tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1774841226593157522011-11-28T03:02:59.132+02:00catornoreply@blogger.comBlogger5221100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-34383976269074756402009-03-03T13:00:00.000+02:002009-03-03T19:00:50.568+02:00 <br></br> In what's being billed as a major advancement in the treatment of heart attacks, residents north of Toronto are the first in Ontario to benefit from a new initiative to be launched next month that enables those suffering from a heart attack to receive life-saving treatment in an ambulance while en route to the cardiac centre. <br></br><br></br> The initiative - a joint program of Newmarket-based Southlake Regional Health Centre and York Region Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will save lives and significantly reduce the extent of damage to the heart by starting initial treatment earlier, says Dr. Warren Cantor, medical director of the Interventional and Invasive Program at Southlake, who is spearheading this initiative. <br></br><br></br> Using advanced technology, paramedics in York Region suspecting that a patient is experiencing a heart attack will wirelessly transmit an electrocardiogram - which they perform in the ambulance - to Southlake Regional Health Centre cardiologists. The physicians then view the electrocardiogram on a hospital computer screen or on their Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) to confirm the patient's diagnosis and recommend the appropriate treatment, including authorizing paramedics to immediately administer intravenous clot-busting drugs. <br></br><br></br> In most regions of North America, clot-busting medications cannot be given in the ambulance because the physician is not able to view the electrocardiogram and confirm the diagnosis of heart attack. York Region is now one of the very few regions in North America that is able to administer clot-busting medications in the ambulance. Southlake Regional Health Centre and York Region will be participating in an international study - the STREAM trial - comparing clot-busting medications given in the ambulance with angioplasty in patients who are too far from a cardiac centre to undergo angioplasty within one hour. <br></br><br></br> Heart attacks occur when one or more of the arteries that supply blood to the heart become blocked, depriving the heart of the oxygen it requires to function effectively. The length of time the blood supply is cut off determines the amount of damage done to the heart. <br></br><br></br> Angioplasty - which uses catheter-mounted balloons and stents to open a blocked artery and restore blood flow to the heart - is accepted by the medical community as the best initial treatment for heart attacks when performed very rapidly. Since this is often not possible, clot-busting medications can be given in the interim to help reduce heart damage. <br></br><br></br> "The technology enables us to give better treatment quicker by shifting the initial treatment from the emergency room to the ambulance," Dr. Cantor said, estimating that the time savings translates to about an hour, which research has shown results in substantially improved survival. Anyone experiencing symptoms that may represent a heart attack should call 911 immediately in order to receive treatment quickly, he emphasized. <br></br><br></br> "A project of this magnitude requires strong cooperation between the partners involved," said York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch. "York Region is committed to working with Southlake Regional Health Centre on the STREAM Study project, with over 100 York Region EMS Advanced Care Paramedics trained and ready to participate." <br></br><br></br> The initiative, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is similar to a program launched in December 2008 in Edmonton - the first of its kind in Canada. <br></br><br></br> For more information about the Southlake Regional Health Centre-York Region EMS program, please visit http://www.southlakeregional.org. <br></br><br></br>About Southlake Regional Health Centre<br></br><br></br> Based in Newmarket, Southlake Regional Health Centre is a full-service hospital with a focus on cancer care, cardiac care, pediatric and perinatal care, child and adolescent eating disorders, and child and adolescent mental health care. Serving more than one million residents of York Region and South Simcoe, Southlake is the fourth-largest cardiac centre in Ontario. Southlake works with hospitals and emergency medical services throughout York, Simcoe and Dufferin regions to ensure patients suspected of having a heart attack are taken by ambulance directly to Southlake's cardiac centre for specialized care. <br></br><br></br>Southlake Regional Health Centre<br></br> <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://mlenta.com/832">Fighting Hepatitis To Tackle Liver Cancer - Survey Reveals National Deficiencies Which Make EU Action Critical</a></li> <li><a href="http://altmedblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/lifemasters-introduces-health.html#comment-form">LifeMasters Introduces Health Activation Tool to Disease Management Participants</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-3438397626907475640?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-5775702737555763002009-03-03T11:00:00.000+02:002009-03-03T15:58:32.669+02:00 <br></br>New research and new collaboration are the goals for the University of Houston's department of health and human performance (HHP) as its Laboratory of Integrated Physiology (LIP) expands to the National Center for Human Performance in the Texas Medical Center (TMC). <br></br><br></br> "This opens the door to other investigators within the Medical Center who are working in similar areas of motor behavior," said Charles Layne, professor and department chair. "This is the culmination of years of work and marks the beginning of a new era in research for UH and for HHP." <br></br><br></br> The National Center for Human Performance was founded in 2004 with the goal of maintaining and enhancing human performance in the arts, sports, space exploration, military and in the public, through the ethical and appropriate applications of research and education in medicine and related sciences. <br></br><br></br> The department's LIP is the first occupant at the center. Its advisory board members include astronauts, former athletes, an Olympic coach and representatives from many TMC entities. <br></br><br></br> "We're excited about the caliber of research and research partners," Layne said. "By extension, our students will have opportunities to work alongside seasoned investigators who may one day become colleagues." <br></br><br></br> Established four years ago by the HHP department, the LIP is a fully equipped human performance, physiology, biochemistry laboratory capable of performing a wide variety of testing and analyses, ranging from the cellular and molecular levels up to the organ and systems levels. The cross-disciplinary expertise among the LIP researchers allows integrated study of the musculo-skeletal, cardiovascular, nervous and immune systems using biochemical, physiological and engineering approaches. <br></br><br></br> "We're hopeful that our presence in the National Center for Human Performance will provide a focal point for multidisciplinary studies related to human neuromotor control," said Professor William Paloski, leader of the LIP research team in the National Center for Human Performance. "By bringing together scientists, engineers and clinicians in this way, we work to improve the quality of life for those disabled by the effects of injury, disease or aging." <br></br><br></br> Paloski's research investigates normal and abnormal sensory-motor control of balance and locomotion, with applications to aging populations and space flight. Paloski spent 23 years at NASA's Johnson Space Center as a researcher in its neuroscience laboratory studying postural stability control and sensory motor performance in astronauts during and after space flight. <br></br><br></br> Assistant professor Adam Thrasher investigates biomechanics and electrical stimulation of paralyzed muscles to restore function. Thrasher works with spinal cord injury patients and those with Parkinson's disease. His research has used imaging software to measure the pressure exerted in the gluteus muscles when a spinal cord patient sits for prolonged periods. Currently, he and his team are investigating walking function in those with incomplete spinal cord injuries. <br></br><br></br> Assistant Professor Jian Liu investigates gait analysis and the biomechanics of slips and falls. Lieu conducts occupational studies to calculate the fall-risk assessment in the elderly or those with mobility challenges. Using "fall event detection technology" Liu examines how the elderly and those with walking difficulties can prevent falls and the injuries related to falls. <br></br><br></br>Notes: <br></br><br></br> For more information about the UH department of health and human performance or the Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, visit http://www.hhp.uh.edu/. <br></br><br></br> For more information about the National Center for Human Performance, visit http://tinyurl.com/bwbrr8 <br></br><br></br> Source: Marisa Ramirez <br></br>University of Houston <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://4mentalhealth.blogspot.com/2009/03/ethics-frequent-and-necessary-topic-for.html#comment-form">Ethics a Frequent and Necessary Topic for Professional Continuing Education</a></li> <li><a href="http://alternativemedicinelog.blogspot.com/2009/03/sunetics-new-laser-paddle-brush-for.html#comment-form">Sunetics' New Laser Paddle Brush for Hair Enhancement Provides Largest Coverage Area of All Hand-Held Devices</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-577570273755576300?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-24680965546669262352009-03-03T09:00:00.000+02:002009-03-03T13:55:13.013+02:00 <br></br>The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is urging the public to sign a petition demanding a new Government plan to support people who develop heart and circulatory conditions in England. <br></br><br></br> Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common complication of diabetes: around 50 per cent of people with diabetes die of CVD, including strokes and heart attacks. <br></br><br></br>Diabetes second only to smoking as CVD cause<br></br><br></br> Diabetes is second only to smoking as the leading cause of cardiovascular disease in the UK. <br></br><br></br> The National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease in England comes to an end in 2009/10 and there is currently no plan to replace it. <br></br><br></br>Sign online<br></br><br></br> To help keep cardiac and vascular health at the top of the government agenda, you can sign the petition online at http://www.newheartplan.org.uk or in any of the 490 BHF charity shops in England. <br></br><br></br>Diabetes UK <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/nice-guidelines-recommend-use-of-stent.html#comment-form">NICE Guidelines Recommend Use Of Stent Grafts For Treatment Of AAA</a></li> <li><a href="http://healthstrahovanie.blogspot.com/2009/03/president-obama-budget-proposal.html#comment-form">President Obama's Budget Proposal Includes Broad Changes To Health Care System</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-2468096554666926235?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-59033740839873386872009-03-02T12:00:00.000+02:002009-03-02T16:53:42.606+02:00 <br></br> Lombard Medical Technologies PLC (AIM: LMT), the specialist medical device company, welcomes guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) which recommends the use of endovascular stent grafts to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), a dangerous ballooning of arteries that can lead to massive internal bleeding and death. <br></br><br></br> Under the recommendation from NICE, the stent grafts should be considered as an option for patients treated on the National Health Service (NHS) whose aneurysms are below the kidney and have not yet ruptured. <br></br><br></br> Gillian Leng, Deputy Chief Executive of NICE, commented: <br></br><br></br> "The independent committee carefully considered the evidence and concluded that, where appropriate, endovascular stent grafts offered a good use of NHS resources for unruptured infra-renal abdominal aortic aneurysms." <br></br><br></br> Lombard's lead product for the treatment of AAAs, Aorfix™, remains on track to complete recruitment for its pivotal US trial (PYTHAGORAS) in Q2 2009 with over 70% of the filing requirement of 160 patients recruited. <br></br><br></br> In Europe, following completion of the ARBITER II trial in September 2008, a submission has been made to the Company's notified body, TÜV to widen the existing CE Mark approval for Aorfix™ to include patients with high-angle-neck aneurysms. Approval of this unique indication to treat patients with aneurysm neck-angulations of up to 90 degrees, which is anticipated in H1 2009, is expected to accelerate sales of Aorfix™ in Europe. <br></br><br></br> Aorfix™ has now been used in over 750 cases worldwide and the Company is collecting a growing body of good clinical data on the product through its Retrospective Aorfix™ Data Retrieval (RADAR) clinical registry that now contains follow-up data on 440 patients. <br></br><br></br> Brian Howlett, CEO of Lombard, commented: <br></br><br></br> "We welcome the recent guidelines from NICE which confirm the prevalence and seriousness of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms, which if left untreated could lead to death. Following our recent successful fundraising, Lombard is well placed to complete recruitment of the pivotal US trial for Aorfix™ by the end of Q2 2009 and capitalise on the extended label claim for Aorfix™ in Europe which we expect to receive in H1 2009." <br></br><br></br>About Lombard Medical<br></br><br></br> Lombard Medical Technologies PLC is a medical devices group developing stent grafts and other medical products for use in the treatment of vascular disease. The Company's lead product, Aorfix™, is an endovascular stent graft for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), a balloon-like enlargement of the aorta which, if untreated, may rupture and cause death. Approximately 1.7 million people have AAAs in the US where it is the 13th largest cause of death. The market for endovascular stent grafts for the treatment of AAA is currently worth over $600 million and is expected to grow to around a $1 billion by 2010. Aorfix™ is currently being commercialised in the EU, with a pivotal clinical trial ongoing in the USA. <br></br><br></br> The Company's Polymer Coatings Division has developed a novel hydrophilic surface treatment to reduce friction on catheters called GlideMax™, which is available for licensing, and is using its polymer coating technology in a number of research collaborations developing novel products for the $5 billion drug-eluting stent market. <br></br><br></br> The Company headquartered in Oxfordshire, with operations in Yorkshire, Ayrshire and Boston, USA. <br></br><br></br> Further background on the Company can be found at http://www.lombardmedical.com. <br></br><br></br>Lombard Medical <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://digitalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/gp-practices-losing-patients-and-staff.html#comment-form">GP Practices Losing Patients And Staff To Local Polyclinic, Bradford, England</a></li> <li><a href="http://iresearch4u.blogspot.com/2009/03/cirm-completes-briefing-visit-to.html#comment-form">CIRM Completes Briefing Visit to Stemedica Cell Technologies</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-5903374083987338687?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-30909299128802500952009-03-02T10:00:00.000+02:002009-03-02T14:52:08.182+02:00 <br></br> A study released this week that found the Sprint Fidelis defibrillator lead, manufactured by Medtronic, might fail at a rate significantly higher than previously thought, has led to a debate among researchers "who want to understand the discrepancies and the implications for patient care" and has prompted some to renew calls for a national registry of patients who receive cardiac devices, the New York Times reports. However, according to the Times, "setting up such registries in this country has proved difficult so far."<br></br><br></br>In 2004, Medicare required the creation of a national registry of patients who receive defibrillators as a condition of approval of payments for the devices. The registry, which is administered by the American College of Cardiology and the Heart Rhythm Society and includes data on more than 340,000 patients, sought to determine the number of new patients who would benefit from defibrillators, which can cost $25,000 or more. <br></br><br></br>Despite the requirement, Medicare has spent a limited amount of funds to support the registry, according to Stephen Hammill, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic who has led the effort. In addition, medical device companies, which helped cover the $3 million annual operating cost in the first year, have since reduced their support. Hospitals currently finance the registry in exchange for reports that compare the short-term complication rates of their patients with those of patients nationwide. <br></br><br></br>According to the Times, the limited financial support, as well as "technical problems that make it hard to merge registry information with Medicare records, have undermined the registry's utility." Researchers, for example, cannot use the registry to collect data on longer-term outcomes for patients, information needed to determine the effectiveness and reliability of defibrillators.<br></br><br></br>Hammill said that researchers have begun to revise the registry to allow collection of such data, and FDA last year asked for an expansion of the registry to track the effectiveness and reliability of defibrillator leads (Meier, New York Times, 2/27). <br></br><br></br>Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. <br></br><br></br>© 2009 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved. <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://medicalgeneral.blogspot.com/2009/03/german-medical-advancement-reflects.html#comment-form">German Medical Advancement Reflects Major Improvement in Individuals with Common and Chronic Illnesses Related to Immune System Dysfunction</a></li> <li><a href="http://stopcancerblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/brain-tumor-research-center-lasting.html#comment-form">Brain Tumor Research Center A Lasting Legacy At Barrow</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-3090929912880250095?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-6703498746299434462009-03-01T10:00:00.000+02:002009-03-01T14:50:41.467+02:00 <br></br>The UK Government's vascular screening programme will most likely misclassify risk in hundreds of thousands of patients and worsen health inequalities, according to research published in the journal Pulse.