Heart Disease News and Research

Latest Heart Disease News and Research

New study: Fetal surgery for spina bifida greatly improves child's mobility

Performing delicate surgery in the womb, months before birth, can substantially improve outcomes for children with a common, disabling birth defect of the spine. Experts at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia co-led a new landmark study showing that fetal surgery for spina bifida greatly reduces the need to divert fluid from the brain, improves mobility and improves the chances that a child will be able to walk independently.

9 Feb 2011

Johns Hopkins funds 12 research groups to launch new BSi program on cognitive disorders

The Johns Hopkins Brain Sciences Institute has funded a total of $5 million to 12 different research groups at Hopkins to launch the new Synapses, Circuits and Cognitive Disorders Program. The new BSi program aims to understand the fundamentals of brain function by focusing on the synapse — the point of contact between two nerve cells — to better understand cognitive disorders.

9 Feb 2011

Seaweed microsponges may help diagnose many diseases quickly, at far lower cost

Microsponges derived from seaweed may help diagnose heart disease, cancers, HIV and other diseases quickly and at far lower cost than current clinical methods. The microsponges are an essential component of Rice University's Programmable Bio-Nano-Chip (PBNC) and the focus of a new paper in the journal Small.

9 Feb 2011

Two community health centers receive GE grant to provide increased access to healthcare in the US

The GE Foundation - the philanthropic organization of GE - announced today the award of $500,000 to two Erie-based community health centers in an effort to help increase access to quality healthcare across the United States.

9 Feb 2011

PBNC technology may help detect cardiac disease, reduce diagnostic costs

Heart disease is a silent killer, but new microchip technology from Rice University is expected to advance the art of diagnosis.

9 Feb 2011

Over 45 telemedicine networks under management of InTouch Health

InTouch Health® today announced that more than 45 telemedicine networks are currently under management. In total, these networks represent 475 contracted hospital locations where 375 are delivering telemedicine clinical services and the remaining 100 are undergoing pre-installation planning. InTouch Health provides complete telemedicine solutions that allow physicians to remotely perform real-time consults with hospital patients.

9 Feb 2011

Zogenix receives 2011 DDP Industry Achievement Award for SUMAVEL DosePro

Zogenix, Inc. today announced that it has received the 2011 Drug Delivery Partnerships™ ("DDP") Innovation Award in the Industry Achievement category for SUMAVEL DosePro (sumatriptan injection) Needle-free Delivery System.

9 Feb 2011

PolyMedix commences PMX-60056 Phase 2 clinical trial in patients undergoing PCI

PolyMedix, Inc., an emerging biotechnology company focused on developing new therapeutic drugs to treat infectious diseases and acute cardiovascular disorders, has initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial, following conclusion of a review by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of a protocol submitted by PolyMedix, to assess the safety and efficacy of its heptagonist, PMX-60056, in reversing heparin in patients undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) procedures.

9 Feb 2011

Minor damage to heart muscle during coronary artery bypass grafting associated with increased risk of death

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have found that even small amounts of damage to heart muscle during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is associated with an increased risk of death, even among patients who initially do well following surgery. The study is published in the February 9 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

9 Feb 2011

Kaiser Permanente Southern California selected for 10-center Mental Health Research Network

The Kaiser Permanente Southern California Department of Research & Evaluation has been selected for inclusion in the 10-center Mental Health Research Network (MHRN) recently funded with a $10.5 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health. The five other Kaiser Permanente research centers included in the MHRN are located in Northern California, Oregon, Colorado, Georgia, and Hawaii.

9 Feb 2011

Chief medical officer offers tips to women for better heart health

With Valentine's Day on the horizon, most people's thoughts turn to matters of the heart. Although it's great fun to play Cupid this time of year, February is also American Heart Month — an important time for women in particular to understand their health risks.

9 Feb 2011

Five tips to lower cholesterol

An estimated 102 million Americans have cholesterol levels that are considered borderline high-risk. This staggering fact makes lowering cholesterol one of the most imperative things to do to promote overall heart health. Unfortunately, too few people understand the essential steps in reaching this goal.

9 Feb 2011

Natco Pharma files ANDA with FDA for generic version of Tamiflu

Alvogen, the US-based pharmaceutical company, today announced that its India-based partner, Natco Pharma Limited, has filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the generic version of Tamiflu.

9 Feb 2011

Life Sciences Discovery Fund announces nearly $600,000 in awards

The Life Sciences Discovery Fund (LSDF) today announced nearly $600,000 in awards to support commercial development of technologies to improve the diagnosis and management of major health conditions.

9 Feb 2011

BeneChill, Physio-Control to launch RhinoChill IntraNasal Cooling System in Europe

Physio-Control, a global leader in emergency medical solutions and wholly-owned subsidiary of Medtronic, and BeneChill, a pioneer in portable therapeutic cooling systems, today announced a strategic partnership to launch the RhinoChill IntraNasal Cooling System in Europe.

9 Feb 2011

Cardiac enzyme elevations following CABG surgery is associated with worse prognosis

Patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery and had elevated levels of the cardiac enzymes creatine kinase or troponin in the 24 hours following surgery had an associated intermediate and long-term increased risk of death, according to a study in the February 9 issue of JAMA.

9 Feb 2011

ACE: Hula hooping workouts offer substantial and positive results

The American Council on Exercise, America's leading authority on fitness and the largest nonprofit fitness certification, education and training organization in the world, today announced exclusive study findings that conclude hula hooping workouts offer substantial and positive results.

9 Feb 2011

Researchers to estimate air pollution using GPS-equipped smart phone

University at Buffalo researchers are creating a new and unusual "app" for the smart phone: tracking air pollution.

9 Feb 2011

Revo pacemaker receives FDA approval for use during certain MRI exams

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the first heart pacemaker designed to be used safely during certain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams.

9 Feb 2011

Urocortin system plays central role in regulating stress responses

Post-traumatic stress disorder can affect soldiers after combat or ordinary people who have undergone harrowing experiences. Of course, feelings of anxiety are normal and even desirable - they are part of what helps us survive in a world of real threats. But no less crucial is the return to normal - the slowing of the heartbeat and relaxation of tension - after the threat has passed.

9 Feb 2011