Stroke

Cardiovascular departments are playing a role in stroke interventions at numerous health systems, working as part of the stroke care team with neurologists, radiology and the emergency department. Stroke first has be be classified as ischemic or hemorrhagic. These have very different care pathways. Ischemic strokes are increasingly being treated with neurological-interventional therapy that includes catheter based mechanical thrombectomy to remove the clot. This is a more aggressive treatment compared to traditional IV administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) thrombolytic therapy to dissolve the clot. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) brain bleeds can also be treated in some cases stent flow diverters and embolization coils.

Cannabis is bad for the heart—should the risk be taken more seriously?
Use of the drug more than doubles a person's risk of dying from heart disease, according to a new analysis of 24 different studies. In a separate editorial, two physicians shared their concerns and highlighted the importance of discussing these risks with patients.
Balloon-expandable, self-expanding TAVR valves associated with comparable long-term outcomes
Patients treated with the Sapien 3 platform from Edwards Lifesciences and the Evolut platform from Medtronic were linked to more similarities than differences after six years. This was a single-center study, researchers noted, but it does provide an in-depth look at the safety and effectiveness of TAVR.
Tiny clot-busting robots could transform care for stroke and heart attack patients
The robots are capable of swimming through a patient’s vascular system and removing blood clots. “It’s unbelievable," one Stanford researcher said. "This is a sea-change technology that will drastically improve our ability to help people.”
Terumo Interventional Systems launches dual-layer micromesh carotid stent after FDA approval
The dual-layer micromesh stent was designed with the flexibility of an open-cell stent and is available in multiple sizes.
Study challenges use of MRI in spontaneous deep intracerebral hemorrhage
Spontaneous ICH carries a heightened risk of mortality, making locating its origin in a timely manner critical to outcomes.

cannabis use disorder marijuana joint weed smoking

Cannabis is bad for the heart—should the risk be taken more seriously?

Use of the drug more than doubles a person's risk of dying from heart disease, according to a new analysis of 24 different studies. In a separate editorial, two physicians shared their concerns and highlighted the importance of discussing these risks with patients.

cardiologists heart doctors heart research heart data

Balloon-expandable, self-expanding TAVR valves associated with comparable long-term outcomes

Patients treated with the Sapien 3 platform from Edwards Lifesciences and the Evolut platform from Medtronic were linked to more similarities than differences after six years. This was a single-center study, researchers noted, but it does provide an in-depth look at the safety and effectiveness of TAVR.

milli-spinner thrombectomy designed to target blood clots by engineers with Stanford University

Tiny clot-busting robots could transform care for stroke and heart attack patients

The robots are capable of swimming through a patient’s vascular system and removing blood clots. “It’s unbelievable," one Stanford researcher said. "This is a sea-change technology that will drastically improve our ability to help people.”

Terumo Interventional Systems launches dual-layer micromesh carotid stent after FDA approval

The dual-layer micromesh stent was designed with the flexibility of an open-cell stent and is available in multiple sizes.

MRI may not be suitable for spontaneous deep ICH

Study challenges use of MRI in spontaneous deep intracerebral hemorrhage

Spontaneous ICH carries a heightened risk of mortality, making locating its origin in a timely manner critical to outcomes.

Siemens Healthineers deploys its first mobile stroke unit in the US

The new device marks a “significant step forward” in American stroke care, the company contends.

Video of neurologist Lucy He, MD, with the Alaska Stoke Coalition, discussing how they use AI and CT to revolutionize stroke care in the state.

Revolutionizing stroke care in rural Alaska with AI and CT imaging

Lucy He, MD, a neurosurgeon with the Alaska Stroke Coalition, explains how the state created an AI-based alert system to streamline the timely imaging diagnosis and transfer of stroke patients across the largest and most rural U.S. state.

Video interview with Gregg Fonarow, MD, explaining the success of the AHA Get With The Guidelines-Stroke program, during AHA 2024.

Stroke care continues to evolve thanks to AI, cardiologists and more

Gregg Fonarow, MD, discussed the American Heart Association's stroke guidelines, the growing influence of AI and much more.

Around the web

Health Exec

Tom Price: Medical residency slots need to expand to combat physician shortages

Tom Price, MD, former secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), said one way to address the growing shortage of physicians is to expand medical resident positions, but these are tied to Medicare spending so alternative means may be needed.

Health Imaging

Tariffs will have a significant impact on the nuclear imaging supply chain in the US

"Domestic radiopharmaceutical suppliers, who receive isotopes from abroad, would be impacted by price changes and uncertainty caused by additional tariffs,” SNMMI President Cathy Cutler, PhD, wrote in a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce this week.