<br></br><br></br> Primary Care Trusts are preparing to provide screening for everyone between the ages of 40 to 74 from April 2009, but two teams of researchers have concluded the move will mean well-off men are overtreated with statins, while all women and less well-off male patients will miss out. <br></br><br></br> The researchers say that the Scottish ASSIGN tool would be far more effective than the Framingham score used in the screening programme at identifying risk in women and socially disadvantaged patients. <br></br><br></br> A study carried out in the University of Dundee and submitted to the BMJ concludes ASSIGN, which is commonly used in Scotland, is much fairer than Framingham. It reports that among poorer people, ASSIGN identifies 30% of men and 25% of women, versus 34% of men and 19% of women using Framingham. <br></br><br></br> Study leader Professor Hugh Tunstall-Pedoe, co-developer of ASSIGN and head of the cardiovascular epidemiology unit at the University of Dundee, believes ASSIGN should be used in England and Wales. Tunstall-Pedoe said "ASSIGN abolishes the social gradient in undertreatment of cardiovascular disease, whereas Framingham will be treating a lot of wealthy people who will not go on to develop CVD.' <br></br><br></br> Meanwhile, the independent evaluation for NICE of Framingham, ASSIGN and the QRISK score - obtained by Pulse under the Freedom of Information Act - also backs ASSIGN. <br></br><br></br> The study carried out by researchers from the University of East Anglia demonstrated that ASSIGN had better discrimination than Framingham and QRISK and should be considered as an 'alternative model' for CVD risk assessment. <br></br><br></br>Click here to view the full article online.<br></br><br></br>About PulseToday <br></br><br></br>PulseToday is the GP's website in the UK providing general practice news, clinical education and practice information to GPs and primary care staff. <br></br><br></br> You can register on this site to get access to further information by visiting: <br></br>www.pulsetoday.co.uk/subscribemenu.asp<br></br><br></br> Written by Christian Nordqvist <br></br>Copyright: Medical News Today<br></br>Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today <br></br><br></br> <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://sportscoolvideos.blogspot.com/2009/03/fitness-gym-hann-manden-sport-karate.html#comment-form">Fitness Gym Hann Münden Sport Karate</a></li> <li><a href="http://alternativemedicinelog.blogspot.com/2009/03/horseback-riding-exercise-program-now.html#comment-form">Horseback Riding Exercise Program Now Selling To a Worldwide Audience</a></li> <li><a href="http://digitalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2009/02/young-ex-servicemen-at-increased-risk.html#comment-form">Young Ex-servicemen At Increased Risk Of Suicide</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-670349874629943446?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-55608277618455492092009-03-01T09:00:00.000+02:002009-03-01T13:51:25.043+02:00 <br></br>Clinicians should be alert to patients reporting "excessive" day time sleepiness (EDS), says the European Society of Cardiology, after a French study found healthy elderly people who regularly report feeling sleepy during the day have a significantly higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. <br></br><br></br> The Three City study, published in Stroke, by the American Heart Association found that elderly people who reported excessive day time sleepiness have a 49% relative risk increase of cardiovascular death (from cerebrovascular disease, myocardial infarction and heart failure), compared to those who do not report sleepiness. <br></br><br></br> "Based on this study asking patients the simple question of whether they feel sleepy during the day, is a useful way of identifying a subgroup of elderly patients at higher risk of cardiovascular disease who require a more thorough follow up," said Professor Guy DeBacker, from the Division of Cardiology at the University of Gent, Belgium, and former chair of the European Society of Cardiology Joint Prevention Committee. <br></br><br></br> Professor Torben Jorgensen, from the Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Glostrup, Denmark, commented: "The study offers the opportunity to practice prevention by investigating the underlying causes of patient's sleep problems, and then introducing lifestyle changes with the intention of preventing later cardiovascular complications." <br></br><br></br> The Three City study represents the largest yet investigation exploring the prospective association between EDS and mortality in the community dwelling elderly, and the only study yet to have been conducted in Europe - all the other studies were undertaken in North America. Criticisms of the study include a low responder rate (37%) that could introduce an element of bias, and the fact that it lacked objective measures of day time sleepiness (such as polysomnography readings), instead using self reported patient responses. <br></br><br></br> "The subjects with EDS were less educated and had a lower income so there were differences between the two groups in "socioeconomic status", which was not accounted for in the multivariate analysis. SES is a strong independent predictive factor for total and for cause specific mortality, and it might be that the difference between the two groups is just the effect of socioeconomic differences," said DeBacker. <br></br><br></br> Both DeBacker and Jorgensen say the results are "hypothesis generating", and that the data needs to be confirmed in other large scale studies in different populations before any changes should be made to existing guidelines. <br></br><br></br> "Overall the study population had a particularly low number of cardiovascular deaths, suggesting that the French paradox may be in operation. We need to be asking identical questions to different populations to see if we still get the same effect," said DeBacker. <br></br><br></br> Jorgensen added that he would like to see future trials where EDS patients were randomised to receive sleep interventions or not, to see if cardiovascular complications might be prevented. <br></br><br></br> Three-City Study <br></br><br></br> The Three-City Study led by Jean-Philippe Empana from Inserm, (the French Public Institute on Health and Medical Research) and colleagues followed 9,294 community dwelling people aged over 65 (who did not live in nursing homes or other care facilities). In face to face interview, participants were asked if they had never, rarely, regularly or frequently experienced excessive sleepiness during the day. People diagnosed with dementia at baseline were excluded, providing an overall study population of 8,269 people. <br></br><br></br> Investigators found even after adjusting for other risk factors,(such as age, gender, body mass index and previous cardiovascular disease), people who experienced excessive day time sleepiness had a 49 % increase in relative risk of cardiovascular death, and a 33 % increase in the relative risk of overall death. <br></br><br></br> Earlier studies have suggested that atherosclerosis might mediate the association between EDS and cardiovascular death, and that EDS might be associated with sympathetic tone activation. <br></br><br></br> However, when investigators undertook ultrasound examination of the carotid artery in two-thirds of participants, they found no difference in carotid plaque burden between people with and without EDS. Additionally resting heart rate, a simple marker of increased sympathetic tone activation, was no different among people with or without EDS. <br></br><br></br> Such data, say the authors, leaves them unclear as to whether sleep complaints are a symptom of underlying cardiovascular disease or whether sleepiness triggers or worsens disease. <br></br><br></br> "These data may have clinical implications adding to the body evidence that EDS is not a benign but rather an important risk marker for midterm mortality in community dwelling elderly," they conclude, adding that simple questionnaires incorporating questions on sleeping patterns should become part of routine examinations in the elderly. <br></br><br></br> ----------------------------<br></br>Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.<br></br>---------------------------- <br></br><br></br> REFERENCE: <br></br><br></br> Excessive Daytime Sleepiness is an independent Risk Indicator for Cardiovascular Mortality in Community Dwelling Elderly. The Three Cities Study. JP Empana, Y Dauviliers, JF Dartigues et al. Stroke 2009: 40:00-00. 1-6 <br></br><br></br> Source: ESC Press Office <br></br>European Society of Cardiology <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://blogaltmed.blogspot.com/2009/02/naturejobs-and-checkorphan-unite-for.html#comment-form">Naturejobs and CheckOrphan Unite for Rare Disease Day</a></li> <li><a href="http://zdorovieisport.blogspot.com/2009/02/progressing-middle-school-football.html#comment-form">Progressing Middle School Football Defensive Habits Posted By : Wellington W</a></li> <li><a href="http://diabetesblognews.blogspot.com/2009/02/many-faces-of-diabetes-in-american.html#comment-form">Many Faces Of Diabetes In American Youth: The SEARCH For Diabetes In Youth Study</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-5560827761845549209?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-74786702657208480812009-02-27T11:00:00.000+02:002009-02-27T15:51:41.235+02:00 <br></br>A new and unique cardiology service for patients most at risk of having a heart attack is to be launched at Barts and The London Heart Attack Centre in Bethnal Green in April. <br></br><br></br> Doctors will for the first time intervene with advanced cardiology procedures at the 'early warning' stage instead of waiting to treat patients who have suffered a full-blown heart attack. <br></br><br></br> The aim is to give east London, which has the most cardiovascular disease in London, a comprehensive round-the-clock specialist cover for the whole spectrum of acute heart attack illnesses. <br></br><br></br> The new 24/7 emergency service will strive to save around 1,800 at-risk patients a year from having heart attacks in the future. <br></br><br></br> Following the success of the Barts and The London Heart Attack Centre (HAC) service, which has treated or operated on around 9,000 people each year since it opened in April 2006, the Barts and The London Heart Attack Centre extension (HACX) will be the first of its kind in the world. <br></br><br></br> It will cater specifically for those who have a partial blockage of a heart artery, which, if left untreated, could lead to a complete blockage and a full-blown heart attack. Patients with partial blockages can spend weeks or even months before a full diagnosis happens and treatment commences. <br></br><br></br> The new service will streamline the patient pathway by transferring the patient directly from their local A&E to the HACX, saving valuable time and avoiding the need for multiple appointments for tests and treatment. The new rapid access service will ensure that all patients at risk of a major heart attack will be diagnosed and treated within 24-hours compared to 72-hours or longer at present. <br></br><br></br> Staffed by dedicated experts and nurses all trained in cardiology, a new £140,000 annexe has been specially set aside for the new service. A successful pilot trial at The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel and at Newham General Hospital targeted patients at high-risk of a threatened heart attack between November 2007 and February 2008. It concluded that patients could significantly reduce their length of stay in hospital and improve their chances of survival if this new service was provided. <br></br><br></br> International expert and senior cardiologist at Barts and The London Heart and Chest Centre, Professor Martin Rothman said: <br></br><br></br> "We wanted to test the feasibility of rapid access cardiology and having looked in detail at all the stages patients currently go through, we decided it would save a lot of lives, a lot of money and a lot of time to launch this service. <br></br><br></br> "By doing this we will be saving patients now from having heart attacks in the future. Our pilot demonstrated quite clearly we can reduce the length of stay for patients in hospital and that is a significant achievement. This is also beneficial to the NHS, as it reduces costs involved in the management of patients suffering from chest pain. All-in-all the new service will act as an early warning system for heart attack which is probably the best contingency measure one could ask for. <br></br><br></br> "Patients will still go to their local hospital A&E department with chest pains, where they will have an ECG test and some specific blood tests looking for early signs of heart muscle injury. <br></br><br></br> "What's new is that those at high risk will then be transported immediately to Barts and The London Heart and Chest Centre for an angiography to assess their heart. If we find arteries that are severely narrowed or partially blocked with a blood clot, then they will usually have an angioplasty to open up and secure the artery. We will be able to discharge selected patients home within 48-hrs of presentation. <br></br><br></br> "This service will complement the pioneering Barts and The London Heart Attack Centre service, which already treats full-blown heart attacks immediately.'' <br></br>v One patient who recently recovered from a heart attack after an angioplasty at the Barts and The London Heart and Chest Centre, Stuart Gibbins a 51 year old hairdresser from Chadwell Heath said the new service sounded like a "fantastic idea": <br></br><br></br> "I cannot think of a better service to have to help people save time. This service should help save hundreds of lives in the long run. Barts and The London Heart Centre may look an old building from outside but it's all new inside, the staff all know what they are doing and are so friendly, nice and professional", said Stuart. <br></br><br></br> Patients and clinicians can find out more about Barts and The London Heart Attack Centre at http://www.bartsandthelondon.nhs/hac<br></br><br></br>Notes<br></br><br></br> - The Barts and The London Heart Attack Centre currently treats between five and six hundred major heart attack patients every year<br></br><br></br> - The Barts and London NHS Trust Heart Attack Centre was awarded the Acute and Primary Care Innovation Award by the Health Service Journal for successful fast track treatment of heart attack sufferers (balloon angioplasty) in December 2008 - Barts and The London is one of Britain's top teaching hospital trusts. Our mission is literally to bring excellence to life - to give patients the best possible care so that they can live better, fuller, longer lives<br></br><br></br> - Our world-renowned hospitals - St Bartholomew's (Barts) in the City, The Royal London in Whitechapel and The London Chest in Bethnal Green - have made and continue to make an outstanding contribution to modern medicine. Read more about our full portfolio of services at http://www.bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk<br></br><br></br> - Our £1 billion new hospitals programme is set to transform healthcare facilities locally. When completed the new hospital at The Royal London will be the biggest new hospital in the country, while the new buildings at Barts will house a brand-new cancer hospital and cardiac centre. <br></br><br></br>Barts and The London <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://getfreshmedicalnews.blogspot.com/2009/02/annual-event-for-entrepreneurs-in.html#comment-form">Annual Event For Entrepreneurs In Biotech, Pharma And Healthcare - France</a></li> <li><a href="http://foodundbeverage.blogspot.com/2009/02/choose-your-eating-habit-with-healthy.html#comment-form">Choose Your Eating Habit with Healthy Food Posted By : ghostevyta</a></li> <li><a href="http://medicalnewstoday-just.blogspot.com/2009/02/latest-drx9000-study-data-published-in.html#comment-form">The Latest DRX9000&#x2122; Study Data Published In Peer-Reviewed Journal!</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-7478670265720848081?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-68800862980714248192009-02-27T10:00:00.000+02:002009-02-27T14:53:46.212+02:00 <br></br>Fenofibrate treatment reduces cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk (defined by total cardiovascular events: the composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and coronary and carotid revascularization) in patients with type 2 diabetes and atherogenic dyslipidemia, that is, the combination of high triglyceride (2.3 mmol/L-200mg/dL or higher) and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (<br></br> In these patients, fenofibrate treatment was associated with a significant 27% relative reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events, compared with 11% in FIELD patients overall.(1)<br></br><br></br> Professor Russell Scott, investigator and executive member of the FIELD Study Management Committee, Director of the Lipid and Diabetes Research Group, and Professor of Medicine, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand, said:<br></br><br></br> This 27% relative reduction in total CVD events with fenofibrate in type 2 diabetes patients with marked atherogenic dyslipidemia is of a similar order to that observed with statin treatment. Physicians can prevent one fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular event by treating only 23 of these patients over 5 years with fenofibrate.<br></br><br></br> Patients with, or at increased risk of, type 2 diabetes often have an abnormal combination of high triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol. Population studies have shown that this predicts cardiovascular risk, partly independent of levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.<br></br><br></br> In people with diabetes, even when the LDL cholesterol level is reduced to 2.3 mmol/L-200mg/dL) than those with lower triglyceride, and 40% higher in those with low HDL cholesterol (<br></br> Low plasma HDL cholesterol (<br></br> In the FIELD study over 80% of patients met the NCEP ATPIII criteria for metabolic syndrome.<br></br><br></br> This latest study from FIELD investigated whether cardiovascular risk and the effects of fenofibrate treatment differed in type 2 diabetes patients with and without the metabolic syndrome. It also examined the effect of more marked atherogenic dyslipidaemia -- the combination of low HDL cholesterol and higher triglycerides (greater than or equal to 2.3 mmol/L-200mg/dL). One in five FIELD patients had marked atherogenic dyslipidaemia and one in four marked high triglycerides.<br></br><br></br> Patients with marked atherogenic dyslipidaemia had the greatest 5-year risk of cardiovascular disease (17.8% in the placebo group). These patients also derived the greatest clinical benefit from fenofibrate treatment, with a 27% reduction in CVD risk (from 17.8% to 13.5%, P=0.005). This risk was almost two-fold (29.8%) in those patients who already had cardiovascular disease.<br></br><br></br>Placing the new findings in clinical context, Professor Scott said:<br></br><br></br> Atherogenic dyslipidemia, characterised by high triglycerides of at least 2.3 mmol/L-200mg/dL and low HDL-C, as defined by ATP III, is a strong contributor to residual vascular risk in millions of patients with diabetes treated with the best standard of care, including statin therapy. These new findings, together with the microvascular benefits associated with fenofibrate, argue for consideration of fenofibrate in the clinical management of patients with type 2 diabetes and marked atherogenic dyslipidemia.<br></br><br></br>Professor Richard O'Brien, a diabetes specialist and Clinical Dean of Medicine at the University of Melbourne, Austin and Northern Clinical Schools, added:<br></br><br></br> These findings on macrovascular disease build on earlier results of the FIELD trial showing clear benefits for patients with microvascular complications. Fenofibrate reduces the need for laser treatment in patients with diabetic disease in the small vessels of the eyes. It also reduces the risk of amputations resulting from disease in the small vessels of the limbs.<br></br><br></br> FIELD (5), a large international multicentre trial in which 9795 patients were followed up over 5 years, was coordinated at the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre at the University of Sydney. Professor Anthony Keech, Professor of Medicine, Cardiology and Epidemiology and Deputy Director of the trials centre, is chair of the trial.