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New CT scanner offers quality diagnostic images and emits minimum radiation

NYU Langone Medical Center is the first hospital in the Northeast to offer one of the world's fastest and most radiation dose efficient computed tomography (CT) scanner.

19 Nov 2009

Sildenafil drug improves cardiac performance in young adults with congenital heart disease

Heart function significantly improved in children and young adults with single-ventricle congenital heart disease who have had the Fontan operation following treatment with sildenafil, a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension, say researchers from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

19 Nov 2009

Results from Phase IIa clinical trial evaluating VT-111 reported by Viron Therapeutics

Viron Therapeutics Inc., a biotechnology company pioneering the development of immune-modulating protein therapeutics derived from pathogens, today reported results from a Phase IIa clinical trial evaluating VT-111 (Serp-1), an anti-inflammatory protein derived from the myxoma virus.

19 Nov 2009

Dual niacin-statin therapy improves blood cholesterol levels but does not diminish plaque buildup

The routine prescription of extended-release niacin, a B vitamin (1,500 milligrams daily), in combination with traditional cholesterol-lowering therapy offers no extra benefit in correcting arterial narrowing and diminishing plaque buildup in seniors who already have coronary artery disease, a new vascular imaging study from Johns Hopkins experts shows.

19 Nov 2009

Key findings from AstraZeneca's phase II studies of ticagrelor

AstraZeneca today announced the results of the phase II studies, ONSET/OFFSET and RESPOND for ticagrelor (BRILINTA(TM)) at the annual American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions in Orlando, FL,with ONSET/OFFSET study results being simultaneously published in the medical journal Circulation.

18 Nov 2009

Clinical Data commences patient enrollment in Stedivaze Phase III trial

Clinical Data, Inc. today announced that it has enrolled the first patient in its initial Phase III trial of Stedivaze™, a potential best-in-class vasodilator for use in cardiac stress testing. The study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of Stedivaze (apadenoson) for use as a pharmacologic stress agent in myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), a method for detecting defects in the blood supply to the heart.

18 Nov 2009

Way to capture tumor cells in the bloodstream discovered

A team led by University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) researchers on the cutting edge of nanotechnology has found a way to capture tumor cells in the bloodstream that could dramatically improve earlier cancer diagnosis and prevent deadly metastasis.

18 Nov 2009

Study: Larger dose of ARBs is more effective in heart failure patients

A larger dose of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) is more effective than a smaller dose in heart failure patients, researchers said at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2009.

18 Nov 2009

Homecare, an important part of the solution to nation's healthcare crisis

During November -- National Homecare Month -- the American Association for Homecare celebrates the thousands of dedicated professionals who provide cost-effective and consumer-preferred homecare.

18 Nov 2009

Johns Hopkins program reduces need for airway surgery in hard-to-intubate patients

Be prepared, that old Boy Scout motto, is being applied with great success to operating room patients whose anatomy may make it difficult for physicians to help them breathe during surgery, Johns Hopkins researchers report in a new study.

18 Nov 2009

Drug interaction between clopidogrel and omeprazole: New safety information

Today the FDA notified healthcare professionals of new safety information concerning a drug interaction between clopidogrel, an anti-clotting medication, and omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to reduce stomach acid.

18 Nov 2009

Findings of Merck's anacetrapib phase IIb study presented at the AHA sessions

In a phase IIb study in 589 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed hyperlipidemia treated with anacetrapib as monotherapy or co-administered with atorvastatin, there were persistent lipid effects in the higher dose arms in both the monotherapy and co-administration treatment groups eight weeks after stopping active therapy with anacetrapib.

18 Nov 2009

Cardiologists detect atherosclerosis in ancient Egyptian mummies

A cardiologist at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute and his research colleagues from Cairo, Milwaukee, and Mission Viejo, Calif., have detected hardening of the arteries in 3,500-year-old Egyptian mummies, indicating that heart disease is not just a condition found in modern humans.

18 Nov 2009

IBM scientists create one-step point-of-care-diagnostic test based on innovative silicon chip

IBM (IBM) scientists have created a one-step point-of-care-diagnostic test, based on an innovative silicon chip, that requires less sample volume, is significantly faster, portable, easy to use, and can test for many diseases, including one of world's leading causes of death, cardiovascular disease.

18 Nov 2009

CRESTOR reduces major cardiovascular events in women by 46%

A new analysis of the JUPITER trial, released today at the American Heart Association meeting in Orlando, Florida, demonstrates that CRESTOR (rosuvastatin calcium) 20mg reduced first major cardiovascular events by 46%.

18 Nov 2009

Pediatric data for Pfizer's Lipitor submitted to the EMEA

Pfizer Inc announced it has submitted pediatric data for Lipitor® (atorvastatin) to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). Pfizer has also developed a new chewable form of Lipitor, including a pediatric-appropriate 5 mg dose, which is part of this submission.

18 Nov 2009

Developmental biologists to participate in $100 million federal 'Bench to Bassinet' network

Developmental biologists at the University of Pittsburgh have been chosen to participate in a $100 million federal "Bench to Bassinet" network that is dedicated to learning about the formation of the cardiovascular system and applying that knowledge to create new diagnostic and intervention strategies for congenital heart disease.

18 Nov 2009

Data demonstrate that danger of low levels of HDL is not reduced by statin treatment

Data released today at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2009 define the increased risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease in patients with low levels of HDL-C (known as "good cholesterol"). The data also determine that statins are unable to significantly impact the heart attack or cardiovascular disease risks associated with low HDL-C.

18 Nov 2009

New generation of implanted devices help a failing heart function properly

A new generation of implanted devices that help a failing heart function properly is significantly more effective than the previous version, making these new devices an appropriate permanent therapy for many of the more than 5 million Americans who suffer from heart failure.

18 Nov 2009

Transcendental Meditation may be effective in reducing BP and psychological distress

"The Transcendental Meditation Program, a widely-used standardized program to reduce stress, showed significant decreases in blood pressure and improved mental health in young adults at risk for hypertension," said David Haaga, PhD, co-author of the study and professor of psychology at American University in Washington, D.C.

18 Nov 2009

Heart News and Research

New CT scanner offers quality diagnostic images and emits minimum radiation

Sildenafil drug improves cardiac performance in young adults with congenital heart disease

Results from Phase IIa clinical trial evaluating VT-111 reported by Viron Therapeutics

Dual niacin-statin therapy improves blood cholesterol levels but does not diminish plaque buildup

Key findings from AstraZeneca's phase II studies of ticagrelor

Clinical Data commences patient enrollment in Stedivaze Phase III trial

Way to capture tumor cells in the bloodstream discovered

Study: Larger dose of ARBs is more effective in heart failure patients

Homecare, an important part of the solution to nation's healthcare crisis

Johns Hopkins program reduces need for airway surgery in hard-to-intubate patients

Drug interaction between clopidogrel and omeprazole: New safety information

Findings of Merck's anacetrapib phase IIb study presented at the AHA sessions

Cardiologists detect atherosclerosis in ancient Egyptian mummies

IBM scientists create one-step point-of-care-diagnostic test based on innovative silicon chip

CRESTOR reduces major cardiovascular events in women by 46%

Pediatric data for Pfizer's Lipitor submitted to the EMEA

Developmental biologists to participate in $100 million federal 'Bench to Bassinet' network

Data demonstrate that danger of low levels of HDL is not reduced by statin treatment

New generation of implanted devices help a failing heart function properly

Transcendental Meditation may be effective in reducing BP and psychological distress

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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