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.

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.
Radial vs. femoral access during PCI: Real-world data show proof of a ‘sea change’ in cardiology
The use of radial access during PCI procedures is increasing throughout the United States, and new data presented at the SCAI's annual meeting suggest that could be beneficial for patients.

Psoriasis drugs may prevent atherosclerosis progression

Biologic treatment favorably modifies coronary plaque characteristics for patients with severe psoriasis, suggests a study published Feb. 5 in Cardiovascular Research. The findings raise the possibility that the anti-inflammatory drugs can both treat psoriasis and reduce cardiovascular risk.

February 5, 2019

Acute MI during pregnancy more common in recent years

The incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in pregnant women increased between 2005 and 2014, according to research published in the American Journal of Cardiology Jan. 25, but that hike was accompanied by decreases in mortality, cost of care and length of stay among expectant mothers.

January 31, 2019

Alirocumab reduces risk of initial and repeat CV events after ACS

An extended analysis of the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial has confirmed alirocumab, a PCSK9 inhibitor that hit the medical market in 2015, reduces a patient’s total risk of nonfatal and fatal cardiovascular events after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

January 30, 2019

Archaeologists find evidence heart disease was alive and well in the 1500s

Archeologists have uncovered evidence of atherosclerosis in a handful of 500-year-old mummies from Greenland, Forbes reported.

January 24, 2019

Troponin elevations in ‘normal range’ predict near-term cardiac events

Higher concentrations of troponin—even those that were within a “normal range”—signal increased odds of adverse outcomes among outpatients with stable chest pain, suggesting the biomarker test may improve risk stratification and inform management strategies for this common clinical scenario.

January 23, 2019

PCSK9 inhibitors might protect AMI survivors against reperfusion-related brain damage

Research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association Jan. 13 has concluded administering PCSK9 inhibitors to acute MI patients ahead of ischemia can mitigate the potential negative neurological effects that come with treatment.

January 17, 2019

Vaspin shows promise for predicting MACE in patients with AMI

Measuring blood levels of vaspin could independently predict major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients who have suffered acute myocardial infarction (AMI), according to research published Jan. 16 in the Journal of the American Heart Association, potentially improving early risk stratification in heart attack survivors.

January 16, 2019

Sleeping less than 6 hours a night could raise risk for atherosclerosis

Sleeping less than six hours a night or experiencing poor-quality rest has been independently linked to an increased risk of subclinical multiterritory atherosclerosis, a team of Spanish researchers reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology Jan. 14.

January 15, 2019

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Acute Coronary Syndromes

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

Radial vs. femoral access during PCI: Real-world data show proof of a ‘sea change’ in cardiology

Around the web