MedWorm: Heart Disease

Low-Level Arsenic Exposure Linked To Mouse Hypertension

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Emerging Toxic Torts Legal News — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:16:44 +0100

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. - Research published online Jan. 3 in the journal Toxicology Pathology confirms that chronic, low-level exposure to arsenite in drinking water increases blood pressure and promotes heart disease in female mice (tpx.sagepub.com/content/early/2012/01/03/0192623311432297). Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Emerging Toxic Torts Legal News)

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More evidence big football players face heart risks

Reuters: Health — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:19:41 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Pro football players may generally enjoy a longer-than-average lifespan -- but the biggest players may be more likely than others to die of heart disease, a U.S. study suggests. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Top 10 Sources Of Salt In Your Diet

WDSU.com - Health — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:57:54 +0100

Nearly 90% of all Americans eat too much salt, which increases the chances of developing hypertension, a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Check out the top 10 sources of salt in the average diet and see how you measure up. (Source: WDSU.com - Health)

Soda Linked to Lung Disease (CME/CE)

MedPage Today Allergy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:13:00 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- More bad news for soda lovers: in addition to obesity and heart disease, the sugary drinks may be tied to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Australian researchers found. (Source: MedPage Today Allergy)

Molecular Link Established Between Genetic Defect And Heart Malformation

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0100

UNC researchers have discovered how the genetic defect underlying one of the most common congenital heart diseases keeps the critical organ from developing properly. According to the new research, mutations in a gene called SHP-2 distort the shape of cardiac muscle cells so they are unable to form a fully functioning heart. The study also shows that treatment with a drug that regulates cell shape rescues the cardiac defect, pointing to therapeutic avenues that could one day benefit Noonan syndrome patients... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Following Heart Attack, Low Levels Of Lipid Antibodies Increase Complications

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Coronary patients with low levels of an immune system antibody called anti-PC, which neutralises parts of the 'bad' cholesterol, run a greater risk of suffering complications following an acute cardiac episode and thus of premature death. This according to new research from Karolinska Institutet published in the scientific periodical The International Journal of Cardiology... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Heart disease may be a risk factor for prostate cancer

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Duke University Medical Center) In a large analysis of men participating in a prostate drug trial, researchers at the Duke Cancer Institute found a significant correlation between coronary artery disease and prostate cancer, suggesting the two conditions may have shared causes. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Everyday Foods Add Up to Major Salt Problems: CDC

The Doctors Lounge - Cardiology — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:00:00 +0100

Ten food types, including bread, account for higher risk of heart disease, stroke, report says (Source: The Doctors Lounge - Cardiology)

Mitral Valve Surgery for Severe Mitral Regurgitation and Dilated Cardiomyopathy—A Bridge to Transplant: Case Report and a Review of Literature

Congenital Heart Disease — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We report a child with myocardial necrosis, dilated cardiomyopathy, and severe mitral valve (MV) regurgitation following neonatal enteroviral myocarditis. He underwent MV annuloplasty at 18 months and MV replacement at 3 years of age. He remains asymptomatic on medical therapy at 8 years of age. Mitral valve surgery may stabilize the evolution of dilated cardiomyopathy and delay the ultimate need for heart transplant. (Source: Congenital Heart Disease)

Type B Interrupted Left Aortic Arch with Isolated Right Subclavian Artery

Congenital Heart Disease — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We report an extremely rare finding: a case of left‐sided type B interrupted aortic arch with isolation of the right subclavian artery (origin from the right pulmonary artery). (Source: Congenital Heart Disease)

Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy in Eisenmenger Syndrome

Congenital Heart Disease — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We report two cases treated by intravenous pamidronate infusion with good symptomatic relief. Such therapy can greatly improve the quality of life of end‐stage cyanotic congenital heart patients. (Source: Congenital Heart Disease)

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Echocardiographic Guidance for Neonatal Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Stent Implantation

Congenital Heart Disease — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We report the case of a 1.2 kg, hemodynamically unstable neonate with tetralogy of Fallot, in whom we implanted a right ventricular outflow tract stent under primarily echocardiographic guidance. This represents the smallest reported patient in whom a right ventricular outflow tract stent has been placed and the latest application of integrated echocardiography and fluoroscopy in the catheterization laboratory. (Source: Congenital Heart Disease)

Holmes Heart—A Simple Antenatal Diagnosis of a Complex Cardiac Anomaly? Fetal Echocardiographic Findings and Review

Congenital Heart Disease — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We report on echocardiographic findings of three fetuses found to have a less frequent morphologic subgroup of double inlet left ventricle, namely Holmes heart, characterized by a single (left) ventricle connected to both atrioventricular orifices and normally related arteries. We addressed the pre‐ and perinatal management as well as additional abnormalities and discussed our experiences together with what is known from current literature. (Source: Congenital Heart Disease)

Ten‐year Angiographic Result of a Large Right Coronary Artery Fistula Treated Percutaneously: Many Questions Remain Unanswered

Congenital Heart Disease — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We describe an adult patient with right coronary artery to right atrium fistula, which was treated percutaneously 10 years earlier. His coronary angiogram done presently demonstrated no residual fistula, but there was persistence of aneurysmally dilated proximal right coronary artery segment that gave rise to many unanswered questions regarding management of coronary artery fistulas. We discuss the short‐ and long‐term therapeutic dilemmas in the management of coronary artery fistula. (Source: Congenital Heart Disease)

UC Davis fashion design students use their talents to advocate for women's heart health

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(University of California - Davis Health System) A unique partnership broadens the message of the red dress in raising awareness of heart disease as the leading killer of women. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Heart Disease and Stroke Deaths Fall, But Some Fear a Reverse in the Trend [Medical News & Perspectives]

JAMA — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: JAMA)

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Diagnosis and Management of Adult Congenital Heart Disease [Book and Media Reviews]

JAMA — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: JAMA)

Are Rich People Heavy Drinkers?

Psychology Today Addiction Center — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:40:31 +0100

Much has been made of a 2010 Gallup survey finding that the proportion of people saying they drink alcohol increases steadily with income. Alcohol consumption went from 46 percent for people earning less than $20,000 to 81 percent for people earning over $75,000. Hence the oft-repeated claim that affluent people drink more.read more (Source: Psychology Today Addiction Center)

Strategies to preserve the use of statins in patients with previous muscular adverse effects.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:07:10 +0100

Conclusion In patients intolerant to statin therapy due to myalgia or other muscular adverse effects, strategies such as alternative statin dosing schedules, coenzyme Q10 or vitamin D supplementation, and conversion to RYR or an alternative statin may allow some patients to continue to receive the benefits of lipid-lowering therapy. PMID: 22302254 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

Elevated Glucose Associated With Undetected Heart Damage

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100

A new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health suggests that hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) injures the heart, even in patients without a history of heart disease or diabetes. Researchers found that elevated levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), a marker for chronic hyperglycemia and diabetes, were associated with minute levels of the protein troponin T (cTnT), a blood marker for heart damage. The high-sensitivity test they used detected levels of cTnT tenfold lower than those found in patients diagnosed with a heart attack... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Among Moderate Drinkers, The Effect Of Occasional Binge Drinking On Heart Disease And Mortality

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100

This study followed 26,786 men and women who participated in the Danish National Cohort Study in 1994, 2000, and 2005 and sought to see if binge drinking increased the risk of IHD or all-cause mortality among "light-to-moderate" drinkers: (up to 21 drinks/week for men and up to 14 drinks/week for women). A "drink" was 12g... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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A Pharmacist Care Program: Positive Impact on Cardiac Risk in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The pharmacist care program implemented in this study demonstrated a significant cardiovascular risk reduction in type 2 diabetic patients; therefore such a program would be a valuable addition to a multidisciplinary care of diabetic patients. (Source: Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics)

The Potential Effects of IGF-1 and GH on Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Heart failure (HF) is an important health concern with almost a quarter million deaths each year despite advances in medical therapy. Improvement of cardiac function has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with HF. There has been recent interest in the growth hormone (GH) / insulin-like growth factor (IGF) pathway as a potential therapeutic target for patients with HF. Insulin-like growth factor 1 has been shown to augment cardiac function ex vivo and in animals. It was hypothesized that IGF-1/IGF-binding protein 3 levels might be able to provide prognostic benefits in patients with heart disease. Initial observational studies have shown significant benefits from GH supplementation including improved ejection fraction, increased exercise tolerance, and decreased New Yo...

