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Study uses MRI to evaluate cardiovascular risk in WTC first responders

In the first study using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate cardiovascular risk in World Trade Center (WTC) first responders, researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine have found that the responders who experienced high levels of exposure to the initial dust cloud on September 11, 2001, demonstrate high-risk features of atherosclerosis.

17 Nov 2011

Supervised exercise more effective than stenting or medication for PAD

Supervised exercise was shown to be more effective than stenting or medication for improved walking ability in patients with peripheral artery disease. The findings from a national study were reported today at the 2011 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions meeting.

17 Nov 2011

GORE TAG Thoracic Endoprosthesis receives FDA approval for treatment of TAAs

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. (Gore) announced that it has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the Conformable GORE TAG Thoracic Endoprosthesis as a minimally invasive treatment for patients suffering from thoracic aortic aneurysms.

16 Nov 2011

Low SBP levels within normal range may reduce risk of recurrent stroke

Among patients who experienced an ischemic stroke, systolic blood pressure levels of less than 120 mm Hg, or higher than 140 mm Hg, were associated with an increased risk of subsequent stroke, according to a study appearing in the November 16 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on cardiovascular disease. This issue is being released early online to coincide with the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

16 Nov 2011

Conventional approach could soon increase recurrent stroke risk after first event

For patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke, traditional treatment prescribes keeping subsequent blood pressure levels as low as possible to reduce the risk of another stroke. A new international study, however, suggests this conventional approach may not be helpful, and could actually increase recurrent stroke risk - at least in the first few months after the first event.

16 Nov 2011

Scarring prevents precipitous decline in heart function after cardiac injury

After a heart attack, the portions of the heart damaged by a lack of oxygen become scar tissue. Researchers have long sought ways to avoid this scarring, which can harden the walls of the heart, lessen its ability to pump blood throughout the body and eventually lead to heart failure. But new research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine shows that interrupting this process can weaken heart function even further.

16 Nov 2011

Niacin not effective in reducing risk of stroke, heart attack in stable CV patients

In patients whose bad cholesterol is very well-controlled by statins for a long time period, the addition of high-dose, extended release niacin did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke.

16 Nov 2011

Covidien fourth quarter net sales increase 15% to $3.08 billion

Covidien plc today reported results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.

15 Nov 2011

Long-term AED therapy may increase risk of atherosclerosis in epilepsy patients

New research reveals that patients with epilepsy who were treated for extended periods with older generation antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may be at increased risk for developing atherosclerosis, a common disorder known as hardening of the arteries.

15 Nov 2011

Positive long-term data from Abbott's ABSORB drug eluting BVS trial on CAD

Abbott today announced positive long-term data from the two-stage ABSORB trial, which is evaluating the ABSORB drug eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) for the treatment of coronary artery disease.

15 Nov 2011

Eliminating drug co-pays improves medication adherence in heart attack patients

The use of specific medications following a heart attack has been shown to reduce cardiovascular events and mortality, however; while highly effective, the rate of adherence to these medications is poor. Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) evaluated whether eliminating co-payments for these medications would increase adherence and improve outcomes in patients who have had a heart attack.

15 Nov 2011

Sugary drinks raise risk of heart disease in women: Study

A new study shows that women who take sugared beverages every day may be raising their risk for heart disease, even if their habit is not packing on the pounds. The researchers say the drinks could be anything - sweet tea, soda, or coffee drinks that look like desserts.

14 Nov 2011

Harrison Medical Center installs three Toshiba Infinix-i vascular X-ray systems

Performing cardiac catheterizations through the radial artery is proven to make exams safer for patients while frequently reducing post-procedure hospital stay times. To conduct radial interventions from both the right and left side, Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton, Wash., installed three Infinix™-i vascular X-ray systems from Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.

14 Nov 2011

Combination of REGN910 and aflibercept inhibits tumor angiogenesis in animal models

Combining the investigational agents REGN910 and aflibercept yielded statistically significant improvements in antitumor effects in animal models compared with either agent alone, according to results presented at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, held Nov. 12-16, 2011.

14 Nov 2011

Renowned cardiologist wins TCT 2011 Geoffrey O. Hartzler Master Clinical Operator Award

Horst Sievert, MD, PhD, a renowned interventional cardiologist, was presented the TCT 2011 Geoffrey O. Hartzler Master Clinical Operator Award in a ceremony held today during the 23rd annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation.

14 Nov 2011

China Pharma third quarter revenue increases 12% to $21.0 million

China Pharma Holdings, Inc., a specialty pharmaceuticals company in China, today announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2011.

11 Nov 2011

Classical DCs associated with protection against atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis, commonly referred to as "hardening of the arteries," is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. The cause of atherosclerosis is not well understood but, for some time, chronic inflammatory immune responses have been implicated in driving disease pathology. Now, a new study, published online on November 10th by Cell Press from the journal Immunity, identifies a type of immune cell that is not associated with promoting disease, but with protection against atherosclerosis.

11 Nov 2011

Positive results from BIOTRONIK Pantera Lux Paclitaxel Releasing Balloon study presented at TCT 2011

Six-month results from the DELUX registry and 12-month results from the PEPPER study, both demonstrating excellent safety and efficacy results for the Pantera Lux Paclitaxel Releasing Balloon, were presented on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT 2011) conference by Dr. Ralph Toelg, MD, Segeberger Heart Center Clinic, Bad Segeberg, Germany, and Prof. Christoph Hehrlein, MD, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany, respectively.

10 Nov 2011

Experimental drug selectively destroys blood supply of fat tissue and decreases body fat

Obese rhesus monkeys lost on average 11 percent of their body weight after four weeks of treatment with an experimental drug that selectively destroys the blood supply of fat tissue, a research team led by scientists at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reports in Science Translational Medicine.

10 Nov 2011

World-renowned cardiologist receives 2011 TCT Career Achievement Award

Eric J. Topol, MD, a world-renowned cardiologist and physician-scientist, was presented the 2011 TCT Career Achievement Award in a ceremony held today during the 23rd annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation.

10 Nov 2011