Intracranial in-stent restenosis (ISR), a common complication of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS), may increase the likelihood of and an earlier incidence of recurrent ischemic events near the stented intracranial artery, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in Stroke.

Boston University’s BU Today reported that the 65-year-old Framingham Heart Study will lose $4 million in federal funding under the sequester, forcing the layoffs of 19 staffers in November.  In a video, Boston University biomedical engineer Ahmad S. Khalil, PhD, argues against the cuts on ScienceWorksforUS.org.

Infraredx, Inc., a medical device company committed to advancing the diagnosis and management of coronary artery disease, today announced that it has received a $25 million equity investment from Nipro Corporation. This investment builds on Infraredx’s exclusive agreement with Nipro for distribution of its TVC Imaging System in Japan, the world’s largest intravascular imaging market. In conjunction with the investment, a member of Nipro’s management team will join Infraredx’s board of directors.

Jack Rabbit, a dietary supplement marketed as an aphrodisiac, is under recall for containing ingredients that might interact with prescription drugs taken for heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Gladstone Institutes researchers published a proof of concept study in Stem Cell Reports of human fibroblasts being reprogrammed into beating heart cells. A description of their work and a 3-D video illustrating a heart muscle cell are available below. 

There is no easy pathway to prevention, it seems. A healthcare system needs not only resources but also will power and analytic might to make a dent in hypertension, diabetes, obesity and other heart-unhealthy conditions.

For patients with low gradient severe aortic stenosis (AS) with preserved ejection fraction, treatment of hypertension with vasodilators, such as sodium nitroprusside, could help lower left ventricular (LV) afterload, leading to decreased LV filling pressures and pulmonary artery pressures.

Rates of false activation of a cardiac catheterization laboratory for primary PCI increased from 15 percent in 2007 to 40 percent in 2011 at one facility, an analysis published in the August issue of the American Journal of Managed Care found.