Heart Disease News and Research

Latest Heart Disease News and Research

New study to measure effectiveness of Vitamin B12 in preventing gestational diabetes

New MRC-funded research underway to measure effectiveness of Vitamin B12 supplement in preventing gestational diabetes in mothers and obestity in later life.

9 May 2012

Plans to tackle growing waistlines and the obesity epidemic from the Institute of Medicine

According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), obesity in America is a crisis that threatens national security and it demands urgent action.

9 May 2012

Toshiba introduces two new software enhancements to facilitate TAVR procedures

To better facilitate transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. introduces two new software enhancements that complement its Infinix-i cardiovascular X-ray systems.

9 May 2012

C3BS’s C-Cath Injection Catheter receives CE Marking

The Belgian biotechnology company, Cardio3--BioSciences, a leader in the discovery and development of regenerative and protective therapies for the treatment of cardiac diseases, today announces that it has received CE Marking for its intra-myocardial C-Cath Injection Catheter.

9 May 2012

CKD-EPI equation may provide more accurate risk prediction of death, ESRD

Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., principal investigator at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed), is the author of an invited editorial in JAMA. The editorial accompanied a study that included data from more than 1 million adults, and indicated the use of a newer risk prediction equation that classified fewer individuals as having chronic kidney disease and more accurately categorized the risk for death and end-stage renal disease.

9 May 2012

Sildenafil may improve cardiac function in children, young adults with single ventricle defects

Sildenafil, also known as the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra, may give a boost to underdeveloped hearts in children and young adults with congenital heart defects. Researchers from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia report that sildenafil significantly improved echocardiographic measures of heart function in children and young adult survivors of single ventricle heart disease palliation.

9 May 2012

Americans spend only about two hours each week in sports and fitness activities

Americans spend, on average, only about two hours each week participating in sports and fitness activities, according to researchers at Penn State and the University of Maryland who examined U.S. government data from the American Time Use Study.

9 May 2012

Report notes rise in obesity slowing, but still huge health, cost problem

The obesity rate may rise to 42 percent from about a third of the U.S. population by 2030 if nothing changes, according to a report. Preventing that increase may save about $550 billion in medical costs over the next 20 years, Eric Finkelstein, the study author and an associate research professor at Duke University, said during a press briefing.

9 May 2012

Study offers new insight on known link between exposure to violence and sexual risk-taking

Women who have experienced multiple forms of violence, from witnessing neighborhood crimes to being abused themselves, are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, according to a new report in the Psychology of Violence.

9 May 2012

Viewpoints: Taking aim at 'superbugs'; Friending organ donations; Ariz. and Kansas abortion efforts hurt women

In the battle between humans and infectious bacteria, humans have had the advantage, at least since antibiotics were introduced into our arsenal 70 or so years ago. Now, however, our weapons appear to be turning against us as germs have found ways to outfox antibiotics…. A second challenge is to keep a steady stream of new antibiotics in the pipeline, and this is where the big pharmaceutical companies based in Europe and the U.S. come in….

9 May 2012

Telit CC864-DUAL cellular module to connect next generation MCOT from CardioNet

Telit Wireless Solutions, a global leader in machine-to-machine (M2M) wireless technology, today announced its CC864-DUAL cellular module will connect the next generation Mobile Cardiac Outpatient Telemetry (MCOT) from CardioNet, Inc., a leading wireless medical technology company with a current focus on the diagnosis and monitoring of cardiac arrhythmias.

9 May 2012

Current anticoagulant therapy to prevent stroke might not be sufficient for older women with AF

In a study that examined use of the anticoagulant medication warfarin and risk of stroke following a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation in older patients, women, especially those 75 years or older, had a higher risk of stroke than men, regardless of their risk profile and use of warfarin, suggesting that current anticoagulant therapy to prevent stroke might not be sufficient for older women, according to a study in the May 9 issue of JAMA.

9 May 2012

Rutin may inhibit formation of blood clots

A compound called rutin, commonly found in fruits and vegetables and sold over the counter as a dietary supplement, has been shown to inhibit the formation of blood clots in an animal model of thrombosis.

9 May 2012

Antidepressives reduce risk of suicides in schizophrenic patients

Antidepressive drugs reduce the mortality rate of schizophrenic patients, while treatment with bensodiazepines greatly increases it, especially as regards suicide. Giving several antipsychotics simultaneously, however, seems to have no effect at all. This according to a new study examining different drug combinations administered to patients with schizophrenia.

9 May 2012

Medtronic’s Valiant Captivia Stent Graft now available in seven countries

Increasing patient access to endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms worldwide, Medtronic, Inc. is expanding availability of the Valiant Captivia Thoracic Stent Graft System in several countries, including China, Japan and the United States.

From Medtronic 9 May 2012

Lannett third quarter net sales increase 19% to $30.7 million

Lannett Company, Inc. today reported financial results for the fiscal 2012 third quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2012.

9 May 2012

Vascular Closure Systems completes FastSeal Phase I FIH clinical trial

The company is pleased to announce that after receiving Ethical Committee (EC) and Ministry of Health (MOH) approval, for the first human use of the company's FastSeal Bioabsorbable Vascular Access Closure System, Phase I of the First in Human (FIH) clinical testing has been completed, with 100% successful results, and no adverse effects, including post procedural discomfort.

9 May 2012

Strategies for heart repair to be addressed at UH lecture

With the heart having limited ability to regenerate following injury, heart disease is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world. Research impacting strategies for heart repair will be addressed during a lecture May 15 at the University of Houston (UH).

9 May 2012

Sorin launches FDA-approved PARADYM RF family of ICDs and CRT-D devices

Sorin Group, a global medical device company and a leader in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, announced today at Heart Rhythm 2012, the Heart Rhythm Society's 33rd Annual Scientific Sessions, FDA approval and commercial launch of the PARADYM RF family of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT-D) devices.

9 May 2012

Researchers discover location and effect of abnormal heart proteins

University of Guelph researchers have found the location and effect of abnormal heart proteins that can cause cardiac failure, a discovery that points to potential new ways to treat the most costly health problem in the world.

9 May 2012