Cardiology News and Research

Latest Cardiology News and Research

First Edition: October 26, 2009

Several Democratic senators voiced optimism on Sunday that Congress would pass a health care bill containing at least the germ of a government-run insurance program. Their expectations were grudgingly seconded by Senator John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate in 2008 (The New York Times).

26 Oct 2009

Canadian cardiologists, oncologists team up to fight breast cancer

A team of Canadian cardiologists, in collaboration with oncologists, are playing an important role in the war against breast cancer Dr. Michael McDonald told the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2009, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society.

26 Oct 2009

Younger women experience larger improvements after myocardial infarction than men

In recent years, women, particularly younger women, experienced larger improvements in hospital mortality after myocardial infarction (MI) than men, according to a study published in the Oct. 26, 2009 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

26 Oct 2009

Cappella introduces new Sideguard stent; expands commercial operations

Cappella, Inc. (Cappella), a medical device company developing dynamic solutions for the treatment of coronary bifurcation disease, announces that an additional diameter has been added to the Sideguard® platform.

26 Oct 2009

Peripheral artery disease can increase risk for stroke and heart disease

Edmonton researchers recommend that people over age 40 be screened for peripheral artery disease (PAD), which puts people at high risk for serious medical complications including heart disease, stroke, and possible lower limb amputation.

26 Oct 2009

Comparison study between pre and postoperative BNP measurements for predicting negative outcomes after CABG surgery

Results from a clinical study presented at the 2009 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Meeting suggest that elevated preoperative levels of the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) biomarker may predict hospital length of stay and mortality after primary coronary artery bypass graft surgery better than measurements of elevated postoperative BNP levels.

26 Oct 2009

Dexmedetomidine can reduce pain when removing a tube from the airway of critically ill patients

A study presented at this year's American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Annual Meeting demonstrated that the use of the sedative Dexmedetomidine was safe and reduced the amount of time for the extubation process, or the process of removing a tube from the airway of critically ill patients.

26 Oct 2009

Aldosterone antagonist therapy can be adopted for treating heart failure

Less than one-third of patients hospitalized for heart failure and participating in a quality improvement registry received a guideline-recommended treatment of heart failure, aldosterone antagonist therapy, according to a study in the October 21 issue of JAMA.

26 Oct 2009

Aerobic activity makes older adults' arteries more elastic

Just three months of physical activity reaps heart health benefits for older adults with type 2 diabetes by improving the elasticity in their arteries - reducing risk of heart disease and stroke, Dr. Kenneth Madden told the 2009 Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society.

26 Oct 2009

Orexigen Therapeutics announces new data from COR-I, COR-II and COR-Diabetes trials for Contrave

Orexigen® ( )Therapeutics, Inc today announced new data from the COR-I, COR-II and COR-Diabetes trials for Contrave® (bupropion SR/ naltrexone SR) to expand on top-line results announced in July. Contrave is the first of the Company's two late stage candidates for the treatment of obesity.

26 Oct 2009

New urine tests may help predict kidney problems post surgery

Two studies presented at this week's Annual Meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists offer new information as to how physicians might better determine which surgical patients may be at risk for developing kidney injury after surgery.

26 Oct 2009

Surgery offers hope for migraine sufferers

In newly released research, 79 migraine sufferers were followed for at least five years after having undergone detection of migraine "trigger sites" and surgery. The new data finds promising outcomes for treating trigger sites surgically for migraine headaches resulting in elimination of pain for those afflicted with the condition.

26 Oct 2009

Exercise and lifestyle changes are key to improve heart health

Exercise is a wonderful way of boosting heart health, but it's proving to be a tough sell in Ontario South Asian communities, Dr. Milan Gupta told the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2009, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society.

26 Oct 2009

Millions of children in the US suffer from suboptimal levels of vitamin D

Millions of children in the United States between the ages of 1 and 11 may suffer from suboptimal levels of vitamin D, according to a large nationally representative study published in the November 2009 issue of Pediatrics, accompanied by an editorial.

26 Oct 2009

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements do not improve levels of depression in heart disease patients

Contrary to the findings of some studies, new research indicates that augmenting antidepressant therapy with an omega-3 fatty acid supplement does not result in improvement in levels of depression in patients with coronary heart disease, according to a study in the October 21 issue of JAMA.

26 Oct 2009

Obese patients less likely to achieve cholesterol and blood pressure control

Obese patients taking medications to lower their blood pressure and cholesterol levels are less likely to reach recommended targets for these cardiovascular disease risk factors than their normal weight counterparts, according to new research presented at the 2009 Canadian Cardiovascular Congress hosted by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

26 Oct 2009

Women and men experience same typical or non-typical heart attack symptoms

The gender difference between men and women is a lot smaller than we've been led to believe when it comes to heart attack symptoms, according to a new study presented to the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2009, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society.

26 Oct 2009

Scientists discover new way to help save lives threatened by traumatic injuries

A discovery by scientists at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation could help save lives threatened by traumatic injuries like those sustained in car crashes or on the battlefield. The work also holds potential for treating severe infectious diseases and diabetes.

26 Oct 2009

Study: High protein levels are associated with heart attack and not stroke

People with high levels of a protein called C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker for inflammation in the blood, may be at higher risk for heart attack and death but not stroke, according to a study published in the October 20, 2009, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

26 Oct 2009

$Cardiovascular disease may increase hip fracture incidence$

Cardiovascular disease may increase hip fracture incidence

A study that includes twins finds that the risk of hip fracture was significantly increased following a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with analysis also suggesting a genetic predisposition to the development of CVD and fractures, according to a study in the October 21 issue of JAMA.

26 Oct 2009