<br></br><br></br>What is the FIELD study?<br></br><br></br> The FIELD trial was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 9795 patients with type 2 diabetes. The study evaluated whether treatment with fenofibrate (200 mg/day) for a median of 5 years could reduce macrovascular and microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes. Macrovascular study endpoints were major coronary events (primary) and total cardiovascular events (secondary). Microvascular endpoints were laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy, progression of albuminuria and non-traumatic lower-extremity amputation.<br></br><br></br>What were the key macrovascular findings in the FIELD study?<br></br><br></br> After a mean of 5 years treatment, fenofibrate was associated with a non-significant 11% reduction in the primary endpoint. However, there was a significant reduction in the secondary endpoint (reduction by 11%, P=0.035). This was mainly driven by 24% reduction in nonfatal MI (P=0.01) and 21% reduction in coronary revascularisation (P=0.003).(5)<br></br><br></br> There was also evidence of benefit with fenofibrate for microvascular endpoints, in particular reduction in first laser treatment for retinopathy (by 31%, P=0.0002).(6, 7)<br></br><br></br>What is the metabolic syndrome?<br></br><br></br> The metabolic syndrome is characterised by a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors which increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Although the definition of metabolic syndrome varies among different guidelines, one of the most widely accepted is that of the NCEP ATPIII(4) which defines metabolic syndrome by the following criteria:<br></br><br></br> -- Abdominal obesity (waist circumference >40 inches in men and >35 inches in women) AND<br></br><br></br> -- Triglycerides greater than or equal to 150 mg/dL<br></br><br></br> -- HDL cholesterol <br></br> -- Blood pressure greater than or equal to 130/85 mmHg (or on antihypertensive treatment)<br></br><br></br> -- Elevated fasting plasma glucose (greater than or equal to 100 mg/dL).<br></br><br></br>What is meant by number needed to treat?<br></br><br></br> The NNT value provides a clinical context to the absolute reduction in risk. This value is defined by the inverse of the absolute reduction in risk. In this analysis, the NNT for fenofibrate in patients with marked atherogenic dyslipidaemia was 23 patients needing to be treated for one event to be prevented.<br></br><br></br> By comparison, the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists' (CTT) Collaborators (8) reported an absolute reduction in 5-year risk of major vascular events in diabetes patients treated with statin therapy of 3.6%, i.e. NNT = 28.<br></br><br></br>References<br></br><br></br> 1. Russell Scott, Richard O'Brien, Greg Fulcher, Chris Pardy, Michael d'Emden, Dana Tse, Maria-Riitta Taskinen, Christian Ehnholm, Anthony Keech, on behalf of the Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) Study Investigators. Effects of Fenofibrate Treatment on Cardiovascular Disease Risk in 9,795 Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes and Various Components of the Metabolic Syndrome: The Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) Study. Diabetes Care 32:493-498.<br></br><br></br> 2. Miller M, Cannon CP, Murphy SA et al, PROVE-IT TIMI 22 Investigators. Impact of triglyceride levels beyond low-density lipoprotein cholesterol after acute coronary syndrome in the PROVE-IT TIMI 22 trial. J Am Coll Cardiol 2008; 51: 724-30.<br></br><br></br> 3. Barter PJ, Gotto AM, LaRosa JC et al, Treating to New Targets Investigators. HDL cholesterol, very low levels of LDL cholesterol, and cardiovascular events. N Engl J Med 2007; 357: 1301-10.<br></br><br></br> 4. National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). Final report. Circulation 2002;106: 3143-21.<br></br><br></br> 5. Keech A, Simes RJ, Barter P et al. Effects of long-term fenofibrate therapy on cardiovascular events in 9795 people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (the FIELD study): randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2005;366:1849-61.<br></br><br></br> 6. Keech AC, Mitchell P, Summanen PA, et al, FIELD study investigators. Effect of fenofibrate on the need for laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy (FIELD study): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2007;370:1687-97.<br></br><br></br> 7. Colman P, Rajamani K, Li L-P et al. Benefits of long-term fenofibrate therapy on amputations in type 2 diabetes mellitus in the FIELD trial. Presented at the European Association for the study of Diabetes (EASD), Rome, September 2008.<br></br><br></br> 8.Efficacy of cholesterol-lowering therapy in 18 686 people with diabetes in 14 randomised trials of statins: a meta-analysis Cholesterol Treatment Trialists' (CTT) Collaborators, Kearney PM, Blackwell L, Collins R, Keech A, Simes J, Peto R, Armitage J, Baigent C. Lancet. 2008 Jan 12;371(9607):117-25.<br></br><br></br> Solvay<br></br>http://www.solvay.com <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://digitalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2009/02/government-of-canada-works-with.html#comment-form">Government Of Canada Works With Manitoba To Help Prevent Drug Use Among Province's Youth</a></li> <li><a href="http://obesityundweightloss.blogspot.com/2009/02/calorie-reduction-versus-diet-for.html#comment-form">Calorie Reduction Versus Diet For Weight Loss</a></li> <li><a href="http://blogaltmed.blogspot.com/2009/02/simply-marcomms-launch-new-specialist.html#comment-form">Simply Marcomms Launch New Specialist Online Industry Directories</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-6880086298071424819?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-17949290834268601362009-02-27T09:00:00.000+02:002009-02-27T13:53:42.479+02:00 <br></br>Scientists have developed a risk score that could help to identify people at risk of atrial fibrillation (the most common abnormality of heart rhythm that puts people at increased risk of stroke and heart failure) in the primary care setting, and may also aid the targeting of prevention measures at high-risk individuals. These are the findings of an Article to be published in this week's edition of The Lancet. <br></br><br></br> One in four people will develop atrial fibrillation in their lifetime. But prevalence is expected to rise substantially over the next few decades because of the aging population and increased survival of people with heart disease, which could result in 15.9 million cases of atrial fibrillation by 2050 in the US alone. <br></br><br></br> A variety of therapies have been shown to offer protection against the onset of atrial fibrillation including statins, fish oil, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. In addition, previous studies have identified the common risk factors that predispose people to atrial fibrillation, such as ageing, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. But to date, no tool has been devised that combines multiple risk factors to calculate an individual's absolute risk. <br></br><br></br> Therefore, Renate Schnabel from the Johannes Gutenberg-University in Mainz, Germany, and Emelia Benjamin from Boston University School of Medicine in Massachusetts, USA, and colleagues, aimed to create a new way to score an individual's risk using clinical characteristics that can be easily assessed in primary care settings. <br></br><br></br> Using data from the Framingham Heart Study, they selected 4764 individuals aged 45-95 years who did not have atrial fibrillation, from 80 444 examinations done between June, 1968, and September, 1987. Participants were followed over 10 years and monitored for atrial fibrillation, to develop a risk score from clinical characteristics, examination, and echocardiographic measures. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to assess risk factors associated with the development of the condition. <br></br><br></br> Findings showed that 457 (10%) of the participants developed atrial fibrillation over the 10 years. Age, sex, body-mass index, systolic blood pressure, treatment for hypertension, PR interval, clinically significant heart murmur, and heart failure were the strongest risk factors associated with atrial fibrillation, and were included in the final model. The researchers developed a scoring system for each of these risk factors and assigned the total score to an absolute risk of developing atrial fibrillation over 10 years. <br></br><br></br> The risk score was shown to have good predictive value and had similar accuracy in both young and old individuals. The score was only slightly improved by the inclusion of standard echocardiographic measures. <br></br><br></br> The risk of atrial fibrillation in 10 years was shown to vary with age-53 (1%) participants younger than 65 years had more than 15% risk, compared with 783 (27%) older than 65 years. <br></br><br></br> The authors conclude: "Our risk prediction score provides clinicians with an easily applicable method to improve risk assessment and communication of risk for individuals, and targeting intervention in routine clinical practice." <br></br><br></br> In an accompanying Comment, David Brieger and Ben Freedman from Concord Hospital, University of Sydney in Australia, say: "Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia, and is associated with a doubling of the... mortality rate...particularly within the first 4 months of diagnosis...With this condition, few would argue against the assertion that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This predictive model is the first step in that direction." <br></br><br></br> They conclude that identification of a group at increased risk of development of atrial fibrillation would make it possible to test new or currently available therapies which might prevent this arrhythmia. <br></br><br></br>The Lancet <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://medicalnewstoday-just.blogspot.com/2009/02/latest-drx9000-study-data-published-in.html#comment-form">The Latest DRX9000&#x2122; Study Data Published In Peer-Reviewed Journal!</a></li> <li><a href="http://aboutivision.blogspot.com/2009/02/rick-fraunfelder-md-of-casey-vision.html#comment-form">Rick Fraunfelder, M.D. of the Casey Vision Correction Center in Portland, Oregon, Joins Elite Group of Surgeons Listed at Trusted LASIK Surgeons</a></li> <li><a href="http://stopcancerblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/molecular-oncology-accepted-into.html#comment-form">Molecular Oncology Accepted Into Thomson Reuters Index</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-1794929083426860136?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-9992461326732291862009-02-26T15:00:00.000+02:002009-02-26T19:52:13.366+02:00 <br></br>Sorin Group, (MIL:SRN), a global medical device company and a leader in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, announced today the enrolment of the first three patients in a clinical trial aimed at obtaining European market approval for its 'Perceval S' Sutureless Aortic Heart Valve. <br></br><br></br> In a previous pilot study (First-In-Man), 30 patients at high surgical risk were enrolled in three European centres. <br></br><br></br> The new Perceval S clinical trial will involve some 150 patients at high surgical risk in 9 centres throughout Europe. <br></br><br></br> The first three implants of the clinical trial were performed at the Institut Mutualiste Montsouris (IMM) in Paris. <br></br><br></br> "We successfully implanted the first three patients in this important trial. I was able to appreciate the innovative characteristics of the device in terms of safety, procedural success and clinical outcome", commented Professor François Laborde, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at the IMM hospital. "This valve allows the removal of the diseased valve, precise positioning and fast release and implantation, and therefore, ultimately a significant reduction of surgical time," he added. <br></br><br></br> The Sorin Group Perceval S Sutureless Aortic Heart Valve is a bioprosthesis made of a bovine pericardial tissue assembled on a super-elastic metal alloy stent. Buillding on the Pericarbon Freedom™ Valve, a well-established Sorin Group pericardial stentless valve in the European market since 1991, the Perceval valve features a unique stent design. <br></br><br></br> "This breakthrough prosthesis is designed to be implanted using a quick metal stent deployment technique thus obviating the need for using time-consuming, conventional suturing techniques. The success behind Sorin's heart valve lies in the Group's in-house competencies in stent research and development as well as its historic prominence in heart-valve development and production. We are confident that Perceval S Sutureless Aortic Heart Valve will set a new standard in the Aortic Valve Replacement," said André-Michel Ballester, CEO, Sorin Group. <br></br><br></br>About the Perceval S Sutureless Aortic Heart Valve <br></br><br></br> Key benefits of the Perceval S valve are: <br></br><br></br> - Reduced implantation time vs. conventional stented aortic valves <br></br> - Well-established bovine pericardial valve <br></br> - Super-elastic metal alloy stent <br></br> - Optimal aortic wall anchoring and sealing <br></br> - Exclusive detoxification treatment <br></br> - Ready for use, no rinsing required <br></br><br></br>About the Sorin Group <br></br><br></br> The Sorin Group, is a global medical device company and a leader in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The Company develops, manufactures and markets medical technologies for cardiac surgery and for the treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders. With 3,500 employees worldwide, the Group focuses on three major therapeutic areas that include: cardiopulmonary bypass (extracorporeal circulation and autotransfusion systems), cardiac rhythm management, and heart valve repair and replacement. Every year, over 1 million patients are treated with the devices of Sorin Group in more than 80 countries. <br></br><br></br> Sorin Group <br></br> <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://recreationsblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/correcting-running-back-suggestions.html#comment-form">Correcting Running Back Suggestions Posted By : Wellington W</a></li> <li><a href="http://careyouthealth.blogspot.com/2009/02/latest-drx9000-study-data-published-in.html#comment-form">The Latest DRX9000&#x2122; Study Data Published In Peer-Reviewed Journal!</a></li> <li><a href="http://healthnewstoday-just.blogspot.com/2009/02/compounds-protect-against-cerebral.html#comment-form">Compounds Protect Against Cerebral Palsy - A Stunning Finding:</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-999246132673229186?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-81962520393987391232009-02-26T14:00:00.000+02:002009-02-26T18:53:43.821+02:00 <br></br>An extreme heat wave affected much of the state of California during mid- to late July 2006, breaking daily maximum temperature records in many regions of the State. A study conducted by researchers from the Mailman School of Public Health, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the California Department of Public Health reports that the 2006 California heat wave had a substantial impact on morbidity throughout California, resulting in increased hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits. By better understanding these impacts and population vulnerabilities, local communities can improve heat wave preparedness to cope with global warming in the future. Findings from the study, "The 2006 California Heat Wave: Impacts on Hospitalizations and Emergency Department Visits" are published in the January 2009 issue of Environmental Health Perspectives. <br></br><br></br> "In the 2006 California heat wave, we found dramatic increases across a wide range of morbidities statewide, with excess ED visits far outpacing excess hospitalizations," said Kim Knowlton, DrPH, assistant clinical professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the Mailman School of Public Health, and senior scientist in the Health & Environment Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council. It was reported that 501,951 ED visits were made during the 15 July to 1 August 2006 heat wave period compared with 485,785 visits over the same number of days in the non-heat-wave period. "The dramatic effect of the 2006 heat wave on ED visits suggests that advance preparedness efforts should be undertaken to allow rapid adaptability when extreme weather events occur," suggests Dr. Knowlton. <br></br><br></br> While previous studies have reported different patterns of mortality, one of the goals of the Mailman School study was to learn if age or race/ethnicity played a role in morbidity and led people to seek medical attention, thus providing opportunities for early intervention and public education to prevent heat-related illness and death. The researchers also intended to learn which other illnesses were exacerbated by the California heat waves and found there were significant increases reported for acute renal failure, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, electrolyte imbalance, and nephritis. <br></br><br></br> "Because the statewide heat wave exposed a very large population, these effects translate to a significant public health burden," observes Dr. Knowlton. "The present study offers information about the short-term increases in patient demand during heat waves as well as the range of illnesses that may arise, and shows substantial regional variability." <br></br><br></br> In addition to older residents with recognized heat vulnerabilities, children showed significant elevated risk for some morbidities. "Strategies to prevent heat-related illness during extreme heat events should include messages and information dissemination targeted toward parents, caregivers, and other guardians of young children, continued outreach to the elderly and especially to socially isolated individuals, and geographically targeted messages about health risks of heat exposure and heat stress," notes Dr. Knowlton. <br></br><br></br> To reduce morbidity from some of the more severe heat-related conditions, interventions include increased fluid intake and advising temporarily decreased physical activity. "Culturally and socially appropriate messaging through public service announcements - for example, encouraging at-risk groups to access cooling centers, and ensuring availability of transportation to those centers - before a heat wave starts can save lives," states Dr. Knowlton. "Expanded education of at-risk groups and their caregivers on how to detect signs and symptoms and prevent heat-related illness is also needed." <br></br><br></br> "This research sends a critical message that education needs to emphasize the importance of seeking immediate medical assistance for heat-related illness, because these conditions often progress very rapidly and therefore urgently require professional medical intervention," says Dr. Knowlton. <br></br><br></br> ----------------------------<br></br>Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.