Study shows cardiovascular health benefits can begin shortly after quitting smoking
Quitting cigarettes can significantly lower a person's risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) compared to those who continue to smoke, according to a study published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. The findings show that the benefits of quitting start right away, suggesting that it is possible to reverse the risk of negative health outcomes.
Balloon Angioplasty Plus Medical Management for sICAS. Study
Adding balloon angioplasty to aggressive medical management significantly lowers the risk for stroke or death in patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (sICAS), results of a new randomized clinical trial showed.
Pilot: OCT Parameter Tracks Atherosclerosis Progression
The histopathological status of an atherosclerotic plaque can not only be quantified but also tracked over time by using a parameter calculated from optical coherence tomography (OCT) images, researchers from the Chinese PLA General Hospital in Beijing, China, have found.
Prehospital Cardiac Pacing Linked to High Mortality Rate in Patients With Bradycardia
A recent study has found prehospital transcutaneous cardiac pacing (TCP) in patients with bradycardia to be associated with a high mortality rate of 63.4%, and TCP failure associated with increased body weight, non-bradycardic initial heart rate, and pre-TCP hypoxia.
Cardiac magnetic resonance for ventricular arrhythmias
Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) allows comprehensive myocardial tissue characterisation, revealing areas of myocardial inflammation or fibrosis that may predispose to ventricular arrhythmias (VAs).
Prognostic value of plasma big endothelin-1 in patients with light chain cardiac amyloidosis
Light chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL-CA) is associated with a high incidence of mortality. Big endothelin-1 (ET-1), the precursor of endothelial-vasoconstrictive ET-1, is closely related to the concentration of bioactive ET-1. Association between big ET-1 and prognosis of AL-CA has not yet been documented. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of big ET-1 for poor outcomes in moderate to severe AL-CA.
Could Baseline MRIs Reshape Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment?
Adding baseline MRI to conventional prostate cancer risk stratification could improve prognostic accuracy, potentially affecting active surveillance and treatment decisions for some patients, according to the investigators on a new trial.
Untreated Hypertension Tied to Alzheimer's Disease Risk
Older adults with untreated hypertension have a 36% increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared with those without hypertension and a 42% increased risk for AD compared with those with treated hypertension.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation outcome in adults with acute respiratory distress
An increased death risk is associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome. For patients with advanced respiratory and circulatory problems, ECMO provides temporary heart and lung replacement as well as breathing support.
Comparison of the age of cardiovascular diseases among military personnel with other occupational groups
Military personnel, as one of the most essential occupational groups, are at a risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. This study compared military personnel with other occupational groups regarding the age at which they developed cardiovascular diseases and hospitalization due to these diseases.
Nobel Prize in medicine goes to two American biologists for work on the discovery of microRNA
The 2024 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine has been awarded to US scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their work on the discovery of microRNA, a molecule that governs how cells in the body function.
Diabetes mellitus has been completely cured for the first time in the world
For the first time, scientists transplanted stem cells into a woman with type 1 diabetes, after which she began to produce her own insulin. This is the world's first case of treatment using cells taken from the patient's body.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Hidden Risk for Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases?
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) face an increased risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D), metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and cardiovascular disease (CVD), although these risks vary depending on PCOS phenotype.
Can Electronic Decision Support Improve Acute Heart Failure Care in EDs?
An electronic decision support tool may increase the prescription of guideline–directed medical therapy for patients with acute heart failure (AHF) in emergency departments (EDs), with no serious adverse events (SAEs) within 30 days among very low-risk patients who are discharged.
Evaluation of the World Health Organization-HEARTS hypertension control package in Bangladesh: a quasi-experimental trial
The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes the HEARTS technical package for improving hypertension control worldwide, but its effectiveness has not been rigorously evaluated.
Common Eye Disorder May Be Linked to Maternal Hypertension
Children whose mothers have a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy (HDP) may have an increased risk for strabismus, including exophoria and intermittent exotropia, new research shows. Preeclampsia and poorly controlled blood pressure may confer the greatest risk.
PET Imaging Finds Vulnerable Plaques That Cause MI
A new technique that can locate vulnerable coronary plaques at risk of rupturing and causing a myocardial infarction (MI) could help identify patients at high cardiovascular risk who might need more intensive treatment.
New Insight Into CVD, Stroke Risk in Migraine
Researchers are unraveling the complex relationship between cardiovascular (CV)- and stroke-related outcomes in migraine with, and without, aura.
How to Get Published in a Specialized Journal
Every month, hundreds of manuscripts land in the inboxes of biomedical journals. For example, researchers submitted more than 2200 articles to JAMA Cardiology in 2023. Only 6% of all original research papers were accepted.
Roche Blood Test for Lp(a) Designated Breakthrough Device
A blood test that measures lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has received breakthrough device designation from the US Food and Drug Administration. The Tina-quant Lp(a) RxDx assay, developed by Roche in partnership with Amgen, is designed to identify adults with elevated Lp(a) levels who may benefit from lipid-lowering therapies currently in development.