Culture | Science Codex

High blood sugar lowers chances of surviving a heart attack

Patients with high blood sugar run an increased risk of dying if they have a heart attack, and diabetics are less likely to survive in-hospital cardiac arrest than non-diabetics, reveals research at the Sahlgrenska Academy, at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Diabetes is common among patients with coronary artery disease, and this is a potentially lethal combination: a thesis from the University of Gothenburg's Sahlgrenska Academy reveals that diabetes in coronary artery disease patients brings a significantly increased risk of premature death.

Platelet inhibitor reduces size of large heart attacks

CHICAGO -- The anti-platelet drug abciximab, delivered directly to lesions caused by a heart attack, significantly decreased damage to the heart muscle in high-risk patients while clot aspiration showed no impact, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session. The Scientific Session, the premier cardiovascular medical meeting, brings cardiovascular professionals together to further advances in the field.

3-drug regimen equal to double-dose 2-drug approach in preventing clots after angioplasty

CHICAGO -- In a comparison of drugs to prevent blood clots after angioplasty, a three-drug regimen favored in Asia to increase anti-clotting effect was found to be as safe and effective as a double-dose two-drug treatment commonly used in high-risk patients in Western countries, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session. The Scientific Session, the premier cardiovascular medical meeting, brings cardiovascular professionals together to further advances in the field.

Simple strategies boost use of guidelines to treat chest pain

CHICAGO -- A three-pronged intervention in Brazilian public hospitals significantly improved physician adherence to evidence-based protocols for treating acute coronary syndrome (ACS) – a type of disease causing chest pain from reduced blood flow to the heart, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session. The Scientific Session, the premier cardiovascular medical meeting, brings cardiovascular professionals together to further advances in the field.

Antiplatelet drug reduces damage to heart muscle in heart attack patients

CHICAGO, IL -- Researchers have found that the antiplatelet drug abciximab significantly decreased damage to the heart muscle in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, the most severe type of heart attack. Results of INFUSE-AMI trial were presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session and published simultaneously in the March 25th online issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers also found that clot aspiration did not significantly reduce the damage to the heart muscle.

Cardiac pre-participation screenings too restrictive for black athletes

CHICAGO -- Many athletes undergo cardiac screening to detect possible heart conditions before being allowed to participate in student or professional sports. Current European screening guidelines, which are based on data from white athletes, can lead to the over-investigation and potential false disqualification of healthy athletes of African or Afro-Caribbean descent, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session.

Chronic right ventricular pacing works for ICD patients with left ventricular dysfunction

CHICAGO—Cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillators (CRT-D) is appropriate for patients who have left ventricular dysfunction and require chronic ventricular pacing, based on the findings of an observational study that being presented March 26 that the 61st annual American College of Cardiology (ACC) scientific session.

Previous clinical findings have indicated that chronic right ventricular pacing may cause left ventricular remodeling and heart failure (HF), but current guidelines do not recommend CRT-D for patients without HF who need frequent ventricular pacing.

Bone marrow stem cells improve heart function, study finds

CHICAGO -- A research network led by a Mayo Clinic physician found that stem cells derived from heart failure patients' own bone marrow and injected into their hearts improved the function of the left ventricle, the heart's pumping chamber. Researchers also found that certain types of the stem cells were associated with the largest improvement and warrant further study.

The results were presented today at the 2012 American College of Cardiology Meeting in Chicago. They will also be published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Stem cell therapy possibly helpful in heart failure patients

CHICAGO -- A new study found that using a patient's own bone marrow cells may help repair damaged areas of the heart caused by heart failure, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session. The Scientific Session, the premier cardiovascular medical meeting, brings cardiovascular professionals together to further advances in the field.

New class of platelet blockers proves effective in phase III trial

CHICAGO -- Adding vorapaxar, an investigational platelet blocker, to standard antiplatelet therapy significantly reduces the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with known atherosclerosis, a hardening and narrowing of the arteries, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session. The Scientific Session, the premier cardiovascular medical meeting, brings cardiovascular professionals together to further advances in the field.

Tavi study shows low mortality rate, improvement in function at 30 days

CHICAGO -- Patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) at experienced medical centers had significant improvement in valve function as well as low mortality and stroke rates at 30 days, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session. The Scientific Session, the premier cardiovascular medical meeting, brings cardiovascular professionals together to further advances in the field.

Long-term outcomes of TAVI show non-cardiac co-morbidities main cause of mortality

CHICAGO -- Non-cardiac co-morbidities such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease and frailty are the main predictors of late mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), suggesting that patients with these conditions merit closer evaluation and follow-up, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session. The Scientific Session, the premier cardiovascular medical meeting, brings cardiovascular professionals together to further advances in the field.

Binghamton University scholar advocates for additional corporate oversight

BINGHAMTON, NY – In the wake of the Enron and other corporate scandals, new research from Binghamton University suggests that strengthening parts of the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act would improve corporate performance and shareholder value.

Small change makes big difference in compliance rates for follow-up stress test after chest pain

CHICAGO -- Stress tests are an important tool to help diagnose narrowed arteries in people who come to the emergency room (ER) with chest pain, but who are not confirmed as having a heart attack. Scheduling a follow-up exercise stress test before patients leave the ER more than doubles their likelihood of following through with the test, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session.

Simple heart failure checklist reduces readmission rates, improves care, could save billions

CHICAGO -- Use of a new, simple and inexpensive checklist appears to drastically lower the likelihood of heart failure patient readmission and improve quality of care when used before patients leave the hospital, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session. The Scientific Session, the premier cardiovascular medical meeting, brings cardiovascular professionals together to further advances in the field.