Cardiology News and Research

Latest Cardiology News and Research

New biomarker could aid in accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease

A set of proteins found in blood serum shows promise as a sensitive and accurate way to diagnose Alzheimer's disease, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found as part of a statewide study.

6 Oct 2010

Ore. hospitals with most clout command higher prices

The (Portland) Oregonian: Prices vary radically for similar procedures at Oregon hospitals. "A balloon angioplasty to unclog heart arteries costs about $52,000 at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, more than three times the typical amount insurers paid Tuality Community Hospital in Hillsboro, according to hospital payment comparisons posted online today by Oregon health officials."

6 Oct 2010

Researchers investigate whole-genome data to uncover new mutations for CAD risk

The Coronary ARtery DIsease Genome-wide Replication And Meta-Analysis (CARDIoGRAM) published in Circulation Cardiovascular Genetics, an American Heart Association journal consists of data from every published whole-genome study on genetic mutations in heart attack or CAD risk. Researchers are also pooling data from several unpublished genome-wide association studies to see if any new mutations can be uncovered.

6 Oct 2010

Amino acid mixture increases survival in mice

When mice are given drinking water laced with a special concoction of amino acids, they live longer than your average mouse, according to a new report in the October issue of Cell Metabolism, a Cell Press publication. The key ingredients in the supplemental mixture are so-called branched-chain amino acids, which account for 3 of the 20 amino acids (specifically leucine, isoleucine, and valine) that are the building blocks of proteins.

6 Oct 2010

Fish oil induces severe colitis and colon cancer in mice

Fish oil - long encouraged by doctors as a supplement to support heart and joint health, among other benefits - induced severe colitis and colon cancer in mice in research led by Michigan State University and published this month in the journal Cancer Research.

6 Oct 2010

Novel invasive surgery for children with scoliosis may eliminate need for spinal fusion

A novel minimally invasive surgery for young children living with a difficult-to-treat progressive form of scoliosis, known as juvenile idiopathic scoliosis, may eliminate the need for spinal fusion later in adolescence, according to new research by surgeons from Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City, Mo. The study was presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition in San Francisco.

6 Oct 2010

Knome announces winners of KnomeDISCOVERY Awards

Knome, Inc. today announced the winners of its inaugural KnomeDISCOVERY Awards, a program designed to spur new genetic insights into health.

6 Oct 2010

CPR without mouth to mouth works: Study

According to a new study people who suffered cardiac arrest and received chest compressions from bystanders had higher survival rates than those given standard resuscitation that included mouth-to-mouth breathing.

5 Oct 2010

Majority of Canadians with asthma consider their disease 'well controlled'

A new survey, Asthma Insight and Management in Europe and Canada (EUCAN AIM), reveals that a majority of Canadians with asthma considered their disease "well controlled" at the time of the survey. However, in the year prior to the survey, more than half (52 per cent) required acute treatment for asthma, including seeing a doctor for worsening symptoms (45 per cent), unscheduled emergency room visits (28 per cent), and being hospitalized overnight (five per cent).

5 Oct 2010

GE Healthcare launches first human cellular assay product

Geron Corporation today announced that GE Healthcare has launched the first human cellular assay product for use in drug discovery and toxicity screening, developed under a license and alliance agreement between the two companies.

5 Oct 2010

EU called upon to tackle problem of chronic non-communicable diseases

Members of the European Parliament are calling on the Presidency of the EU and Member States to tackle urgently the problem of chronic non-communicable diseases that are responsible for 86% of all deaths in the WHO European Region. Their call is supported by an alliance of European health professionals, including ECCO - the European CanCer Organisation - and ESMO - the European Society for Medical Oncology.

5 Oct 2010

Care Improvement Plus releases 2011 Medicare health plan benefits to improve quality of care

Care Improvement Plus, operator of one of the largest special needs plans in Texas, is standing by its commitment to serve chronically ill and underserved Medicare beneficiaries with the release of its 2011 Medicare health plan benefits in preparation for the upcoming Medicare annual election period, which begins November 15th.

5 Oct 2010

Telemedicine helps in early diagnosis and treatment of pediatric heart problems

A new study by researchers from Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City, Mo., found that rapid electronic review of children's heart images by specialists nearly 200 miles away allowed for earlier diagnosis and treatment of potentially serious pediatric heart problems. The study was presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition in San Francisco.

5 Oct 2010

Dangers of not vaccinating children

Deadly diseases are making a comeback. Pertussis, or whooping cough, has killed nine infants this year in California, and outbreaks of measles and Hib meningitis have struck U.S. communities in the past three years.

5 Oct 2010

Scientists use directed light to cause arrhythmia in genetically modified mice

Scientists at the University of Bonn have altered cardiac muscle cells to make them controllable with light. They were thus able to use directed light to cause conditions such as arrhythmia in genetically modified mice. The method opens up completely new possibilities for researching the development of such arrhythmias. The study will be published in the upcoming edition of "Nature Methods".

5 Oct 2010

Researchers explore changes in brain regions to combat sleep apnea

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the average sleep apnea sufferer stops breathing and loses oxygen between five and 30 times a night. This lack of oxygen leads to a host of complications, including high blood pressure, vascular disease, an abnormal heart rhythm, or even a fatal cardiac event. Now, a team of University of Missouri researchers is exploring the changes in distinct brain regions that contribute to these symptoms in hopes of combating this common health issue.

5 Oct 2010

UnitedHealth announces $2.25 million to support Y's healthy-living initiatives

UnitedHealth Group has announced a three-year, $2.25 million commitment to support the Y's healthy-living initiatives and efforts to prevent obesity and related chronic diseases.

5 Oct 2010

American Heart Association addresses the use of arteriotomy closure devices

Re-opening a blocked heart artery isn't the only procedure that concerns doctors when they thread instruments through an opening in a thigh artery and into a heart artery. Closing up the thigh artery is also a concern.

5 Oct 2010

University of Michigan Medical School and Peking University Health Science Center to establish joint institute

The University of Michigan Medical School will establish a joint institute with the Peking University Health Science Center in a unique effort to promote research that can lead to breakthroughs in pulmonary, cardiovascular and liver diseases.

5 Oct 2010

BioSante to present LibiGel clinical trial update at NAMS Annual Meeting

BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it will present a LibiGel clinical trial update at the 21st Annual Meeting of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) being held from October 6-9, 2010 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers in Chicago, Illinois.

5 Oct 2010