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.

AI-powered coronary plaque assessments show ‘strong agreement’ with IVUS
HeartFlow's noninvasive Plaque Analysis technology, which uses AI to evaluate CCTA images, delivered assessments that mostly lined up with IVUS results.
World Health Organization urges countries to limit salt intake to reduce risk of CVD, hypertension
The group wants countries to implement population-wide changes that can keep salt intake to a minimum. It estimates that such policies could save up to 900,000 lives in just a few years.
Mammogram findings linked to heightened risk of CVD, type 2 diabetes and hypertension
The new research, presented during ARRS 2024 in Boston, suggests CVD risk models may need to include certain findings identified in routine mammograms.
$Performing CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) improves the accuracy of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and helps limit unneeded invasive coronary angiography (ICA), according to a new study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. Heartflow$
AI-based CAD assessments dramatically improve vascular surgery outcomes
PAD patients evaluated with HeartFlow's noninvasive FFR_CTAnalysis technology prior to surgery experienced much better outcomes, including a 63% lower risk of all-cause mortality after five years.
Even lenient plant-based diets can help older adults live longer
Healthy diets that prioritize plant-based foods were associated with reductions in both all-cause mortality or CVD mortality. Diets do not have to be strictly vegan or vegetarian to make that impact, researchers noted.

Eating yogurt may decrease the risk of CVD

At least two servings of yogurt per week can decrease the chances of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) by up to 30 percent in hypertensive adults, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Hypertension.

February 21, 2018

What to expect at ACC 2018

The name of the game at this year’s American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Sessions is innovation. Between thousands of handpicked poster sessions, 20 late-breakers and a handful of featured clinical research trials, presenters will focus on the latest in cutting-edge cardiology, ACC leaders said at a Wednesday, Feb. 21 briefing.

February 21, 2018

Combination of AI, eye images could predict cardiovascular disease

Google researchers are testing an artificial intelligence (AI) platform that aims to predict a person’s risk of heart attack or stroke by examining images of the patient’s retina. They hope this method can eventually replace more invasive techniques for predicting cardiovascular disease.

February 20, 2018

Why is it more difficult to ID heart attacks in women?

Young women presenting to the hospital with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) report more non-chest related symptoms than men. Perhaps as a result of this complexity, patients and physicians are less likely to perceive those early symptoms as heart-related, according to a study published Feb. 19 in Circulation.

February 20, 2018

Meta-analysis: Combination of DOACs, antiplatelets only favorable for STEMI

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) provide additional benefit to antiplatelet therapy following acute coronary syndrome (ACS)—but only for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)—according to a meta-analysis in JAMA Cardiology.

February 12, 2018

Blood test after heart attack unveils another prognostic biomarker

A plasma test to determine the maximum density of a blood clot and how long it takes to break down could help identify heart attack patients at increased risk for cardiovascular death or another myocardial infarction (MI), according to a study published Jan. 29 in the European Heart Journal.

February 9, 2018

Routine tests could be missing 2/3 of heart attack diagnoses

Routine medical tests could be missing as many as two-thirds of heart attack diagnoses, researchers reported at CMR 2018, an annual conference dedicated to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in Barcelona, Spain.

February 2, 2018

Fish oil pills are prescribed to patients to help reduce cardiovascular risks from atherosclerosis.

Meta-analysis finds omega-3 supplements provide little benefit

Omega-3 supplements may not protect a patient from heart disease or vascular events, according to a meta-analysis published in JAMA Cardiology.

February 2, 2018

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Acute Coronary Syndromes

AI-powered coronary plaque assessments show ‘strong agreement’ with IVUS

World Health Organization urges countries to limit salt intake to reduce risk of CVD, hypertension

Mammogram findings linked to heightened risk of CVD, type 2 diabetes and hypertension

AI-based CAD assessments dramatically improve vascular surgery outcomes

Even lenient plant-based diets can help older adults live longer

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