Acute Coronary Syndromes

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is most commonly caused by a heart attack (myocardial infarction) where blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked. This is usually caused by a blood clot from a ruptured coronary artery atherosclerotic plaque. Other causes include spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), which most commonly occurs in women. ACS is usually treated in a cath lab with angioplasty and the placement of a stent to prop the vessel open.

$Performing CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) improves the accuracy of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and helps limit unneeded invasive coronary angiography (ICA), according to a new study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. Heartflow$
New cardiac imaging strategy could reduce ICA, PCI rates
Radiologists with Massachusetts General Hospital found that the selective use of cardiac CT and AI-based CAD evaluations could make a significant impact on patient care.
Critics call out ‘woefully inadequate’ CMS proposal for inpatient Medicare payments
CMS has issued its proposed rule for the 2025 Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment system, suggesting a payment increase of 2.6%. According to the American Hospital Association, this update would not be enough at a time when hospitals are already struggling to stay open.
FDA grants new imaging tool for CTO interventions its breakthrough device designation
The new device delivers real-time OCT visualization during revascularization procedures.
ACC.24: Impella CP boosts survival for patients with STEMI-related cardiogenic shock
“This is the first time in a very long time that we have a positive study for managing cardiogenic shock,” one cardiologist said.
Day 1 at ACC.24: Late-breakers examine potential new heart attack, heart failure treatments
ACC.24 in Atlanta began Saturday, April 6, with a series of late-breaking clinical trials exploring brand new treatment strategies.

2024 has been a banner year for structural heart treatments, especially those focused on the tricuspid valve. In February, for example, Edwards Lifesciences made history when its Evoque transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) system became the first device of its kind to gain U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for treating tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Two months later, Abbott’s TriClip transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) system also gained FDA approval for the treatment of TR.

New drugs, updated treatment strategies: 5 important trends in cardiology from an eventful 2023

Revisit some of the year's biggest trends in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease.

December 20, 2023

Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

Hybrid coronary revascularization vs. CABG for multivessel CAD: New meta-analysis tracks long-term outcomes

A hybrid approach may increase the risk of certain adverse events, according to a new meta-analysis focused on long-term outcomes.

December 18, 2023

‘A true breakthrough’: The eye-opening potential of GLP-1 agonists to treat heart, kidney disease in addition to obesity

While GLP-1 drugs were originally developed to treat diabetes, researchers keep finding additional ways these medications can potentially benefit patients.

December 15, 2023

Deaths from CVD are on the rise, cardiologists warn—high blood pressure, obesity remain 2 primary culprits

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of mortality in the world, responsible for nearly 20 million deaths in 2022 alone.

December 11, 2023

ADHD medications associated with heightened CVD risk

"Although the effectiveness of ADHD medications has been demonstrated ... concerns remain regarding their potential cardiovascular safety," one research explained.

November 22, 2023

A new gene-editing therapy has been tested on humans for the first time, resulting in a significant reduction in their low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol that could potentially last for decades. The study’s authors presented these early results at the AHA 2023 meeting.

Gene-editing therapy lowers cholesterol in high-risk heart patients—one dose could potentially last decades

While the therapy has been successfully tested on animals in the past, this study represents the first time it has been used on humans.

November 17, 2023

American Heart Association and Joint Commission launch new Comprehensive Heart Attack Center certification.

CVD deaths have increased dramatically, undoing years of progress

The COVID-19 pandemic undid years and years of progress in terms of preventing CVD-related deaths. What can be done to help reverse this trend once and for all?

November 15, 2023

Rasha Al-Lamee, MBBS, PhD, a cardiologist with the National Heart and Lung Institute in London, presented ORBITA, commented on the ORBITA-2 findings at the American Heart Association (AHA) 2023 meeting. #AHA #AHA23 #AHA2023

PCI benefits patients with stable chest pain, late-breaking data confirm

“Going forward, patients and medical teams have a choice of two pathways for chest pain relief: chest pain medication or PCI," one cardiologist said.

November 13, 2023

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Acute Coronary Syndromes

New cardiac imaging strategy could reduce ICA, PCI rates

Critics call out ‘woefully inadequate’ CMS proposal for inpatient Medicare payments

FDA grants new imaging tool for CTO interventions its breakthrough device designation

ACC.24: Impella CP boosts survival for patients with STEMI-related cardiogenic shock

Day 1 at ACC.24: Late-breakers examine potential new heart attack, heart failure treatments

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