Cardiology News and Research

Latest Cardiology News and Research

New findings pave way to improve early detection of ovarian cancer

A drug in testing to treat atherosclerosis significantly inhibited growth of ovarian cancer in both human cell lines and mouse models, the first such report of a peptide being used to fight malignancies, according to a study by researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

2 Nov 2010

NICE to lose its power to ban life saving drugs

Ministers have finally clarified that patients would not be denied life-extending drugs just because the NHS rationing body decides they are too expensive. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) the drug watchdog in the UK will be stripped of its powers to stop drugs being available on the NHS due to price. The arbitrary limit on the cost of new drugs – around £30,000 per year of extended high-quality life – will be scrapped from 2014.

1 Nov 2010

Dr Sartori’s contentious alternative therapy: inquest date set

The Medical Practitioner's Board of Western Australia is looking into the case of a doctor and her role in an alternative cancer therapy program. Five cancer patients have died after apparently being given industrial solvents and dangerous minerals as a part of an alternative therapy program by Alexandra Boyd, a well-known Mosman Park breast cancer specialist. She along with two registered nurses administered the concoctions to the people in question.

1 Nov 2010

FDA approves cancer drug Afinitor for treatment of rare genetic disorder

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the cancer drug Afinitor (everolimus) on Friday to treat patients with subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) associated with tuberous sclerosis (TS), a rare genetic disorder. This approval was for treatments of SEGA that can not be treated with surgery.

1 Nov 2010

Gore announces new Early TIPS for Ascites Study

W.L. Gore & Associates (Gore) today announced a new prospective, randomized, multi-center study at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. The hypothesis of the study is that early intervention with the GORE® VIATORR® TIPS Endoprosthesis improves transplant-free survival when compared to large volume paracentesis in patients with cirrhosis and difficult to treat ascites.

1 Nov 2010

American Anesthesiology acquires Greensboro Anesthesia Physicians

American Anesthesiology, a subsidiary of MEDNAX, Inc., today announced the acquisition of Greensboro Anesthesia Physicians, P.C., a physician group practice that provides patient services at three hospitals within the Moses Cone Health System and two surgery centers in the Greensboro, NC, metropolitan area.

1 Nov 2010

Global Genes Project launches new campaign to create awareness about rare diseases

The Global Genes Project, a non-profit advocacy organization that aims to raise awareness about the prevalence of rare diseases worldwide, today launched the 7,000 Bracelets for Hope campaign. The 7,000 Bracelets for Hope campaign is designed to draw attention to an estimated 7,000 different chronic, life-threatening and fatal rare diseases and disorders affecting approximately 30 million Americans and millions more globally.

1 Nov 2010

Catalyst’s CPP-115 improves retinal safety profile than vigabatrin

Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. today announced positive results from a series of CPP-115 preclinical safety and efficacy evaluations. CPP-115 was found to have a significantly improved retinal safety profile compared to vigabatrin.

1 Nov 2010

Acorda reports net income of $12.4 million for third quarter 2010

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. today announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2010.

1 Nov 2010

Sugar in excess leads to complications

In light of Diabetes Awareness Month, many people are showing increased interest in the topic of sugar and sugar alternatives. With the various forms of sugar available table sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, agave, and honey understanding the differences between sugars and their effects on the body is not all sweet.

1 Nov 2010

GE Healthcare enters agreement to acquire assets of Orbotech Medical

GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Company announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of Orbotech Medical Solutions Ltd., a subsidiary of Orbotech Ltd. (Orbotech), and a manufacturer of cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detectors used in GE Healthcare's innovative Alcyone nuclear medicine technology.

1 Nov 2010

CyberKnife radiosurgery studies for breast cancer treatment to be presented at ASTRO Meeting

Accuray Incorporated, a global leader in the field of radiosurgery, announced today studies underway at two leading academic institutions using CyberKnife radiosurgery in breast cancer treatment. These two studies, from the University of Texas Southwestern and Fox Chase Cancer Center, will be presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) in San Diego from October 31 to November 4.

1 Nov 2010

FDA new approvals, antibiotic and neurological drugs

Two new drugs have gained approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – one is an antibiotic from Forest Labs and the other a first-time treatment for a neurological disorder developed by Avanir Pharmaceuticals. Another waiting for approval is Biodel's fast-acting insulin Linjeta. On the other hand seven new drugs got rejected including a diabetes drug from Amylin Pharmaceuticals and weight-loss drugs from Arena Pharmaceuticals and Vivus, respectively.

31 Oct 2010

Summit discusses value, cost-effectiveness of America's investment in wellness and prevention

America's historic investment in wellness and prevention mandated under the Affordable Care Act may not always save money – but it will be worth it.

30 Oct 2010

Health Canada approves PRADAX for preventing stroke in AF patients

Health Canada, the Canadian health authority, has approved PRADAX™ (dabigatran etexilate), Boehringer Ingelheim's novel, oral direct thrombin inhibitor for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in whom anticoagulation is appropriate, marking the second approval of this new oral anticoagulant following the recent marketing authorisation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

30 Oct 2010

Value of medical innovation far outstrips its cost, says Lilly CEO

In a speech to the Dallas Friday Group today, John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., chairman, president and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company, said that the value of medical innovation – particularly innovative medicines – far outstrips its cost. Lechleiter marshaled data showing that medical innovation over the past century dramatically extended life spans, improved quality of life, and boosted productivity.

30 Oct 2010

Brigham and Women's, and UI Hospitals and Clinics begin certification for SynCardia artificial heart implantation

SynCardia Systems, Inc. announced today that Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, and University of Iowa (UI) Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa, have begun certification to implant the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart. Brigham and Women's will complete Phase I of certification on Nov. 1 & 2, and UI Hospitals and Clinics completed Phase I on Oct. 21 & 22.

30 Oct 2010

HDL and Virginia governor announce $4.2 million investment for expanding operations

Health Diagnostic Laboratory (HDL, Inc.) and Governor Bob McDonnell have announced an investment of $4.2 million in HDL, Inc. operations, resulting in the creation of 213 new jobs in the City of Richmond. HDL, Inc., located in the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park, will expand its clinical laboratory, diagnostics and clinical trial services, as well as its physician/patient consulting.

30 Oct 2010

Study finds SBRT therapy delays pancreatic cancer progression

For pancreatic cancer patients unable to undergo surgery the only known cure for this form of cancer a highly targeted cancer radiation therapy may help slow cancer progression and lessen disease symptoms, according to researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

30 Oct 2010

Anthem reaches long-term agreement with Hartford and Windham hospitals

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Hartford Healthcare Corporation announced today they have reached a long-term agreement on the continuation of their participating contracts for Hartford Hospital and Windham Community Memorial Hospital. As a result, the hospitals will continue as participating hospitals in Anthem's networks without interruption. Covered services provided by the hospitals to Anthem members will continue on an in-network basis.

30 Oct 2010