First Optical Pacemaker For Laboratory Research Designed By Scientists In Japan
The world's first optical pacemaker is described in an article published in Optics Express, the Optical Society's open-access journal. A team of scientists at Osaka University in Japan show that powerful, but very short, laser pulses can help control the beating of heart muscle cells.
European Study Reveals Worrying Variations Between Countries And Doctors In The Treatment Of Heart Failure Patients
A Europe-wide survey has revealed significant differences between doctors in the way they treat patients with heart failure, with many physicians failing to give the best care to their patients despite the existence of recommended guidelines. The elderly are particularly at risk, with only about half of primary care physicians correctly referring those aged 65-80 with suspected heart failure to a specialist for diagnosis.
Heart Valve Repairs Markets In Europe Benefit From New Techniques
Price erosion, budgetary constraints, reimbursement issues and the cannibalisation of mechanical valves by tissue valves are all challenges facing the European heart valve repairs markets. However, the growth of tissue valves, paralleled by the rising popularity of minimally invasive techniques, will continue to drive the growth of this market.
Heart Doctors Don't Follow Guidelines For Treating Patients; Pre-operative Statins Reduce Deaths
2 separate studies reveal new findings on: Adherence to guidelines, and the best evidence so far that pre-operative statins reduce the risk of death and other complications after surgeryA Europe-wide survey has revealed significant differences between doctors in the way they treat patients with heart failure, with many physicians failing to give the best care to their patients despite the existence of recommended guidelines.
New NICE Guidance On Lowering Cholesterol For People At High Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the National Collaborating Centre for Primary Care (NCC PC) have today (28 May) issued new guidance to the NHS in England and Wales on the identification of people at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and on the use of lipid lowering drugs to reduce that risk.
Help Your Patients To Know Their Risk!
On the opening day of the World Congress of Cardiology 2008, the World Heart Federation is calling for health-care professionals to participate in this year's World Heart Day by offering heart-health checks, including blood pressure screening, to help patients and their families know their risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Long-Term Cognitive Decline In Bypass Patients Not Due To Surgery
Among the many factors involved in deciding how to treat coronary artery disease, physicians must evaluate overall outcomes and the potential for complications. Some studies have found that cognitive decline and neurologic complications, such as stroke, have been associated with coronary artery bypass surgery.
Sanofi Pharma Bristol-Myers Squibb SNC Withdraws Its Marketing Authorisation Application For DuoPlavin, Europe
The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has been formally notified by Sanofi Pharma Bristol-Myers Squibb SNC of its decision to withdraw its application for a centralised marketing authorisation for the medicine DuoPlavin (fixed-dose combination tablets of 75 mg clopidogrel/75 mg acetylsalicylic acid and 75 mg clopidogrel/100 mg acetylsalicylic acid).
Hypoxia Training Suppresses Harmful Cardiac Nitric Oxide Production During Heart Attack
Researchers at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas have demonstrated that, contrary to prevailing dogma, hypoxia can be remarkably beneficial to the heart. These discoveries, to be reported in the June 2008 issue of Experimental Biology and Medicine, may lead to a new paradigm to protect hearts of patients at risk of coronary disease.
Bivalirudin Shown To Improve Net Clinical Outcomes And Increase Survival In Heart Attack Patients
A study led by Gregg W. Stone, M.D.