Cost-effectiveness of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients ineligible for conventional aortic valve replacement

Heart — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions TAVI is highly likely to be a cost-effective treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are currently ineligible for SAVR. (Source: Heart)

A risk score for predicting mortality in patients with asymptomatic mild to moderate aortic stenosis

Heart — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion A new seven factor model for risk stratification of patients with mild to moderate asymptomatic AS identified a high risk group for total mortality with good discrimination properties. Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT 00092677. (Source: Heart)

Remote ischaemic preconditioning reduces myocardial injury in patients undergoing heart valve surgery: randomised controlled trial

Heart — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions These data indicate that RIPC reduces myocardial injury and improves cardiac function in patients undergoing heart valve surgery. Trial registration number NCT01175681. (Source: Heart)

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Serial measurements of midregion proANP and copeptin in ambulatory patients with heart failure: incremental prognostic value of novel biomarkers in heart failure

Heart — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions A strategy of serial monitoring of MR-proANP and, of lesser impact, copeptin, combined with cTnT, may be advantageous in detecting and managing the highest-risk outpatients with HF. (Source: Heart)

Cardiac involvement in muscular dystrophy: advances in diagnosis and therapy

Heart — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The term muscular dystrophy (MD) comprises various neuromuscular disorders that are characterised by progressive muscle weakness affecting certain muscle groups, which are specific for the respective genetic disorder. Muscular dystrophy type Duchenne (DMD) and type Becker (BMD) represent the most common X-linked genetic diseases: DMD is believed to affect one in 3500 male births whereas BMD is less frequent (one in 18 450 male births).w1 w2 However, due to the longer life expectancy of BMD patients, the prevalence of DMD and BMD is rather similar and at least 2.4/100 000.w1 Apart from progressive proximal skeletal muscle weakness and wasting, DMD and BMD are characterised by cardiac muscle involvement. Indeed, progressive cardiomyopathy has become a major cause of morbidity and mortality i...

Glycated hemoglobin and associated risk factors in older adults

Cardiovascular Diabetology — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Older women had higher HbA1c than men, even after controlling for BMI. HbA1c associates equally with BW, BMI or WC. Population-based criteria are recommended to classify obesity and to identify higher levels of HbA1c in obese older adults. HbA1c associates with atherogenic dyslipidemia particularly with TG and TG/HDL-C ratio, but not with TC, HDL-C, or LDL-C. HbA1c is not associated with hs-CRP, and with functional fitness and aerobic endurance. (Source: Cardiovascular Diabetology)

High calcium markedly associated with mortality in CHD patients

MedWire News - Cardiology — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0100

High serum calcium levels are markedly associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in coronary heart disease patients, shows an analysis. (Source: MedWire News - Cardiology)

Link Between Heart Failure And Thinner Bones And Fractures

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Heart failure is associated with a 30 percent increase in major fractures and also identifies a high-risk population that may benefit from increased screening and treatment for osteoporosis, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM). Osteoporosis and heart failure are common, chronic and costly conditions that share common etiologic factors like older age, post-menopausal status and diabetes... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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'A little too much drink' warning

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:39:22 +0100

Drinking "just a little more than they should" puts people at risk of serious illness including heart disease, stroke and cancer, the government is warning. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

[Articles] Cardiovascular magnetic resonance and single-photon emission computed tomography for diagnosis of coronary heart disease (CE-MARC): a prospective trial

LANCET — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CE-MARC is the largest, prospective, real world evaluation of CMR and has established CMR's high diagnostic accuracy in coronary heart disease and CMR's superiority over SPECT. It should be adopted more widely than at present for the investigation of coronary heart disease. (Source: LANCET)

National Wear Red Day spotlights heart disease in women

Health News: CBSNews.com — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:42:50 +0100

American Heart Association spreads awareness for number one killer for women (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)

The Molecular Autopsy: Should the Evaluation Continue After the Funeral?

Pediatric Cardiology — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:51:30 +0100

Abstract Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is one of the most common causes of death in developed countries, with most SCDs involving the elderly, and structural heart disease evident at autopsy. Each year, however, thousands of sudden deaths involving individuals younger than 35 years of age remain unexplained after a comprehensive medicolegal investigation that includes an autopsy. In fact, several epidemiologic studies have estimated that at least 3% and up to 53% of sudden deaths involving previously healthy children, adolescents, and young adults show no morphologic abnormalities identifiable at autopsy. Cardiac channelopathies associated with structurally normal hearts such as long QT syndrome (LQTS), catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), and Br...

Potatoes Lower Blood Pressure In Those With Obesity And Hypertension Without Increasing Weight

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100

The first study to check the effects of eating potatoes on blood pressure in humans has concluded that two small helpings of purple potatoes (Purple Majesty) a day decreases blood pressure by about 4 percent without causing weight gain. In a report in the ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the researchers say that decrease, although seemingly small, is sufficient to potentially reduce the risk of several forms of heart disease. Joe Vinson and colleagues point out that people in the U.S. eat more potatoes than any other vegetable... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Bias in Observational Studies of Prevalent Users: Lessons for Comparative Effectiveness Research From a Meta-Analysis of Statins

American Journal of Epidemiology — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are usually the preferred strategy with which to generate evidence of comparative effectiveness, but conducting an RCT is not always feasible. Though observational studies and RCTs often provide comparable estimates, the questioning of observational analyses has recently intensified because of randomized-observational discrepancies regarding the effect of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy on coronary heart disease. Reanalyses of observational data that excluded prevalent users of hormone replacement therapy led to attenuated discrepancies, which begs the question of whether exclusion of prevalent users should be generally recommended. In the current study, the authors evaluated the effect of excluding prevalent users of statins in a meta-analysis ...

Nurse preparedness for the non‐communicable disease escalation in Thailand: A cross‐sectional survey of nurses

Nursing and Health Sciences — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractChronic diseases are now the largest cause of mortality in Thailand, and form an increasingly large portion of the healthcare landscape. In the Thai health system, many patients with chronic conditions receive care and disease management services from nurses, yet specialized training in chronic diseases is not currently part of standard nursing degree programs. Given the evolving epidemiology of the Thailand population, we questioned whether practicing nurses remain confident in their knowledge and skills in chronic disease management. We conducted a cross‐sectional, self‐efficacy survey of nurses in eight randomly‐selected provinces in Thailand, receiving 468 responses. Nurse self‐efficacy was analyzed in prominent chronic disease types, including cancer, hypertension, dia...

