Telecare and telehealth systems will be rolled out to the homes of three million people over the next five years as part of a plan to help patients and reduce costs, according to a recent announcement by Prime Minister David Cameron.
ARWatch
Telemedicine gets the OK from DOH
IN THIS ISSUE
CRT comes of age
Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) reduces rates of death and re-hospitalisation among heart failure patients according to the European CRT Survey, follow-up results from which were published recently in the European Journal of Heart Failure.1
TAVI-related new onset AF increases stroke risk
New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is associated with higher rates of stroke, and can be independently predicted by larger atrial size and transapical approach, according to a study published recently in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.1
Echo targets cancer drug cardiotoxicity
Echocardiography has a central role to play in identifying patients at cardiac risk from cancer therapies, and evaluating potential cardioprotective treatments, according to two studies presented recently at the European Society of Echocardiography’s annual ‘EUROECHO and other Imaging Modalities’ 2011 Congress in Budapest, Hungary.
British Red Cross launch first aid app
The British Red Cross has launched a free first aid app, advising smartphone users on how to act in an emergency. The app features advice on 18 everyday first aid scenarios, including cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Digoxin dose level monitoring improved
Two new clinical reference materials for digoxin have been developed by LGC, the UK’s National Measurement Institute for chemical and bioanalytical measurement.
Grim reaper’s walking speed measured
Men aged 70 and older can elude the Grim Reaper by walking at speeds of at least 3 miles (or 5 km) an hour, according to a study published recently in the Christmas issue of bmj.com.
Newspapers exaggerate survival after cardiac arrest
Newspapers tend to over-report cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) success stories, resulting in a skewed public perception of survival and neurological outcome after cardiac arrest, according to research published recently in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (JRSM).1
CURRENT NEWS
Welcome to new sponsor
We are delighted to welcome a new sponsor to Arrhythmia Watch. In April 2007 Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb formed an alliance to combine expertise, knowledge and resources to expand treatment possibilities. “Both have a long history of commitment in supporting the management of cardiovascular disease and are proud to extend this support to Arrhythmia Watch,” said a spokesperson.
Public health doctors top New Year’s Honours list
The number one medical specialty to appear on the New Year’s Honours list in the last decade is public health medicine, according to research published recently in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.1 However, like other doctors, they will have to work for over 30 years before being recognised.
Concern over NHS relying on consultants’ good will
Consultant physicians are increasingly working above and beyond their contracted hours, while the amount of time consultants have to spend with trainees is decreasing and some specialties are experiencing low levels of growth in consultant numbers, according to a census1 conducted by the Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians.
Rivaroxaban approved for prevention of non-valvular AF
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) has become the first once-daily, fixed-dose preventative treatment for UK patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) at risk of stroke, without the need for routine coagulation monitoring.
24,000 avoidable deaths per year in diabetes patients
Up to 24,000 people with diabetes are dying each year from causes that could be avoided through better management of their condition, according to the first ever report on mortality from the National Diabetes Audit.1
Rising premature mortality in European men
The health of European men is changing, with a reduction of 24 million men of working age (15-64) and an increase of 32 million men aged 65 and over across Europe by 2060, according to a report1 on the health of men in Europe recently debated at Leeds Metropolitan University.
PALLAS trial on dronedarone in AF now published
Dronedarone increases rates of serious vascular events in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) and additional cardiovascular risk factors, according to the PALLAS (Permanent Atrial Fibrillation Outcome Study Using Dronedarone on Top of Standard Therapy) trial1 published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Specialist heart valve clinic symposium
The British Heart Valve Society will host a specialist valve clinic symposium, held at Governors’ Hall, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, on the February 13th 2012. It is designed for those from all disciplines involved in heart valve disease including cardiology, sonography, cardiac physiology, cardiac nursing, primary care, public health, commissioning, and NHS management.
For more information, visit www.bhvs.org.uk.
Ambulatory ECG monitoring reviewed
Ambulatory external electrocardiogram (AECG) monitoring technology plays an important role in patients with known atrial fibrillation (AF) to guide ventricular rate control and anticoagulation therapy, and assess the efficacy of antiarrhythmic drug therapy and/or ablation procedures, according to a review published recently in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.1
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