Cardiology News and Research

Latest Cardiology News and Research

Study finds misclassification of risk groups for heart diseases

The widespread use of a simplified clinical tool to estimate future coronary risk could lead to the classification of millions of Americans into different risk groups than when using the original, "gold-standard" tool. Millions of patients may have been misclassified into higher-risk groups and therefore potentially over-treated, while others may have ended up in lower-risk groups and therefore potentially under-treated for heart disease. The study-, led by William Gordon from Weill Cornell Medical College in the US and colleagues, is published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine-, published by Springer.

10 Sep 2010

GE Healthcare to showcase molecular imaging portfolio at WMIC

Reinforcing its commitment to researchers and clinicians, GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Company is showcasing a comprehensive molecular imaging portfolio—encompassing tracer development, pre-clinical imaging and highly advanced imaging equipment— to provide insight into the origins of disease, at the World Molecular Imaging Congress (WMIC), Booth #212, September 8 through 11 in Kyoto, Japan.

10 Sep 2010

Translational Research issue focuses field of stem cell research, therapy

The use of stem cells for research and their possible application in the treatment of disease are hotly debated topics. In a special issue of Translational Research published this month an international group of medical experts presents an in-depth and balanced view of the rapidly evolving field of stem cell research and considers the potential of harnessing stem cells for therapy of human diseases including cardiovascular diseases, renal failure, neurologic disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, pulmonary diseases, neoplastic diseases, and type 1 diabetes mellitus.

10 Sep 2010

PediaWorks, Medikit form PediaCath to develop pediatric catheters

PediaWorks and Medikit Co., Ltd. announced the formation of PediaCath, Inc., a joint venture to help alleviate the severe shortage of medical devices for use in pediatric patients.

10 Sep 2010

Avinger initiates enrollment in Wildcat Catheter trial for chronic total occlusions in femoropopliteal lesions

Avinger, Inc., a medical device company focused on the development of innovative devices to combat peripheral artery disease, announces the enrollment of the first patient in the CONNECT (Chronic TOtal OcclusioN CrossiNg with thE WildCat CatheTer) clinical trial. The CONNECT trial is a prospective, multi-center, non-randomized study intended to evaluate the Wildcat Catheter's ability to cross chronic total occlusions in femoropopliteal lesions.

10 Sep 2010

Children with severe, therapy-resistant asthma more likely to have poorer lung function: SARP

A subset of children with asthma suffers from severe, treatment-resistant disease associated with more illness and greater allergic hypersensitivity, according to the results of the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute's Severe Asthma Research Program, presented in a recently published article in Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc..

10 Sep 2010

Method to predict risk of major coronary event may underestimate risk for millions of Americans: Study

A method that is widely used to predict the risk of a major coronary event may over- or underestimate risk for millions of Americans, according to a study directed by a researcher at the San Francisco VA Medical Center and the University of California, San Francisco.

10 Sep 2010

FDA approves pediatric use of Protopam Chloride

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the pediatric use of Protopam Chloride (pralidoxime chloride), a drug used to treat poisoning by organophosphate pesticides and chemicals (e.g., nerve agents). The drug is approved to be administered either by intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injections.

10 Sep 2010

NIH launches two research studies to examine ways to curtail childhood obesity epidemic

The National Institutes of Health is launching two major research efforts, totaling $72.5 million, to examine ways to curtail the nation's childhood obesity epidemic. One will study long-term approaches to prevent or treat childhood obesity, and the other will examine community efforts to reduce childhood obesity rates.

10 Sep 2010

UC Denver researcher awarded NIH grant to study PAH

A disease that has no cure in young children and adults is getting closer attention, thanks to a University of Colorado Denver Bioengineering assistant professor and a five year National Heart Lung and Blood Institute/National Institutes of Health grant. Kendall Hunter, PhD, will perform research to improve the diagnosis and prognosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension in children and adults with approximately $700,000 over a five-year period.

10 Sep 2010

Mayo Clinic opens newly expanded neurophysiology laboratory at Florida campus

Mayo Clinic unveiled a newly expanded, state-of-the-art neurophysiology laboratory on its Florida campus to provide additional services and care for more patients, many of whom are referred by community physicians for specialized diagnostic testing.

10 Sep 2010

VAP Cholesterol Test can evaluate Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, known as PCOS, is a silent and often mysterious disease that plays havoc with a woman's body and increases the risk of serious illness. There is no single test for diagnosing the illness, but a detailed cholesterol profile called the VAP Cholesterol Test, along with diet, exercise and the right medication, is changing how doctors approach PCOS and is dramatically altering patients' lives for the better.

10 Sep 2010

Researchers to develop two-way fiber optic communication between prosthetic limbs and peripheral nerves

Lightning fast connections between robotic limbs and the human brain may be within reach for injured soldiers and other amputees with the establishment of a multimillion-dollar research center led by SMU engineers.

10 Sep 2010

FDA approves Abreu BTT 700 System for temperature monitoring

Brain Tunnelgenix Technologies Corp. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the company clearance to market its Abreu BTT 700 System for continuous temperature monitoring.

10 Sep 2010

Microvisk secures £2.5 million to develop world’s first medical diagnostic SmartStrip®

Microvisk Technologies, the developer of a handheld system to monitor the blood clotting status of patients taking the drug Warfarin, has raised £2.5 million through a rights issue to existing investors. The round was significantly oversubscribed and completed within four weeks.

9 Sep 2010

UC San Diego proferssor awarded 2010 Harvey Prize in human health by Technion

Michael Karin, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology and Pathology at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has been awarded the 2010 Harvey Prize in human health by the Technion, Israel's premier institute of technology.

9 Sep 2010

ESC recommends InspireMD MGuard mesh technology for thrombotic lesions

InspireMD Ltd., a medical device company engaged in the development and commercialization of the mesh based MGuard(TM) stent systems, is proud to report that mesh-based protection, is now recommended for use in the new Guidelines of the Task force of Myocardial Revascularization of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). According to the latest European Society of Cardiology Guidelines, published at the ESC Congress last week, "Mesh-based protection may be considered for PCI of highly thrombotic or SVG lesions" - it has received a class IIb recommendation.

9 Sep 2010

Stereotaxis highlights clinical outcomes of Niobe Magnetic Navigation System in VT ablation

Stereotaxis, Inc. highlighted significant new additions to the body of evidence demonstrating exceptional clinical outcomes achieved with its Niobe® Magnetic Navigation System in ventricular tachycardia ablation.

9 Sep 2010

WHO forum to review developing country access to life-saving medical devices

More than 350 leading health experts from over 100 countries meet today at a World Health Organization (WHO) forum in Bangkok, Thailand to review new evidence and agree ways to improve developing country access to life-saving medical devices.

9 Sep 2010

Study suggests high cortisol levels may increase cardiovascular mortality risk

High levels of the stress hormone cortisol strongly predict cardiovascular death among both persons with and without pre-existing cardiovascular disease according to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

9 Sep 2010