[Original Articles] Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms, Anemia, and Iron Status in Older Residents From a National Survey Population

Psychosomatic Medicine — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Iron deficiency commonly co-occurs with depressive symptoms in older people, although the association with anemia is accounted for by physical health status and may primarily reflect anemia of chronic disease. (Source: Psychosomatic Medicine)

Depression and Anxiety Among Coronary Heart Disease Patients: Can Affect Dimensions and Theory Inform Diagnostic Disorder‐Based Screening?

Journal of Clinical Psychology — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionsThe Anxiety Depression Distress Inventory‐27 dimensions of low positive affect and somatic anxiety provided optimal detection of depression and panic disorder, respectively, as hypothesized, supporting discriminant validity. (Source: Journal of Clinical Psychology)

MINIREVIEW: PHLPP in Cell Signaling [Signal Transduction]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Precise balance between phosphorylation, catalyzed by protein kinases, and dephosphorylation, catalyzed by protein phosphatases, is essential for cellular homeostasis. Deregulation of this balance leads to pathophysiological states that drive diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. The recent discovery of the PHLPP (pleckstrin homology domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase) family of Ser/Thr phosphatases adds a new player to the cast of phosphate-controlling enzymes in cell signaling. PHLPP isozymes catalyze the dephosphorylation of a conserved regulatory motif, the hydrophobic motif, on the AGC kinases Akt, PKC, and S6 kinase, as well as an inhibitory site on the kinase Mst1, to inhibit cellular proliferation and induce apoptosis. The frequent deletion of PHLPP in c...

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Estimation of Pulmonary Vascular Resistance: Correlation between Echocardiography and Catheterization Data in Patients with Congenital Heart Disease

Echocardiography — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: There is modest correlation between TRV/TVIRVOT ratio and invasively derived PVR in congenital shunt lesions, especially in PVR < 6 WU. TRV/TVIRVOT ratio could be useful in identifying patients with congenital shunts whose PVR is likely to be <6 WU, and hence, do not need cardiac catheterization. (Echocardiography ****;**:1–6) (Source: Echocardiography)

Women Wear Red on Friday to Highlight Heart Health

The Doctors Lounge - Health News — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:58:35 +0100

Roughly 8 million women in the United States have heart disease, research shows (Source: The Doctors Lounge - Health News)

Effects of renin-angiotensin blockers/inhibitors and statins on mortality and functional impairment in polypathological patients.

European Journal of Internal Medicine — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:26:12 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The prescription of statins, alone or in combination with other drugs, may impact the survival and functional decline in polypathological patients. Further prospective blinded randomised assays are needed to confirm these observations. PMID: 22284251 [PubMed - in process] (Source: European Journal of Internal Medicine)

Heart Truth Campaign Marks 10 Years

BWH News — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0100

In 2002, only around two out of every 10 women could identify heart disease as their leading health risk. (Source: BWH News)

Wisconsin Women Urged to Observe "National Wear Red Day" by Learning About Heart Disease and Stroke Risk Factors

Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:43:00 +0100

February 3rd is “National Wear Red Day”, an American Heart Association event to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke risks for women, and state officials are urging Wisconsin women to learn about these major health threats. (Source: Wisconsin DHFS Press Releases)

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Elevated glucose associated with undetected heart damage

ScienceDaily Headlines — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:17:17 +0100

A new study suggests that hyperglycemia injures the heart, even in patients without a history of heart disease or diabetes. The high-sensitivity test they used detected levels of cTnT tenfold lower than those found in patients diagnosed with a heart attack. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Apolipoprotein E e4 allele does not increase the risk of early postoperative delirium after major surgery

Journal of Anesthesia — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:14:05 +0100

Conclusions Apolipoprotein e4 carrier status was not associated with an increased risk for early postoperative delirium. Age, congestive heart failure, and emergency surgery were independent risk factors for the development of delirium after major surgery. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s00540-012-1326-5Authors Fernando José Abelha, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care Unit, Surgical Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, PortugalVera Fernandes, Department of Anesthesiology, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, PortugalMiguela Botelho, Department of Anesthesiology, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, PortugalPatricia Santos, Department of Anesthesiology, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto,...

Call to 'tax sugar like alcohol'

NHS News Feed — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:00:00 +0100

This article will be of interest to food scientists, health policy makers and the public alike, but the use of strategies to restrict the consumption of added sugar is complicated and, indeed controversial. The implications of such moves would need to be considered in both medical and societal terms. They would need both medical evidence to support their effectiveness and assurance that the public would accept drastic changes, such as age limits on buying sweets. For example, in recent years, Denmark has imposed taxes on fatty foods, a move that has divided opinions greatly. It is generally accepted that added sugar or excessive sugar consumption is bad for health and dietitians advise restricting sugar intake to the occasional “treat”. However, to what extent sugar is directly to blam...

Red wine chemical could drive new treatments

Telegraph Health — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:00:44 +0100

A chemical found in red wine could be used in treatments for diabetes, dementia and heart disease after scientists discovered how it keeps us healthy. (Source: Telegraph Health)

The latest science and controversies in cardiovascular nursing

European Society of Cardiology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:59:17 +0100

New scientific findings will be presented on risky behaviours in adolescents with congenital heart disease, the links between depression and heart disease, the impact of art on quality of life in stroke survivors, and numerous other subjects of interest to journalists and the wider public. Find out more here... Topics: Cardiovascular Nursing (Source: European Society of Cardiology)

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“From Bench to Practice”, ESC Congress set for Munich this summer

European Society of Cardiology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:43:01 +0100

In response to feedback from delegates, this year’s congress will kick off on Saturday with a fuller day of scientific sessions. The grand finale on Wednesday will be a two-hour highlight session in which world leading experts summarise all the new and exciting developments in basic, clinical and population sciences presented at the congress. Read more about this year's event.... Topics: Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS), Arrhythmias, Atrial Fibrillation, Basic Science, Cardiac Tumours, Cardiovascular Disease Prevention - Risk Assessment and Management, Cardiovascular Nursing, Cardiovascular Surgery, Chronic Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD), Clinical pharmacology, Computers in Cardiology, Congenital Heart Disease, Diabetic heart disease, Diseases of th...

Conquering Atherosclerosis Starts With Improving Medical Education

The American Journal of Cardiology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:05:53 +0100

The United States Department of Health and Human Services recently launched the Million Hearts initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over the next 5 years by implementing proved, effective, and inexpensive interventions. But why stop at a million? We already have all the information we need to eradicate atherosclerotic disease, which is a food-borne illness. Coronary artery disease is virtually nonexistent in large populations of individuals who consume plant-based nutrition. Some of the most renowned cardiovascular pathologists in the world have stated that maintaining a total cholesterol level >150 mg/dl is the true cause of this disease. Plaque regression occurs in >80% of patients who adopt a low-fat vegetarian diet. Cardiac positron emission tomographic scans show ...

