Articles tagged with Heart
Researchers developed a new method for early detection of heart attacks using metabolite profiling, detecting changes in blood samples 10 minutes after the event. The approach has potential to improve early treatment and survival rates.
The CoreValve ReValving System has shown high procedural success and excellent long-term outcomes in elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis. Procedural success rates reached 91%, with significant improvements in symptoms, quality of life, and mortality rates.
The US Medical Licensing Examination board has introduced an audio portion to its medical licensing exam, requiring students to identify heart murmurs and abnormal heart sounds. The skill level required is much higher than traditional curriculum, leading to increased dependence on expensive tests.
Research shows air pollution damages heart and blood vessels, leading to increased rates of hospitalization for cardiac illness and even death. Exposure to ultrafine pollutants triggers an inflammatory response that can cause arrhythmias and speed the progression of atherosclerosis.
A recent study found significant racial, age and geographic disparities in the use of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), a treatment for heart failure. The research examined nearly 34,000 hospital admissions and discovered that CRT was underutilized in certain populations, such as older patients and those from the Northeast.
Researchers found specific alterations in heart and circulation in children with small birth weight, differing between boys and girls. These changes are associated with higher blood pressure and risk of hypertension and heart disease.
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has awarded a planning grant to Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute to support regenerative stem cell-based approaches for treating heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and pacing abnormalities. Researchers will use autologous stem cells derived from patients to replace damaged heart cells.
Researchers have discovered that AHI1 protein instability contributes to Joubert syndrome, while Ahi1-HAP1 complex interactions regulate brain development. In contrast, studies on leprosy and atherosclerosis reveal links between innate immunity and human lipid metabolism, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.
A new mini ECG monitoring system allows heart attack rehab patients to undergo six-week walking exercise programs from anywhere, with real-time monitoring of their heart signal, location, and speed. This approach has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce hospital re-admissions.
Researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center discovered that high-dose hyperbaric oxygen therapy can revive laboratory swine within 25 minutes of cardiac arrest, surpassing the previously thought limit of 16 minutes. This breakthrough may lead to improved survival rates and more definitive treatments for human patients.
Researchers have found a gene mutation linked to one family's hereditary form of atrial fibrillation, leading to better understanding and potential new treatments. The discovery provides insight into pathways that may be applicable to people in the general population with atrial fibrillation.
A study of nearly 9,000 patients found that inadequate blood sugar control increases the risk of death and major complications after heart surgery, affecting both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. The research suggests that strict protocols for active blood sugar control are necessary to improve patient outcomes.
Researchers used PET imaging to detect structural and functional alterations in the circulatory system of asymptomatic diabetic patients. The study found that PET revealed coronary vascular dysfunction as a precursor to coronary artery disease, which may precede structural changes in the arterial wall.
Researchers link fever to life-threatening changes in the heart's electrical cycle of LQT-2 patients, a genetic condition characterized by prolonged QT intervals. Fever triggers abnormal electrical currents in heart cells, potentially leading to ventricular arrhythmias and heart failure.
A new class of natural compounds has been identified that can enhance the sensitivity of mouse cancer cells to standard anticancer chemotherapeutic agents. Fever, on the other hand, is associated with prolonged QT intervals in heart cells of patients with LQT-2, a potentially fatal genetic disease. These findings suggest potential ther...
A study of 290 dental patients found bacteria in the blood after tooth brushing and extractions, but with lower incidence than expected. The researchers suggest that good oral hygiene can reduce the risk of heart valve infection by reducing gingival disease and bacterial species associated with IE.
Pediatric cardiac surgeons used stereoscopic glasses to visualize the heart in real-time during surgeries, resulting in improved accuracy and speed. The new technique showed a 44% reduction in time spent on anchor placement compared to traditional 3D ultrasound guidance.
A review of heart bypass patients in Ontario hospitals found that 111 deaths (32%) might have been prevented with better care. Many preventable deaths were related to lapses in established procedures, highlighting the need for quality improvement initiatives.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic found that heart patients who met regularly with cardiac 'disease managers' for three years had better control of risk factors and lower death rates. The approach demonstrated clear clinical benefits, including improved cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and medication compliance.
Researchers found that intermittent hypoxia treatment reduced myocardial infarction and lethal arrhythmias following coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion in dogs. The treatment also suppressed cardiac activity of nitric oxide synthase, a key enzyme involved in the production of harmful compounds.
