Articles tagged ‘’

Big gaps in basic knowledge about the numbers and causes of apparently inexplicable heart attacks among young sportsmen and women are seriously hampering our ability to prevent them, according to a report¹ published recently in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) recently held its 61st Annual Scientific Sessions, presenting data for both renal denervation and Resolute Integrity™ zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES). Professor Martin T Rothman, Vice President of Medical Affairs for Coronary and Renal Denervation Business at Medtronic, gave his perspective on the presentations.

A large cohort study has found that the strongest risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF) in both men and women were a history of palpitations and hypertension.¹ While hypertension is a well known risk factor for AF, the investigators note that “the impact of self-reported palpitations on later occurrence of AF has not been documented earlier”.

Haemodynamics, exercise capacity and quality of life in INTERMACS (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support) 4, 5 and 6 patients¹ with chronic heart failure were significantly improved through a miniature ventricular support system (Synergy® CircuLite® Inc.), according to results² from the ongoing CE Mark trial.

Studies across Europe suggest that about one visit in 100 to the emergency departments of hospitals are due to fainting/temporary loss of consciousness (TLOC). In 2008 to 2009, nearly 120,000 people in England were admitted to hospital for fainting. Almost half of these were 75 years of age or over, showing that fainting becomes more common with age.¹

The Global Atrial Fibrillation Patient Charter, endorsed by 68 medical and patient organisations from 39 countries, was launched at the World Heart Federation’s recent World Congress of Cardiology Scientific Sessions 2012, along with the supporting Sign Against Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation campaign, to address atrial fibrillation (AF) as an under-recognised cardiovascular public health emergency.

Patients treated with single tablet regimens (STRs) are less likely to experience serious cardiovascular events than those on individual component therapy, according to a study published online recently by the Journal of Medical Economics.¹

New recommendations¹ on devices, drugs and diagnosis in heart failure were launched at the Heart Failure Congress 2012, held in Belgrade, Serbia, and published recently in the European Heart Journal.

“New oral anticoagulants are poised to replace vitamin K antagonists for many patients with atrial fibrillation, and may have a role after acute coronary syndromes,” according to a review published recently in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.¹

Specialists from the field of Cardiovascular Medicine will travel to Manchester at the end of May for the 2012 British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) Annual Conference.