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Study uses photodynamic therapy to ablate cardiac myocytes responsible for arrhythmias

University of Michigan heart researchers are shedding light on a safer method for steadying an abnormal heart rhythm that prevents collateral damage to healthy cells.

25 Jul 2012

Training EMS to interpret ECGs can expedite treatment for severe heart attacks

A new program that trains emergency medical service technicians (EMS) to read electrocardiograms so that they can evaluate patients with chest pain, and expedite treatment for the severe heart condition known as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a serious form of heart attack, has excellent results and should become the standard of care, according to two studies published in the current issue of the Canadian Journal of Cardiology.

21 Jul 2012

New procedure can shut down irregular heart rhythms

Researchers from UC San Diego, the University of California Los Angeles and Indiana University report having found, for the first time, that atrial fibrillation or irregular heart rhythms is caused by small electrical sources within the heart, in the form of electrical spinning tops ("rotors") or focal beats. Importantly, they found a way of detecting these key sources, then precisely targeting them for therapy that can shut them down in minutes with long lasting results.

19 Jul 2012

Johnson & Johnson second quarter sales decrease 0.7% to $16.5B

Johnson & Johnson today announced sales of $16.5 billion for the second quarter of 2012, a decrease of 0.7% as compared to the second quarter of 2011. Operational results increased 3.5% and the negative impact of currency was 4.2%.

17 Jul 2012

LFA announces 2012 Gina M. Finzi Memorial Student Fellowship Program grantees

The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is pleased to announce the 2012 Gina M. Finzi Memorial Student Fellowship Program grantees. This unique program, established more than 25 years ago by former LFA President Dr. Sergio Finzi in honor of his daughter Gina who passed away from lupus, seeks to cultivate an interest in lupus research among young scientists by funding basic, clinical, translational, epidemiological, and behavioral research studies under the supervision of an established investigator.

15 Jun 2012

Minimally invasive procedure to treat high blood pressure

A radically different approach to treating high blood pressure – using a minimally invasive procedure – is being evaluated as part of a Pivotal Phase III 90-site national trial that includes The Carl H. and Edyth Lindner Center for Research and Education at The Christ Hospital.

14 Jun 2012

New scientific findings in anticoagulation for stroke prevention

New scientific findings in anticoagulation for stroke prevention are paving the way for updates to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation.

14 Jun 2012

Cyberonics, Imricor enter agreement to develop MRI compatible leads for VNS Therapy System

Cyberonics, Inc. today announced that it has entered into an exclusive technology license agreement with Imricor Medical Systems, Inc. to develop Magnetic Resonance Imaging ("MRI") compatible leads for use with the VNS Therapy System (Vagus Nerve Stimulation).

11 Jun 2012

BroadcastMed to highlight new AMIGO suite at Brigham and Women's Hospital

BroadcastMed is proud to highlight the new Advanced Multimodality Image Guided Operating Room (AMIGO) suite at Brigham and Women's Hospital. AMIGO is the nation's first fully-integrated operating suite to offer intra-procedural access to an extensive range of advanced imaging modalities.

5 Jun 2012

New data from CardioFocus’ HeartLight EAS clinical study on AF

CardioFocus, Inc., developer of the HeartLight Endoscopic Ablation System (EAS) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), announces new worldwide data with its technology was presented during the scientific sessions at Heart Rhythm 2012, the Heart Rhythm Society's 33rd Annual Scientific Sessions, in Boston, MA last month.

5 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

Cleveland Clinic, Cadence Health expand relationship for cardiology services

Cadence Health, the health system created through the merger of Central DuPage Health and Delnor Community Health System, announced an expansion of its relationship with the Cleveland Clinic to include cardiology services.

1 Jun 2012

Results from several studies related to ACT’s TEMPASURE cardiac ablation catheter

Advanced Cardiac Therapeutics, Inc., a developer of innovative temperature-sensing cardiac ablation systems, today announced results of several studies related to the company's TEMPASURE cardiac ablation catheter.

24 May 2012

PET imaging for sudden cardiac arrest can identify candidates for ICDs

New research from the University at Buffalo suggests that cardiologists may have a new way to identify patients who are at the highest risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and the most likely to benefit from receiving an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD).

11 May 2012

Prototype device would help obese patients breathe during medical procedures

The best doctors strive to relieve their patients' burdens. A physician in Houston asked Rice University students to help him do so in the most literal way. A team of bioengineering seniors built a prototype device to literally lift the weight from obese patients who, while undergoing surgical procedures, might otherwise have trouble breathing.

10 May 2012

Article evaluates benefits and costs of screening programs for prevention of SCD

An article, published in Circulation by Laurel K. Leslie, MD, MPH from the Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) and colleagues from Tufts Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, has evaluated the lifesaving benefits and costs of screening programs for the prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in children and adolescents.

10 May 2012

LAA occlusion effectively reduces risk of stroke in patients with A-fib

Patients with atrial fibrillation (A-fib) who cannot take blood thinners now have an alternative to reduce their risk of stroke, which is five times more common in people with the rhythm disorder. The non-surgical procedure works by tying off the left atrial appendage (LAA), the source of most blood clots leading to stroke in patients with A-fib. Northwestern Medicine- heart rhythm specialists from the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute were the first to perform this procedure in Illinois.

8 May 2012

Stereotaxis to highlight results from Epoch clinical study at HRS annual meeting

Stereotaxis, Inc. will highlight clinical results from the first 1,250 cases and the latest innovations for the Epoch platform, its new generation comprehensive solution for the electrophysiology (EP) laboratory, at the 33rd Annual Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) Scientific Sessions, May 9-12, 2012.

8 May 2012

Topera Medical to showcase RhythmView system at HRS annual meeting

Topera Medical today announced that its FDA-cleared RhythmView 3D mapping and diagnostic system will be featured in 16 scientific presentations at the 33rd Annual Scientific Sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), May 9-12 in Boston.

4 May 2012