A study found that succinobucol reduced cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke in some patients, but also increased LDL cholesterol and atrial fibrillation. However, it improved glycated haemoglobin levels, suggesting potential benefits for long-term diabetes control.
Scientists at Thomas Jefferson University will study molecular mechanisms of cardiac injury leading to heart failure, as well as cellular and molecular mechanisms that promote repair in the adult failing heart. The four-lab project aims to find data that can be translated into novel therapeutic strategies.
Dr. Marrouche's pioneering work with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has improved the curative rates and safety of radiofrequency ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation. His research has led to significant reduction in complications and arrhythmia-free outcomes for patients.
Researchers have discovered that TPO, a naturally occurring protein, can protect the heart against damage during a heart attack. The study found that administering a single dose of TPO to rats decreased permanent muscle damage and increased heart function after a heart attack.
Experimental studies on pigs found that stun gun discharges can stimulate the heart, particularly when barbs are located across the heart. This contradicts theoretical studies suggesting that cardiac stimulation does not occur with stun gun discharges.
Research found that 40% of African-Americans have a genetic variant that protects them from heart failure and prolongs their lives. The variant has an effect similar to beta blockers, which are widely prescribed for heart failure. This study resolves the controversy surrounding beta blocker efficacy in African-American patients.
Experimental work on utilizing donor organs from cardiac arrested donors shows promise in addressing the critical organ shortage for lung and possibly heart transplantation. Strategies for organ preservation during transport, such as Ex-Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP) and Organ Care System (OCS), are also being discussed.
Dame Anne McLaren was a pioneer in embryonic germ cells and contributed to IVF treatments. Prof Christine Mummery will honor her memory with a keynote lecture on advances in stem cell research, highlighting its potential for treating diseases like heart damage.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded contracts to develop new mechanical circulatory support devices for children with congenital heart defects. These devices are designed to decrease wait list mortality and improve efficiency of organ utilization in pediatric patients.
Women with poor kidney filtering ability are at increased risk of sudden cardiac death, according to a new study published by the American Heart Association. The research found that those with advanced kidney dysfunction had a 3.16 times higher risk of SCD than women with normal kidney function.
A recent study found that maternal exercise during pregnancy has a positive impact on fetal cardiac programming, reducing fetal heart rate variability. The research also revealed lower heart rates among fetuses exposed to maternal exercise compared to non-exercising mothers.
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is leading the development of external and implantable heart pumps designed specifically for small children with heart failure. The hospital has received a $2.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to complete the development of an external centrifugal pump, known as PediVAS, which will...
The Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute will feature presentations on various topics related to cardiovascular health, including emerging technologies for heart valve repair and women's heart issues. Researchers will also discuss the link between prohormones and cardiovascular disease risk among post-menopausal women.
A new study from Boston Children's Hospital found that digital music players like iPods do not affect pacemaker function. However, the devices can interfere with telemetry, requiring a minimum distance of six inches to avoid issues.
A Mayo Clinic study found that 82% of retired NFL players under 50 had abnormal artery narrowing and blockages. The researchers emphasize the need for regular cardiovascular screening in football players to prevent serious cardiovascular events.
A new study found that brief, high doses of folate in rats reduced muscle tissue damage and scarred areas after a heart attack. Researchers believe folate acts as an energy reserve for the heart, providing needed energy during a blocked artery.
A UCI-led study found that coronary calcium detection is a significant predictor of heart attack and disease for diverse groups. The non-invasive procedure uses CT scanning to detect calcium deposits in coronary arteries, which can be valuable for promoting overall cardiac health.
A study by University College London found that beta-blockers slow heart failure progression through direct brain action, challenging existing views on their mechanism. The research suggests targeting the central nervous system may lead to novel treatments for cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have identified a crucial signaling protein Gi that protects the heart during a heart attack. Blocking this protein increases heart damage in genetically engineered mice experiencing heart attacks.
Researchers found that family members caring for loved ones with serious heart ailments were more likely to have high blood pressure, depression, and poor eating habits. These caregivers were also less likely to follow healthy dietary guidelines.
Patients treated with minimally interrupted cardiac resuscitation (MICR) had higher survival rates than those receiving standard treatments. Implementing MICR, a new approach to limit interruptions of chest compressions, resulted in increased blood flow and reduced harm.
