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Prasugrel reduces cardiovascular events among patients managed medically for ACS

A study has found that the anti-clotting medication prasugrel reduced cardiovascular events among patients who present with an acute coronary syndrome and are managed medically after an angiogram is performed to determine coronary anatomy.

25 Oct 2012

TAVR procedure yields lower mortality rates for patients with aortic stenosis after three years

A study found that transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) yielded lower mortality rates after three years compared with medical therapy in patients deemed to be ineligible for conventional aortic valve surgery.

25 Oct 2012

Simple video game can help children with serious anger problems

Children with serious anger problems can be helped by a simple video game that hones their ability to regulate their emotions, finds a pilot study at Boston Children's Hospital. Results were published online October 24 in the journal Adolescent Psychiatry.

25 Oct 2012

Study indicates that Firemaster 550 is an endocrine disruptor

The flame-retardant mixture known as "Firemaster 550" is an endocrine disruptor that causes extreme weight gain, early onset of puberty and cardiovascular health effects in lab animals, according to a new study spearheaded by researchers from North Carolina State University and Duke University.

25 Oct 2012

Meningitis outbreak spreads; Mass. revokes Compounding Center's license

The Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy has permanently revoked the license of the New England Compounding Center, the facility implicated in a nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis, Gov. Deval Patrick announced Tuesday. ... State Director of Healthcare Safety Madeleine Biondolillo said ... investigators witnessed "black particulate matter" in some vials of medicine returned amid the nationwide recall of NECC's products.

25 Oct 2012

Mesh-covered stent improves restoration of blood flow after PCI in heart attack patients

A clinical trial found that the use of a next generation, micronet, mesh-covered stent demonstrated improved restoration of blood flow to heart tissue, compared to the use of either bare-metal or drug-eluting stents in heart attack patients undergoing angioplasty.

25 Oct 2012

Vascular endothelial cells play a larger role in pulmonary hypertension

It turns out the muscle cells on the outside of blood vessels have been wrongly accused for instigating lung disease. New research shows that while these muscle cells are responsible for constricting or dilating the blood vessels, they are not responsible for sensing the amount of oxygen that gets to the lungs. That message comes from the endothelial cells - special cells that line the blood vessels - along a "signalling pathway."

25 Oct 2012

Aspirin can block tumor growth in certain patients with colorectal cancer

Aspirin has the potential to block tumor growth in certain patients with colorectal cancer, according to an editorial in the Oct. 25, 2012 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine by a University of Alabama at Birmingham oncologist.

25 Oct 2012

Hypnosis can help cut hot flashes by as much as 74%

Hypnosis can help cut hot flashes by as much as 74%, shows a study supported by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

25 Oct 2012

Study: Notch 1 signaling activated in abdominal aortic aneurysmal tissue

A gene known to be involved in cancer and cardiovascular development may be the cause of inflammation in the most common form of aortic aneurysm and may be a key to treatment, according to research from Nationwide Children's Hospital.

25 Oct 2012

Lifting weights may play a role in reducing risk of metabolic syndrome

People who lift weights are less likely to have metabolic syndrome—a cluster of risk factors linked to heart disease and diabetes, reports a study in the October issue of The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, official research journal of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

25 Oct 2012

'Substantial' variation from state to state in hospital safety records

Arizona, California, Illinois and Ohio scored the best marks for hospital care in a new report ... The differences between states are "substantial,'' says Evan Marks, a lead author. "For instance, in Alabama you have a 42% higher risk of dying from a heart attack in a hospital than in Arizona."

24 Oct 2012

University of California, San Diego associate administrator recognized as Woman of the Year

Lisa Murphy, associate administrator for University of California, San Diego Health System and administrative director for Cardiovascular and Medicine Services, has been chosen "Woman of the Year" in the field of health care by the Women in Leadership program sponsored by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce.

24 Oct 2012

Simple-to-use risk score can identify low-risk STEMI patients for early discharge

A simple-to-use risk score can identify low-risk patients following a severe heart attack (STEMI) and may provide an opportunity to employ early discharge strategies to reduce length of hospital stay and save hospital costs without compromising the safety of the patient, based on a study presented by the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation on Oct. 23 at the 2012 Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) conference.

24 Oct 2012

Review: Herbs and dietary supplements can cause potentially harmful drug interactions

A number of herbs and dietary supplements (HDS) can cause potentially harmful drug interactions, particularly among people receiving medication for problems with their central nervous or cardiovascular systems.

24 Oct 2012

World-renowned cardiac researchers to speak at SDSU-hosted symposium

Prominent cardiac researchers will meet at San Diego State University in November to explore bold new approaches to treating the number one threat to U.S. adults - heart disease.

24 Oct 2012

SUNY Downstate to join Neurological Emergencies Treatment Trials network

SUNY Downstate Medical Center has been selected by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to join the Neurological Emergencies Treatment Trials (NETT) network, which is dedicated to improving emergency care for neurological injuries that require immediate care, such as stroke, seizures, and traumatic brain injury, as well as other illnesses affecting the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system.

24 Oct 2012

Vascular cell generation could be used to treat vascular disorders

A study in mice has shown that large numbers of vascular endothelial cells can be generated from human amniotic fluid-derived cells.

23 Oct 2012

Link between advanced glycation end products and cardiovascular risk among diabetics

A University of Illinois study suggests avoiding cooking methods that produce the kind of crusty bits you'd find on a grilled hamburger, especially if you have diabetes and know you're at increased risk for cardiovascular disease because of your diagnosis.

23 Oct 2012

In vitro fertilization may significantly increase risk of birth defects

In vitro fertilization may significantly increase the risk of birth defects, particularly those of the eyes, heart, reproductive organs and urinary system, according to a new UCLA study.

23 Oct 2012