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.

Microplastics in carotid plaques increase risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes

Polyethylene was present in 58.4% of patients, and polyvinyl chloride was present in 12.1%. The presence of either one was associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke or death. 

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Intermittent fasting may increase risk of death from heart attack, stroke

Time-restricted eating is popular in the United States, but new research suggests it may do more harm than good if taken to certain extremes. 

Breast arterial calcifications (BACs) identified on screening mammograms may help identify women who face a heightened risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a new analysis published in Clinical Imaging.

Incidental breast calcifications on mammograms linked to much higher risk of cardiovascular disease

These findings may say a lot more about a patient's long-term health than clinicians realized. 

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has helped cardiologists, radiologists, nurses and other healthcare providers embrace precision medicine in a way that ensures more heart patients are receiving personalized care.

Diabetes increases risk of death, complications when patients undergo CABG or PCI for left main disease

Researchers also found that CABG and PCI were each associated with their own advantages and disadvantages, highlighting the importance of shared decision-making. 

too much niacin, also known as vitamin b3, may increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.

Too much niacin? Excess vitamin B3 may increase risk of heart attack, stroke

Nutritionists view niacin, also known as vitamin B3, as a fundamental part of any diet. Consuming too much, however, could potentially be bad for the heart. 

The HeartBeam AIMIGo device is approximately the size of a credit card and uses the company’s patented 3D vectorelectrocardiography (3D VECG) technology to capture signals from three different projections and deliver a synthesized 12-lead ECG.

New research underway on credit card-sized heart monitor that synthesizes 12-lead ECGs

The portable device uses HeartBeam's patented 3D vectorelectrocardiography (3D VECG) technology to capture signals from three different projections and deliver a synthetic 12-lead ECG.

Boston Scientific’s Agent Drug-Coated Balloon (DCB), which delivers a therapeutic dose of the anti-proliferative drug paclitaxel to the patient’s scar tissue to prevent ISR from recurring, gained FDA approval on March 1..

Cardiologists share historic research that led to FDA’s long-awaited approval of coronary DCB

When Boston Scientific’s coronary DCB gained approval in the United States, it was a moment the country's cardiologists had been looking forward to for years. The cardiologists who researched the device have now detailed their findings, highlighting the "unmet need" this technology is addressing. 

HeartFlow FFR-CT is a non-invasive imaging method to determine the fractional flow reserve for the entire coronary tree.

AI-based CAD assessments as accurate as FFR, new 10-year study confirms

The FDA-approved technology developed by HeartFlow can predict a patient's long-term risk of target vessel failure as well as more invasive treatments performed inside a cath lab. 

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.