Heart Disease News and Research

Latest Heart Disease News and Research

IMPROVE HF clinical trial results presented at annual HFSA meeting

Twenty-four month findings from IMPROVE HF, (The Registry to Improve the Use of Evidence-Based Heart Failure Therapies in the Outpatient Setting), funded by Medtronic, Inc., demonstrated that clinics using the process improvement program increased adherence to evidence-based, guideline-recommended care by 82 and 62 percent, respectively, for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) use, and 80 percent for aldosterone antagonist use, all relative to baseline results.

15 Sep 2009

Sentinel Cardiology Information Management Systems from Spacelabs Healthcare

Spacelabs Healthcare is pleased to announce the U.S. launch of Sentinel, a sophisticated Cardiology Information Management Systems (CIMS), that will facilitate analysis and reporting while also improving efficiency and eliminating errors.

15 Sep 2009

OptiVol for accurate prediction of heart failure

Fluid monitoring with OptiVol® Fluid Status Monitoring is a more accurate predictor of worsening heart failure compared to daily weight monitoring in heart failure patients with implantable devices, according to results released today from the FAST (Fluid Accumulation Status Trial) clinical trial.

15 Sep 2009

PET scanning made as publicly insured health service

Positron Corporation today announced that the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care of Ontario, Canada is making positron emission tomography (PET) scanning a publicly insured health service available to cancer and cardiac patients under conditions where PET scans have been proven to be clinically effective.

15 Sep 2009

Critical event experienced by 1 in 20 acutely-ill patients during air-medical transport

During air-medical transport of acutely-ill patients, 1 in 20 experience a critical event such as death, major resuscitation or blood pressure deterioration according to a new study http://www.cmaj.ca/press/cmaj080886.pdf in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) www.cmaj.ca.

15 Sep 2009

XBox chip is a cheaper alternative to other forms of parallel processing hardware: Study

A new study by a University of Warwick researcher has demonstrated that researchers trying to model a range of processes could use the power and capabilities of a particular XBox chip as a much cheaper alternative to other forms of parallel processing hardware.

15 Sep 2009

Clinical trial data of Genous Bio-engineered R stent to be presented

Data from multiple clinical trials of the world's first pro-healing stent, OrbusNeich's Genous Bio-engineered R stent, and preclinical data from Combo Bio-engineered Sirolimus Eluting Stent will be presented next week at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics symposium, TCT 2009, in San Francisco.

15 Sep 2009

New book on human genetics helps to unravel complex human diseases

Many human diseases-including Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, cancer, and cardiovascular disease-are caused by multiple genetic variants and the interaction of those variants with the environment. Because such diseases lack a clear-cut inheritance pattern, sophisticated technological approaches and statistical analyses are required to determine their underlying cause.

15 Sep 2009

New generation CPAP mask to aid sleep apnoea patients from ResMed

ResMed, a leading manufacturer of sleep and respiratory medical equipment, today announced that it has introduced a new generation continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask designed to improve the patient experience and compliance. With minimal contact on the face and a sleek design, Swift FX is expected to help sleep apnoea patients overcome issues related to wearing a mask at night and effectively providing them with a good night’s sleep.

From ResMed Corp 15 Sep 2009

Particle beam radiation therapy for cancer cure is better than traditional radiation method

Particle beam radiation therapy, a technology used to treat several types of cancer, is considered by some clinicians to be better than traditional radiation, but there is limited evidence about its safety compared with other types of radiation therapy, according to a new comparative effectiveness report funded by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

15 Sep 2009

Phase II VICTOR-E1 clinical study results reported

Schering-Plough Corporation today reported long-term data with vicriviroc, its investigational CCR5 receptor antagonist, from an ongoing, open-label extension of the Phase II VICTOR-E1 study in treatment-experienced HIV-infected patients.

15 Sep 2009

Conserved protein modulates and protects heart function against aging

Investigators at Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham) have found that the conserved protein d4eBP modulates cardiac aging in Drosophila (fruit flies). The team also found that d4eBP, which binds to the protein dEif4e, protects heart function against aging.

15 Sep 2009

HFSA's annual scientific meeting features four late breaking clinical trials

The 13th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) today featured four late breaking clinical trials at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston.

15 Sep 2009

Cell Therapeutics submits Pediatric Investigation Plan to EMEA for pixantrone

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI) (Nasdaq and MTA: CTIC) announced today that it has submitted a Pediatric Investigation Plan (PIP) to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) as part of the required filing process for approval of pixantrone for treating relapsed or refractory, aggressive non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) in Europe. The PIP outlines how the company proposes to study the drug in children in order to benefit child health.

15 Sep 2009

HFSA's 13th Annual Scientific Meeting focuses on causes and treatment of heart failure

The Heart Failure Society of America's (HFSA) 13th Annual Scientific Meeting convened Sunday, September 13, 2009 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. This three-day meeting -- a forum for heart failure specialists to present research findings and advances in treatment -- will address emerging trends in research and new developments in the approach to treating patients with this condition.

15 Sep 2009

Public health policy should stress on reduction in sodium intake

Reducing sodium intake is a major public health priority that must be acted upon by governments and nongovernmental organizations to improve population health, states an article http://www.cmaj.ca/press/cmaj090361.pdf in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) www.cmaj.ca.

15 Sep 2009

New critical illness plan from Colonial Life introduced

A new critical illness plan from Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company can help many working Americans who may be one serious medical issue away from financial problems. Even with good health insurance, a serious illness, such as a heart attack or stroke, could leave employees on the hook for huge expenses.

15 Sep 2009

New biological process stimulates the growth of blood vessels

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and the College of Arts & Sciences have identified a new biological process that spurs the growth of new blood vessels.

15 Sep 2009

Common pain cream could serve as cardiac-protectant during heart attack: Study

New research from the University of Cincinnati (UC) shows that a common, over-the-counter pain salve rubbed on the skin during a heart attack could serve as a cardiac-protectant, preventing or reducing damage to the heart while interventions are administered.

15 Sep 2009

Development of noninvasive imaging and treatment of the heart chronicled in a new article

Fifty-one years ago the average American home cost $30,000, Elvis Presley wooed listeners with Hard Headed Woman, and the hula hoop was introduced. That same year, 1958, a team comprised of a groundbreaking engineer -- Dean Franklin -- in concert with two exceptional physicians -- Drs. Robert Rushmer and Robert Van Citters - was laying the foundation for what would eventually become a radical new approach to health care: the noninvasive imaging and treatment of the heart.

15 Sep 2009