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.

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.
Critics call out ‘woefully inadequate’ CMS proposal for inpatient Medicare payments
CMS has issued its proposed rule for the 2025 Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment system, suggesting a payment increase of 2.6%. According to the American Hospital Association, this update would not be enough at a time when hospitals are already struggling to stay open.
FDA grants new imaging tool for CTO interventions its breakthrough device designation
The new device delivers real-time OCT visualization during revascularization procedures.
ACC.24: Impella CP boosts survival for patients with STEMI-related cardiogenic shock
“This is the first time in a very long time that we have a positive study for managing cardiogenic shock,” one cardiologist said.

Nearly half of on-duty firefighter deaths are cardiac

About 47 percent of on-duty firefighter deaths are heart-related, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA).

April 20, 2018

Slow walking speed signals future hospitalizations for heart patients

Heart disease patients who are slow walkers are at a higher risk of hospitalization than their speedier counterparts, according to research presented April 20 at EuroPrevent 2018.

April 20, 2018

It’s not too late: Exercise after heart attack cuts mortality risk

Increasing physical activity after a heart attack could halve a person’s risk of dying over the following four years, suggests research presented April 19 at EuroPrevent 2018, a European Society of Cardiology congress.

April 19, 2018

Continuous and high-adherent statin users had lower baseline arterial stiffness which also grew more slowly over time, a new JAMA Network Open study finds.

Women less likely to receive recommended doses of statin following MI

Despite recent efforts to eliminate sex-based treatment differences in cardiovascular care, women remain less likely to receive a high-intensity statin following myocardial infarction (MI), according to a study published online April 16 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

April 17, 2018

Wildfire smoke may cause spike in CVD events

Smoke from wildfires may trigger heart- and stroke-related events, particularly among seniors, suggests data from the 2015 California wildfire season published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

April 11, 2018

Outcome Health, WomenHeart partner to bring CV info to minorities

Chicago-based Outcome Health announced a collaboration with advocacy group WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, to “provide actionable educational information” to cardiology providers across Outcome Health’s network of providers.

April 3, 2018

Can social isolation, loneliness be associated with cardiovascular disease?

Socially isolated and lonely individuals face increased risk for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke compared to those with personal networks, according to new research published online March 27 in Heart. Those with a history of AMI and stroke are also at an increased risk for death.

March 30, 2018

Gold patches could be flashy way to fix damaged heart tissue

Damaged tissue resulting from myocardial infarction could one day be repaired with specially engineered patches seeded with cardiac cells to encourage the regeneration of healthy cells in the muscle.

March 28, 2018

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Acute Coronary Syndromes

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

New cardiac imaging strategy could reduce ICA, PCI rates

Critics call out ‘woefully inadequate’ CMS proposal for inpatient Medicare payments

FDA grants new imaging tool for CTO interventions its breakthrough device designation

ACC.24: Impella CP boosts survival for patients with STEMI-related cardiogenic shock

Around the web