<br></br>---------------------------- <br></br><br></br> About the Mailman School of Public Health <br></br><br></br> The only accredited school of public health in New York City and among the first in the nation, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health pursues an agenda of research, education, and service to address the critical and complex public health issues affecting millions of people locally and globally. The Mailman School is the recipient of some of the largest government and private grants in Columbia University's history. Its more than 1000 graduate students pursue master's and doctoral degrees, and the School's 300 multi-disciplinary faculty members work in more than 100 countries around the world, addressing such issues as infectious and chronic diseases, health promotion and disease prevention, environmental health, maternal and child health, health over the life course, health policy, and public health preparedness. http://www.mailman.hs.columbia.edu <br></br><br></br> Source: Stephanie Berger <br></br>Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://medicalnewstodayblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/hard-economic-times-affect-patients.html#comment-form">Hard Economic Times Affect Patients, Dentists - And The Tooth Fairy</a></li> <li><a href="http://stopcancerblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/new-cancer-treatment-stops-aggressive.html#comment-form">New Cancer Treatment Stops Aggressive Sarcomas</a></li> <li><a href="http://nursingblog2.blogspot.com/2009/02/liveprocess-to-exhibit-at-national.html#comment-form">LiveProcess to Exhibit at National Emergency Management Summit March 4-6 event is Leading Healthcare Forum on Disaster, Epidemic and Terrorism Planning, Response and Recovery</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-8196252039398739123?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-8604254792590792902009-02-26T12:00:00.000+02:002009-02-26T16:52:24.084+02:00 <br></br>In response to a study published in the Lancet which showed that blood-pressure lowering drugs should be routinely considered for patients undergoing dialysis, Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation (BHF) said: <br></br><br></br> "Reducing high blood pressure in the general population reduces the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Unlike people with healthy kidneys, dialysis patients have to cope with large shifts in the volume of their circulation that occur during dialysis. Because blood pressure lowering drugs can interfere with the body's ability to react to such changes, doctors are cautious about using them in dialysis patients. <br></br><br></br> "On the basis of this study alone it is not possible to draw a definitive conclusion but it suggests that well conducted large, prospective clinical trials are now needed to provide a clear cut answer as to whether blood pressure lowering drugs are both safe and effective for dialysis patients. "<br></br><br></br>Notes<br></br><br></br> 1) Statement issued in response to 'Effect of lowering blood pressure on cardiovascular events and mortality in patients on dialysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials' published online February 26 2009 in the Lancet. <br></br><br></br> - The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is the nation's heart charity, dedicated to saving lives through pioneering research, patient care, campaigning for change and by providing vital information. But we urgently need help. We rely on donations of time and money to continue our life-saving work. Because together we can beat heart disease. <br></br><br></br>British Heart Foundation <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://blogaltmed.blogspot.com/2009/02/radiotherapy-clinics-of-georgia-and.html#comment-form">Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia and News/Talk 750 WSB Extend Prostate Proactivity Campaign</a></li> <li><a href="http://keepfitlog.blogspot.com/2009/02/developing-collegiate-winning-strengths.html#comment-form">Developing Collegiate Winning Strengths Posted By : Wellington W</a></li> <li><a href="http://nocancerblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/today-is-teal-ribbon-day-australia.html#comment-form">Today Is Teal Ribbon Day -Australia's First Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day!</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-860425479259079290?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-41840238621242252502009-02-25T11:00:00.000+02:002009-02-25T15:53:02.178+02:00 <br></br>Before flying off the handle the next time someone cuts you off in traffic, consider the latest research from Yale School of Medicine researchers that links changes brought on by anger or other strong emotions to future arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrests, which are blamed for 400,000 deaths annually. <br></br><br></br> The study - led by Rachel Lampert, M.D., associate professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine, and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology - deepens our understanding of how anger and other types of mental stress can trigger potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmias. <br></br><br></br> Lampert and her team studied 62 patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and enlarged hearts. They were monitored three months after the ICD was implanted and then given a mental stress test requiring them to recall a stressful situation that angered them. <br></br><br></br> Lampert and her team sought to discover whether T-wave alternans (TWA), which monitor electrical instability in the heart induced by anger, would predict future ventricular arrhythmias. The team found that those in the group with more anger-induced electrical instability were more likely to experience arrhythmias one year after the study than those in the control group. <br></br><br></br> "Further studies are needed to determine whether there is a role for therapies which may reduce anger and the body's response to stress, thereby preventing arrhythmias in those at risk," said Lampert. <br></br><br></br> Lampert's work builds on past research linking strong emotion to sudden cardiac death. It has been found that devastating disasters, such as earthquakes, are linked to sudden death. <br></br><br></br> ----------------------------<br></br>Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.<br></br>---------------------------- <br></br><br></br> Other authors on the study included Vladimir Shusterman, M.D., Matthew Burg, Craig McPherson, M.D., William Batsford, M.D., Anna Goldberg and Robert Soufer, M.D. <br></br><br></br> Citation: Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Vol. 53, No. 9 (March 3, 2009) <br></br><br></br> Source: Karen N. Peart <br></br>Yale University <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://infectiousdiseasesd.blogspot.com/2009/02/new-survey-flu-shot-still-not-catching.html#comment-form">New survey: Flu Shot Still not Catching on, Especially at Retail Clinics</a></li> <li><a href="http://actualnewsabouthealth.blogspot.com/2009/02/update-presented-on-disease-in-pork.html#comment-form">Update Presented On Disease In Pork Plant Workers</a></li> <li><a href="http://internalmediciney.blogspot.com/2009/02/stemedica-advances-its-certification-to.html#comment-form">Stemedica Advances its Certification to Become a Licensed Manufacturer of Adult Stem Cells for U.S. Based Clinical Trials</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-4184023862124225250?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-18493403600520597492009-02-25T10:00:00.000+02:002009-02-25T14:52:22.565+02:00 <br></br>CardioVascular BioTherapeutics, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CVBT) announced that two additional hospitals in the United States opened for patient enrollment for its ACORD Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of severe coronary heart disease. The sites are Florida Hospital/Cardiovascular Institute - Orlando Florida and Chandler Regional Medical Center and Mercy Gilbert Medical Center - Phoenix Arizona metropolitan area.<br></br><br></br> Mercy Hospital Fairfield (Ohio) and The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio were first to open for enrollment in early September, and are working in collaboration to screen and treat patients in the trial. They treated their first patient in support of the trial in mid November 2008.<br></br><br></br> CVBT now has seven sites that are open for enrollment and intends to announce additional sites as they open for screening patents.<br></br><br></br>About CardioVascular BioTherapeutics<br></br><br></br> CVBT (OTCBB: CVBT) is a biopharmaceutical company developing human FGF-1 for cardiovascular diseases characterized by inadequate blood flow to a tissue or organ. In addition to the Phase II trial it is conducting in patients with severe coronary heart disease, the company has two FDA-authorized clinical trials in the areas of impaired wound healing seen in diabetics and in patients suffering from peripheral artery disease of the legs. An additional study is being conducted in patients with chronic back pain who may have perfusion defects to their spine. For more information about CardioVascular BioTherapeutics, Inc. please visit http://www.cvbt.com.<br></br><br></br> CardioVascular BioTherapeutics, Inc.<br></br>http://www.cvbt.com <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://allergynewstoday.blogspot.com/2009/02/babies-born-during-high-pollen-and-mold.html#comment-form">Babies Born During High Pollen And Mold Seasons Have Greater Odds Of Wheezing By Age 2</a></li> <li><a href="http://softnewshub.blogspot.com/2009/02/nurve-rocks-industry-with-next.html#comment-form">Nurve Rocks the Industry with Next Generation Development Kits for Atmel 8-Bit and Microchip 16-Bit Microcontrollers!</a></li> <li><a href="http://readfreshmedicalnews.blogspot.com/2009/02/benvenue-medical-receives-ce-mark.html#comment-form">Benvenue Medical Receives CE Mark Approval For Kiva&#x2122; VCF Treatment System</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-1849340360052059749?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-10285111783803047432009-02-25T09:00:00.000+02:002009-02-25T13:51:42.870+02:00 <br></br><br></br>A study in the February 25 issue of JAMA reports that evaluation of clinical practice procedure for treating cardiovascular disease finds that present recommendations mainly rely on inferior levels of evidence or expert opinion. <br></br><br></br> According to background data in the article, practitioners base their decision for suitable heath care for particular patients' circumstances on clinical practice guidelines which are frequently considered as standard of evidence-based medicine. <br></br><br></br> Clinical practice guidelines have been released to offer recommendations on how to care for cardiovascular disease patients by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA), for more than two decades. Degree of evidence and class of recommendations are the basis for the grading system presently used by the ACC/AHA guidelines. The combination of an objective description of evidence and the types of studies sustaining the recommendation and expert opinion is used for the classification of level of evidence, and categorized as A (higher level of evidence), B, or C (lower level of evidence). <br></br><br></br> The level of recommendation is indicated by class of recommendation. It involves an opinion of the guideline writers on the comparative strengths and weaknesses of the study information, as well as an evaluation of the relative consequence of the risks and benefits identified by the evidence. The classes are ranked as I (evidence that a treatment or procedure is effective), II, IIa, IIb and III (evidence that a treatment or procedure is not effective). <br></br><br></br> It is unknown if the rise in cardiovascular disease studies increases the certainty of guideline recommendations and supporting evidence. The changes in recommendations in ACC/AHA cardiovascular guidelines and the evaluation of the adequacy of the evidence used for present guideline recommendations were studied by Pierluigi Tricoci, M.D., M.H.S., Ph.D., Duke University, Durham, N.C. and team. Information from ACC/AHA practice guidelines issued from 1984 to September 2008 was used in the study. A total of 7,196 recommendations and fifty-three guidelines on twenty-two topics were analyzed. <br></br><br></br> The total number of recommendations had a 48 percent increase (1,330 to 1,973), from the earliest guideline to the present version, taking into account only the current guidelines with at least one review. In general, there was a shift to class II recommendations, a drop in class II recommendations, while the use of class I remained invariable. In a total of 2,711 recommendations, in the sixteen present guidelines reporting levels of evidence, 11 percent (314) of the recommendations were classified as level of evidence A, and 48 percent (1,246) as level of evidence C. <br></br><br></br> In the total of 1,305 class I recommendations of guidelines reporting evidence, only 19 percent (245) have a level of evidence A, 36 percent (481) have a level of evidence C. In the different categories of guidelines (disease, intervention, or diagnosis) and the different individual guidelines, the level of evidence considerably varies. <br></br><br></br> In conclusion, the authors write: "Our finding that a large proportion of recommendations in ACC/AHA guidelines are based on lower levels of evidence or expert opinion highlights deficiencies in the sources of definitive data available for the generation of cardiovascular guidelines. To remedy this problem, the medical research community needs to streamline clinical trials, focus on areas of deficient evidence, and expand funding for clinical research. In addition, the process of developing guidelines needs to be improved with information about the impact that recommendations based on lower levels of evidence has on clinical practice. Finally, clinicians need to exercise caution when considering recommendations not supported by solid evidence." <br></br><br></br>JAMA. 2009; 301[8]:831-841<br></br><br></br> Editor's Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc. <br></br><br></br>Editorial: Re-evaluation of Clinical Practice Guidelines <br></br><br></br>Terrence M. Shaneyfelt, M.D., M.P.H., and Robert M. Centor, M.D., University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, in a complementary editorial, note that there is a need for important changes in clinical practice guidelines if they are to be maintained. <br></br><br></br> "However, it seems unlikely that substantial change will occur because many guideline developers seem set in their ways. If all that can be produced are biased, minimally applicable consensus statements, perhaps guidelines should be avoided completely. Unless there is evidence of appropriate changes in the guideline process, clinicians and policy makers must reject calls for adherence to guidelines. Physicians would be better off making clinical decisions based on valid primary data." <br></br><br></br>JAMA. 2009 ;301[8]:868-869.<br></br><br></br> Written by Stephanie Brunner (B.A.) <br></br>Copyright: Medical News Today<br></br>Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today <br></br><br></br> <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://blogaltmed.blogspot.com/2009/02/stemedica-advances-its-certification-to.html#comment-form">Stemedica Advances its Certification to Become a Licensed Manufacturer of Adult Stem Cells for U.S. Based Clinical Trials</a></li> <li><a href="http://hospitalstoday.blogspot.com/2009/02/bumrungrad-international-hospital-won.html#comment-form">Bumrungrad International Hospital Won 1st Place as "Best Website for International Medical Travel"</a></li> <li><a href="http://physicaltherapylive.blogspot.com/2009/02/first-baseball-and-softball-cleats.html#comment-form">First Baseball and Softball Cleats Receive APMA Seal of Acceptance</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-1028511178380304743?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-57771494129537688392009-02-24T12:00:00.000+02:002009-02-24T16:52:19.150+02:00 <br></br>Heart patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing an artery-opening procedure will soon have a new treatment option to help prevent heart attacks. Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (TSE: 4568) and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced that the European Commission has granted marketing authorization for EFIENT(R) (pronounced Ef-ee-ent) (prasugrel) for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).<br></br><br></br> The approval follows a positive opinion adopted by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency on December 18, 2008.<br></br><br></br> "This European approval is good news for doctors and patients since more than 700,000 people die from heart attacks in the European Union each year," said Takashi Shoda, president and chief executive officer of Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. "We believe Efient will become an important new treatment for patients with ACS undergoing PCI, a severe disease with potentially life-threatening consequences."<br></br><br></br> Prasugrel works by reducing the tendency of platelets, the blood particles responsible for clotting, from sticking or clumping together. By blocking a specific receptor (P2Y12 adenosine diphosphate) on the platelet surface, prasugrel prevents platelets from clumping, which can result in clogged arteries and may lead to heart attack.<br></br><br></br> "The approval of Efient helps to meet an important medical need. Survivors of heart attacks have a substantial risk of suffering from one or more additional heart attacks," said John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., chairman, president and chief executive officer of Lilly. "This action is a major step forward in giving healthcare professionals and patients in European countries a new antiplatelet option for treating ACS."<br></br><br></br> In a large Phase III study, prasugrel was superior to Plavix(R)/Iscover(R) (clopidogrel) in reducing the risk of suffering major cardiovascular events (combined endpoint of cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack or non-fatal stroke) in ACS patients undergoing PCI. The risk of non-coronary artery bypass graft (non-CABG) major bleeding, including fatal bleeding, was higher with prasugrel (2.2 percent incidence) compared with clopidogrel (1.7 percent incidence). Compared with the overall study population, a higher risk of serious bleeding among prasugrel patients was most evident in three distinct patient populations that are readily identifiable: patients who weighed less than 60 kg (132 lbs), patients who were 75 years of age or older and patients who have had a prior transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke. Patients who weighed less than 60 kg, or were 75 years of age or older had increased exposure with prasugrel.<br></br><br></br> The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is evaluating whether prasugrel should be approved in the United States for the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) managed with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The proposed name for prasugrel in the US is Effient(TM).<br></br><br></br> Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, and Eli Lilly and Company co-developed prasugrel, an oral antiplatelet agent discovered by Daiichi Sankyo and its Japanese research partner Ube Industries, Ltd. (TSE:4208) as a treatment initially for patients with acute coronary syndromes who are undergoing PCI.<br></br><br></br>About Acute Coronary Syndrome<br></br><br></br> Acute coronary syndrome includes heart attacks and unstable angina (chest pain). Coronary heart disease, which can result in ACS, is the single most common cause of death in the European Union, accounting for more than 741,000 deaths in the EU each year.(1) In addition, ACS affects nearly 1.5 million people in the United States annually.(2) Heart attack is a major manifestation of coronary heart disease, which occurs when the arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits. In some cases the plaque can rupture, resulting in a blood clot, which may partially or totally block the blood supply to portions of the heart, resulting in ACS.(3) Many ACS patients undergo PCI to re-open the artery, which usually includes a stent placement.