The American Heart Association's Go Red Por Tu Corazon and Chef Hamlet Garcia Raise Awareness Among Latinas About Heart Disease

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0100

DALLAS, Feb. 2, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heart disease continues to be the No. 1 killer of Latinas in the U.S. In fact, more women die of heart disease than all forms of cancer combined. Unfortunately, the killer isn't as easy to see, and may be difficult to identify for Latinas and their families. This Friday, Feb. 3 2012, is National Wear Red Day, a day meant to motivate Hispanic women in our communities to make healthy life choices for themselves and the ones they love to help stop heart disease. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

American Heart Association's Go Red for Women(R) Movement and Elizabeth Banks Ask Women to Uncover the Truth About Heart Disease

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0100

DALLAS, Feb. 2, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emmy-nominated actress Elizabeth Banks and the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women(r) movement are teaming up to share the truth that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women. More women die of heart disease than all forms of cancer combined. Unfortunately, heart disease is often silent, hidden and misunderstood. That's why Go Red For Women is asking women to participate in the 9th Annual National Wear Red Day(r) on Friday, February 3, 2012, to make ending heart disease a reality. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

Cardiovascular metabolic syndrome: mediators involved in the pathophysiology from obesity to coronary heart disease

Future Medicine: Biomarkers in Medicine — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:44:58 +0100

Biomarkers in Medicine , February 2012, Vol. 6, No. 1, Pages 35-52. (Source: Future Medicine: Biomarkers in Medicine)

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Skeletal muscle biomarkers in heart disease

Future Medicine: Biomarkers in Medicine — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:44:55 +0100

Biomarkers in Medicine , February 2012, Vol. 6, No. 1, Pages 5-8. (Source: Future Medicine: Biomarkers in Medicine)

Circulating levels of resistin, IL-6 and lipid profile in elderly patients with ischemic heart disease with and without diabetes

Future Medicine: Biomarkers in Medicine — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:44:55 +0100

Biomarkers in Medicine , February 2012, Vol. 6, No. 1, Pages 97-102. (Source: Future Medicine: Biomarkers in Medicine)

High-sensitive C-reactive protein: universal prognostic and causative biomarker in heart disease?

Future Medicine: Biomarkers in Medicine — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:44:44 +0100

Biomarkers in Medicine , February 2012, Vol. 6, No. 1, Pages 19-34. (Source: Future Medicine: Biomarkers in Medicine)

Public Health Burden Could Be Eased By Societal Control Of Sugar

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0100

Sugar should be controlled like alcohol and tobacco to protect public health, according to a team of UCSF researchers, who maintain in a new report that sugar is fueling a global obesity pandemic, contributing to 35 million deaths annually worldwide from non-communicable diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Non-communicable diseases now pose a greater health burden worldwide than infectious diseases, according to the United Nations. In the United States, 75 percent of health care dollars are spent treating these diseases and their associated disabilities. In the Feb... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Sugar should be controlled 'like tobacco and alcohol'

the Mail online | Health — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:57:04 +0100

Experts warn sugary foods and drinks are responsible for illnesses including obesity, heart disease, cancer and liver problems. And they claim it contributes to 35million deaths a year worldwide. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

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The effect of occasional binge drinking on heart disease and mortality among moderate drinkers

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Most studies have found that binge drinking is associated with a loss of alcohol's protective effect against ischemic heart disease and most studies have found an increase of coronary risk among binge drinkers. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Elevated glucose associated with undetected heart damage

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health) A new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health suggests that hyperglycemia injures the heart, even in patients without a history of heart disease or diabetes. The high-sensitivity test they used detected levels of cTnT tenfold lower than those found in patients diagnosed with a heart attack. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Behavioral interventions for coronary heart disease patients

BioPsychoSocial Medicine — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Women are likely to benefit from women's groups. Men may prefer to have one or two women in the group, but women fare better in gender segregated groups. (Source: BioPsychoSocial Medicine)

Dextrocardia, atrial septal defect, severe developmental delay, facial anomalies, and supernumerary ribs in a child with a complex unbalanced 8;22 translocation including partial 8p duplication

American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We report on a child with dextrocardia, atrial septal defect (ASD), severe developmental delay, hypotonia, 13 pairs of ribs, left preauricular choristoma, hirsutism, and craniofacial abnormalities. Prenatal cytogenetic evaluation showed karyotype 46,XY,?dup(8p)ish del(8)pter. Postnatal array CGH demonstrated a 6.8 Mb terminal deletion at 8p23.3–p23, an interstitial 31.1 Mb duplication within 8p23.1–p11, and a terminal duplication of 0.24 Mb at 22q13.33, refining the karyotype to 46,XY,der(8)dup(8)(p23.1p11.1)t(8;22)(p23.1;q13.1).ish der(8)dup(8)(p23.1p11.1)t(8;22)(p23.1;q13.1) (D8S504‐,MS607 + ,ARSA + ,D8Z1 + , RP115713 + +). Previous reports of distal 8p deletion, 8p duplication, and distal 22q duplication have shown similar manifestations, including congenital...

A Risk‐Prediction Model for In‐hospital Mortality After Heart Transplantation in US Children

American Journal of Transplantation — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We sought to develop and validate a quantitative risk‐prediction model for predicting the risk of posttransplant in‐hospital mortality in pediatric heart transplantation (HT). Children <18 years of age who underwent primary HT in the United States during 1999–2008 (n = 2707) were identified using Organ Procurement and Transplant Network data. A risk‐prediction model was developed using two‐thirds of the cohort (random sample), internally validated in the remaining one‐third, and independently validated in a cohort of 338 children transplanted during 2009–2010. The best predictive model had four categorical variables: hemodynamic support (ECMO, ventilator support, VAD support vs. medical therapy), cardiac diagnosis (repaired congenital heart disease [CHD], unrepaired CHD vs...

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Efficient generation of adipocytes in a dish

Nature Cell Biology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Andrew G. Elefanty & Edouard G. Stanley A protocol for efficient differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into white and brown adipocytes now enables their detailed examination at a cellular and molecular level, facilitating the study of adipocyte dysfunction in a range of metabolic diseases including diabetes, heart disease and obesity. (Source: Nature Cell Biology)

Study: Kids' health foreshadows heart disease in parents

bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:47:58 +0100

If you want to know if you’re at risk of premature cardiovascular disease, take a look at your children. Children with high triglyceride levels at age 12 are more likely than those with normal levels to have heart attacks and strokes by the age of 38, according to a study by Dr. Charles Glueck of Jewish Hospital and Dr. John Morrison of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center “When we identify children with these risk factors early, we can start the children on primary prevention programs to can help reduce their chances of suffering heart attacks and strokes and developing type 2 diabetes later in life,” Glueck said... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines)

Dr Mandeep Mehra leaves Baltimore for post at the Brigham

theHeart.org — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:15:30 +0100

The accomplished specialist in advanced heart failure is taking on new challenges at the head of the Boston institution's Advanced Heart Disease Center. (Source: theHeart.org)

Sugar - Attacking Health Globally

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:00:00 +0100

A recent study published in Nature by Robert Lustig, MD, Laura Schmidt, PhD, MSW, MPH, and Claire Brindis, DPH, and colleges at the University of California, San Francisco, reveals that sugar is as dangerous when over-consumed as tobacco or alcohol, and should be used in moderation. The authors say that sugar is contributing to the global obesity rates, which account for 35 million deaths a year world-wide from health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Tax and regulate sugar like alcohol and tobacco, urge scientists

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:16:00 +0100

Sugar is as toxic to the liver as alcohol and is at the root of obesity and certain types of liver disease, claim US scientistsSugar should be regulated in the same way as alcohol and tobacco because its increasing use in processed foods poses a significant danger to public health, according to a group of scientists. They advocate controlling sales to children under 17 and taxing sugary foods.Sugar, they argue, is as toxic to the liver as alcohol and overconsumption is at the root of growing public health problems including obesity and certain types of liver disease.In an opinion article for the journal Nature, Robert Lustig, Laura Schmidt and Claire Brindis of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), said that, over the past 50 years, consumption of sugar had trebled worldwide....

