Cardiology News and Research

Latest Cardiology News and Research

Scientists create genetic map to identify mechanism behind heart abnormalities

Though heart disease is a major cause of disability and death, very little is understood about its genetic underpinnings. Recently, an international team of investigators at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham) and other organizations shed new light on the subject.

2 Apr 2010

AHR panel calls for greater research to establish connection between creative engagement and cardiac health

The Foundation for Art & Healing today releases the proceedings from its groundbreaking Arts and the Heart Roundtable (AHR), a gathering of luminaries from the medical, arts and public health sectors regarding the connection between creative engagement and cardiac health.

2 Apr 2010

International, four-year study finds dutasteride reduces risk of prostate cancer diagnosis in men

A drug already prescribed to shrink benign, enlarged prostates has been shown to reduce the risk of a prostate cancer diagnosis by 23 percent in men with an increased risk of the disease, a large international trial has found. Results are reported April 1 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

2 Apr 2010

Gene therapy improve survival rates among heart attack patients

Gene therapy could be an effective way to improve survival rates among heart attack patients, new research funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) suggests. Academics at the University of Bristol found that boosting levels of a natural growth factor in the heart could help the muscle to recover after a heart attack. The death rate from a heart attack was halved in mice that received the treatment.

1 Apr 2010

Young mother dies of post-liver transplant complications in Singapore

Claire Murray, a 25 year old woman from Perth, suffered from a liver failure due to drug addition. She underwent a controversial second live liver transplant where a part of her aunt’s liver was given to her two weeks ago. She has reportedly succumbed to her condition and died just before 12:00pm (AWST) from complications in Singapore.

1 Apr 2010

ARCA biopharma raises $6.8M through sale of 1,075,000 common stock shares

ARCA biopharma, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing genetically targeted therapies for heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases, today announced that during the first quarter of 2010, through its previously established equity distribution agreement, it raised net proceeds of approximately $6.8 million through the sale of 1,075,000 shares of ARCA common stock in open market.

1 Apr 2010

Implementation of wait time guarantees: Unfulfilled promises

The Wait Time Alliance (WTA) today expressed disappointment that some jurisdictions have still not fulfilled their 2007 promise to implement wait time guarantees, and other jurisdictions have implemented guarantees that are inconsistent and weak.

1 Apr 2010

Radiology benefit management programs can protect patients from radiation exposure

Making sure patients receive the right diagnostic imaging tests at the right times in high-quality facilities significantly reduces unnecessary radiation exposure, HealthHelp chief medical officer Mark Hiatt, M.D., testified at a public meeting held by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

1 Apr 2010

UC Irvine Healthcare's heart failure program earns the Gold Seal of Approval

UC Irvine Healthcare's heart failure program and Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center have again earned the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission, healthcare's predominant standards-setting and accrediting body.

1 Apr 2010

PolyMedix secures $14M credit facility with Hercules Technology II

PolyMedix, Inc., an emerging biotechnology company focused on developing new therapeutic drugs to treat acute cardiovascular disorders and infectious diseases, has secured a $14 million credit facility with Hercules Technology II, L.P., an affiliate of Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.

1 Apr 2010

Ensuring medication compliance in clinical trials: Pill capsules with microchips to signal ingestion

Seeking a way to confirm that patients have taken their medication, University of Florida engineering researchers have added a tiny microchip and digestible antenna to a standard pill capsule. The prototype is intended to pave the way for mass-produced pills that, when ingested, automatically alert doctors, loved ones or scientists working with patients in clinical drug trials.

1 Apr 2010

Mount Sinai Medical Center's overall revenue growth for 2009 increased by 5%

Demonstrating the fortitude to address a challenging healthcare environment, president and C.E.O. Steven D. Sonenreich has led Mount Sinai Medical Center to financial stability and successfully reinforced its image as a healthcare leader. The most recent audit posted on March 26 reports nearly $14 million in profit for 2009.

1 Apr 2010

Masimo PVI predicts hemodynamic effects of PEEP in mechanically ventilated patients

Masimo, the inventor of Pulse CO-Oximetry™ and Measure-Through Motion and Low Perfusion pulse oximetry, announced today that a new clinical study published in the March 2010 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, shows Masimo PVI successfully predicts the hemodynamic effects of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure in mechanically ventilated patients after cardiac surgery.

1 Apr 2010

New health care reform law includes patient safety provisions

While most of the attention surrounding the landmark health care reform measure just signed into law has focused on how it expands access to affordable insurance coverage, it also enacts important initiatives that will improve patient safety, according to Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports.

1 Apr 2010

Worker health checks reveal 50% men at risk of developing diabetes

Over the last one year 100,000 State Government financed worker health check ups have been conducted. The results have been an eye-opener. 800 workers after their check ups have been asked to consult their physicians immediately. These check ups included measurements of blood pressure, blood cholesterol, blood sugar and waist circumference. The workers were also questioned regarding their eating, drinking and exercising habits.

1 Apr 2010

Cardiac CT can help identify and predict at risk heart attack patients

One of the largest research studies into cardiac computed tomography (CT), conducted at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI), shows that the high-speed advanced imaging technology can identify and predict patients at risk for heart attack and death.

1 Apr 2010

Hemosphere completes $9.3M venture capital financing

Hemosphere, Inc., a private medical device company, has completed a late round of venture capital financing totaling $9.3 million. The company has developed the HeRO® Vascular Access Device, which provides access for hemodialysis - the process of filtering waste products from blood when kidneys are in renal failure - similar to a conventional graft.

1 Apr 2010

Orexigen Therapeutics announces submission of Contrave NDA for treatment of obesity

Orexigen® Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the Company has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Contrave® (naltrexone SR/bupropion SR), its investigational drug for the treatment of obesity. The NDA is based on a substantial body of evidence gathered through the Contrave Obesity Research (COR) clinical program, which included over 4,500 patients.

1 Apr 2010

Personalized online resource to help Canadians achieve healthy weight loss

A Heart and Stroke Foundation survey of almost 2,000 Canadians found that 62% reported intentionally losing five or more pounds over the past five years but failed to keep the weight off. And 70% of those who were overweight or obese regained all or even more pounds after their weight-loss efforts.

1 Apr 2010

Accellent's net sales for fourth-quarter of 2009 decrease by 12.1%

Accellent Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Accellent Holdings Corp., today announced results for its fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2009.

31 Mar 2010