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. 

COVID from a patient's nasal passage. Transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (gold) within endosomes of a heavily infected nasal olfactory epithelial cell. Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Image courtesy of NIAID. What does COVID look like?

History of COVID-19 doubles long-term risk of heart attack, stroke or death

A patient's blood type appears to play a major role in their odds of developing cardiovascular issues after COVID-19, researchers found. 

money business cash flow dollar

AstraZeneca spends up to $1.9B for new heart disease drug

Early data suggest the drug, an oral lipoprotein (a) disruptor, could make a significant impact on patient care. AstraZeneca will pay $100 million upfront, with much more to follow if certain milestones are met. 

The FreeClimb 70 reperfusion system with Tenzing 7 delivery catheter. Image courtesy of Route 92 Medical.

Stroke specialists raise another $50M thanks to late investment from Novo Holdings

California-based Route 92 Medical previously announced a funding round worth more than $31 million in November. Now, however, a massive addition from Novo Holdings makes the round worth closer to $82 million. 

cross market hospital mergers

Abiomed, Biosense Webster, Cerenovus now all known as Johnson & Johnson MedTech

These companies were already part of the Johnson & Johnson family, but they had still retained their previous brand names. Now, each one is officially going by Johnson & Johnson MedTech. 

Treating mitral regurgitation with transcatheter mitral edge-to-edge repair (TEER) using the MitraClip device is associated with a low risk of cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) such as stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA), according to new data published in The American Journal of Cardiology.[1]

TEER with Abbott’s MitraClip linked to low stroke risk, new study confirms

Treating severe MR with the popular device does not appear to increase a patient's risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack. When patients present with AFib, however, care teams may want to make certain adjustments to optimize outcomes. 

Boston Scientific's Sentinel Cerebral Protection System during a TAVR procedure

Cerebral protection during TAVR linked to lower risk of major stroke, other key benefits

Using a cerebral protection device during TAVR was associated with lower readmission rates, shorter hospital stays—and, yes, a lower risk of patients suffering a major stroke. A team of specialists with Cleveland Clinic shared their new findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

stroke brain dementia alzheimer's puzzle mental health

Stroke after TAVR in AFib patients: Key risk factors cardiologists should know

Reviewing a patient's medical history can help care teams select the optimal post-TAVR oral anticoagulation strategy.

Thumbnail

Pharmacists help lower stroke risk in patients with undiagnosed, undertreated AFib

Researchers described pharmacies as an “attractive setting for community-based AFib screening."

Around the web

GE HealthCare said the price of iodine contrast increased by more than 200% between 2017 to 2023. Will new Chinese tariffs drive costs even higher?

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.