<br></br><br></br>About Daiichi Sankyo<br></br><br></br> A global pharma innovator, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., was established in 2005 through the merger of two leading Japanese pharmaceutical companies. This integration created a more robust organization that allows for continuous development of novel drugs that enrich the quality of life for patients around the world. A central focus of Daiichi Sankyo's research and development are thrombotic disorders, malignant neoplasm, diabetes mellitus, and autoimmune disorders. Equally important to the company are hypertension, hyperlipidemia or atherosclerosis and bacterial infections. For more information, visit http://www.daiichisankyo.com.<br></br><br></br> Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, is the U.S. subsidiary of Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. For more information on Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., please visit http://www.dsus.com.<br></br><br></br> (1) British Heart Foundation Health Promotion Research Group.<br></br><br></br> (2) American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2008 Update.<br></br><br></br> (3) WebMD Medical Reference in Collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic. Heart Disease: Coronary Artery Disease. http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/heart-disease-coronary-artery-disease. Accessed December 9, 2008.<br></br><br></br>About Eli Lilly and Company<br></br><br></br> Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers - through medicines and information - for some of the world's most urgent medical needs.<br></br><br></br>This press release contains certain forward-looking statements about the potential of prasugrel (CS-747, LY640315) and reflects Daiichi Sankyo's and Lilly's current beliefs. However, as with any pharmaceutical compound, there are substantial risks and uncertainties in the process of development, regulatory review, and commercialization. There is no guarantee that the compound will receive regulatory approvals, that the regulatory approvals will be for the indication(s) anticipated by the companies, or that later studies and patient experience will be consistent with study findings to date. There is also no guarantee that the compound will prove to be commercially successful. For further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see Lilly's filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Daiichi Sankyo's filings with the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Daiichi Sankyo and Lilly undertake no duty to update forward-looking statements.<br></br><br></br>Plavix(R)/Iscover(R) are registered trademarks of sanofi-aventis.<br></br><br></br>Efient(R) is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company.<br></br><br></br>Effient(TM) is a trademark of Eli Lilly and Company.<br></br><br></br> Eli Lilly and Company<br></br>http://www.lilly.com <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://pediatricspr.blogspot.com/2009/02/ugandan-children-receive-life-saving.html#comment-form">Ugandan Children Receive Life-Saving Treatment For Heart Defects At Children's National Medical Center</a></li> <li><a href="http://dentalbobo.blogspot.com/2009/02/lexi-comp-full-library-of-dental.html#comment-form">Lexi-Comp's Full Library of Dental Resources Now Available for the iPhone&#8482; and iPod� touch</a></li> <li><a href="http://medicalnewstoday-just.blogspot.com/2009/02/alabama-receives-grant-to-combat.html#comment-form">Alabama Receives Grant To Combat Obesity</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-5777149412953768839?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-3396115390692742112009-02-24T11:00:00.000+02:002009-02-24T15:52:26.963+02:00 <br></br>A new US study suggests that learning to manage your anger might save your life: they found that anger-induced electrical changes can predict future heart arrhythmias in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).<br></br><br></br> The study is the work of researchers at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, and the Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven, Connecticut, and at PinMed Inc. and University of Pittsburgh, Cardiovascular Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is published in the March 3rd issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.<br></br><br></br> Lead author Dr Rachel Lampert, associate professor at Yale University School of Medicine told the press that the study was important because:<br></br><br></br> "We are beginning to understand how anger and other types of mental stress can trigger potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmias, especially among patients with structural heart abnormalities."<br></br><br></br> "We know strong emotion increases sympathetic arousal," explained Lampert.<br></br><br></br> "In this study, we found patients with higher levels of anger-induced TWA [a measure of the heart's electrical stability] were more likely to experience arrhythmias requiring ICD termination," she added.<br></br><br></br> Findings from other studies show that at times of great stress in the population, such as when there is an earthquake or war, there are more sudden cardiac deaths.<br></br><br></br> This study is the first to show that changes brought on by anger and other strong emotions can anticipate arrthymias and link mental stress to sudden cardiac arrest.<br></br><br></br> Sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart unexpectedly suddenly stops beating, causing blood to stop flowing to the brain and other vital organs.<br></br><br></br> According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Instititue (NHLBI), every year between 250,000 and 450,000 Americans have sudden cardiac arrest. It occurs most often in people in their mid-thirties to mid-forties and appears to affect men twice as often as women.<br></br><br></br> For this study, Lampert and colleagues examined 62 patients fitted with ICDs because they either had coronary artery diseae or dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart muscle is enlarged. They were all recruited from the Yale Electrophysiology practice.<br></br><br></br> They monitored the patients as they underwent a mental stress test in the laboratory about 3 months after being implanted with the ICD. During the test patients were asked to remember a recent situation that made them feel angry or aggravated. While the patients recalled their anger incident, the researchers monitored their T-wave alternans (TWA), a measure of their heart's electrical stability.<br></br><br></br> After this the patients were followed for an average of 37 months to see which of them had arrthymias that had to be stopped by their implanted ICDs.<br></br><br></br> The results showed that 16 per cent of the patients had ICD-terminated arrhythmias during follow up, and these also had higher TWA induced by anger than those patients who did not have arrhythmias during follow up.<br></br><br></br> Even when they took other clinical factors into account that might predispose patients to higher levels of TWA or higher levels of heart events (eg heart failure or history of arrhythmia), the researchers found that anger-induced TWA remained a significant predictor of arrhythmia during follow up. The risk was ten times that of other patients.<br></br><br></br> The authors recommended screening based on accurate non-invasive risk tests to identify patients at greatest risk for life-threatening arrhythmia, since these findings suggest that mental stress, and anger in particular, may be another route that provokes arrhythmia.<br></br><br></br> Commenting in an accompanying editorial, Dr Eric J. Rashba, professor of Medicine at Stony Brook University Medical Center, Long Island, New York, wrote:<br></br><br></br> "What remains unclear is how this new T-wave alternans test relates to traditional exercise TWA testing."<br></br><br></br> "It may be that combining exercise TWA tests with newer mental stress TWA tests may help clinicians better select patients likely to have arrhythmia and, in turn, benefit from a defibrillator; however, more study is needed," he added.<br></br><br></br> Lampert said that unlike exercise, mental stress doesn't raise heart rate significantly, which suggests that mental stress may affect heart tissue directly via adrenaline. Thus mental stress tests could be an alternative to atrial pacing for patients who can't exercise, she added, stressing that:<br></br><br></br> "More research is needed, but these data suggest that therapies focused on helping patients deal with anger and other negative emotions may help reduce arrhythmias and, therefore, sudden cardiac death in certain patients."<br></br><br></br>"Anger-Induced T-Wave Alternans Predicts Future Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients With Implantable Cardioverter- Defibrillators."<br></br> Lampert, Rachel, Shusterman, Vladimir, Burg, Matthew, McPherson, Craig, Batsford, William, Goldberg, Anna, Soufer, Robert.<br></br>J Am Coll Cardiol 2009; 53:774-778.<br></br> doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2008.10.053<br></br><br></br>Click here for Abstract.<br></br><br></br>Sources: Journal abstract, American College of Cardiology press statement, NHLBI.<br></br><br></br> Written by: Catharine Paddock, PhD <br></br>Copyright: Medical News Today<br></br>Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today <br></br><br></br> <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://iresearch4u.blogspot.com/2009/02/ucsf-gallo-study-finds-hormone-disorder.html#comment-form">UCSF Gallo Study Finds Hormone Disorder Drug Could Help Drinkers Stay Sober</a></li> <li><a href="http://healthnewstoday-just.blogspot.com/2009/02/thermo-fisher-scientific-introduces-new.html#comment-form">Thermo Fisher Scientific Introduces New Pipette Tip Packaging Systems</a></li> <li><a href="http://readfreshmedicalnews.blogspot.com/2009/02/ikea-social-initiative-adds-48-million.html#comment-form">IKEA Social Initiative Adds $48 Million To UNICEF's Child Health Programme</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-339611539069274211?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-11254626193954397042009-02-24T10:00:00.000+02:002009-02-24T14:52:29.294+02:00 <br></br>Current research suggests that lowering cholesterol may block the growth of prostate tumors. The related report by Solomon et al, "Ezetimibe Is an Inhibitor of Tumor Angiogenesis," appears in the March 2009 issue of The American Journal of Pathology. <br></br><br></br> High cholesterol not only leads to atherosclerosis and heart disease, but may also contribute to cancer growth and progression. Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in the United States, affecting approximately 1 in 6 men. Prostate tumors accumulate high levels of cholesterol, and tumor incidence correlates with eating a high fat/high cholesterol diet "Western" diet. In addition, prostate tumor progression has been linked to serum cholesterol levels. <br></br><br></br> To examine the role of high cholesterol in prostate cancer, Dr. Keith Solomon and colleagues fed mice a high fat/high cholesterol "Western" diet. They found that high cholesterol levels promoted tumor growth and that Ezetimibe (Zetia™), which blocks the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine, could prevent this increased tumor growth. Ezetimibe also blocked a cholesterol-mediated increase in angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels required for tumor progression. These data suggest that reducing cholesterol levels may inhibit prostate cancer growth specifically by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. <br></br><br></br> The article from Solomon et al suggests "that cholesterol reduction, which is routinely accomplished pharmacologically in humans, may reduce angiogenesis, ultimately leading to less aggressive tumors." "Lowering cholesterol levels whether through diet, exercise, or the use of safe cholesterol-lowering drugs is known to provide a substantial benefit to patients - in the future it may be possible to add reduced risk of serious prostate cancer to that list of benefits" says Solomon. "We are in the process of working with clinicians to translate these findings into potential human studies. If we can demonstrate the effects noted in our pre-clinical studies in human patients we may be save lives and improve the quality of life," adds Dr. Michael Freeman, senior author of the study. <br></br><br></br> ----------------------------<br></br>Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.<br></br>---------------------------- <br></br><br></br> This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the US Army Department of Defense. <br></br><br></br> Solomon KR, Pelton K, Boucher K, Joo J, Tully C, Zurakowski D, Schaffner CP, Kim J, Freeman MR: Ezetimibe Is an Inhibitor of Tumor Angiogenesis. Am J Pathol 2009 174: 1017-1026 <br></br><br></br> For more information on Dr. Solomon, please contact Rob Graham, Dept of Public Affairs, Children's Hospital Boston. <br></br><br></br>The American Journal of Pathology, official journal of the American Society for Investigative Pathology, seeks to publish high-quality, original papers on the cellular and molecular biology of disease. The editors accept manuscripts that advance basic and translational knowledge of the pathogenesis, classification, diagnosis, and mechanisms of disease, without preference for a specific analytic method. High priority is given to studies on human disease and relevant experimental models using cellular, molecular, animal, biological, chemical, and immunological approaches in conjunction with morphology. <br></br><br></br> Source: Angela Colmone <br></br>American Journal of Pathology <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/youngest-surviving-heart-transplant.html#comment-form">Youngest Surviving Heart Transplant Patient In The UK</a></li> <li><a href="http://nutritionanddietnews.blogspot.com/2009/02/calcium-associated-with-lower-risk-of.html#comment-form">Calcium Associated With Lower Risk Of Cancer In Women</a></li> <li><a href="http://medicalproducts2buy.blogspot.com/2009/02/alternative-surface-disinfection.html#comment-form">Alternative Surface Disinfection Explored in Latest Issue of American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC)</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-1125462619395439704?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-71163001276700851762009-02-23T12:00:00.000+02:002009-02-23T16:53:31.635+02:00 <br></br>Sarah Cox had a heart transplant at the age of 23 days - making her the youngest surviving heart transplant patient in the UK (by age at transplant). <br></br><br></br> Sarah is one of the youngest people ever to undergo a heart transplant in the UK, and is now a delightful and cheeky little girl who lives life to the full. <br></br><br></br> Her mother, Jennie Cox said: "Sarah was four weeks premature, so technically she had a transplant before she was even due to be born." <br></br><br></br> Her father, Nigel Cox, said: "Sarah has not just had the gift of life…she has had the gift of a normal life. Most of the time, unless we're with family and friends, we need not even discuss her medical condition." <br></br><br></br> Although not keen for the limelight, Jennie and Nigel have gone public to encourage families to join the NHS Donor Register. They said: "We're aware of the heartbreak the donor family went through. They lost a child. Without their courage and selflessness, our daughter would not be alive. We urge people to think about becoming donors, and what they would do if a tragedy hit their children." <br></br><br></br> Dr Mike Burch, Director of Cardiothoracic Transplantation at Great Ormond Street Hospital said: "Being so young Sarah was an unusual transplant case for us at GOSH, as donated organs for children of her age are very rare. Sarah is now thriving, and as a team we are delighted with the progress she has made. <br></br><br></br> "A heart transplant didn't just give Sarah a chance of life, it gave her a chance to lead a very good quality of life, and there is no reason why she can't go on to live a full and active childhood just like her friends." <br></br><br></br>Sarah's story<br></br><br></br> Sarah was born healthy, if slightly early. At the age of six days she contracted viral meningitis, and spent a week in her local hospital, however the enterovirus affected her heart. Sarah was rushed to Great Ormond Street Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) by the specialist CATS (Children's Acute Transportation Service), and then to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU). <br></br><br></br> At first it was thought she would be placed on ECMO - a heart and lung machine - to see if her heart recovered. She got better, but then suddenly around three weeks, she deteriorated. The virus had destroyed parts of her heart and there was little chance of recovery. <br></br><br></br> Jennie said: "With Sarah aged just 21 days, we were told it might be 12-48 hours before she left us. We had her baptised and then tried to start saying goodbye." <br></br><br></br> Then came the surprising news that a heart had become available, via a European hospital. An intensive care consultant called Jennie and Nigel in, and told them "Actually, a heart transplant is a possibility as we have been offered a compatible heart." <br></br><br></br> Nigel said "I think I stopped breathing at that point. I could not take it what I had heard as I believed there was no hope. We knew nothing about transplants. The nurse specialist sat us down and gave us the two hour basic briefing we needed." <br></br><br></br> They said yes to the transplant. The operation took place on Sarah's 23rd day. Just over three weeks later, she was home and has since been active and well. <br></br><br></br> Jennie said "The press imply a heart transplant is a cure…it's not a cure. Sarah will have to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of her life, but she has a good quality of life, and hopefully many years of it." <br></br><br></br> Sarah was lucky, partly because it is not currently possible for organs to be donated from children under two months of age in the UK. In Sarah's case, her heart came from an overseas donor. <br></br><br></br> Jennie concluded: "We understand Sarah was extremely lucky. We would welcome more discussion of the UK rules and codes of practice regarding organ donation and the very young." <br></br><br></br> To join the NHS Organ Donor Register: call the Organ Donor Register line on 0845 60 60 400, or log onto the website: http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk or text the word 'GIVE' to 84118. Standard text rates apply. <br></br><br></br>Notes<br></br><br></br> 1. All media enquiries are to come through Great Ormond Street Hospital press office. <br></br><br></br> 2. Sarah is the youngest surviving heart transplant patient in the UK going by age at transplant. <br></br><br></br> 3. Great Ormond Street Hospital is the largest heart and lung transplant unit for children in the UK<br></br><br></br> 4. In October 2008 a UK code of practice for the diagnosis and confirmation of death, produced by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, cited that for infants aged between 37 weeks gestation and 2 months it is rarely possible to confidently diagnose brain-stem death (the medical definition of death). <br></br><br></br> 5. Britain's youngest ever heart transplant patient, a patient of Sir Magdi Yacoub, sadly died in his late teens. <br></br><br></br> 6. We request that the media do not print or speculate about the date of transplant or the country of origin of the heart, as this violates the privacy and dignity of the donor family, and could jeopardise future attempts to get consent to donate. Any media speculation about the country of origin of the heart has not been confirmed by the hospital. <br></br><br></br> 7. Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust is the country's leading centre for treating sick children, with the widest range of specialists under one roof. With the UCL Institute of Child Health, we are the largest centre for paediatric research outside the US and play a key role in training children's health specialists for the future. Our charity needs to raise £50 million every year to help rebuild and refurbish Great Ormond Street Hospital, buy vital equipment and fund pioneering research. With your help we provide world class care to our very ill children and their families. <br></br><br></br>Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust<br></br> London <br></br> England<br></br>http://www.ich.ucl.ac.uk <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://healthstrahovanie.blogspot.com/2009/02/south-dakota-bill-would-require.html#comment-form">South Dakota Bill Would Require Contraception Coverage; Critics Argue Mandate Will Increase Costs</a></li> <li><a href="http://medicalneurology.blogspot.com/2009/02/stroke-vaccine-shows-promise.html#comment-form">Stroke Vaccine Shows Promise</a></li> <li><a href="http://actualnewsabouthealth.blogspot.com/2009/02/peanut-product-recall-taken-over-by.html#comment-form">Peanut Product Recall Taken Over By Texas Dept Of Health After PCA-Plainview Fails To Respond</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-7116300127670085176?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-78156320790520495112009-02-23T10:00:00.000+02:002009-02-23T14:52:24.931+02:00 <br></br>Assistance for patients <br></br><br></br>Intelligent sensor networks monitor important vital signs of patients or measure their activity. Fraunhofer researchers present the new systems at CeBIT 2009 in Hannover in Hall 9, Stand B36. <br></br><br></br> Poor sleep can be attributed to many causes, including shift work, stress, snoring or even sleep apnea - a disorder in which the sleeper temporarily stops breathing. Until now, only a sleep laboratory could determine whether a patient is suffering from sleep apnea or related sleep disturbances. In a traditional sleep laboratory, the patient is observed while sleeping for at least one night, connected to cables and observed by a large number of measuring instruments and cameras. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS in Erlangen have now developed a mobile sleep lab for home use. <br></br><br></br> SomnoSENS consists of a small box that is worn attached to the body during sleep and observes vital functions. Four adhesive electrode pads are used to record an electrocardiogram (ECG), while a finger clip measures the patient's blood oxygen level and pulse rate. A nasal clip and expandable belts around the upper torso monitor breathing, and a movement sensor in the device identifies the patient's body position and registers how much he or she moves. "The device is attached to the body during sleep and does not hinder sleep comfort due to its miniature size," Herbert Siegert from IIS assures. "SomnoSENS records and stores the data, and transmits them to the base station via a Bluetooth wireless interface. The physician can later evaluate the stored information to make an evidence-based diagnosis." <br></br><br></br> SYSvital - Assistance for heart patients <br></br><br></br> Patients with cardiovascular problems are often fearful of suffering another heart attack or developing other heart complications. They cannot visit the doctor daily to gain assurance about their condition. The SYSVital telemonitoring device devised by the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS in Dresden offers assistance to patients with heart problems. <br></br><br></br> Heart patients simply wear a small, lightweight device on their body. It records heartbeats via a 3-channel ECG, identifying minimum and maximum heart rates as well as arterial fibrillation. At the same time, the device records movement. A physician can evaluate, for instance, the heart rate in connection with physical effort, thus simplifying the diagnosis. The system also permits recovery time to be determined after physical exercise. The data are transferred via a home gateway to an Internet portal where the physician can access the information remotely. A range of optional components can be added to the system to measure other vital data such as blood pressure, weight or blood sugar level. <br></br><br></br> ActiSENS - Keeping active <br></br><br></br> Experts recommend physical exercise in order to prevent illness. But how many people manage to exercise regularly? Perhaps it might be enough to stay fit by walking to the subway, climbing the stairs to the third floor or doing household chores? A new device can determine how active we actually are. "ActiSENS measures a person's physical activity throughout the day," Herbert Siegert of the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS in Erlangen explains. The user merely needs to attach a small box containing movement sensors to their belt. The device translates activities into points to provide objective feedback regarding the user's personal level of physical exercise. Points are awarded on the basis of the type of activity: Climbing stairs earns more points than jogging, jogging more than walking, and so on. Zero points are awarded for driving or taking the elevator. <br></br><br></br> During the day, the current score can be displayed on the device at any time. In the evening, the accumulated data for the day can be transferred to a PC via Bluetooth and analyzed in greater depth according to previously selected parameters. The data can also be forwarded to a physician for evaluation. In this way it can be determined, for example, whether a patient's prescribed physical therapy is producing the desired results. <br></br><br></br> ----------------------------<br></br>Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.<br></br>---------------------------- <br></br><br></br> Source: Herbert Siegert <br></br>Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://sportscoolvideos.blogspot.com/2009/02/ubc-diving.html#comment-form">UBC Diving</a></li> <li><a href="http://medicalnewstodayblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/one-thing-leads-to-another-in.html#comment-form">One Thing Leads To Another In Exacerbations In COPD</a></li> <li><a href="http://4mentalhealth.blogspot.com/2009/02/growing-sound-launches-website-selling.html#comment-form">Growing Sound Launches Website Selling Children's Music Promoting Social Emotional Developmental</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-7815632079052049511?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-16220603665650706362009-02-23T09:00:00.000+02:002009-02-23T13:51:46.080+02:00 <br></br> The Department of Justice on Thursday announced plans to join two whistleblower lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Scios over allegations that the company illegally marketed the heart failure medication Natrecor for unapproved uses and defrauded Medicare and other federal health care programs, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. FDA in 2001 approved Natrecor for use in hospital patients who experienced shortness of breath caused by acute congestive heart failure (Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle, 2/20).<br></br><br></br>According to the lawsuits, filed in 2005 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by former Scios sales managers Joe Strom and Jeffrey Smith, the company since 2001 has marketed Natrecor for use in outpatients who have less severe heart failure. In court documents unsealed on Thursday, the plaintiff in one of the lawsuits alleges that "upper management has always permitted and encouraged active off-label marketing" (Wang/Kendall, Wall Street Journal, 2/20). Marcella Auerbach, an attorney for one of the plaintiffs, said that Scios and J&J have collected hundreds of millions of dollars in reimbursements from Medicare and other federal health programs for unapproved uses of Natrecor (San Francisco Chronicle, 2/20).<br></br><br></br>Charles Miller, a spokesperson for the civil division at DOJ, said, "Our investigation showed what we believed to have been off-label usage," adding, "As a result, we've joined the suit." <br></br><br></br>Ernie Knewitz, a spokesperson for J&J, said that the company had "reviewed the allegations thoroughly and will be prepared to address them through the courts" (Wall Street Journal, 2/20). <br></br><br></br>Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. <br></br><br></br>© 2009 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved. <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://geriatricslog.blogspot.com/2009/02/parc-communities-leader-in-atlanta.html#comment-form">Parc Communities, a Leader in Atlanta Retirement Communities, Announces Launch of Brain Fitness Program</a></li> <li><a href="http://addictionnewz.blogspot.com/2009/02/first-intervention-about-women.html#comment-form">The first Intervention About Women Compulsive Gamblers Airs on A&E February 23, 2009 at 9 PM: Williamsville Wellness will be Featured</a></li> <li><a href="http://zdorovieisport.blogspot.com/2009/02/sharpening-professional-foot-ball.html#comment-form">Sharpening Professional Foot ball Position Tips Posted By : Wellington W</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-1622060366565070636?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-2214815828536519292009-02-22T10:00:00.000+02:002009-02-22T14:51:07.078+02:00 <br></br>National heart charity, Heart Research UK, is urging walkers to get their boots on and sign up for their flagship fundraiser, the 'Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge' on Saturday 20 June. This 25-mile walk, not only provides spectacular scenery and gets the heart pumping, it helps raise funds for pioneering research into the prevention, treatment and cure of Britain's biggest killer, heart disease. <br></br><br></br> Now in its thirteenth year, the challenge covers three of the highest peaks in the Yorkshire Dales - Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. The charity needs as many dedicated, physically fit people as possible to do one, two, or even three peaks to help it continue the fight against heart disease. <br></br><br></br> Denise Armstrong, Lifestyle Manager for Heart Research UK says: "Walking regularly is great exercise to keep your heart healthy. It helps tone your muscles, improves circulation and can make you feel happier and more relaxed. Taking part in an established event like this is a fantastic way to raise money and find the motivation to get into an exercise routine and stick to it." <br></br><br></br> Unlike many other organisations, Heart Research UK does not charge an entry fee, it simply asks all walkers to raise as much sponsorship money as possible. Often participants fundraise in memory of a loved one or in support of someone who is living with heart disease. Walkers can choose to face the challenge alone, with friends and family, or with colleagues from work, as part of a team building day. <br></br><br></br> For further information or to enter the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, contact Heart Research UK on 0113 234 7474 or visit our website http://www.heartresearch.org.uk/three_peaks.htm <br></br><br></br>Heart Research UK is a visionary charity founded in 1967 by Mr David Watson, a working heart surgeon, who realised that patients were dying unnecessarily because of the lack of research in heart disease, especially surgical techniques. Having funded six of the first eight successful UK heart transplants the charity leads the way funding ground breaking, medical research projects into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease. There is a strong emphasis on supporting clinical and surgical projects and young researchers on their first steps into research. The Charity currently funds over £3.7m of research projects at 31 hospitals and universities across the UK, awarding £1.4m last year alone. In addition, over £600,000 has been awarded to community-based lifestyle projects that aim to prevent or reduce the risks of heart disease. <br></br><br></br>Heart Research UK <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://plasticsurgerytop.blogspot.com/2009/02/medical-spa-industry-expert-presents.html#comment-form">Medical Spa Industry Expert Presents Opening a Successful MedSpa and the Recession</a></li> <li><a href="http://managedcarehmo.blogspot.com/2009/02/medicare-partdcom-provides-seniors-with.html#comment-form">Medicare-PartD.com Provides Seniors with a Preview of their 2010 Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan Costs</a></li> <li><a href="http://nocancerblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/tiny-tool-to-control-growing-blood.html#comment-form">Tiny Tool To Control Growing Blood Vessels Opens New Potential In Tumor Research</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-221481582853651929?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-77437831983834441912009-02-21T11:00:00.000+02:002009-02-21T15:51:43.606+02:00 <br></br>Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) should remain the "standard of care" for patients with complex coronary artery disease, concludes the SYNTAX study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (online February 18, 2009, Print edition March 5).<br></br><br></br> The SYNTAX study, led jointly by Patrick Serruys from Erasmus University Medical Center (Rotterdam, the Netherlands) and Fred Mohr from the University of Leipzig (Germany), set out to compare CABG and PCI using DES to investigate whether the situation has changed. The findings of the SYNTAX study were first presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting in Munich, August 30 to September 3, 2008.<br></br><br></br> Improved technology is making it possible to treat increasingly complex coronary artery lesions with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a technique first introduced in 1977. But studies comparing PCI using bare metal stents (BMS) with CABG - such as the ARTS I, SoS and MASS II studies - showed that higher rates of repeat revascularization procedures were needed following PCI. Set against this background, other studies have been showing that newer drug eluting stents (DES) require less repeat revascularization than the older BMS.<br></br><br></br> Commenting on the study, Dr William Wijns, spokesperson for the European Society of Cardiology and president of the European Association for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI) said: "The SYNTAX study shows the importance of including both interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons in the decision making process. The fact SYNTAX concludes CABG should be considered the standard of care means all centres should be standing back and considering it."<br></br><br></br> But before drawing any firm conclusions from the SYNTAX data, he cautioned, it is important to wait for the two year update, expected to be presented at the European Society of Cardiology annual meeting in September 2009. "The big caveat with SYNTAX is that with CABG the highest risk of problems occurs in the first month following surgery, but with PCI problems gradually increase with time. It's therefore possible that the two year data will show the curves diverging."<br></br><br></br> Commenting on the SYNTAX score data for PCI, Dr Wijns said that wider use of the scoring system would provide clarity on which patients were most appropriate for different procedure. "Until now the borders between PCI and CABG have been quite blurred, but these results show that PCI can give excellent results in a predefined lower to intermediate risk sub group, but that it's not appropriate for high risk groups," he said, adding that he looked forward to the score becoming widely available so that clinicians could use it in the decision making process.<br></br><br></br> The European Society of Cardiology has recently set up a new joint task force with the European Association for Cardio Thoracic Surgery to produce guidelines on revascularization procedures. "Previously we had guidelines looking at PCI, but this time we plan to have guidelines reviewing the clinical issue of choosing the best revascularisation procedure for different patients," said Dr Wijns. The American College of Cardiology Foundation , Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and Society of Thoracic Surgery have recently published guidelines (online JACC, Jan 5 2009) reviewing appropriate revascularization procedures in 180 different clinical scenarios. These guidelines, however, were prepared prior to the availability of SYNTAX results.<br></br><br></br> Between March 2005 and April 2007, 1800 patients with three-vessel or left main coronary artery disease (considered the most complex cases), from 62 sites in Europe and 23 sites in North America, were randomly assigned to undergo CABG or PCI in a 1:1 ratio. Patients were only entered into the randomisation if an interventional cardiologist and cardiac surgeon both judged that they could achieve equivalent results with either procedure. Patients for whom only one treatment option was considered suitable were entered into either a PCI registry (n=198) or a CABG registry (n=1,077), with data reported separately.<br></br><br></br> Results at 12 months show that the rates of major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (defined as the primary end point for the study) were significantly higher in the PCI group than the CABG group (17.8 % versus 12.4%, P=0.002). The differences could be largely accounted for by patients in the PCI group requiring increased repeat revascularization. Altogether 13.5 % of patients in the PCI group underwent repeat revascularization compared to 5.9 % in the CABG group (P<br></br> At 12 months the rates of overall death (defined as the secondary end point) were similar for the two groups 3.5 % in the CABG group versus 4.4% in the PCI group ( P=0.37). Stroke, however, was significantly more likely to occur in the CABG population - 2.2 % of CABG patients experienced stroke compared with 0.6 % of PCI patients (P=0.003).<br></br><br></br> For the first time investigators used a measure known as the SYNTAX score, which had been designed to evaluate the complexity of the coronary disease. By splitting the population in tertiles, a low score was defined as less than 22, an intermediate score as between 23 and 32 and a high score as greater than 33. For patients receiving CABG, the major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events were similar in all three SYNTAX score groups. In contrast, for patients receiving PCI, the rate of major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events was 23.4 % for those with high SYNTAX scores, 16.7 % for those with intermediate scores and 13.6 % for those with low scores. For high versus low scores P=0.002.<br></br><br></br> In an accompanying editorial Richard Lange and David Hillis, from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, considered the increased risk of stroke in CABG patients. "The investigators do not discuss whether the strokes were related to the procedure or whether the risk of having a stroke was influenced by differences between the two groups in the occurrence of atrial fibrillation, use of aspirin or other antiplatelet agents, or presence of risk factors for atherosclerosis*," they write.<br></br><br></br> Percutaneous Coronary Intervention versus Coronary-Artery Bypass Grafting for Severe Coronary Disease. P W Serruys, M C Morice, AP Kappetein, et al. N Engl J Med 2009; 360: 961-72.<br></br><br></br> European Society of Cardiology (ESC)<br></br>http://www.escardio.org <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://healthstrahovanie.blogspot.com/2009/02/commonwealth-fund-unveils-comprehensive.html#comment-form">Commonwealth Fund Unveils Comprehensive Reform Recommendations That Include New Public Insurance Plan, National Insurance Exchange</a></li> <li><a href="http://mlenta.com/798">When Should Prostate-Specific-Antigen (PSA) Testing Be Stopped?