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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Stimulant Therapy, and the Patient with Congenital Heart Disease: Evidence and Reason

Pediatric Cardiology — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:13:49 +0100

Abstract Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral disorder of childhood, and congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common form of birth defect. Children with CHD are at increased risk for neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD. Stimulant medications, specifically methylphenidates and amphetamines, are frequently prescribed and effective in reducing the symptoms of ADHD. Despite their efficacy and long history of use, the safety of these medications has recently come into question due to isolated reports describing sudden unexplained death of children undergoing treatment. This review summarizes the current literature on the cardiovascular risks associated with the use of pharmacologic therapy for ADHD, with an emphasis on p...

Review of Inhaled Nitric Oxide in the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Setting

Pediatric Cardiology — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:13:49 +0100

Abstract Surgical intervention for congenital heart disease (CHD) can be complicated by pulmonary hypertension (PH), which increases morbidity, mortality, and medical burden. Consequently, postoperative management of PH is an important clinical consideration to improve outcomes. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is a widely accepted standard of care for PH and has been studied in the context of cardiac surgery for CHD. However, large randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trials in pediatric patients are limited. This review will provide an overview of the clinical studies in this setting and will discuss general treatment considerations to facilitate a better understanding of the clinical use of iNO for PH after pediatric cardiac surgery. Content ...

Alcohol And Your Heart: Friend Or Foe?

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100

A meta-analysis done by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) into the relationship between alcohol consumption and heart disease provides new insight into the long-held belief that drinking a glass of red wine a day can help protect against heart disease. "It's complicated," says Dr. Juergen Rehm, director of social and epidemiological research at CAMH. Dr. Rehm's paper, co-authored by Michael Roerecke, was recently published in the journal Addiction... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MS Drug Prevented Fatal Heart Condition In Lab Study

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100

A drug used to treat multiple sclerosis may also be effective at preventing and reversing the leading cause of heart attack, a new study has found. Scientists found that Gilenya, a drug recently approved in the US for treating MS, was effective at reversing the symptoms of ventricular hypertrophy in mice. Ventricular hypertrophy is a fatal cardiac disorder that can result in an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) and cardiac arrest... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Societal control of sugar essential to ease public health burden

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(University of California - San Francisco) Sugar should be controlled like alcohol and tobacco to protect public health, according to a team of UCSF researchers, who maintain in a new report that sugar is fueling a global obesity pandemic, contributing to 35 million deaths annually worldwide from non-communicable diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

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[Reliability of morbidity data reported by GPs : Results of a longitudinal study in primary care].

Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Data on morbidity collected in epidemiological studies and reported by physicians should always be checked for validity and reliability. Appropriate options (e.g., an investigator collecting the data directly in the field or the comparison of the data with health insurance companies' claims data) are presented and discussed. PMID: 22290171 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz)

CardioPulse Articles * A new ESC journal for all cardiac imaging modalities * Archives of the Turkish Society of Cardiology * Azerbaijan joins the European Society of Cardiology family * Current Problems in Cardiology has been providing in-depth coverage of clinical issues for decades * Heart disease and cancer: The International Cardioncology Society * People's corner: promotion * Professor Uta C. Hoppe, MD, FESC * The story of the heartbeat, continued

European Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: European Heart Journal)

Genetic variants, plasma lipoprotein(a) levels, and risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among two prospective cohorts of type 2 diabetes

European Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Our data indicate that the effect of Lp(a) on CVD risk among diabetic patients might be different from that in the general population. Diabetes status may attenuate the relation between Lp(a) and cardiovascular risk. (Source: European Heart Journal)

Endothelial function assessment: flow-mediated dilation and constriction provide different and complementary information on the presence of coronary artery disease

European Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Endothelial function assessment provides modest but statistically significant additional information in predicting the presence of CAD. (Source: European Heart Journal)

In vivo characterization of coronary plaques: novel findings from comparing greyscale and virtual histology intravascular ultrasound and near-infrared spectroscopy

European Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Combining NIRS with IVUS contributes to the understanding of plaque characterization in vivo. Further studies are warranted to determine whether combining NIRS and IVUS will contribute to the assessment of high-risk plaques to predict outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. (Source: European Heart Journal)

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Comparative analysis of genome-wide association studies signals for lipids, diabetes, and coronary heart disease: Cardiovascular Biomarker Genetics Collaboration

European Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Several SNPs predicting CHD events appear to involve pathways not currently indexed by the established or emerging risk factors; others involved changes in blood lipids including triglycerides or HDL-cholesterol as well as LDL-cholesterol. The overlapping association of SNPs with multiple risk factors and biomarkers supports the existence of shared points of regulation for these phenotypes. (Source: European Heart Journal)

Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

Heart, Lung and Circulation — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Background: Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT) is an inherited arrhythmia syndrome, characterised by polymorphic ventricular tachycardia induced by adrenergic stress. CPVT can be caused by mutations the cardiac ryanodine receptor gene (RYR2) or mutations in the cardiac calsequestrin gene CASQ2. Structural heart disease is usually absent and the baseline ECG is usually normal. Patients with CPVT often present with exercise- or emotion induced syncope, the first presentation can also be sudden cardiac death.Management: Besides removal of triggers treatment with beta blockers is currently a class I indication in clinically diagnosed patients. Beta blockage should be titrated up to an effective level. The addition of flecainide seems to be a promising approach in pati...

Predictors and time trends in clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitor coprescription with low‐dose acetylsalicylic acid

Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionClopidogrel and PPI coprescription with low‐dose ASA increased markedly between 2000–2001 and 2006–2007; however, many patients on low‐dose ASA did not receive the recommended coprescriptions at the end of the study period. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety)

The Framingham risk score and heart disease in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Liver International — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractThe accuracy of the Framingham risk score (FRS) in identifying patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) at higher 10‐year coronary heart disease (CHD) risk remains unknown. We aimed at evaluating both the baseline probability of CHD as predicted by the FRS and the actual long‐term occurrence of CHD in NAFLD patients. This was a longitudinal study of a community‐based cohort. A total of 309 NAFLD patients were followed up for 11.5 ± 4.1 years (total 3554 person‐years). The overall calculated 10‐year CHD risk was significantly higher in the NAFLD cohort than the absolute CHD risk predicted by the FRS for persons of the same age and gender (10.9 ± 9.3% vs. 9.9 ± 5.9%, respectively, P < 0.0001), and higher in men than women (12.6 ± 10.3% vs. 9....

Psychiatric Disorders in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease

AAP Grand Rounds — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: AAP Grand Rounds)

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Med Sci Monit 2012; 18(2):CR93-104 "Dentigenous infectious foci – a risk factor of infective endocarditis"

Medical Science Monitor — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Among various dentigenous, infectious foci, the intradental foci appear to constitute a risk factor for infective endocarditis. (Source: Medical Science Monitor)

Heart Disease Tradeoffs: The Built Environment, Air Pollution, and Activity

EHP-in-Press — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: EHP-in-Press)

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and its associated risk factors: the first report from iran using both microalbuminuria and urine sediment.

