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.

Lipoprotein(a) not linked to increased CVD risk in ACS patients after all

Although the atherogenic lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has been associated with incident cardiovascular disease, its concentration doesn’t predict the risk of ischemic cardiovascular events following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients receiving other therapies, a study published in JAMA Cardiology reports.

October 26, 2017

Rebound hyperthermia dangerous for the neurological health of comatose heart patients

Postcardiac arrest patients who experience rebound hyperthermia (RH) after targeted temperature management (TTM) therapy could be at a greater risk for developing neurological disabilities, a study published in Therapeutic Hypothermia and Temperature Management states.

October 25, 2017

Non-MI patients with elevated cardiac troponin remain at increased risk

Any detectable level of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) measured in an emergency department (ED) was associated with worse long-term survival—even when not accompanied by acute conditions known to impact troponin levels—according to a Swedish study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

October 25, 2017

Half of smokers continue the habit after a cardiovascular event

Half of habitual smokers who experience myocardial infarction (MI), stroke or other adverse cardiovascular events continue to smoke cigarettes after hospitalization, a study from South Korea has found.

October 24, 2017

Diabetes may affect heart attack symptoms, delay diagnosis

Diabetics may feel less pain during a heart attack than other people, leading to inaccurate self-diagnoses and delays in seeking treatment, according to a small qualitative study published online in BMJ Open.

October 23, 2017

Physicians in Argentina slash treatment time for heart attack patients using WhatsApp

A free messaging app is helping Argentinian doctors diagnose and treat heart attack patients more quickly, leading to reduced rates of mortality from sudden cardiac arrest.

October 19, 2017

Young, white men who exercise excessively face risk for subclinical atherosclerosis

Young, white men could be at risk for plaque buildup and future subclinical atherosclerosis if they’re extremely active, a new study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings reports.

October 18, 2017

Sexual assault, natural disasters and other trauma linked to increased CVD risk in menopausal women

Traumatic experiences like sexual assault, car accidents and living through a natural disaster could increase risk of heart disease for menopausal women, according to research presented at this week’s North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.

October 11, 2017

Around the web

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

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."

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