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.

Risk of dementia skyrockets when patients have more than 1 cardiovascular condition

“Many studies look at the risk of a single condition in relation to dementia, but health is more complex than that,” one researcher said.

Early clinical evaluation of the Alleviant System to create no-implant interatrial shunts to treat heart failure patients with preserved and reduced ejection fraction (HFpEF and HFrEF) demonstrated procedural safety and feasibility with a promising efficacy signal through six months.

Key interventional cardiology takeaways from the SCAI 2022 conference

The key interventional cardiology takeaways from sessions presented at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) 2022 annual meeting.

COVID-19 can have a serious impact effecting the heart during and after infection. The ACC released expert consensus decision pathway for the evaluation and management for the cardiovascular consequences of COVID infection and long-COVID, also known by its official clinical designation as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).

COVID-19 repercussions on cardiac services will be with us for years to come

A new study reveals the damage caused to cardiovascular programs by the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to accrue unless mitigation strategies are implemented quickly. The review found a number of people dying are at home from heart conditions. 

Dragonfly OpStar Imaging Catheter FDA recall May 2022

FDA announces Class I recall of 4,800 imaging catheters due to risk of vascular injury

There have been five reported incidents so far, including one patient injury.

Example of ultrasound-assisted laser arterial plaque removal, which might be developed into a new type of less traumatic atherectomy system.Image courtesy of Rohit Singh.

New atherosclerosis treatment uses ultrasound-assisted lasers to break down plaque

The new technique is still in the development stage, but early research suggests it could provide clinicians with a new treatment option for breaking down arterial plaque. 

How cardiologists can make an impact in the face of anti-abortion laws

“For patients with cardiovascular disease, abortion access is a critical part of their comprehensive cardiovascular and reproductive care,” according to the three authors of a new commentary piece in JAMA Cardiology.

Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) Shockwave Medical PCI PAD CAD Disrupt PAD Disrupt CAD SCAI 2022

Intravascular lithotripsy tied to superior long-term PAD, PCI outcomes at SCAI 2022

Two separate sessions presented at SCAI 2022 focused on long-term outcomes associated with Shockwave Medical's IVL technology.

Intermittent fasting helps breast cancer survivors limit their CVD risk

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology examined how a breast cancer survivor's eating schedule may impact their risk of cardiac events. 

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.