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Even patients who were never hospitalized for COVID-19 face a heightened risk of cardiovascular issues. #longcovid

2 out of 5 AFib patients develop heart failure later in life

Stroke is typically seen as the biggest danger for patients after they receive an AFib diagnosis. This study, however, suggests heart failure could be an even bigger threat.

TAVR JenaValve Trilogy Heart Valve System pure AR

Cardiologists make history, perform first-ever transcaval TAVR for pure aortic regurgitation

The 65-year-old male patient presented with a long medical history and many comorbidities, making surgery too risky.

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.

Q&A: Interventional cardiologist details key breakthroughs in tricuspid valve replacement and repair

How have recent FDA approvals for Edwards Lifesciences and Abbott changed patient care? Andrew Rassi, MD, answered that question—and many more—in a new interview.

Boston Scientific recalls premixed embolic agent after two deaths

There have been a total of 11 incidents so far, including seven injuries and two deaths. Boston Scientific said the agent can still be used if operators follow specific instructions during lower GI bleed embolization procedures.

Video interview with ACC President Cathie Biga on goals for college over the next year and trends she saw at ACC 2024.

New ACC President Cathie Biga wants to improve quality reporting in cardiology

Biga, who originally trained as a nurse, specializes in the business side of cardiology. She also emphasized the increasing importance of AI and other new technologies.

FDA grants fast track designation to new drug for Friedreich's ataxia cardiomyopathy

The new gene therapy candidate is now one step closer to being approved by the FDA.

A study that analyzed patient outcomes in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in veterans showed outcomes for on-pump and off-pump procedures over 10 years to be similar. Photo by Jim Lennon

Anemia may help explain why women are more likely to die during heart bypass surgery

Finding new ways to avoid intraoperative anemia could go a long way toward improving outcomes for female CABG patients. The full analysis, based on more than 1.4 million patients, was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

$Performing CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) improves the accuracy of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and helps limit unneeded invasive coronary angiography (ICA), according to a new study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. Heartflow$

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.

Elderly patient doctor. Despite an expanded indication from the FDA and lower prices, patient access to these cholesterol-lowering medications remains a significant issue.

OAC use among older AFib patients is on the rise

However, researchers noted, there is still considerable room for improvement.

Patients who take diuretics, renin-angiotensin system (RAD) inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at the same time face a much higher risk of developing acute kidney injury (AKI)

FDA warns 7 companies for illegally selling dietary supplements that claim to treat CVD

The companies were given 15 days to provide an adequate response to the FDA's warning. The agency said its next step could include legal action.

Cian McCarthy, MD, cardiovascular fellow, Massachusetts General Hospital, and a member of the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) Chest Pain-MI registry steering committee, explains a study of the NCDR data showing only 33% of hospitals are using high-sensitivity troponin. However, he expects that to rise because of high sensitivity troponin (hs-cTn) being included in recent guidelines as a front-line test.

VIDEO: High sensitivity cardiac troponin use based on the NCDR Chest Pain-MI Registry

Cian McCarthy, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital, and a member of the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) Chest Pain-MI registry steering committee, explains a study of the NCDR data showing only 33% of hospitals are using high-sensitivity troponin.

Flu Shots can help lower risk factors to prevent cardiac events in a new study. Flu shots are associated with a significant reduction in the risk of cardiovascular complications or pneumonia in patients with heart failure, according to new findings published in The Lancet Global Health.

Tracking the health benefits of influenza vaccines: ‘If you have heart failure, you should get your flu shot’

The new analysis focused on data from more than 5,000 heart failure patients throughout Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Around the web

Health Imaging

New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

Radiology Business

What does radiology have to do with climate change?

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

Radiology Business

Philips launches new AI-enabled CT scanner aimed at cardiology at ECR 2024

Philips introduced a new CT system at ECR aimed at the rapidly growing cardiac CT market, incorporating numerous AI features to optimize workflow and image quality.