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Study: Left atrial appendage closure during open heart surgery protects against brain infarctions

Closure of the left atrial appendage during heart surgery protects the brain, according to late-breaking research presented today in a Hot Line LBCT Session at ESC Congress. The results suggest that closure should be routinely added to open heart surgery.

28 Aug 2017

Researchers identify new way to predict which TAVR patients may be at risk for rehospitalization

As more elderly patients undergo the minimally invasive heart valve procedure called Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVR), concerns have been raised as to what causes some to be readmitted for heart failure after the procedure.

26 Aug 2017

PinnacleHealth’s new technology helps protect patients from risk of stroke during TAVR

PinnacleHealth is the first hospital in Pennsylvania and one of the first 10 in the country to introduce new technology shown to help protect patients from the risk of stroke during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

24 Aug 2017

Researchers develop injectable tissue patch to repair damaged heart

A team of U of T Engineering researchers is mending broken hearts with an expanding tissue bandage a little smaller than a postage stamp.

14 Aug 2017

DNA links deadly germs, tainted heart surgery devices to German factory

Contamination at a German factory that makes crucial machines used during open-heart surgery is the likely source of a global outbreak of deadly infections tied to the devices, the largest analysis to date shows.

12 Jul 2017

3D-printed models could soon assist cardiologists in life-saving heart valve replacements

Heart valve models created with advanced 3-D printers could soon assist cardiologists in preparing to perform life-saving heart valve replacements.

3 Jul 2017

JHH Nutrition Score can help quickly identify heart surgery patients at risk for malnutrition

Patients who are at risk for malnutrition when undergoing heart surgery now can be more quickly and easily identified, leading to intervention and potentially better surgical outcomes, according to a study published online today in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

15 Jun 2017

FDA approves expanded use of Sapien 3 THV as valve-in-valve treatment for high-risk patients

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved an expanded indication for the Sapien 3 Transcatheter Heart Valve (THV) for patients with symptomatic heart disease due to failure of a previously placed bioprosthetic aortic or mitral valve whose risk of death or severe complications from repeat surgery is high or greater.

5 Jun 2017

New clinical study compares catheter-assisted therapy with surgical treatment for aortic valve stenosis

One of the most common acquired heart diseases in the over 75's is aortic valve stenosis. Normally, it requires the replacement of the valve.

9 May 2017

Assuring Medical Equipment Reliability; The Role of Medical Connectors

Our medical connectors are used on a variety of medical devices. Here in the U.S. medical devices are approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and classified into three risk categories, classes I, II and III.

From Stäubli Electrical Connectors 21 Apr 2017

Conscious sedation is viable option to general anesthesia for TAVR, UCLA study finds

UCLA scientists have found that conscious sedation -; a type of anesthesia in which patients remain awake but are sleepy and pain-free -; is a safe and viable option to general anesthesia for people undergoing a minimally invasive heart procedure called transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

12 Apr 2017

Closing left atrial appendage linked to reduction in stroke risk for AFib patients

For patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common heart rhythm disorder, closing the area of the heart known as the left atrial appendage as an add-on procedure during cardiac surgery was associated with a 40 percent reduction in the risk of thromboembolism (a condition when a blood clot forms and blocks an artery, which can cause a stroke or other complications) according to an observational study presented at the American College of Cardiology's 66th Annual Scientific Session.

20 Mar 2017

Study reveals link between endovascular procedures and microbleeding in the brain

Small leakages from blood vessels in the brain, known as microbleeds, increase with age and are associated with cognitive decline. Of 84 older patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), nearly a quarter developed new microbleeds after their procedure, according to results of a single-center study presented at the American College of Cardiology's 66th Annual Scientific Session.

20 Mar 2017

Continuation of statins may improve survival following heart surgery, research shows

Patients on statins should not stop taking the cholesterol-lowering medication before heart surgery—even on the day of surgery, according to an article posted online today in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

16 Mar 2017

Milli-robots powered by MRI could provide targeted minimally invasive treatment

Invasive surgical techniques - cutting through the breastbone for open heart surgery or making a large incision to inspect an abdominal tumor - allow physicians to effectively treat disease but can lead to sometimes serious complications and dramatically slow healing for the patient.

7 Mar 2017

Study reveals inaccuracy of exercise test that could lead to unnecessary open heart surgeries

An approved international test to check whether people need open heart surgery could be sending twice as many people under the knife unnecessarily, at a cost of nearly £75m, research by the University of Leicester has suggested.

24 Feb 2017

More than half of AF patients who undergo catheter ablation become asymptomatic, study reports

More than half of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) become asymptomatic after catheter ablation, reports the largest study of the procedure published today in European Heart Journal.

19 Jan 2017

Global Mycobacterium chimaera outbreak linked to heater-cooler devices used in cardiac surgery

A global outbreak of Mycobacterium chimaera, an invasive, slow-growing bacterium, is linked to heater-cooler devices (HCD) used in cardiac surgery, according to a study published today in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

14 Nov 2016

Transcatheter cerebral embolic protection effectively captures embolic debris and safe in TAVR patients

An international study has found that transcatheter cerebral embolic protection (TCEP) is safe, provides effective capture of embolic debris and does not change neurocognitive function for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) patients.

2 Nov 2016

New wearable electronic device could revolutionise treatment for stroke patients

Stroke patients are starting a trial of a new electronic device to recover movement and control of their hand.

19 Oct 2016