Heart News and Research

RSS

DANPACE trial shows dual chamber pacing decreases atrial fibrillation in sick sinus syndrome

DANPACE, a Danish multicentre randomised trial comparing single lead atrial and dual chamber pacing in patients with sick sinus syndrome, concludes that dual chamber pacing, which was associated with lower rates of atrial fibrillation and re-operation, "should be the preferred pacing mode".

31 Aug 2010

Standard dose of UFH optimal for treatment of PCI patients on fondaparinux: Study

A landmark international study, coordinated by McMaster University, has found that lower doses of a blood thinner called unfractionated heparin (UFH) during angioplasty did not reduce bleeding or vascular complications compared to standard dose UFH in patients initially treated with a blood thinner, fondaparinux.

31 Aug 2010

Scientists find effective training regimens to determine exercise intensity

For competitive bicyclists with goals - whether competing in the Tour de France or aiming for the podium at a local race - faster cycling comes from training regimens based on various zones of exercise intensity. New research from exercise scientists at the University of New Hampshire has found that effective training regimens, which generally are created after expensive, time-consuming laboratory tests, can be developed from a relatively simple, do-it-yourself test.

31 Aug 2010

New book explores history, benefits of tomato

A new history of the tomato in Italy by a University of Leicester historian throws some surprising insights on an item of food that we have been accustomed to think of as intrinsically Italian.

31 Aug 2010

Outpatient prevention programme by nurses reduces risk of recurrent complications in heart patients

A six-month outpatient prevention programme conducted by nurses has resulted in significant and sustained improvements in the control of cardiovascular risk factors, including high cholesterol or high blood pressure, in patients hospitalised for a heart attack or impending heart attack.

31 Aug 2010

ECG-based screening for young footballers at risk of heart disease needs to be reviewed: Study

The screening process for young footballers at risk of heart disease needs to be re-evaluated. That is the conclusion of a recent study, which has shown that the common criteria used for assessment does not take into account the type and intensity of the exercise performed. The single most common cause of sudden death in competitive footballers is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - a disease that thickens the heart muscle without any obvious cause.

31 Aug 2010

International Symposium to explore Hybrid approach for congenital heart disease

Interventional cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons throughout the United States and the world, who treat patients with congenital heart disease, will gather at the Hilton Columbus at Easton Town Center August 31-September 2, 2010 for the International Symposium on the Hybrid Approach to Congenital Heart Disease (ISHAC).

31 Aug 2010

Study determines dose-specific patterns associated with generic statin switching

Research conducted in the Netherlands has highlighted the need for care when switching patients under treatment for high cholesterol from branded to generic drug families. The study shows that much of the switching can result in patients inadvertently receiving non-equivalent doses, potentially leading to an increased risk of downstream heart disease and stroke.

31 Aug 2010

Veterans with PTSD at greater risk for dementia

Results of a study reported in the September issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society suggest that Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have a greater risk for dementia than Veterans without PTSD, even those who suffered traumatic injuries during combat.

31 Aug 2010

Social interaction reduces physical damage to brain by heart attack: Research

A new study in mice shows how social support can help minimize some of the worst physical damages to the brain caused by a heart attack.

31 Aug 2010

Get With The Guidelines can improve quality of stroke care

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®–Stroke successfully measured the quality of stroke prevention and care in a nationwide stroke registry in Taiwan and identified important areas for improvement.

31 Aug 2010

Final regulation to aid Veterans exposed to herbicides published in 'Federal Register'

Veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in Vietnam and other areas will have an easier path to access quality health care and qualify for disability compensation under a final regulation that will be published on August 31, 2010 in the Federal Register by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The new rule expands the list of health problems VA will presume to be related to Agent Orange and other herbicide exposures to add two new conditions and expand one existing category of conditions.

31 Aug 2010

ANTIPAF trial reveals ARBs do not reduce number of AF episodes in paroxysmal AF patients

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, affecting about 7 million people in Europe. It is a progressive chronic disease in which episodes become more frequent and long-lasting over time. Conventional anti-arrhythmic therapy aims at halting progression and reducing symptoms, but the use of most anti-arrhythmic drugs is compromised by severe side effects, such as pro-arrhythmia or extra-cardiac organ toxicity.