Archives of Iranian Medicine — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: CKD and its main risk factors are common and represent a definite health threat in this region of Iran. Using and standardizing less expensive screening tests in low resource countries could be a good alternative that may improve the outcome through early detection of CKD. PMID: 22292573 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Archives of Iranian Medicine)

ABO-incompatible heart transplantation: Analysis of the Pediatric Heart Transplant Study (PHTS) database

The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: In center and risk adjusted analysis, young children who received an ABOi transplant had equivalent one-year survival and freedom from rejection compared with those who received an ABOc transplant. In spite of the favorable outcome for ABOi recipients, many centers appear to reserve ABOi transplantation for sicker patients. These data mandate reexamination of the current United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) policy that gives priority to ABOc over ABOi transplantation in the United States. (Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation)

Combined heart and liver transplantation in an adult with familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia and severe ischemic cardiomyopathy

The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal-dominant disorder caused by mutations in the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor. The clinical manifestations of FH include severe atherosclerosis and premature heart disease. Liver transplantation restores defective LDL receptors and has been used for long-term treatment in homozygous FH. (Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation)

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Sleep duration pattern and chronic diseases in Brazilian adults (ISACAMP, 2008/09)

Sleep Medicine — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Socio-demographic factors and health diseases were associated to sleep duration. This issue should be considered in health promotion strategies. (Source: Sleep Medicine)

Severe obstructive sleep apnea increases mortality in patients with ischemic heart disease and myocardial injury.

Sleep and Breathing — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The severity of obstructive sleep apnea is associated with increased risk of death, and risk stratification based on OSA severity is relevant even in the diseased cardiac patient. PMID: 22294346 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Sleep and Breathing)

Detection of periodontal bacteria in thrombi of patients with acute myocardial infarction by polymerase chain reaction

American Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Three species of periodontal bacteria were detected in the thrombi of patients with acute myocardial infarction. This raises the possibility that such bacteria are latently present in plaque and also suggests that these bacteria might have a role in plaque inflammation and instability. (Source: American Heart Journal)

Efficacy and safety of enoxaparin compared with unfractionated heparin in the pharmacoinvasive management of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: Insights from the TRANSFER-AMI trial

American Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Aims: An early invasive strategy after fibrinolysis for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) improves outcomes, but the relative efficacy and safety of enoxaparin compared with unfractionated heparin (UFH) as part of this approach are unknown.Methods and Results: In the TRANSFER-AMI trial, patients with high-risk STEMI received fibrinolysis and were then randomized to either standard treatment or to immediate transfer for coronary angiography. In this substudy, the outcome of patients aged (Source: American Heart Journal)

Reduced immediate ischemic events with cangrelor in PCI: A pooled analysis of the CHAMPION trials using the universal definition of myocardial infarction

American Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: With the use of the universal definition of myocardial infarction, cangrelor was associated with a significant reduction in early ischemic events when compared with clopidogrel in patients with non–ST-elevation ACS undergoing PCI. (Source: American Heart Journal)

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Statin treatment for coronary artery plaque composition based on intravascular ultrasound radiofrequency data analysis

American Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Both pitavastatin and pravastatin altered coronary artery plaque composition by significantly decreasing the fibrofatty plaque component and increasing the calcified plaque component. (Source: American Heart Journal)

Single high-dose erythropoietin administration immediately after reperfusion in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: results of the Erythropoietin in Myocardial Infarction Trial

American Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Single high-dose EPO administered immediately after successful reperfusion in patients with STEMI did not reduce infarct size at 3-month follow-up. However, this regimen decreased the incidence of MVO and was associated with transient favorable effects on LV volume and function. (Source: American Heart Journal)

Circadian variations of ischemic burden among patients with myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

American Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: This study demonstrates an independent correlation between the infarct size of STEMI patients treated by PPCI and the time of the day at which symptoms occurred. These results suggest that time of the day should be a critical issue to look at when assessing prognosis of patients with myocardial infarction. (Source: American Heart Journal)

Associations of pentraxin-3 with cardiovascular events, incident heart failure, and mortality among persons with coronary heart disease: Data from the Heart and Soul Study

American Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Among persons with stable CHD, higher PTX3 concentrations were associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality, CV events, and incident HF independently of systemic inflammation. Adjustment for eGFR modestly attenuated these associations, suggesting that future studies of PTX3 should adjust for kidney function. (Source: American Heart Journal)

Cardiopulmonary exercise function among patients undergoing transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation in the US Melody valve investigational trial

American Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: In patients with RV to pulmonary artery conduit dysfunction, TPV is associated with modest improvement in exercise capacity and gas exchange efficiency during exercise. (Source: American Heart Journal)

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Survival and predictive factors of mortality after 30 days in patients treated with percutaneous implantation of the CoreValve aortic prosthesis

American Heart Journal — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation with the CoreValve prosthesis for patients with aortic stenosis and a high surgical risk is a safe, efficient option resulting in a medium-term clinical improvement. Survival during follow-up depends on the associated comorbidities. Early mortality beyond 30 days is predicted by preoperative comorbidity scores and the functional status of the patient. (Source: American Heart Journal)

Drosophila as a Model to Study the Genetic Mechanisms of Obesity‐Associated Heart Dysfunction.

Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractObesity and cardiovascular disease are among the world's leading causes of death, especially in Western countries where consumption of high caloric food is commonly accompanied by low physical activity. This lifestyle often leads to energy imbalance, obesity, diabetes, and their associated metabolic disorders, including cardiovascular diseases. It has become increasingly recognized that obesity and cardiovascular disease are metabolically linked, and a better understanding of this relationship requires that we uncover the fundamental genetic mechanisms controlling obesity‐related heart dysfunction, a goal that has been difficult to achieve in higher organisms with intricate metabolic complexity. However, the high degree of evolutionary conservation of genes and signaling pathways...

Comparison Between Atrial Fibrillation‐Triggered Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillator (ICD) Shocks and Inappropriate Shocks Caused by Lead Failure:

Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Multiple ICD shocks triggered by AF are associated with a worse prognosis in ICD patients, whereas a single shock due to AF or shocks resulting from lead failure are not. These data support that the ICD shock itself has no worse impact on the outcome of ICD patients. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. pp. 1‐6) (Source: Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology)

Hostile Social Interactions May Increase InflammationHostile Social Interactions May Increase Inflammation

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:41:53 +0100

Hostile and competitive social interactions may increase proinflammatory cytokine reactivity, a phenomenon that has been linked to hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Severe obstructive sleep apnea increases mortality in patients with ischemic heart disease and myocardial injury

Sleep and Breathing — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:46:11 +0100

Conclusions The severity of obstructive sleep apnea is associated with increased risk of death, and risk stratification based on OSA severity is relevant even in the diseased cardiac patient. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-7DOI 10.1007/s11325-012-0653-yAuthors Christine H. Won, UCSF Sleep Disorders Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USAHyung J. Chun, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USASuparna M. Chandra, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USAPriscilla S. Sarinas, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, CA, USARajinder K. Chitkara, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, CA, USAPaul A. Heidenreich, Div...

