Acute Coronary Syndromes

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is most commonly caused by a heart attack (myocardial infarction) where blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked. This is usually caused by a blood clot from a ruptured coronary artery atherosclerotic plaque. Other causes include spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), which most commonly occurs in women. ACS is usually treated in a cath lab with angioplasty and the placement of a stent to prop the vessel open.

Excessive cannabis use linked to greater risk of heart attack, other cardiovascular events
Researchers examined data from nearly 60,000 adults, focusing on individuals who have been diagnosed with Cannabis Use Disorder.
Overlapping concerns: 5 takeaways from a new study on CVD, CKD and type 2 diabetes among US adults
How common is it for patients to present with overlapping cardiac, renal and metabolic issues? A new analysis in JAMA Cardiology explored that very question.
Novo Nordisk spends $60M on advanced AI in search of new cardiovascular medications
Novo Nordisk is working with Valo Health to identify potential new treatments for cardiometabolic conditions. If it proves to be a fruitful collaboration, the initial payment of $60 million will be just the beginning.
Surgeons make history again, transplant pig heart into human patient for second time ever
That same team that transplanted a pig heart into a human patient for the very first time in 2022 has now done it again. The patient is currently recovering from the procedure, which occurred on Sept. 20.
Long-term cannabis use may not increase heart attack risk, new study finds—but many questions remain
Access to cannabis is skyrocketing across the United States, but much more research is still needed on its long-term side effects.

cannabis use disorder marijuana joint weed smoking

Excessive cannabis use linked to greater risk of heart attack, other cardiovascular events

Researchers examined data from nearly 60,000 adults, focusing on individuals who have been diagnosed with Cannabis Use Disorder.

September 29, 2023

Overlapping concerns: 5 takeaways from a new study on CVD, CKD and type 2 diabetes among US adults

How common is it for patients to present with overlapping cardiac, renal and metabolic issues? A new analysis in JAMA Cardiology explored that very question.

September 28, 2023

artificial intelligence robot evaluates healthcare data. Novo Nordisk announced a new collaboration with Valo Health, a healthcare technology company focused on using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to identify new drug treatments for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Novo Nordisk spends $60M on advanced AI in search of new cardiovascular medications

Novo Nordisk is working with Valo Health to identify potential new treatments for cardiometabolic conditions. If it proves to be a fruitful collaboration, the initial payment of $60 million will be just the beginning.

September 25, 2023

Surgeons with University of Maryland Medical Center transplant a pig heart into a human patient for only the second time ever on Sept. 20 2023. Bartley P. Griffith, MD, a professor of surgery and clinical director of the cardiac xenotransplantation program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), and Muhammad M. Mohiuddin, MD, scientific director of the cardiac xenotransplantation program at UMSOM, performed the historic procedure. #pigheart

Surgeons make history again, transplant pig heart into human patient for second time ever

That same team that transplanted a pig heart into a human patient for the very first time in 2022 has now done it again. The patient is currently recovering from the procedure, which occurred on Sept. 20.

September 25, 2023

Long-term cannabis use may not increase heart attack risk, new study finds—but many questions remain

Access to cannabis is skyrocketing across the United States, but much more research is still needed on its long-term side effects.

September 18, 2023

Low-cost generic programs offer CVD medications at affordable prices—but availability changes from one to the next

Programs managed by H-E-B, Kroger, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company and Walmart appear to offer the most options for CVD patients. When it comes to AFib and heart failure, however, researchers believe the choices could be improved.

September 14, 2023

doctor with overweight patient who may be treated with TAVR or surgery

American College of Cardiology targets preventable heart disease with new screening campaign

The ACC has joined forces with Amgen and Esperion Therapeutics to increase LDL screening in patients with and without a history of cardiovascular issues.

September 12, 2023

Deaths from obesity-related CVD have skyrocketed in US, especially among Black adults

According to a new analysis of more than 280,000 deaths, the number of obesity-related cardiovascular deaths in the United States tripled from 1999 to 2020.

September 6, 2023

Around the web

Health Exec

Surgeons successfully transplant pig hearts into recently deceased humans

Surgeons at NYU Langone Health successfully transplanted two genetically engineered pigs hearts into recently deceased humans in June and July.

Health Exec

Machine learning predicts drug cardiotoxicity

Machine learning is playing a key role in predicting all major forms of drug cardiotoxicity, potentially helping reduce late-stage clinical trial failures.

Health Exec

After heart attack, older patients have longer hospital stays but smaller total bills

Heart attack patients aged 65 and up stay hospitalized longer than those aged 65 or under—yet the seniors ring up significantly smaller bills per stay. The bad news is that the “savings” likely come in the form of fewer percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs, aka angioplasties) to open blocked heart arteries nonsurgically.