31 Aug 2010

Data monitoring committee recommends early termination following impressive results of AVERROES study

The data monitoring committee of the AVERROES study, seeing overwhelming evidence of the success of apixaban in the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation who are unsuitable for the conventional treatment of warfarin, has recommended early termination of this study. The decision came after repeated review and careful consideration of all efficacy and safety data.

31 Aug 2010

Prolonged exercise shows no evidence of cardiac fatigue: Research

In a research project aimed at understanding the effect of prolonged exercise on the heart, the Karolinska Institutet and the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences studied a group of competitors taking part in the Adventure Racing World Championship. The results show no evidence of cardiac fatigue despite the fact that this is a continuous endurance event lasting between five and seven days.

31 Aug 2010

Study finds black females exhibit greater magnitude of LVH than their white counterparts

A study conducted in the UK has established the extent of cardiac adaptation amongst female athletes competing in a number of sports.

31 Aug 2010

Running continuously over 50 or 100 miles may not be good for the heart: Study

In 2009, a study was conducted in UK by Liverpool John Moores University and the Countess of Chester Hospital to assess the effects of running in ultra-endurance races. Typically aimed at super-fit and experienced athletes, these races are held over distances exceeding 50 miles (80 kilometres). The conclusions suggest that some damage is likely to occur to the heart muscle of competitors, while 12 percent of the study group showed signs of significant cardiac damage.

31 Aug 2010

Marathon running does not cause sustained heart damage

A study of 167 amateur runners at the 2006 and 2007 Berlin marathons is lowering concerns that this type of activity leads to sustained heart damage, particularly among older competitors. Marathons are becoming an increasingly popular challenge for amateur runners wanting to test their endurance over the classic 26-mile distance. The medical community, however, has long been concerned about how marathons impact the heart - and it has not yet been shown if the effects vary among different age groups or genders.

31 Aug 2010

Bioheart's MyoCell adult stem cell therapy shows effective for heart failure patients: Study

Bioheart, Inc., The mission of the Cell Therapy Foundation is to improve public health through the support of effective adult stem cell research and education. The Foundation aims to promote basic and applied knowledge, processes and cell therapies.

31 Aug 2010

Study shows statin therapy not associated with cancer

In the largest and most reliable study of its type, the University of Oxford (UK) and the University of Sydney (Australia) have demonstrated that statin therapy is not a cause of increased cancer rates and deaths. The conclusions of this study will reassure the millions of people worldwide who are taking statins to lower cholesterol levels, and clarifies earlier research that had raised concerns of a causal link.

31 Aug 2010

Heart News and Research

DANPACE trial shows dual chamber pacing decreases atrial fibrillation in sick sinus syndrome

Standard dose of UFH optimal for treatment of PCI patients on fondaparinux: Study

Scientists find effective training regimens to determine exercise intensity

New book explores history, benefits of tomato

Outpatient prevention programme by nurses reduces risk of recurrent complications in heart patients

ECG-based screening for young footballers at risk of heart disease needs to be reviewed: Study

International Symposium to explore Hybrid approach for congenital heart disease

Study determines dose-specific patterns associated with generic statin switching

Veterans with PTSD at greater risk for dementia

Social interaction reduces physical damage to brain by heart attack: Research

Get With The Guidelines can improve quality of stroke care

Final regulation to aid Veterans exposed to herbicides published in 'Federal Register'

ANTIPAF trial reveals ARBs do not reduce number of AF episodes in paroxysmal AF patients

Data monitoring committee recommends early termination following impressive results of AVERROES study

Prolonged exercise shows no evidence of cardiac fatigue: Research

Study finds black females exhibit greater magnitude of LVH than their white counterparts

Running continuously over 50 or 100 miles may not be good for the heart: Study

Marathon running does not cause sustained heart damage

Bioheart's MyoCell adult stem cell therapy shows effective for heart failure patients: Study

Study shows statin therapy not associated with cancer

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Latest News