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A US study published in Circulation [1] demonstrates that school based automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) provide high survival rates for both students and non students suffering sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) on school premises.

The Technion – Israel Institute of Technology has unveiled a miniature crawling robot (ViRob) at the recent Israel Life Sciences Industry Biomed Conference which measures just 1 millimeter in diameter and 14 mm in its entirety. The ViRob has the potential to perform precise medical procedures inside the human body in order to diagnose and potentially treat occlusive arterial disease and cancer.

Mortality in dialysis patients is extremely high, with an annual death rate of ~ 23%. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the single largest cause of death in dialysis patients accounting for ~ 60% of all cardiac deaths and 25% of all-cause mortality. The current status of medical and device interventions is reviewed in a comprehensive publication in the European Heart Journal. [1]

It has recently been announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of dronaderone (Multaq®) for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFL). Multaq® is the first drug approved in the United States that has shown a clinical benefit to reduce cardiovascular hospitalization in patients with AF/AFL.

Patients with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) have an ongoing risk of sudden incapacitation that might cause harm to others while driving a car. Driving restrictions are imposed making these recommendations an important guideline for patients.

The benefits derived from competitive sports and endurance training comes with a real – even if rare – twist. Because, while most people will enjoy the benefits and pleasures of exercise, there are a few for whom regular athletic training will increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias and even sudden death, especially among those in middle-age or with pre-existing cardiac diseases.

More European countries need to embrace the remote monitoring of cardiovascular implantable devices, rather than offering face to face clinic visits, concluded a press briefing at the recent EUROPACE 2009 meeting.

New research published by the Royal College of Physicians shows that more consultants on Acute Medical Units (AMUs) can reduce hospital stays and prevent inappropriate admissions in the first place.

Outpatient clinics in District General Hospitals operating on a weekly basis are not able to reach minimum standards for treating patients who have suffered a stroke, according to a new audit published by the Royal College of Physicians.