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Video: Statins good for women too, study shows

Health News: CBSNews.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:49:50 +0100

New research indicates the cholesterol drugs known as statins are just as effective for women as men in treating heart disease. CBS News medical contributor Dr. Holly Phillips discusses the new study and what it means for women. (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)

Study: Statins work as well for women as men

Health News: CBSNews.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:45:20 +0100

Research reviewed 18 trials, found drugs decreased risk of heart disease, stroke and death about 20 percent in men and women (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)

Mayo Clinic Releases Book With Action Plan to Help Beat Heart Disease

Mayo Clinic Health Information — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:22:30 +0100

A new book, Mayo Clinic Healthy Heart For Life! provides the latest, clinically proven information on heart disease prevention and a step-by-step quick-start plan that breaks through the clutter and helps people understand exactly where to focus. (Source: Mayo Clinic Health Information)

No evidence milk boosts brain power

NHS News Feed — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:15:00 +0100

Conclusion Contrary to the headlines, this study does not show that dairy food consumption has benefits for mental functioning. All it can do is provide a “snapshot” of a group of people’s dairy consumption and their mental functioning at one point in time. Some limitations are that: It relied on people self-reporting their dairy intake, which introduces the possibility of error. It is possible that many other factors (known as confounders) might have affected the results, including exercise habits, alcohol and stress levels, although researchers tried to adjust their findings for some of these. As the authors acknowledge, the dietary questionnaire did not specify size of portions or servings, which undermines the accuracy of estimated intakes. Dairy products contain many ...

Healthy heart for life: Avoiding heart disease

MayoClinic.com Full Feed — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

Preventing heart disease begins with small steps. Find out more about maintaining a healthy heart. (Source: MayoClinic.com Full Feed)

Indicators of the atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype measured with density gradient ultracentrifugation predict changes in carotid intima-media thickness in men and women.

Atherosclerosis — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:18:07 +0100

CONCLUSION: These data indicate that DGU-derived indicators of the "atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype," including increased TG-rich lipoprotein cholesterol, lower HDL-C and HDL-C subfractions, and a greater proportion of LDL-C carried by more dense LDL particles, are associated with CIMT progression in men and women at moderate risk for coronary heart disease. PMID: 22272073 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Atherosclerosis)

The Influence of Low and Moderate Carotid Stenosis on Neurophysiologic Status of Patients Undergoing on-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Atherosclerosis — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:18:06 +0100

Conclusion: Our results suggest that the presence of low and moderate ICA stenosis is one of the factors affecting the neurophysiologic status of CHD patients. It has been assumed that the patients with ≤50% ICA stenoses constitute a high-risk group for cerebral complications after on-pump CABG. PMID: 22279441 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Atherosclerosis)

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Chronic hyperglycemia and subclinical myocardial injury.

Atherosclerosis — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Higher HbA1c is associated with elevated hs-cTnT among persons without clinically evident CHD, suggesting that hyperglycemia contributes to myocardial injury beyond its effects on development of clinical atherosclerotic coronary disease. PMID: 22281251 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Atherosclerosis)

When Does Stress Cause Heart Disease?

About.com Eating Disorders — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Emotional stress, of certain types and in certain people, may participate in the development of chronic heart disease, and can even trigger acute cardiac crises. (Source: About.com Eating Disorders)

Preventing Stress-Related Heart Problems

About.com Eating Disorders — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Under certain circumstances, emotional stress can play a role in the development of heart disease. If you are experiencing significant stress and are reacting to it negatively, you should be concerned about preventing stress-related heart problems. (Source: About.com Eating Disorders)

Natural Heart Disease Remedies

About.com Eating Disorders — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Learn how certain natural remedies may help you stave off heart disease (the number-one cause of death in the country). (Source: About.com Eating Disorders)

Endothelial dysfunction as a cellular mechanism for vascular failure

AJP: Heart and Circulatory Physiology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The regulation of vascular tone, vascular permeability, and thromboresistance is essential to maintain blood circulation and therefore tissue environments under physiological conditions. Atherogenic stimuli, including diabetes, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress, induce vascular dysfunction, leading to atherosclerosis, which is a key pathological basis for cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic heart disease and stroke. We have proposed a novel concept termed "vascular failure" to comprehensively recognize the vascular dysfunction that contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Vascular endothelial cells form the vascular endothelium as a monolayer that covers the vascular lumen and serves as an interface between circulating blood and immune cells. Endothelial cells regul...

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The story so far: post-translational regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors by ubiquitination and SUMOylation

AJP: Heart and Circulatory Physiology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Many studies have implicated the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) family of nuclear receptor transcription factors in regulating cardiac substrate metabolism and ATP generation. Recently, evidence from a variety of cell culture and organ systems has implicated ubiquitin and small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) conjugation as post-translational modifications that regulate the activity of PPAR transcription factors and their coreceptors/coactivators. Here we introduce the ubiquitin and SUMO conjugation systems and extensively review how they have been shown to regulate all three PPAR isoforms (PPARα, PPARβ/, and PPAR) in addition to the retinoid X receptor and PPAR coactivator-1α subunits of the larger PPAR transcription factor complex. We then present how t...

Decreased free sphingoid base concentration in the plasma of patients with chronic systolic heart failure.

Advances in Medical Sciences — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: We conclude that chronic heart failure is associated with decreased concentration of free sphingoid bases in the plasma. However, despite lower availability of substrates required for synthesis of cardioprotective sphingoid base-1 phosphates, their plasma level remains stable. PMID: 22296975 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Advances in Medical Sciences)

Rheumatic Heart Disease in Pregnancy – cardiac and obstetric outcomes

Internal Medicine Journal — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: RHD has a major impact on maternal cardiac outcomes. However, with current management practices maternal and fetal mortality are low, and the incidence of complications is predictable based on known risk factors. (Source: Internal Medicine Journal)

Long-term survival of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy treated by coronary artery bypass grafting versus medical therapy.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:20:40 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Among a propensity-matched, risk-adjusted, observational cohort of patients with coronary artery disease, left ventricular ejection fraction less than 0.35, and no left main disease of greater than 50%, CABG is associated with a survival advantage over MED through 10 years of follow-up. PMID: 22269720 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Annals of Thoracic Surgery)

Colds, heart disease, even cancer: Why the weather could be to blame

the Mail online | Health — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:14:07 +0100

Low levels of the ‘sunshine vitamin’ have been linked to conditions ranging from diabetes to multiple sclerosis. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

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Alcohol and your heart: Friend or foe?

ScienceDaily Headlines — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:11:11 +0100

A meta-analysis of the relationship between alcohol consumption and heart disease provides new insight into the long-held belief that drinking a glass of red wine a day can help protect against heart disease. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Chest Pain in Children: Is It Cardiac?Chest Pain in Children: Is It Cardiac?

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:43:20 +0100

A large study provides some reassurance to primary care providers faced with a child experiencing chest pain and parents worried about heart disease. Medscape Pediatrics (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Doctor, Did You Check Your Checklist?

