Atherosclerosis News and Research

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Atherosclerosis is the progressive buildup of plaque - the fatty deposits and other cells - in the inner walls of the arteries. The condition is a consequence of elevated cholesterol and for many it's a silent disease, with no visible signs or symptoms. The disease can begin in early adulthood and continues to progress for the rest of a person's life. Despite the serious nature of atherosclerosis, many people do not understand how it develops and progresses.

Vertebral fractures flag vascular disease risk

Abdominal aortic calcification in elderly men appears to be associated with vertebral fractures, say Moroccan scientists.

19 Jun 2012

LDL particles may be a more accurate measure of early-stage atherosclerosis

LipoScience, Inc., today announced publication of a clinical study in the current issue of Atherosclerosis suggesting that low density lipoprotein (LDL) particles may be a more accurate measure of early-stage (subclinical) atherosclerosis than LDL cholesterol among retired National Football League (NFL) players.

19 Jun 2012

Tooth scaling reduces CV disease risk

Taiwanese study results show that undergoing tooth scaling significantly reduces the risk for future myocardial infarction, stroke, and total cardiovascular events.

14 Jun 2012

CRT, BioInvent partner to identify new therapeutic antibodies in oncology

BioInvent International AB and Cancer Research Technology Ltd (CRT), the commercial arm of Cancer Research UK, announced today that they have entered a collaboration with Queen Mary, University of London, to identify new therapeutic antibodies in oncology.

12 Jun 2012

Menopausal women with high oestradiol levels at greater risk of strokes

Women are less prone to cardiovascular disease then men; but this difference between the sexes becomes less marked after the menopause. This observation is behind a great deal of received wisdom, where oestrogen is assumed to have a beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels.

11 Jun 2012

Nanocontainers can fight against atherosclerosis

In Switzerland, more than 20,000 people (37% of all deaths) die of cardiovascular disease caused by atherosclerosis each year. Treatment options are currently available to people who suffer from the disease but no drug can target solely the diseased areas, often leading to generalized side effects.

11 Jun 2012

Targeting stem cells might be more effective in treating vascular disease

One of the top suspects behind killer vascular diseases is the victim of mistaken identity, according to researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, who used genetic tracing to help hunt down the real culprit.

7 Jun 2012

BioInvent, ThromboGenics to regain global rights to TB-403 from Roche

ThromboGenics NV and co-development partner BioInvent International announce today that they will regain global rights to TB-403 from Roche.

6 Jun 2012

BioInvent, ThromboGenics announce results from TB-402 Phase IIb trial on VTE

ThromboGenics NV and co-development partner BioInvent International announce today the results from a Phase IIb trial comparing TB-402, a long acting anticoagulant, against rivaroxaban, an oral anticoagulant.

5 Jun 2012

Patients with normal lipoprotein(a) levels may retain risk of atherosclerosis due to elevated LDL-P number

LipoScience, Inc., an in vitro diagnostic company advancing patient care by developing high value proprietary clinical diagnostic tests using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology, today announced results from a clinical study demonstrating that patients with normal levels of lipoprotein(a) may retain significant risk of atherosclerosis due to an elevated low density lipoprotein particle (LDL-P) number.

2 Jun 2012

Strong causal link between alcohol consumption and serious palpitations in patients with AF

The term "holiday heart syndrome" was coined in a 1978 study to describe patients with atrial fibrillation who experienced a common and potentially dangerous form of heart palpitation after excessive drinking, which can be common during the winter holiday season. The symptoms usually went away when the revelers stopped drinking. Now, research from UCSF builds on that finding, establishing a stronger causal link between alcohol consumption and serious palpitations in patients with atrial fibrillation, the most common form of arrhythmia.

2 Jun 2012

Imaging of blood flow provides new way to look into cardiac abnormalities and dysfunction

Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine are pioneering new ultrasound techniques that provide the first characterization of multidirectional blood flow in the heart. By focusing on fluid dynamics - specifically, the efficiency with which blood enters and exits the heart's left ventricle - the researchers believe they can detect heart disease even when traditional measures show no sign of trouble.

2 Jun 2012

Positive results from Sanofi and Regeneron’s SAR236553/REGN727 Phase 2 trial on heFH

Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced additional positive results from a Phase 2 trial of SAR236553/REGN727 in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (heFH).

28 May 2012

Results from Medtronic’s Resolute DES clinical study on CAD

According to study results to be featured in Sunday's late-breaking clinical trials session at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 21st Annual Scientific and Clinical Congress in Philadelphia, the Resolute drug-eluting stent (DES) from Medtronic, Inc. yields strong performance in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients both with and without diabetes through two years of follow-up.

From Medtronic 28 May 2012

Chronic diseases, bloodstream infections on the rise among HIV+ ICU patients

The expanded use of antiretrovirals, potent drugs used to treat retroviral infections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), has been linked to significant decreases in hospital mortality rates among severely ill HIV-positive (HIV+) patients nationwide, primarily due to a decrease in opportunistic infections, according to a new study by researchers at Stanford University.

24 May 2012

Statin therapy prevents cancer and reduces death risk in heart transplant recipients

Statins prevent cancer and reduce death from all causes in heart transplant recipients. The findings were independent of cholesterol levels.

21 May 2012

Scientists investigate how ApoE4 gene contributes to Alzheimer's disease

A well-known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease triggers a cascade of signaling that ultimately results in leaky blood vessels in the brain, allowing toxic substances to pour into brain tissue in large amounts, scientists report May 16 in the journal Nature.

17 May 2012

Resverlogix completes RVX-208 Phase 2b trial on CVD

Resverlogix Corp. is pleased to announce that dosing in SUSTAIN, a Phase 2b clinical trial to assess lipid trends and safety of RVX-208, has been completed on schedule.

10 May 2012

Positive results from PROLOR Biotech's hGH-CTP Phase II trial for growth hormone deficiency

PROLOR Biotech, Inc. today reported top-line results from a Phase II four-month treatment extension study of hGH-CTP, its long-acting version of human growth hormone, in growth hormone deficient adults.

7 May 2012

Guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice launched at EuroPRevent2012

The latest cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention guidelines have been overhauled to produce a user friendly document with concise messages that awards greater weight than ever before to evidence from clinical trials and observational population studies. The "European Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Clinical Practice (version 2012)" - were launched at the EuroPRevent2012 meeting in Dublin, Ireland.

4 May 2012