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.

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. 

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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.

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

The designation covers patients with and without diabetes. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Adding alirocumab to high-intensity statin therapy benefits older ACS patients

This new analysis of the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial includes data from more than 18,000 patients. 

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Unnecessary care: Levothyroxine ineffective for heart attack patients with subclinical hypothyroidism

The ThyrAMI-2 trial tracked 95 patients for 52 weeks of treatment. 

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.