Vascular & Endovascular

This channel includes news on non-coronary vascular disease and therapies. These include peripheral artery disease (PAD), abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysm (AAA and TAA), aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism (PE), critical limb ischemia (CLI), carotid artery and stroke interventions, venous interventions, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and interventional radiology therapies. The focus on most of these therapies is minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures performed in a cath lab.

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Progress with stroke

The recent stroke conference highlighted a score of advancements, proof of the commitment and creativity devoted to this complex condition.

ISC.15: TNK tPA as alternative to alteplase appears safe, feasible

Even a minor stroke can lead to disability if paired with an intracranial occlusion. Researchers explored the use of tenecteplase (TNK) tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) to safely treat this type of stroke before it progressed.

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ISC.15: Just add water? Hydration may help turn tide in stroke care

Could something as simple as water create a sea change in stroke care? A study unveiled Feb. 12 pointed to dehydration as a factor in poor stroke outcomes, making rehydration a possible pathway for improvement, the lead researcher told Cardiovascular Business. 

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ISC.15: Stent thrombectomy pulls ahead of alteplase alone in ischemic stroke

Providing more proof that time is brain, a randomized trial found that promptly performing thrombectomy with a stent retriever in carefully selected ischemic stroke patients led to better outcomes than did alteplase treatment alone.

ISC.15: Vitamin D may predict stroke severity

Physicians, take note: Researchers may have found a link between stroke severity and vitamin D deficiency. These findings were presented Feb. 11 at the American Stroke Association’s 2015 International Stroke Conference in Nashville, Tenn.

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ISC.15: Functional stroke outcomes improved by rapid endovascular treatment

For some patients with acute ischemic stroke, rapid endovascular treatment may offer improved outcomes, according to findings presented Feb. 11 at the American Stroke Association’s 2015 International Stroke Conference (ISC) in Nashville, Tenn.

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FDA opens door for transcarotid stenting system

The FDA paved the way for use of a neuroprotection and stent system that allows access to diseased carotid arteries through the neck rather than the femoral artery.

Paramedic partners in stroke care can bring early, rapid treatment

Paramedics may effectively be the first line of treatment in patients with stroke and also can be partners in bringing research into a prehospital setting. This finding in the Feb. 5 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine tempers the result that the treatment used, magnesium sulfate, did not improve outcomes over placebo.

Around the web

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.