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.

Radial vs. femoral access for PCI: Which is safer?

A study published in JAMA Cardiology Jan. 2 suggests physicians may achieve comparable results when using either radial or femoral access for primary PCI in patients with STEMI.

January 6, 2020

Cannabis use disorders double risk of MI after surgery

Surgical candidates with active cannabis use disorders were nearly twice as likely as their non-user peers to suffer a heart attack after surgery, according to research published in Anesthesiology on Nov. 25.

December 3, 2019

Cardiologist argues physicians could diagnose MIs from Apple Watches

A cardiologist in Madrid, Spain, thinks physicians could leverage data from later-generation Apple Watches to diagnose heart attacks, HealthDay News reported Nov. 25.

November 26, 2019

1 in 10 cancer patients die from CVD

More than 10% of cancer patients in the U.S. die not from their cancer but from cardiovascular complications, according to a study published in the European Heart Journal Nov. 25.

November 25, 2019

More than half of ASCVD patients at ‘very high risk’ for future events

A study published in the November issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology confirms that patients defined as “very high risk” for future ASCVD events by updated society guidelines do indeed carry a much higher risk of adverse outcomes down the road.

November 22, 2019

Even minor spikes in troponin indicate risk of early death

A group of researchers in the U.K. reported this week that even slight increases in a person’s cardiac troponin levels predict adverse outcomes—including early death—in patients of all ages.

November 21, 2019

Gout drug colchicine makes waves as potential CV therapy

Results of the late-breaking COLCOT trial, which explored the efficacy of low-dose colchicine in reducing CV risk in heart attack patients, were a highlight of the American Heart Association’s 2019 Scientific Sessions this month in Philadelphia.

November 18, 2019

Functional magnetic resonance imaging can offer providers insight into brain connectivity abnormalities and how they correlate with cognitive impairments observed in patients with insomnia. #insomnia #troublesleeping

Insomnia linked to higher odds of CVD, stroke

Research out of Peking University in Beijing, China, has established a link between insomnia and heart disease, ABC News reports.

November 13, 2019

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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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