A protein called macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been found to activate AMPK, a key regulator of cellular energy balance, protecting the heart from injury during a heart attack. MIF may help identify individuals at higher risk for cardiac damage during a heart attack based on their genetic characteristics.
A new simplified scoring system accurately assesses overall cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and individual component risks. The system, developed from 12 years of patient data, shows significant correlation with 10-year CVD risk.
Research by the Whitehall II study found that work stress is linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) due to its effect on the autonomic nervous system and neuroendocrine function. Chronic work stress was associated with lower heart rate variability and poor vagal tone, leading to cardiac instability.
Scientists at the University of Minnesota Center for Cardiovascular Repair successfully grew a functioning beating heart by reseeding dead rat and pig hearts with live cells. The decellularization process shows promise for creating transplantable blood vessels or whole organs made from a patient's own cells.
A study found that individuals who experienced severe stress-related symptoms after terrorist attacks were more likely to be diagnosed with heart problems over the following three years. High levels of acute stress immediately after the attacks predicted increased risk of physician-diagnosed heart problems.
Research found that 30% of patients with ventricular arrhythmia received life-saving defibrillation more than two minutes after cardiac arrest, leading to significantly lower survival rates. Hospital characteristics, such as small size and lack of continuous monitoring, were associated with delayed defibrillation.
Two large-scale studies found no statistically significant difference in survival rates between Chest-Compression-Only CPR and traditional CPR with mouth-to-mouth breathing. This contradicts previous guidelines that recommended interrupting chest compressions for breaths.
While flavanol-rich dark chocolate offers cardiovascular benefits, manufacturers often remove these compounds to balance calorie content, rendering the product less healthy than claimed. Flavanols have antioxidant properties but are not a guarantee of healthiness.
Researchers found that individuals with Type 1 myotonic muscular dystrophy overproduce the heart protein NKX2-5, yet experience similar cardiac problems. Reducing excessive NKX2-5 levels may protect against these issues, leading to potential diagnostic and therapeutic breakthroughs.
Researchers at Imperial College London have successfully matured beating heart cells derived from embryonic stem cells, overcoming two significant obstacles in developing a stem cell heart patch. They also developed a biocompatible scaffold that can hold the new cardiomyocytes in place while they integrate into existing heart tissue.
A study of 3,601 women found that low-risk women with advanced coronary artery calcium had a higher risk of heart events and cardiovascular disease. The findings provide new insights into cardiovascular disease risk in middle-aged and older women, highlighting the importance of re-evaluating risk assessment strategies.
Researchers at Cornell University and their colleagues discovered that implanting embryonic cardiac cells into mice with heart attacks prevented arrhythmias. The technique improved electrical connections between cells and activated transplanted cells, restoring heart function and reducing arrhythmia risk.
A new study found that a two-in-one test examining the nervous system and heart's electrical system can identify patients at highest risk of cardiac arrest or death after a heart attack. The REFINE study revealed that combining findings from one simple test makes it significantly more likely to identify high-risk patients.
A new heart test has been developed to detect mild degrees of heart injury, enabling doctors to identify patients most likely to benefit from life-saving treatments. The test, which searches for a specific protein in the blood, could lead to fewer unnecessary hospital admissions and improved diagnosis.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in deriving functional heart cells from human embryonic stem cells, exhibiting excitation-contraction coupling and handling calcium ions. The finding offers hope for future use of stem cell treatment in patients with end-stage disease, potentially avoiding the need for heart transplants.
A new study by University of Bristol scientists found that red blood cell transfusions may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke in cardiac surgery patients, regardless of haemoglobin levels or age. The research suggests a three-fold increase in complications arising from lack of oxygen to key organs.
Researchers have developed a new drug called nitrosyl-cobinamide, a direct NO-releasing agent that could potentially treat hypertension and heart disease. The compound binds tightly to nitric oxide, forming a reversible NO donor, which may offer a safer alternative to existing treatments.
Researchers at Ohio State University Medical Center found that the mitochondria send a death signal to cardiac cells when blood flow is restored, leading to cell damage and weakening heart function. The study identifies a specific enzyme, mitochondrial nitric oxide synthase, as a potential therapeutic target to stop this process.
David R. Holmes Jr., a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, received the James B. Herrick Award for his pioneering contributions to interventional cardiology and advancements in coronary revascularization through balloon angioplasty and stenting. His work has significantly improved patient care and saved countless lives.