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.

Impella Heart Pump Abiomed RECOVER IV RCT cardiogenic shock

Impella heart pumps linked to improved high-risk PCI outcomes

Researchers examined data from patients who underwent high-risk PCI with either an Impella heart pump or an intra-aortic balloon pump.

cardiologist Peter J. Fitzgerald, MD, PhD, HeartBeam

Cardiac technology startup names cardiologist Peter Fitzgerald its chief medical officer

Fitzgerald, a leading figure in interventional cardiology, praised the company's potential to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. 

FFR-guided PCI provides significant value, new meta-analysis confirms

FFR-guided PCI was associated with improved resource utilization and less radiation exposure, among other benefits, when compared to angiography-guided procedures.

FDA recall. The medications involved are atenolol, which treats hypertension, and clopidogrel, which reduces the risk of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or stroke among patients with a history of AMI, severe chest pain or circulation problems.

FDA announces recall of 2 cardiovascular medications due to labeling mix-up

Patients face a risk of adverse events if they mistakenly take the wrong medication, according to a new warning from the FDA. 

New recommendations highlight the importance of CCTA when treating acute chest pain in the ED

The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography developed and published the new document to help educate healthcare providers who regularly treat acute chest pain in the emergency department. 

Impella Heart Pump Abiomed RECOVER IV RCT cardiogenic shock

Impella heart pumps boost survival up to 81% for cardiogenic shock patients

The heart pumps appear to provide significant benefits for patients with acute myocardial infarction- or myocarditis-related cardiogenic shock. 

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Drinking coffee linked to a much lower risk of heart disease, death

"Our findings indicate that drinking modest amounts of coffee of all types should not be discouraged but can be enjoyed as a heart-healthy behavior," said a cardiologist involved in the study. 

Cardiac CT comparable to invasive angiography when assessing stable chest pain, new meta-analysis confirms

Researchers examined data from nearly 5,400 patients, tracking such outcomes as myocardial infarction, stroke and all-cause mortality. 

Around the web

Several key trends were evident at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 meeting, including new CT and MR technology and evolving adoption of artificial intelligence.

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.