Articles tagged ‘’

The theme of this year’s World Stroke Day on 29th October is “What can I do?”. As the World Stroke Organization says, everyone can do something: learn to recognise symptoms and take action, learn to recognise the risk factors and take action.

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has recently commented on recent media reports that France is preparing to authorise the sale of cigarettes on the internet, to conform to European rights. Although Budget Minister Eric Woerth denies that this is the intention, the news is disappointing given the drop in heart attack rates following last year’s smoking ban.

Over one thousand delegates attended the Heart Rhythm Congress (HRC) 2009, held recently in Birmingham. Reflecting the increasing interest in the fast moving field of pacing, devices and all aspects of heart rhythm control, the congress caters for leading cardiac electrophysiology clinicians, cardiology trainees, supporting health professionals and also included presentations and a special exhibition for patient groups.

Marking, World Heart Day, held on 27 September 2009, the World Heart Federation, the World Health Organization and the World Economic Forum joined forces to call on governments, employers and workers around the world to make workplaces healthier.

Sanofi-aventis has announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has adopted a positive opinion recommending to grant a marketing authorization in the European Union for Multaq® (dronedarone – 400mg Tablets).

Professor Drexler was an active member of the European Society of Cardiology and sat on the board of the Heart Failure Association (HFA). Although Heart Failure was his main passion, Professor Drexler was also an important figure in stem-cell research. He was a principle investigator in the BOOST study and the CADS trial – a comparison of Captopril and Digoxin in patients with LV – dysfunction after myocardial infarction.

Cardiac arrest without evident cardiac disease may be caused by subclinical genetic conditions. Systematic provocative testing may unmask a phenotype of primary electrical disease. How often is an aetiology identified in patients who present with unexplained sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)?

A new definition of syncope – was discussed at the European Society of Cardiology meeting in Barcelona. The new definition– makes the diagnosis more precise and now dependent on a specific cause. Restrictions on driving are not recommended for drivers with mild reflex syncope.

Up to 1 in 4 patients thought to be suffering from epilepsy do not actually have this condition. Now an implantable ECG monitor allows detection of abnormal heart rate causing syncope, according to a presentation during the European Society of Cardiology recent congress in Barcelona.

Stroke is a major cause of mortality in the UK, accounting for about 53 000 deaths annually. 12 5000 strokes per year are thought to be directly attributable to atrial fibrillation (AF). Now two publications are available to update health care professionals on this challenging clinical problem.