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.

Radial vs. femoral access during PCI: Real-world data show proof of a ‘sea change’ in cardiology
The use of radial access during PCI procedures is increasing throughout the United States, and new data presented at the SCAI's annual meeting suggest that could be beneficial for patients.
PAD patients face greater risk of death, complications after a heart attack
PAD and CLI patients who show signs of coronary heart disease may benefit from early treatment, according to a new study of nearly 4 million hospitalizations.
ChatGPT struggles to evaluate heart risk—but it could still help cardiologists
Relying on the AI-powered chatbot for heart assessments could be "dangerous," researchers warn, but the technology may still be helpful in certain situations.
Statin therapy may help HFpEF patients lower their risk of death, heart attack or stroke
All participants were free of ASCVD and had no history of statin use at the start of the study.
$Performing CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) improves the accuracy of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and helps limit unneeded invasive coronary angiography (ICA), according to a new study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. Heartflow$
New cardiac imaging strategy could reduce ICA, PCI rates
Radiologists with Massachusetts General Hospital found that the selective use of cardiac CT and AI-based CAD evaluations could make a significant impact on patient care.

Why metoprolol should be the beta-blocker of choice for heart attack patients

While metoprolol was linked with limiting infarct size, two other beta-blockers—atenolol and propranolol—were not associated with such improvements.

October 9, 2020

Women receive less aggressive care, and are more likely to die, after heart attack-related cardiogenic shock

Overall, researchers found, women were less likely to undergo coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention and mechanical circulatory support than men.

September 29, 2020

A return to normalcy: Resuming sexual activity soon after a heart attack boosts survival

The study tracked nearly 500 patients for more than two decades.

September 23, 2020

In-hospital complications are more common among women who undergo LAAO than men. However, according to a new study in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, men and women have similar long-term outcomes.

Repeat heart attacks are down in the United States, especially among women

Recurrent coronary heart disease is also on the decline, according to a new analysis published in Circulation.

September 21, 2020

FDA fast-tracks empagliflozin for improving patient outcomes following a heart attack

The designation covers patients with and without diabetes.

September 15, 2020

Heart failure hospitalizations among young adults are getting more common and more expensive

How to predict a CVD patient’s risk of total, colorectal and lung cancer

The analysis was presented at ESC Congress 2020 and published in JACC: CardioOncology.

August 28, 2020

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially endorsed the use of polypills—fixed combinations of multiple medicines contained in a single pill—for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, adding them to the latest edition of the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines.

What new research out of Korea tells us about NSAID use and heart attacks

The authors tracked more than 108,000 patients who suffered their first heart attack between 2009 and 2013.

July 27, 2020

Engineers unveil new self-powered heart monitor made with polyvinyl alcohol

The wearable devices were designed to detect such conditions as cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease and ischemic heart disease.

July 22, 2020

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Acute Coronary Syndromes

Radial vs. femoral access during PCI: Real-world data show proof of a ‘sea change’ in cardiology

PAD patients face greater risk of death, complications after a heart attack

ChatGPT struggles to evaluate heart risk—but it could still help cardiologists

Statin therapy may help HFpEF patients lower their risk of death, heart attack or stroke

New cardiac imaging strategy could reduce ICA, PCI rates

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