The persistent discrepancy between the door-to-balloon times of on-hours versus off-hours in STEMI patients undergoing PCI procedures can be solved through cost-effective means; however, some argue that an expensive and complex pre-activation program is needed to bring off-hour times in line with those of on-hours.

For survivors of anterior-wall MI who were not candidates for implantation of a cardioverter–defibrillator, access to a home automated external defibrillator (AED) did not significantly improve survival, compared with reliance on conventional resuscitation methods, according to results from the Home Automated External Defibrillator Trial (HAT) presented Tuesday by Gust H. Bardy, MD, at the 2008 American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Sessions in Chicago.

As cardiology evolves, one crucial subspecialty may be growing in demand far beyond the industry’s present ability to provide highly trained, dedicated technicians: electrophysiology.

Cardiac cath labs operate in an increasingly challenging environment, contending with a variety of clinical, demographic, regulatory and competitive factors.

The utilization of drug-eluting stents may be poised for a comeback based on recent clinical studies that found they have value despite some risks. Industry analysts, however, suggest that there their usage has plateaued and they can not maintain their initial groundbreaking sales. 

Recent trial results, multidetector CT and new and more uses for the services and equipment of the traditional cardiac catheterization lab are impacting the bottom line of facilities across the country. These and more factors may have temporarily decreased cath lab procedures, but experts in the field predict recovery—albeit a changing face for the cath lab.

Calcium supplementation in healthy postmenopausal women is associatedwith upward trends in cardiovascular event rates, according to a studypublished online Jan. 15 in BMJ.

  Despite catchy TV commercials claiming Vytorin's positives of reducingcholesterol levels in patients predisposed to high cholesterol levels,a just-released study found Vytorin is no more effective in treatingpatients who were genetically predisposed to having dangerously highlevels of cholesterol than Merck's drug Zocor (Vytorin contains Zocor)because it did not slow the growth of artery blockages.