</a></li> <li><a href="http://foodundbeverage.blogspot.com/2009/02/best-recipe-for-crockpot-roast-posted.html#comment-form">The Best Recipe For Crockpot Roast Posted By : Masil Nosacki</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-7743783198383444191?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-66904496115919846962009-02-20T11:00:00.000+02:002009-02-20T15:53:16.859+02:00 <br></br>Atritech, Inc. announced the upcoming presentation of the PROTECT AF trial results comparing the WATCHMAN(R) Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Closure Device to the current standard of care, warfarin therapy, in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. The results will be unveiled at the Late Breaking Clinical Trial session during the I2 Summit Scientific Meeting at 8:30 am on March 28, 2009. The I2 Summit is part of the Annual Meeting of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) being held March 28 - 31 in Orlando, Florida.<br></br><br></br> "This is a very important clinical study comparing the WATCHMAN to warfarin in the management of patients with atrial fibrillation. We are looking forward to the presentation by Dr. David Holmes, the Principal Investigator of the PROTECT AF Trial, at the ACC," remarked Jim Bullock, President and CEO. Hand-on demonstrations of the WATCHMAN technology will be available at the Atritech booth # 2857.<br></br><br></br> In August of 2008, Atritech announced the filing of its Pre-Market Approval Application (PMA) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The PMA contained the results of the PROTECT AF Clinical Trial which began enrollment in early 2005. The WATCHMAN Device continues to be implanted in a limited number of sites while the product is under review at the FDA. To date over 70 devices have been implanted in the Continued Access Registry.<br></br><br></br> Atritech's WATCHMAN LAA Closure Technology is intended as an alternative to warfarin therapy for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Patients with atrial fibrillation (a heart condition which causes the upper chambers of the heart to beat too rapidly) are at a significantly greater risk of having a stroke due to embolization of clots that may form in the LAA. Typically these patients require blood thinning medications to prevent these clots from forming in the heart. Current medical therapy requires frequent monitoring and has diet and other drug interactions and increases the risk of bleeding. The WATCHMAN device may be an effective alternative to warfarin for these patients.<br></br><br></br>About Atritech<br></br><br></br> Atritech is privately held and based in Plymouth, Minnesota. Major investors in Atritech include SplitRock Partners, Prism Venture Partners, Tullis-Dickerson Partners, , The Vector Group, Thoma Cressey Funds, SightLine Funds and Affinity Capital. For more information, visit http://www.atritech.net.<br></br><br></br> Atritech, Inc.<br></br>http://www.atritech.net <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://diabetesblognews.blogspot.com/2009/02/help-reshape-english-education-system.html#comment-form">Help Reshape The English Education System For Children With Diabetes</a></li> <li><a href="http://nutritionanddietnews.blogspot.com/2009/02/supplement-of-probiotics-provides-new.html#comment-form">Supplement Of Probiotics Provides A New Therapy For Ulcerative Colitis</a></li> <li><a href="http://nutritionanddietnews.blogspot.com/2009/02/new-reference-material-can-improve.html#comment-form">New Reference Material Can Improve Testing Of Multivitamin Tablets</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-6690449611591984696?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-25064177030667147952009-02-20T10:00:00.000+02:002009-02-20T14:57:12.419+02:00 <br></br> Five short reports published simultaneously by the journal Nature Genetics have for the first time identified clusters of genetic markers associated with heart attack and coronary heart disease. In one of the reports, from the largest ever study of its kind, the Myocardial Infarction Genetics Consortium identified nine precise genes associated with an increased risk of infarction (MI), three of them newly discovered; the investigators said that these nine gene variants "identify 20% of the population at 2.25-fold increased risk for MI". <br></br><br></br> This study set out to find "single letter" differences in gene sequences (known as single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) in 26,000 individuals in ten countries in order to explain why the pattern of early onset heart attack is often clustered in families. Using recently developed techniques for comparing an individual's gene sequences with reference sequences, the researchers found significant associations with risk of early heart attack for common SNPs in nine genetic regions. <br></br><br></br> One of the investigators, Dr Sekar Kathiresan from the Consortium, said: "Since we already have effective ways to reduce heart-attack risk, individuals at higher genetic risk may benefit from earlier intervention, something that needs to be tested in future studies." <br></br><br></br> Other studies reported in the journal included one from the Universite Pierre et Marie Curie in Paris which newly identified a new gene cluster (of three genes) as a possible susceptibility site for coronary artery disease. This study, unlike the first, compared individual and reference groups of SNPs (known as haplotypes). <br></br><br></br> Adding the studies together, the results suggest the identification of several new gene sites (loci) which appear to affect the risk of coronary heart disease and early heart attack. So far, the added risk from any abnormality in these gene sequences seems small, but the genomic association seems clear. Furthermore, there seems no specific theme to the SNPs involved, suggesting that, while the expression (phenotype) of heart disease and infarction may be consistent, the pathways of risk may be multiple at the genetic level. <br></br><br></br> Speaking on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology, Professor Thomas Lüscher from the University of Zurich in Switzerland agreed that risk stratification via genetic pathways in coronary heart disease is an important future approach, but warned that these latest results reported in Nature Genetics were from case-control and not prospective studies. He said: "The next stage is to confirm the results in a prospective cohort to find out if they really do provide the same sort of prognostic information we already have from the classical risk factors." <br></br><br></br> Professor Lüscher added that there is also a need to discover what the SNPs and gene clusters are doing biologically. "We have to find out what's going on at the cellular level as well," he said. "Several of the SNPs have been linked to cholesterol metabolism in the liver, but there are some new ones here associated with coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. <br></br><br></br> "This is important work but we need further evidence with statistical power and biological plausibility." <br></br><br></br>----------------------------<br></br>Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.<br></br>---------------------------- <br></br><br></br> References<br></br> 1. See Myocardial Infarction Genetics Consortium. Genome-wide association of early-onset myocardial infarction with single nucleotide polymorphisms and copy number variants. Nat Genet 2009; DOI: 10.1038/ng.327. <br></br><br></br> Source: ESC Press Office <br></br>European Society of Cardiology <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://keepfitlog.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-to-run-curl-routes-receiver.html#comment-form">How To Run Curl Routes: Receiver Training Posted By : Andrew Berkey</a></li> <li><a href="http://nutritionanddietnews.blogspot.com/2009/02/women-hivaids-coalition-in-malawi.html#comment-form">Women's HIV/AIDS Coalition In Malawi Encourages Participation In Farming Program, Better Nutrition Practices</a></li> <li><a href="http://hospitalstoday.blogspot.com/2009/02/fortune-best-places-to-work-recognizes.html#comment-form">FORTUNE's Best Places to Work Recognizes OhioHealth</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-2506417703066714795?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-48261791046814707652009-02-20T09:00:00.000+02:002009-02-20T13:53:15.187+02:00 <br></br>Individuals with diastolic blood pressure under 70 mm Hg coupled with an elevated systolic blood pressure may have a greater risk of heart attack and stroke than indicated by the systolic blood pressure values alone, according to a UC Irvine study. <br></br><br></br> Dr. Stanley Franklin and colleagues at the UC Irvine Heart Disease Prevention Program in conjunction with researchers at the Framingham Heart Study reviewed blood pressure data from 9,657 participants in the Framingham Heart Study who had not received antihypertensive treatment and found that the combination of low diastolic and high systolic numbers to be a superior predictor of future adverse cardiovascular events. <br></br><br></br> "Systolic blood pressure as a single blood pressure component is usually superior to diastolic blood pressure in predicting cardiovascular risk in middle-aged and older individuals," Franklin said. "But a very high or very low diastolic blood pressure can add to the risks identified by systolic blood pressure alone." <br></br><br></br> Currently, physicians diagnose hypertension with systolic and diastolic readings of 140/90 and above. This study suggests that doctors should give even greater consideration to systolic blood pressure when the diastolic blood pressure is low. <br></br><br></br> Franklin said, however, that a diastolic number under 70 mm Hg when combined with a systolic blood pressure less that 120 mm Hg indicates normal values with no increased cardiovascular risk; the low diastolic blood pressure must be coupled with an elevated systolic reading to indicate increased risk. This combination of blood pressure components is an indicator of increased stiffening of arteries, which is a strong risk factor for future heart attacks and strokes. <br></br><br></br> ----------------------------<br></br>Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.<br></br>---------------------------- <br></br><br></br> Study results appear in Circulation, a journal of the American Heart Association. <br></br><br></br> Source: Tom Vasich <br></br>University of California - Irvine <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://hospitalstoday.blogspot.com/2009/02/fortune-best-places-to-work-recognizes.html#comment-form">FORTUNE's Best Places to Work Recognizes OhioHealth</a></li> <li><a href="http://diabetesblognews.blogspot.com/2009/02/arete-therapeutics-initiates-phase-iia.html#comment-form">Arete Therapeutics Initiates Phase IIa Clinical Trial For AR9281, A Novel S-EH Inhibitor To Treat Type 2 Diabetes</a></li> <li><a href="http://diabetesblognews.blogspot.com/2009/02/one-in-five-augustans-with-type-2.html#comment-form">One In Five Augustans With Type 2 Diabetes Mistakenly Believe That Being Obese Or Overweight Can Positively Impact Their Disease</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-4826179104681470765?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-69936113548311054792009-02-19T14:00:00.000+02:002009-02-19T18:51:53.691+02:00 <br></br>Two years ago, a major study found that many patients who receive delayed treatment for a heart attack do just as well with drugs alone as they do with drugs plus stents to prop open their blocked arteries. Now, further analysis shows that the drug option is cheaper and that there is no meaningful long-term difference in quality of life between the two options. <br></br><br></br> "The finding is just one more reason to question the use of routine stenting in late-treatment patients when cheaper, less invasive options are just as effective," says Daniel Mark, M.D., a member of the Outcomes Research Group at the Duke Clinical Research Institute and the lead author of the study appearing in the Feb. 19 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. <br></br><br></br> The new study reports on the quality of life and medical expenses of patients enrolled in the Occluded Artery Trial (OAT), a study that compared optimal drug treatment with drugs plus stenting among patients who had suffered a heart attack but who received treatment days or even weeks after the first symptoms appeared. <br></br><br></br> Each year, about one million people in the U.S. suffer heart attacks. Studies show that the sooner treatment begins, the better - ideally, within a couple of hours. But in real life, about one-third of all patients are treated more than 12 hours after the first symptoms appear. During catheterization, many are found to have a 100 percent blockage in one of their arteries. At that point, there is no benefit in using clot-busting drugs, but doctors have long believed that placing a stent in such patients might still be helpful. <br></br><br></br> In the initial OAT trial, Judith Hochman, M.D., from New York University, and Mark, presented findings from a study of 2,166 patients showing that optimal medical therapy and medical therapy plus percutaneous coronary intervention, or PCI (using balloons and stents to open totally clogged arteries), were equally effective in stable heart attack patients whose treatment is delayed for days or even weeks. Now, in examining quality of life issues in the two groups, investigators say that while PCI does indeed produce modest benefits in reducing chest pain and improving functioning, those benefits do not last. <br></br><br></br> Mark and an international team of investigators examined how patients felt about their lives and the cost of the two approaches among 951 patients in the original study. Participants included patients who had suffered a heart attack anywhere from 3 to 28 days prior to enrollment who had a completely blocked artery but who were clinically stable and experiencing no chest pain. All of the enrollees received optimal medical therapy, but half were randomized to receive PCI as well. <br></br><br></br> Quality of life measures included the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI), which reflects cardiac function; the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form, which assesses a number of items, including pain, physical limitations, social function and vitality; and the Mental Health Inventory, which assesses psychological well-being. The questionnaires were administered face-to-face or by telephone upon enrollment in the study, and at 4, 12, and 24 months thereafter. <br></br><br></br> Investigators found that at four months, patients in the PCI group reported less chest pain and scored higher on the DSAI. But those differences were small and disappeared over time. By the end of the study, patients in the medical therapy group appeared to be doing just as well as those in the PCI group. <br></br><br></br> The researchers also compared the costs of the two treatments and the use of health care resources among a subgroup of patients in the United States. They found that during the first month of treatment, members of the PCI group stayed in the hospital 1.2 days longer than those in the medical group, mostly reflecting longer time in intensive care. They also found that the mean cost for hospital and physician care during the first 30 days after starting treatment was $22,859 for the PCI group and $12,683 for the medical therapy group. Overall, cumulative two-year costs were approximately $7,000 higher in the PCI group. <br></br><br></br> "What we have here is one of those cases where less is more," says Mark. "While it may seem that going an extra step in opening up clogged arteries even days after a heart attack, we know that clinically, it doesn't seem to offer the advantages we expected. Coupling that with the higher cost, we now know that adding PCI to standard medical care in opening blocked arteries more than a day after a heart attack is not good value. In an era when the high cost of health care is the subject of intense debate, this study offers us one way we can offer high quality care for less money." <br></br><br></br> "All heart attack patients should seek treatment right away to limit damage to the heart muscle," noted Elizabeth G. Nabel, M.D., director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, which supported the study. "For the one-third of patients who do not receive immediate care - but who are otherwise stable - we have greater evidence of how treatments really affect them. Medical care is not just about immediate results and survival, but it is also about providing good quality of life and minimizing medical costs." <br></br><br></br> ----------------------------<br></br>Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.<br></br>---------------------------- <br></br><br></br> Co-authors from Duke who contributed to the study include Wenqin Pan, Nancy Clapp Channing, Kevin Anstrom, Patricia Cowper, and Linda Davidson-Ray. Additional co-authors include Judith Hochman, OAT Study Chair; John Ross, University of Toronto; Rebecca Fox, Vancouver General Hospital; Gerard Devlin, Waikato Hospital, New Zealand; Edwin Martin, Cardiac Diagnostic Associates, York, PA; Christopher Adlbrecht, Medical University of Vienna; Eric Cohen, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, Toronto; and Study Co-Chair Gervasio Lamas, Columbia University Division of Cardiology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami. <br></br><br></br> Source: Michelle Gailiun <br></br>Duke University Medical Center <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=853337394694365078&postID=3203579800886660150">One In Five Augustans With Type 2 Diabetes Mistakenly Believe That Being Obese Or Overweight Can Positively Impact Their Disease</a></li> <li><a href="http://medicalallnews.blogspot.com/2009/02/toxic-element-research-foundation.html#comment-form">Toxic Element Research Foundation Announces Its Latest Worldwide Educational Programs for Health Professionals and Patients</a></li> <li><a href="http://medicalnewstodayblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/new-test-to-identify-illegal-steroids.html#comment-form">New Test To Identify Illegal Steroids In Cattle</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-6993611354831105479?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-59311636504946120392009-02-19T11:00:00.000+02:002009-02-19T15:52:43.629+02:00 <br></br>Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARNA) announced the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial of an orally administered niacin receptor agonist drug candidate being developed by Merck & Co., Inc., under its collaboration with Arena to treat atherosclerosis. Agonists of the niacin receptor have the potential to regulate plasma lipid profiles, including HDL, or the "good" cholesterol, similar to the therapeutic action of niacin. The initiation of this trial does not trigger a milestone payment.<br></br><br></br> The Phase 2 clinical trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the safety, tolerability, as well as potential efficacy, of the niacin receptor agonist in patients with dyslipidemia.<br></br><br></br> "We are pleased with Merck's decision to advance this niacin receptor agonist into Phase 2," said Jack Lief, Arena's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to the Phase 2 results and to the possible continued advancement of this program."