Cardiovascular Disease News and Research

Latest Cardiovascular Disease News and Research

First in-human study of robotically assisted percutaneous coronary intervention system presented at 22nd TCT

The first in-human study of a robotically assisted percutaneous coronary intervention system demonstrated that the technique was safe and feasible. The results of the study were presented at the 22nd annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation.

22 Sep 2010

Prevalence of periodontal disease in US higher than originally estimated

The prevalence of periodontal disease in the United States may be significantly higher than originally estimated. Research published in the Journal of Dental Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) suggests that the prevalence of periodontal disease may have been underestimated by as much as 50 percent. The implication is that more American adults may suffer from moderate to severe gum disease than previously thought.

22 Sep 2010

JHS conference focuses on future research directions to eliminate health disparities

The tenth anniversary of the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) will be observed on Sept. 23-24 in Jackson, Mississippi. The JHS is the largest study in history to investigate genetic factors that affect high blood pressure, heart and lung disease, stroke, diabetes, and other important diseases in African-Americans.

22 Sep 2010

ACT people live longer but may have more mental health issues: Report

Chief Health Officer Charles Guest's report on the health and wellbeing of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) population between July 2006 and June 2008 was presented in the Legislative Assembly. It showed that life expectancy rate at birth in the ACT was 80.3 years for males and 84 for women. This was despite the fact that most are overweight and only a minority eats enough fruit and vegetables.

22 Sep 2010

Study: New percutaneous mitral valve clip offers marked clinical benefit

A percutaneous mitral valve clip designed to stop mitral valve regurgitation demonstrated clinical benefit as measured by the degree of mitral regurgitation, according to a study presented at the 22nd annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation.

22 Sep 2010

Impact of cancer treatment on cardiovascular function

For the past two decades, cancer therapy has become more sophisticated and effective, resulting in an ever-expanding group of long-term cancer survivors. There is also a growing awareness of the potentially negative effects of cancer treatment on the heart and the management of cardiac disease during and after cancer therapy.

22 Sep 2010

Biodegradable polymers represent future of stent design

Three-year data demonstrated that satisfactory clinical and safety outcomes of sirolimus eluting stents with a biodegradable polymer were sustained in a real world setting. The results were presented at the 22nd annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation.

21 Sep 2010

PROMUS Element Stent receives expanded indications approval for high-risk diabetic and AMI patient groups

Boston Scientific Corporation today announced that its PROMUS® Element™ Everolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent System has received CE Mark approval for use in patients with diabetes and those experiencing an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), or heart attack.

21 Sep 2010

Celera receives patent on KIF6 gene variant

Celera Corporation today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued United States Patent 7,799,530 relating to methods of determining heart attack risk by detecting the KIF6 gene variant and reduction of such increased risk by statin therapy.

21 Sep 2010

FDA grants orphan drug designation for MultiStem stem cell therapy

Athersys, Inc. announced today that MultiStem, Athersys' multipotent adult progenitor stem cell therapy, has been granted orphan drug designation by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of graft vs. host disease (GvHD).

21 Sep 2010

VIVUS announces QNEXA study results for obesity treatment

VIVUS, Inc. today announced positive top-line results from a two-year study of QNEXA(phentermine/topiramate) Controlled Release Capsules, an investigational therapy for treatment of obesity, a condition that affects approximately one-third of adult Americans.

21 Sep 2010

Pollution increases risk for sudden cardiac arrest

The fine particles of pollution that hang in the air can increase the risk for sudden cardiac arrest, according to a new study conducted by a team from Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center and The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research.

21 Sep 2010

Public health at risk as Vitamin D evidence mounts

A group of prevention-focused healthcare organizations has expressed deep concern over recently-proposed restrictions to OHIP coverage of Vitamin D testing in the province. The proposed new legislation will delist OHIP insured Vitamin D testing for most Ontarians. Exceptions will be made for those with osteoporosis, malabsorption syndromes, and individuals taking medications that interfere with vitamin D absorption or metabolism.

21 Sep 2010

FDA approves Medtronic's Integrity Coronary Stent System

Delivering another innovation for interventional cardiology, Medtronic, Inc.,announced today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the Integrity Coronary Stent System. The new platform for Medtronic's coronary stents, including the Integrity bare-metal stent, is based on an advance in biomedical engineering called continuous sinusoid technology that enables the exploration of other breakthrough device concepts such as a polymer free drug filled stent.

21 Sep 2010

Genzyme announces Japanese approval of Synvisc viscosupplement for OA knee pain relief

Genzyme Corporation announced today that Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has approved Synvisc® (hylan G-F 20; 3 x 2 mL), indicated for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Reimbursement has been obtained and publicized by Japan's Central Social Insurance Medical Council.

20 Sep 2010

Abbott to commercialize Celera's CE-marked KIF6 genotyping assay outside U.S.

Celera Corporation and Abbott today announced that they have signed an exclusive distribution agreement to market Celera's CE-marked KIF6 diagnostic test for use on Abbott's CE-marked m2000™ instrument system. The KIF6 genotyping assay detects a genetic marker that may be used in conjunction with clinical evaluation and patient assessment for the identification of individuals at risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), and in patients for whom statin treatment is being considered.

20 Sep 2010

Stereotaxis receives 100th patent for interventional medicine

Stereotaxis, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted the Company its 100th patent, a major intellectual property milestone. The 100th patent, U.S. patent No. 7,772,950, covers the "Method and Apparatus for Dynamic Magnetic Field Control Using Multiple Magnets." The 100th patent reflects Stereotaxis' ongoing commitment to innovate and protect its leading position in robotic solutions for interventional medicine.

20 Sep 2010

MEDRAD employees celebrate 11th annual Day of Caring

At MEDRAD, Inc., community outreach is a celebrated corporate tradition. This year marks MEDRAD's 11th annual Day of Caring, a company-sponsored event where employees will have the opportunity to spend a workday volunteering in their communities.

18 Sep 2010

Government of Lithuania, IBM announce joint research partnership

The Government of Lithuania and IBM today announced a joint research partnership in Lithuania that will enable research and development of nanotechnology, healthcare and intellectual property (IP) management innovations.

18 Sep 2010

Atherotech Diagnostics publishes article on advantages of cholesterol testing

Detailed cholesterol testing for Type 2 diabetes patients is the focus of a newly published article by Atherotech Diagnostics Lab Chief Medical Officer Michael E. Cobble, M.D. The article discusses the clinical advantages of advanced cholesterol testing in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in patients with Type 2 diabetes and details several currently available advanced lipid tests, including the VAP® Cholesterol Test from Atherotech.

18 Sep 2010