News stories via the Rural Assistance Center — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:06:20 +0100

Kaiser Health News article discusses patient safety issues and how faulty hospital care is one of the leading causes of death, behind heart disease and cancer. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)

Vital Signs: Screenings: Take Blood Pressure in Both Arms, Study Says

NYT Health — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:32:54 +0100

Differences in blood pressure readings between a patient's right and left arms could be a sign of vascular disease and a greater risk of dying from heart disease. (Source: NYT Health)

New BP research

BHF National News — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0100

Measuring blood pressure in both arms could help doctors determine heart disease risk (Source: BHF National News)

Spatial Distribution and Secular Trends in the Epidemiology of Alzheimer's Disease

Neuroimaging Clinics — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:34:03 +0100

There are well-established differences in dementia incidence between communities and within communities over time. In part, these differences may be attributable to local improvements in dementia diagnosis and classification. Nevertheless, there are grounds for cautious optimism that there have been slight, but significant, recent reductions in dementia incidence. Possible causes include public health measures to reduce mortality attributable to stroke and heart disease, improved nutrition, and greater personal wealth. A life-course approach to dementia pathophysiology may help to elucidate the nature and timing of interventions that might delay dementia onset. (Source: Neuroimaging Clinics)

Study Of Genetic Regulation Of Metabolomic Biomarkers - Paths To Cardiovascular Diseases And Type 2 Diabetes

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0100

In a study into the genetic variance of human metabolism, researchers have identified thirty one regions of the genome that were associated with levels of circulating metabolites, i.e., small molecules that take part in various chemical reactions of human body. Many of the studied metabolites are biomarkers for cardiovascular disease or related disorders, thus the loci uncovered may provide valuable insight into the biological processes leading to common diseases. Laboratory tests used in the clinic typically monitor one or few circulating metabolites... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

New Genetic Study Links Body Clock Receptor To Diabetes

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0100

A study published in Nature Genetics has found new evidence for a link between the body clock hormone melatonin and type 2 diabetes. The study found that people who carry rare genetic mutations in the receptor for melatonin have a much higher risk of type 2 diabetes. The findings should help scientists to more accurately assess personal diabetes risk and could lead to the development of personalised treatments. Previous research has found that people who work night shifts have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Hsp90 and its co-chaperone, Sgt1, as autoantigens in dilated cardiomyopathy

Heart and Vessels — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:32:12 +0100

Abstract Recently, it has been suggested that some heat shock proteins such as Hsp70 and Hsp60 are involved in autoimmune diseases including cardiospecific ones. In this work we focused on the involvement of another well known heat shock protein, Hsp90, and its novel co-chaperone, Sgt1, in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). We found that the level of autoantibodies against these two proteins was significantly higher in patients with DCM and ischemic heart disease than in sera of healthy donors. We have also analyzed the expression level and subcellular localization of Hsp90 and Sgt1 in diseased myocardia. Using Western blot we found changes in subcellular localization of Hsp90 in the left ventricle of DCM hearts while the total level of this protein remained unchanged. Regardin...

Alcohol and your heart: Friend or foe?

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) A meta-analysis done by the Center for Addiction and Mental Health into the relationship between alcohol consumption and heart disease provides new insight into the long-held belief that drinking a glass of red wine a day can help protect against heart disease. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Mayo Clinic releases book with action plan to help beat heart disease

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Mayo Clinic) Based on an innovative yet simple "Eat 5, Move 10, Sleep 8" program, 'Mayo Clinic Healthy Heart For Life!' provides the latest, clinically proven information on heart disease prevention and a step-by-step quick-start plan that breaks through the clutter and helps people understand exactly where to focus. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Lifestyle physical activity among urban Palestinians and Israelis: a cross-sectional comparison in the Palestinian-Israeli Jerusalem risk factor study

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of insufficient PA and its socio-demographic correlates among urban Palestinians in comparison with Israelis. Methods: An age-sex stratified random sample of Palestinians and Israelis aged 25-74 years living in east and west Jerusalem was drawn from the Israel National Population Registry: 970 Palestinians and 712 Israelis participated. PA in a typical week was assessed by the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) questionnaire. Energy expenditure (EE), calculated in metabolic equivalents (METs), was compared between groups for moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and for domain-specific prevalence rates of meeting public health guidelines and all-domain insufficient PA. Correlates of ...

Ferroelectric switching discovered for first time in soft biological tissue

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(University of Washington) The walls of the aorta, the largest blood vessel carrying blood from the heart, exhibits a response to electric fields known to exist in inorganic and synthetic materials. The discovery could have implications for treating human heart disease. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

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The therapeutic effect of Rosuvastatin on cardiac remodeling from hypertrophy to fibrosis during the end‐stage hypertension in rats

Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionThe present study revealed that old‐aged SHRs developed cardiac remodeling from hypertrophy to fibrosis via cardiac apoptosis during the end stage of hypertensive heart disease. These pathological changes might be the consequence of activation of AT1 Receptor‐PKCβ2/α‐ERK‐c‐fos and AKT‐FOXO1/Bcl‐2/survivin/Caspase3 signaling. Rosuvastatin effectively attenuated the structural changes by reversing the signaling transductions involved.© 2012 The Authors Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine © 2012 Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine/Blackwell Publishing Ltd (Source: Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine)

Treating Complex Patients With Diabetes and Heart DiseaseTreating Complex Patients With Diabetes and Heart Disease

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:00:00 +0100

This article assesses a team-based care management program designed to help. Annals of Family Medicine (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Pretest heart disease probability ‘should be considered’ before using CTA

MedWire News - Cardiology — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Pretest probability for coronary artery disease and coronary calcium scoring should be considered before using computed tomography angiography for excluding obstructive CAD, researchers say. (Source: MedWire News - Cardiology)

Well Blog: Take Blood Pressure in Both Arms, Study Says

NYT Health — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:30:31 +0100

Differences in blood pressure readings between a patient's right and left arms could be a sign of vascular disease and a greater risk of dying from heart disease. (Source: NYT Health)

Well: Take Blood Pressure in Both Arms, Study Says

NYT Health — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:30:31 +0100

Differences in blood pressure readings between a patient's right and left arms could be a sign of vascular disease and a greater risk of dying from heart disease. (Source: NYT Health)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

People who struggle to sleep six times more likely to develop diabetes

the Mail online | Health — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:45:50 +0100

Those who continually toss and turn are six times more likely to develop diabetes and heart disease. The symptoms developed after just three days of disrupted sleep. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography in Congenital Heart Disease

Echocardiography — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:01:22 +0100

Complex intracardiac anatomy and spatial relationships are inherent to congenital heart defects (CHDs). Recognition of the limitations of two‐dimensional echocardiography has stimulated clinical interest in three‐dimensional imaging. The current review examines contemporary studies in the following areas where three‐dimensional echocardiography has provided additive value in CHD: (1) visualization of morphology, (2) quantitation of chamber sizes and ventricular function, and (3) image‐guided interventions. (Echocardiography 2012;29:242‐247) (Source: Echocardiography)

Real Time Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography for Evaluation of Congenital Heart Defects: State of the Art

Echocardiography — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:01:20 +0100

Real time three‐dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) has been increasingly used in the diagnosis and assessment of congenital heart disease. A growing body of literature suggests that this new technology can be used as an integrated approach to assess the morphology of simple and complex congenital heart defects, flow abnormality, and left, right, and single ventricular function both qualitatively and quantitatively. This review summarizes the available evidence for the use of RT3DE in each of these areas. Future technology refinement in RT3DE and development of practice guidelines will increase the utilization of this new technology as a valuable tool to compliment 2D echocardiography/Doppler in clinical care and research to improve the care and outcome of congenital heart disease. (Ech...

Patient-specific simulations of transcatheter aortic valve stent implantation

Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:36:48 +0100

In this study, patient-specific analyses were performed to explore the feasibility of TAVI in morphologies, which are currently borderline cases for a percutaneous approach. Five patients were recruited: four patients with failed bioprosthetic aortic valves (stenosis) and one patient with an incompetent, native aortic valve. Three-dimensional models of the implantation sites were reconstructed from computed tomography images. Within these realistic geometries, TAVI with an Edwards Sapien stent was simulated using finite element (FE) modelling. Engineering and clinical outcomes were assessed. In all patients, FE analysis proved that TAVI was morphologically feasible. After the implantation, stress distribution showed no risks of immediate device failure and geometric orifice areas inc...