Defibrillator News and Research

Latest Defibrillator News and Research

Gasping a good sign in sudden cardiac arrest

People who witness an individual collapse suddenly and unexpectedly should perform uninterrupted chest compressions even if the patient gasps or breathes in a funny way, research from the Resuscitation Research Group at The University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center shows.

24 Nov 2008

Doctors' questions about end-of-life legalities may result in patient pain

When treatment options dwindle or are exhausted, terminally ill-patients often opt for pain management and comfort over life-extending therapies.

16 Nov 2008

Doctors' questions about end-of-life legalities may result in patient pain

When treatment options dwindle or are exhausted, terminally ill-patients often opt for pain management and comfort over life-extending therapies. However, a team of researchers from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, University of Rochester Medical Center and Unity Health System, report that a lack of thorough understanding about the laws governing end-of-life care may be leaving many medical providers with an ethical dilemma and causing some terminally-ill patients considerable, unnecessary pain.

13 Nov 2008

Heart powered pacemakers and defibrillators

Surplus energy generated by the heart may one day help power pacemakers and defibrillators implanted in cardiac patients, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2008.

11 Nov 2008

Headphones for MP3 players interfere with heart defibrillators, pacemakers

Headphones for MP3 players placed within an inch of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) may interfere with these devices, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2008.

10 Nov 2008

Experts available to comment on risk of sudden cardiac death in 30 days following a heart attack

A new study in the November 5th 2008 issue of JAMA finds that during the first month after a heart attack, patients may have an increased risk for sudden cardiac death.

5 Nov 2008

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms linked to increased risk of death after heart events

Individuals who receive implantable cardiac defibrillators after a sudden heart event appear more likely to die within five years if they experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, regardless of the severity of their disease, according to a report in the November issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.

4 Nov 2008

$FDA approves Medtronic software update that will help detect fractures in cardiac defibrillator leads$

FDA approves Medtronic software update that will help detect fractures in cardiac defibrillator leads

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced approval of a software update from Medtronic that will help detect fractures of the company's Sprint Fidelis cardiac defibrillator lead.

4 Sep 2008

$2 million computer will help unravel major medical ailments

A federal grant will allow Johns Hopkins researchers to purchase a powerful $2 million computer that will speed up their efforts to find new ways to diagnose and treat brain disease, heart illnesses, cancer and other medical ailments.

16 Jul 2008

Risk factors for sudden death for adult muscular dystrophy identified

The largest assessment of people with adult muscular dystrophy has identified risk factors that can lead to sudden death for individuals with the most common form of this disease.

19 Jun 2008

Ideal treatment for potentially fatal heart condition changes with age

Doctors now make more informed decisions on how to treat an electrical disorder of the heart - be it with drugs, an implanted device or nothing - thanks to a series of decades-long, Rochester-based studies.

20 May 2008

Government funds Rochester heart rhythm disorder research into third decade

A team of cardiologists at the University of Rochester Medical Center has won a four-year, $2.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue its study of a cardiac condition that places teens at risk for sudden death. With the latest award, the team will have received continuous NIH funding for 23 years - one of the longest, continuous, investigator-initiated research projects at the University of Rochester.

20 May 2008

Angina drug ranolazine potentially useful against heart rhythm disorders

A recently approved angina drug may also represent a powerful new treatment for a rare hereditary syndrome that places teens at risk for sudden cardiac death, according to research presented on April 1st at the 57th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in Chicago.

9 Apr 2008

A heart defibrillator at home does not guarantee survival from a heart attack

A new study has found that having a portable heart defibrillator does not raise the chances of survival in people who have heart attacks in their homes.

2 Apr 2008

Angina drug ranolazine shows promise for heart rhythm disorders

A recently approved angina drug may also represent a powerful new treatment for a rare hereditary syndrome that places teens at risk for sudden cardiac death, according to research presented at the 57th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in Chicago.

1 Apr 2008

Calls for CPR guidelines to be changed

The results of new research has thrown into question cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques which have for decades been deemed best practice in Australia.

31 Mar 2008

Several methods for enhancing the functioning of defibrillators in cases of heart attack

The PhD, defended by engineer Sofia Ruiz de Gauna Gutierrez at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) puts forward various methods for the elimination of interference caused by compressions and ventilations of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the context of cardiac defibrillation.

26 Mar 2008

Implantable medical devices may expose patients to security, privacy risks; solutions suggested

Some medical devices such as implantable cardiac defibrillators and pacemakers are now equipped with wireless technology, allowing for remote device checks and freeing patients from repeated doctor visits.

13 Mar 2008

Survival after cardiac arrest increases three-fold with new resuscitation protocol

A new paramedic resuscitation method called Cardiocerebral Resuscitation has resulted in a three-fold increase in the survival rates of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The results are published in the March 12 issue of one the world's foremost medical journals, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

11 Mar 2008