Platelets News and Research

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First Edition: May 18, 2012

Today's headlines include a report that congressional conservatives are fighting amongst themselves over health law strategies.

18 May 2012

Multiple companies receive FDA approval to sell generic Plavix

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved generic versions of the blood thinning drug Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate), which helps reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by making it less likely that platelets in the blood will clump and form clots in the arteries.

18 May 2012

Rutin may inhibit formation of blood clots

A compound called rutin, commonly found in fruits and vegetables and sold over the counter as a dietary supplement, has been shown to inhibit the formation of blood clots in an animal model of thrombosis.

9 May 2012

Positive long-term outcome data for chronic ITP patients treated with rituxamab

A new analysis concludes that rituximab, a drug commonly used to treat blood cancers, leads to treatment responses lasting at least five years in approximately one quarter of patients with low platelet counts and a risk of bleeding due to chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

7 May 2012

JAM-A protein a far more powerful clot inhibitor: Study

Cut your toe, and platelets -- those disc-shaped cells circulating in your blood -- rush to the scene, clumping together to plug the leak. But when an unwanted clot forms in an artery, and an overaccumulation of platelets blocks blood flow, a heart attack or stroke occurs, too often with fatal results.

4 May 2012

Large-scale, patient-specific simulations of blood function

Having a virtual copy of a patient's blood in a computer would be a boon to researchers and doctors. They could examine a simulated heart attack caused by blood clotting in a diseased coronary artery and see if a drug like aspirin would be effective in reducing the size of such a clot.

3 May 2012

Study confirms that COX-2 inhibitors predispose people to cardiovascular disease

After nearly 13 years of study and intense debate, a pair of new papers from the Perelman School of Medicine, at the University of Pennsylvania have confirmed exactly how a once-popular class of anti-inflammatory drugs leads to cardiovascular risk for people taking it.

3 May 2012

The key to treating AML may lie within FTL3 gene mutations

The key to treating one of the most common types of human leukemia may lie within mutations in a gene called FLT3, according to new research led by physician-scientists at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.

16 Apr 2012

Black fly's blood-sucking tactics may be used for medical advancement

Black flies drink blood and spread disease such as river blindness-creating misery with their presence. A University of Georgia study, however, proves that the pesky insects can be useful.

9 Apr 2012

Researchers question wisdom of blocking DP1 in patients prone to cardiovascular disease

Niacin, or vitamin B3, is the one approved drug that elevates "good" cholesterol (high density lipoprotein, HDL) while depressing "bad" cholesterol (low density lipoprotein , LDL), and has thereby attracted much attention from patients and physicians. Niacin keeps fat from breaking down, and so obstructs the availability of LDL building blocks.

9 Apr 2012

FDA grants IDE approval for Arteriocyte's Magellan MAR01 Phase I Compartment Syndrome clinical trial

Arteriocyte, a leading biotechnology company with offices in Cleveland, Ohio and Hopkinton, Massachusetts announced today approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate a Phase I clinical trial using its Magellan MAR01 technology in the treatment of Compartment Syndrome.

7 Apr 2012

Delcath’s second generation CHEMOSAT system receives European CE Mark

Delcath Systems, Inc. today announced that the Company has received CE Mark approval for the second generation hemofiltration cartridge of the Company's proprietary Hepatic CHEMOSAT Delivery System.

6 Apr 2012

FDA clears Fenwal's Aurora plasmapheresis system

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared for marketing a new source plasma collection system developed by Fenwal, Inc., the company announced today. Called the Aurora plasmapheresis system, the new device can support two-way, wireless data communication designed to eliminate manual steps and increase operator and donor satisfaction.

4 Apr 2012

FDA clears Fenwal's TPE on the Amicus separator

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared Fenwal to market a therapeutic plasma exchange protocol for the company's Amicus separator, Fenwal announced today.

3 Apr 2012

Cardium launches Excellagen wound care product

Cardium Therapeutics today announced market introduction of its Excellagen professional-use, syringe-based wound care product for the management of diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers and other dermal wounds.

31 Mar 2012

Study clarifies conflicting reports for clot aspiration and abciximab administration

The anti-platelet drug abciximab, delivered directly to lesions caused by a heart attack, significantly decreased damage to the heart muscle in high-risk patients while clot aspiration showed no impact, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session.

From Medtronic 27 Mar 2012

CVD/MI complications tend to occur within first 30 days after PCI

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also known as coronary angioplasty or angioplasty, is a procedure used to treat acute coronary syndromes. PCI involves opening a blocked blood vessel by threading and inflating a balloon-tipped tube into the vessel. Sometimes a stent is also inserted to keep the blood vessel open.

26 Mar 2012

S. gordonii may trigger infective endocarditis

Oral bacteria that escape into the bloodstream are able to cause blood clots and trigger life-threatening endocarditis. Further research could lead to new drugs to tackle infective heart disease, say scientists presenting their work at the Society for General Microbiology's Spring Conference in Dublin this week.

26 Mar 2012

Aspirin may prevent cancer metastasis and halt its progress: Study

Aspirin has numerous benefits. It is already known that it may prevent cancer. Research shows it may also be an effective treatment for halting the disease once it has started. An analysis of five large trials of people who took a daily low dose aspirin showed that among those who developed cancer it reduced its spread to distant organs by 40 to 50 per cent.

21 Mar 2012

Early disruptions in serotonin signaling may contribute to ASD

Early disruptions in serotonin signaling in the brain may contribute to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and other "enduring effects on behavior," Vanderbilt University researchers report.

21 Mar 2012