GE Healthcare recalls imaging systems after patient death
One patient has died as a result of injuries sustained while being scanned on an Infinia Hawkeye 4 nuclear medicine system, prompting a class 1 recall of this system and others. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - July 31, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Canadian CVD research spending yields solid bang for the buck
If a 12% return on investment is an acceptable yield by Wall Street standards, what would policy wonks and government officials consider to be a good return for investments in cardiovascular research? A Canadian study has some new numbers. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - July 30, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
ACE inhibitors may slow cognitive decline
A new study results raise the question of whether patients with normal blood pressure who are at high risk for dementia should take antihypertensive medication. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - July 30, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Should off-pump CABG be abandoned? One expert says scrap it, while another says no
Dr Harold Lazar argues that the primary focus of surgical coronary revascularization is complete revascularization and a technically perfect anastomosis. This is best achieved with conventional CABG, he argues. Dr Robbin Cohen believes there is still a role for off-pump procedures, however. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - July 29, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
The debate over abandoning off-pump CABG surgery
Dr Harold Lazar argues that the primary focus of surgical coronary revascularization is complete revascularization and a technically perfect anastomosis. This is best achieved with conventional CABG, he argues. Dr Robbin Cohen believes there is still a role for off-pump procedures, however. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - July 29, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Severe skin reactions investigated with valsartan in Japan
The Japanese health ministry, along with the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, is currently determining whether the adverse effect should be added to the drug's label. An expected change in the label will come next month, according to Novartis. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - July 29, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Prasugrel 5 mg, clopidogrel similarly safe, effective in non-PCI elderly with ACS
Cutting its dosage in half for patients aged >75 lowered prasugrel's bleeding risk to clopidogrel's risk level while providing comparable clinical benefit in the TRILOGY ACS trial; concerns were that a full prasugrel dosage in the elderly would pose too much of a bleeding risk. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - July 29, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Statins protective against Parkinson's: More evidence
Further evidence that statin use is associated with a reduction in risk of Parkinson's disease in a population study from Taiwan. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - July 26, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
EU agency has no new concerns about incretin diabetes drugs
Current data do not confirm recent concerns over an increased risk of pancreatic adverse events with GLP-1-based type 2 diabetes drugs, says the European Medicines Agency. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - July 26, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Novel PA-hypertension gene variants identified, treatment approach hinted
Some familial and idiopathic cases of pulmonary hypertension were linked to mutations associated with potassium-channel function; in vitro testing hints at a possible pharmacologic approach to treatment. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - July 25, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Analysis alleges excess deaths among women avoiding HRT
A recent analysis suggests tens of thousands of women may have died because they avoided posthysterectomy estrogen therapy. A WHI investigator, however, says the analysis is oversimplified and inconclusive. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - July 25, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
NO big deal: Two types of pulmonary hypertension respond to novel agent
Functional capacity and right-ventricular function improved on treatment with an investigational oral agent that stimulates soluble guanylate cyclase in nitric-oxide biochemical pathways. But don't mix the drug with PDE-5 inhibitors or nitrates, say researchers. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - July 24, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Fear, confusion among women resuming sexual activity post-MI
These post-MI patients, many of whom expressed fear or apprehension about resuming sexual activity, would like direct advice from their physician, specifically such as when they can start again and how much exertion is safe. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - July 24, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Free CMS app lets physicians track industry payments, gifts
Physicians aren't required to use the mobile app, but CMS says it will help them double-check what drug and device makers report under the ACA's 'sunshine' provisions. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - July 24, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
Kidney stones may up CHD risk in women, but not men
The "modestly" increased risk was seen in a combined analysis of three large, well-known cohorts, and was independent of CV comorbidities and drug therapies, dietary calcium intake, and other risk factors. (Source: theHeart.org)
Source: theHeart.org - July 23, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news
