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FDA clears MAQUET's new MEGA larger volume intra-aortic balloon catheters

MAQUET Cardiovascular LLC, a leading provider of cardiovascular technologies, today announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its new MEGA 7.5Fr. 30cc and 40cc intra-aortic balloon (IAB) catheters. These new, larger volume catheters will allow clinicians to provide patients with greater hemodynamic support, regardless of their height.

14 May 2012

New Jefferson Hepatitis C Center

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital recently opened its new Jefferson Hepatitis C Center, one of only a few comprehensive, multidisciplinary centers dedicated to the study of hepatitis C virus and hepatic disease in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware tri-state area.

14 May 2012

First Edition: May 14, 2012

In today's headlines, a report about how the Ryan budget plan -- specifically, its Medicare changes -- is playing in congressional races.

14 May 2012

mTOR protein plays a key role in development of diabetes

The signaling protein mTOR is a key regulator that controls cell growth. Dysfunction of mTOR increases not only the likelihood of developing cancer but also diabetes. In the current issue of the journal Cell Metabolism, Mike Hall and his team from the Biozentrum of the University of Basel describe how inhibition of mTOR signaling can impair carbohydrate metabolism and potentially lead to diabetes.

14 May 2012

ReCor completes enrollment in PARADISE system clinical study for 'resistant' hypertension

ReCor Medical, an emerging medical device company, announced today that it has completed enrollment in the REDUCE 15-patient pilot clinical study of its PARADISE (Percutaneous Renal Denervation System) ultrasound platform for achieving renal denervation.

14 May 2012

Phase II trial to examine effects of resveratrol on individuals with mild to moderate dementia

A national, phase II clinical trial examining the effects of resveratrol on individuals with mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease has begun as more than two dozen academic institutions recruit volunteers in the coming months. R. Scott Turner, M.D., Ph.D., director of Georgetown University Medical Center's Memory Disorders Program, is the lead investigator for the national study.

14 May 2012

Maternal overweight can have long-lasting health consequences for children

That overweight during pregnancy can lead to overweight children and adolescents has been known for some time, but new research at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and in the US indicates that excess weight before and during pregnancy can have long-lasting health consequences for the offspring of such mothers even later in life.

14 May 2012

Duke team, AHA to kick-off Regional Systems of Care Demonstration Project

Competing cardiac care teams in some of the nation's most populated areas will start working together to markedly reduce the time from heart attack to treatment as part of a new program designed by cardiologists at Duke University Medical Center.

14 May 2012

Medication nonadherence linked to unnecessary cardiovascular hospitalizations in older patients

Older patients with high cholesterol or high blood pressure are at particular risk for unnecessary hospitalizations if they don't follow doctor's orders on taking their medications, according to new research from Express Scripts presented this week.

14 May 2012

Tips for a cool and injury-free summer

The dog days of summer are fast approaching, and while we cannot control the rising temperatures on the streets, we can control the heat index of our bodies.

14 May 2012

Workout routine tips from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/CUMC

The summer is a great season for getting in shape. Whether by playing a sport, doing an aerobic exercise routine, or just returning to that familiar running path — this is the time for activity.

14 May 2012

Inducing labour improves survival rates for babies

Babies born when labour is induced around their due date may have better survival rates than those whose birth is not induced, a study suggests.

14 May 2012

Sports injury prevention tips from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/CUMC

As the weather warms up, people start filling the courts, fields, greens and trails looking to get back in shape and practice their game. However, this also means there are plenty of opportunities for cuts and bruises, ankle sprains, muscle strains, and knee injuries, to name a few.

14 May 2012

New mom receives surprise heart transplant

New mom Windy Hill, 38, of Kingsport, Tenn., was given the ultimate Mother's Day gift a little early after she was wheeled into the operating room at Vanderbilt University Hospital on April 20 to receive a mechanical pump to aid her failing heart and save her life.

14 May 2012

Beta blockers do not reduce risk of colorectal cancer

A new study has found that, contrary to current thinking, taking beta blockers that treat high blood pressure does not decrease a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the study also revealed that even long-term use or subtypes of beta blockers showed no reduction of colorectal cancer risk.

14 May 2012

Findings reveal racial disparities in pre-hospital care for cardiac arrest

Black cardiac arrest victims who are stricken outside hospitals are less likely to receive bystander CPR and defibrillation on the scene than white patients, according to research that will be presented by a research team from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania today at the annual meeting of Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.

14 May 2012

HIV community supports rapid OTC testing

Who's Positive, a national HIV awareness organization, today announced the results of a year-long online survey measuring support for over-the counter (OTC) HIV testing. The organization will present these results at the upcoming U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Blood Products Advisory Committee (BPAC) on May 15, 2012.

11 May 2012

Factors associated with successful vaginal birth after Caesarean

Melissa Lunsford wants a vaginal delivery for her fourth child. Following a series of Caesarean and vaginal deliveries for her other children, she couldn't find a doctor or a hospital willing to give her the vaginal birth option for her current pregnancy.

11 May 2012

Viewpoints: Two views on how to fight obesity; Tough choices for big business on health costs

Forgive us if we don't cheer at the prospect of adding 32 million to the total number of Americans who are dozens of pounds too heavy, a count that stood in 2010 at 78 million.

11 May 2012

New insights into how body's innate immunity is triggered to create effective immune response

Singapore scientists from Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI) under the Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) have for the first time, identified the molecular 'switch' that directly triggers the body's first line of defence against pathogens, more accurately known as the body's "innate immunity".

11 May 2012