs.
A new statewide program requires automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in N.C. high schools to address inadequate emergency planning and increase use of life-saving devices. The study found that most schools lacked concise action plans, needed more AEDs, and struggled with coordinating EMS responses.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that short elevations in circulating nitrite levels can exert lasting beneficial effects on the heart by modulating its oxidation status and protein machinery. This study provides insight into how nitrite can protect the heart from stress and damage.
Costantino Iadecola, a neurology scientist at Cornell University, receives the Thomas Willis Award for his pathophysiology research on cerebral ischemic injury. He will deliver a lecture on recent advances in understanding cerebrovascular injury and developing targeted treatments.
A study by UC Irvine researchers found that individuals with high systolic and low diastolic blood pressures are at a greater risk of heart attack and stroke. The combination of these two blood pressure components is a superior predictor of future adverse cardiovascular events.
Alison Marsden's Y-Graft computer models can optimize Fontan procedures, predicting patient outcomes and exercise tolerance. The technology enables zero-risk testing of new surgery designs before patients undergo surgery.
Researchers discovered that idiopathic QT interval prolongation significantly increases the risk of sudden death among coronary artery disease patients. The study found a five-fold increase in odds for abnormally prolonged QT intervals of unknown etiology, highlighting its potential as a predictor for sudden cardiac death.
The 'chain of survival' improved out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates in Japan by increasing bystander CPR, early defibrillator use, and advanced life support. The study found a significant decrease in delay times and an increase in neurologically intact survivors.
A new study found that California law enforcement agencies experienced a significant increase in sudden deaths and firearm-related deaths after deploying Tasers, contradicting industry claims. The rates of sudden death increased six-fold, while firearm-related deaths rose by two-fold.
Experts warn that while hormonal contraceptives may be safe for many women, gaps in knowledge remain. The article highlights the need for further research on low-dose oral contraceptives and alternative forms of contraception for high-risk individuals.
A woman with a rare condition known as swallow syncope experiences episodes of feeling light-headed after eating sandwiches or fizzy drinks. The condition is caused by alterations in the vagal nervous reflex arc, leading to abnormal feedback that affects heart function.
A recent study found that women are twice as likely to die from a severe heart attack in the hospital compared to men, despite having similar overall mortality rates. Women were also less likely to receive certain life-saving treatments, such as reperfusion therapy and angioplasty.
Two proteins, CUGBP and MBNL1, play crucial roles in switching alternative splicing patterns during heart development. The study provides insights into normal heart development and has implications for understanding myotonic dystrophy.
A study of 34,715 women found that up to two drinks per day is not associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. However, women who consumed more than two drinks per day had a higher risk of developing the condition.
New research confirms that 64-CT scans can accurately diagnose coronary artery blockages, rivaling invasive cardiac catheterization. The technology also has the potential to reduce cardiac catheterizations and serve as an alternative to cardiac stress testing.
A recent study published in JAMA found that Medicare patients who receive ventricular assist devices (VADs) experience high rates of death, illness, and prolonged hospital stays. The study analyzed data from 2000 to 2006 and found that VAD recipients had a one-year survival rate of 51.6% compared to 30.8% for those without the device.
Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences found that gasping in cardiac arrest patients increases their chances of survival. In over half of witnessed cases, patients gasped after collapsing, and those who did survived at a higher rate than those who didn't.
Young African-American men have higher central blood pressure and stiffer blood vessels compared to their white counterparts, indicating early signs of hypertension. Central blood pressure is a key factor in detecting the problem, suggesting that it may be developing undetected in young African-American men.
Researchers found that community hospitals with more experience with coronary angioplasty have lower mortality rates. The study suggests that easing restrictions on elective angioplasty could improve patient safety and survival rates.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute will share findings on regenerating heart tissue using stem cells, a mutant gene therapy strategy to protect against heart disease, women's rapid onset of heart disease, and the effectiveness of new medication prasugrel in preventing ischemic complications.
A new study finds that air pollution has a significant impact on heart health, with personal exposure leading to increased blood pressure and systolic blood pressure. Community-level exposure is also associated with impaired blood vessel functioning, potentially contributing to sudden heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.