<br></br><br></br>About Arena Pharmaceuticals<br></br><br></br> Arena is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing oral drugs in four major therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, central nervous system, inflammatory and metabolic diseases. Arena's most advanced drug candidate, lorcaserin, is being investigated in a Phase 3 clinical trial program for the treatment of obesity. Arena's broad pipeline of novel compounds target G protein-coupled receptors, an important class of validated drug targets, and includes compounds being evaluated independently and with partners, including Merck & Co., Inc., and Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.<br></br><br></br> Arena Pharmaceuticals(R) and Arena(R) are registered service marks of the company. "APD" is an abbreviation for Arena Pharmaceuticals Development.<br></br><br></br>Forward-Looking Statements<br></br><br></br> Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include statements about the therapeutic and other potential of niacin receptor agonists; the development, therapeutic indication, efficacy and potential of a niacin receptor agonist in a Phase 2 clinical trial under Arena's collaboration with Merck; the protocol, design, scope, enrollment and other aspects of such trial; the future results of such trial and the continued advancement of the related program; and about Arena's strategy, internal and partnered programs, and ability to develop compounds and commercialize drugs. For such statements, Arena claims the protection of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual events or results may differ materially from Arena's expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, clinical trials and studies may not proceed at the time or in the manner Arena expects or at all, the results of clinical trials or preclinical studies may not be predictive of future results, Arena's ability to receive regulatory approval for its drug candidates, Arena's ability to partner lorcaserin or other of its compounds or programs, the timing, success and cost of Arena's research, out-licensing endeavors and clinical trials, Arena's ability to obtain additional financing, Arena's ability to obtain and defend its patents and the timing and receipt of payments and fees, if any, from Arena's collaborators. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by Arena's forward-looking statements are disclosed in Arena's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent Arena's judgment as of the time of this release. Arena disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as may be required under applicable law.<br></br><br></br> Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.<br></br>http://www.arenapharm.com <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://medicalallnews.blogspot.com/2009/02/dr-larry-kaskel-medical-director-of.html#comment-form">Dr. Larry Kaskel, Medical Director of the Heart Attack Prevention Center, to Speak March 4th at CardioCareLive about FirstLine Therapy</a></li> <li><a href="http://plasticsurgerytop.blogspot.com/2009/02/inexpensive-and-illegal-buttock.html#comment-form">Inexpensive and Illegal Buttock - Boosting Injections Not Pretty</a></li> <li><a href="http://alternativemedicinelog.blogspot.com/2009/02/what-would-you-do-with-extra-1000.html#comment-form">What Would You Do With An Extra $1,000?</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-5931163650494612039?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-60858059590163577162009-02-19T10:00:00.000+02:002009-02-19T14:53:53.144+02:00 <br></br>Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) welcomed the publication of results from its landmark SYNTAX(TM) trial in this week's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. In the study, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using the TAXUS(R) Express2(TM) Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System was compared to contemporary coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in patients with the most complex coronary artery disease (CAD). Trial results at 12 months demonstrated no overall statistically significant differences between PCI and CABG in rates of death or myocardial infarction (heart attack), although PCI patients were more likely to require a repeat revascularization (mostly additional PCI) than were CABG patients.<br></br><br></br> The SYNTAX trial is the first randomized, controlled clinical trial to compare these two treatments in patients with left main disease and three-vessel disease. These patient groups are typically treated with CABG and represent a population with far more complex anatomy and advanced disease than those studied in prior drug-eluting stent (DES) clinical trials.<br></br><br></br> "SYNTAX has provided the medical community with critical information on the management of patients with advanced and complex CAD," said Ted Feldman, M.D., F.S.C.A.I., Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at NorthShore University HealthSystem in Evanston, Illinois, and a lead investigator of the trial. "While CABG may still be the preferred treatment in many patients with complicated disease, some patients may now be candidates for the less-invasive alternative offered by stents. These data will assist cardiologists in making treatment therapy decisions for these patients."<br></br><br></br> The SYNTAX trial enrolled 1,800 patients in its randomized arm, using an innovative consecutive enrollment methodology. All patients were assessed by a multidisciplinary team including an interventional cardiologist and a cardiac surgeon. If both the cardiologist and surgeon felt they could offer equivalent complete revascularization, patients were randomized 1:1 into one of the two treatment strategies (PCI or CABG). If either the cardiologist or surgeon felt that one revascularization technique was the preferred treatment, then patients were not randomized, but were entered into the corresponding registry. Accordingly, patients in the PCI registry had been rejected for cardiac surgery, and patients in the CABG registry had been rejected for PCI.<br></br><br></br> The patients recruited in the SYNTAX trial are a unique study group in the PCI field, given their exceptionally complex anatomy and advanced disease. The average PCI-treated patient enrolled in SYNTAX received 4.6 stents. By contrast, the average number of stents implanted in a PCI patient in everyday practice is 1.5. Further evidence of the complex nature of PCI-treated patients enrolled in SYNTAX include 33 percent of patients with >100 millimeters stented length, 72 percent with bifurcations, 22 percent with total occlusions and 39 percent with left main disease.<br></br><br></br> The final one-year results published today showed similar safety for the two randomized groups, with a combined rate of all-cause death, stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) of 7.6 percent for PCI and 7.7 percent for CABG (p=0.98). The rate of stroke itself was significantly lower for PCI (0.6 percent for PCI as compared to 2.2 percent for CABG, p=0.003). Overall 12-month MACCE (all-cause death, stroke, MI and repeat revascularization), however, was significantly higher for PCI (17.8 percent versus 12.4 percent, p=0.002), due to more repeat revascularization in the PCI arm (13.5 percent versus 5.9 percent, p=0.001). Most repeat revascularizations in the PCI arm, however, were performed by additional PCI, with only 2.8 percent of PCI patients ultimately requiring CABG.<br></br><br></br> "Boston Scientific is proud to sponsor the SYNTAX trial, and we are pleased that our robust DES clinical trial program is providing physicians with additional data to determine optimal treatment strategies for patients with challenging coronary artery disease," said Keith Dawkins, M.D., Associate Chief Medical Officer of Boston Scientific.<br></br><br></br> The SYNTAX trial broke new ground by scientifically defining a new measure for anatomical complexity -- the SYNTAX(TM) Score(TM) -- which characterizes vasculature based on lesion number, complexity and location. In fact, PCI patients in the lower one-third of raw SYNTAX Score results had similar 12-month combined MACCE rates to CABG patients (13.6 percent for PCI and 14.7 percent for CABG, p=0.71).<br></br><br></br> The TAXUS Express2 Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System used in the SYNTAX trial has now been replaced by the Company's second-generation TAXUS(R) Liberte(R) Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System, which has been approved for use in the United States, Europe and Japan. This stent represents Boston Scientific's latest advance in drug-eluting stent technology, with substantially thinner struts and a more flexible cell geometry for improved deliverability, as well as uniform strut distribution designed specifically for drug elution.<br></br><br></br> Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices whose products are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties. For more information, please visit: http://www.bostonscientific.com.<br></br><br></br>Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements<br></br><br></br> This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "anticipate," "expect," "project," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "intend" and similar words. These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and estimates using information available to us at the time and are not intended to be guarantees of future events or performance. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding new product development and performance, clinical trials, regulatory approvals, alternative therapies and our growth strategy. If our underlying assumptions turn out to be incorrect, or if certain risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. These factors, in some cases, have affected and in the future (together with other factors) could affect our ability to implement our business strategy and may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements expressed in this press release. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements.<br></br><br></br> Factors that may cause such differences include, among other things: future economic, competitive, reimbursement and regulatory conditions; new product introductions; demographic trends; intellectual property; litigation; financial market conditions; and, future business decisions made by us and our competitors. All of these factors are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of them are beyond our control. For a further list and description of these and other important risks and uncertainties that may affect our future operations, see Part I, Item 1A - Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we may update in Part II, Item 1A - Risk Factors in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q we have filed or will file thereafter. We disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or in events, conditions, or circumstances on which those expectations may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this document.<br></br><br></br> Boston Scientific Corporation<br></br>http://www.bostonscientific.com <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://physicaltherapylive.blogspot.com/2009/02/best-selling-author-and-fitness-expert.html#comment-form">Best Selling Author and Fitness Expert Teresa Tapp Launches TappCore, a Free Fitness Program for Schools Nationwide</a></li> <li><a href="http://zdorovieisport.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-to-use-warm-up-carrom-board-posted.html#comment-form">How to use a warm-up carrom board Posted By : sds</a></li> <li><a href="http://zdorovieisport.blogspot.com/2009/02/is-compound-bow-right-for-you-posted-by.html#comment-form">Is A Compound Bow Right For You? Posted By : Bart Icles</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-6085805959016357716?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-52431170300509676502009-02-18T13:00:00.000+02:002009-02-18T17:53:30.288+02:00 <br></br> A first-of-its-kind operation has been performed in the UK using a newly developed medical device, the Zenith® Helical Branch Iliac Endovascular Graft from Cook Medical. Mr Ferdinand Serracino-Inglott, one of Europe's most experienced vascular surgeons, carried out the complex medical procedure on an 81 year old man at the Manchester Royal Infirmary using the Helical Branch Endograft from the Aortic Intervention business unit of Cook Medical, the global sales and technology leader in endovascular therapy products. The patient, Mr Dennis Ryan, was suffering from an aortic aneurysm (a weakening of the wall of the aorta), a condition that kills around 7,000 people in the UK every year. <br></br><br></br> Unlike more common aneurysms, Mr Ryan's aneurysm extended from his abdominal aorta into his iliac artery, the main blood supply to the legs. This extension made the operation a more complicated procedure than if the aneurysm had only affected the aorta. To perform the operation, Mr Serracino-Inglott had to seal off both aneurysms, without restricting the blood supply to the patient's legs. If the blood flow is interrupted, he explained, the elderly patient could have experienced numerous disabling problems. <br></br><br></br> The minimally invasive operation took place on 12th September and lasted two hours, and the patient's general condition has been closely monitored since then. Mr Ryan made a good recovery, and within four weeks of the operation, was back to day to day life. Such a quick recovery would not have been possible with open surgical replacement of the diseased aorta, highlighting the potential patient benefits of the minimally invasive endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) procedure in complex cases. <br></br><br></br> Mr Serracino-Inglott explains: "Mr Ryan's case was slightly more complex than usual since the aneurysm not only effected the aorta but also the left common iliac artery. Using any other stent-graft would have resulted in us cutting off the blood supply to the buttocks and pelvis on this side. This could have given rise to buttock pain on walking, bowel problems and impotence. <br></br><br></br> "Cook Medical's Zenith® Helical Branch Iliac Endovascular Graft enabled me to repair Mr Ryan's common iliac aneurysm whilst still maintaining a good flow of blood to the internal iliac arteries (blood vessels to the pelvis and buttocks)." This was the first time that Cook's helical branched endograft has been used in the UK, and reflects the great strides being made in product innovation by medical device manufacturers such as Cook Medical. <br></br><br></br> Phil Nowell, global leader of the Aortic Intervention business unit of Cook Medical, explains: "We developed this product specifically to enable surgeons to treat complicated conditions such as Mr Ryan's using EVAR. By continuing to focus on product innovation we hope that more and more patients can experience the reduced trauma and improved mortality rates offered by EVAR rather than having to undergo the far more invasive and potentially debilitating open surgical alternative." <br></br><br></br>What is an aneurysm? <br></br><br></br> An aneurysm is a bulge in the arterial wall caused by blood pressure pushing against a weakened area. Aortic aneurysms occur either in the chest (a thoracic aortic aneurysm - TAA) or in the abdomen (an abdominal aortic aneurysm - AAA). When the aneurysm reaches a certain size (typically larger than 5.5cm in diameter) it is considered at risk of rupturing. A burst aneurysm results in severe internal blood loss and is usually fatal. In some AAA cases, the aneurysm can extend down into the iliac arteries, which supply blood to the legs. This is a more complex condition to repair, requiring the more advanced endograft designed by Cook Medical. <br></br><br></br>How is an aneurysm repaired? <br></br><br></br> To repair an aneurysm, a stent-graft is guided into the body using a catheter-based delivery system. Once inserted into the aorta, the stent-graft - a tubular fabric device supported by self-expanding metal stent bodies - is released inside the diseased section of the aorta where it expands and seals off the aneurysm from within, relieving blood pressure against the weakened walls of the aorta, the body's main blood vessel, to reduce the risk of premature rupture. <br></br><br></br>About the operation and device<br></br><br></br> The operation performed is known as EVAR. This stands for EndoVascular Aneurysm Repair, a relatively new procedure rapidly gaining wide acceptance in the medical community in the UK and around the globe. Traditional open surgery, which involves a general anaesthetic and making a large incision the length of the abdomen to clamp off the aorta and replace the damaged section with a surgical graft, can lead to serious complications and extended recovery times. Instead, the patient was treated using minimally invasive endovascular therapy, with the medical team inserting catheters via two small incisions in the groin to access the femoral arteries. The delivery system carrying the stent-graft is precisely positioned over the guidewires, where the device was deployed to treat the aneurysm. This kind of minimally invasive repair frequently results in less patient discomfort and complications, a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery than undergoing the more traumatic open surgery. <br></br><br></br>Download the animation. <br></br><br></br>About Cook Medical<br></br><br></br> Cook Medical was one of the first companies to help popularise interventional medicine, pioneering many of the devices now commonly used worldwide to perform minimally invasive medical procedures. Today, the company integrates minimally invasive medical device design, biopharma, gene and cell therapy and biotech to enhance patient safety and improve clinical outcomes in the fields of aortic intervention; interventional cardiology; critical care medicine; gastroenterology; radiology, peripheral vascular, bone access and oncology; surgery and soft tissue repair; urology; and assisted reproductive technology, gynecology and high-risk obstetrics. Founded in 1963 and operated as a family-held private corporation, Cook is a past winner of the prestigious Medical Device Manufacturer of the Year Award from Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry magazine. <br></br><br></br> Cook Medical <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://a2naked.blogspot.com/2009/02/big-tits-brunette-woman-shakes-her-ass.html">Big Tits Brunette Woman Shakes Her Ass For You</a></li> <li><a href="http://gotu-dating.blogspot.com/2009/02/berwick-upon-tweed.html">Berwick upon Tweed,</a></li> <li><a href="http://splopxx.blogspot.com/2009/02/watch-street-fighter-legend-of-chunli.html">WATCH Street Fighter Legend of Chunli HD MovieFULL MOVIES PART 1</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-5243117030050967650?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-35432090541687459872009-02-18T12:00:00.000+02:002009-02-18T16:56:21.420+02:00 <br></br>In medical emergencies, most people are conditioned to pick up the phone and dial 9-1-1. But if you are a woman having a heart attack, dialing that number may not be your best bet. A new report published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes reveals that women experiencing cardiac symptoms were much less likely than men to receive prompt medical care after calling 9-1-1.<br></br><br></br> If a woman is having cardiac symptoms: "It turns out that (she is) more likely to be delayed from the time of symptom onset, through transport and all the way to definitive care," explains Thomas W. Concannon, Ph.D., the study's lead author and assistant professor of medicine at the Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Mass.<br></br><br></br> It has long been established that women experience different cardiac symptoms than men, especially during an acute attack. Doctors often diagnose a heart attack by evaluating a patient's symptoms. However, women are more likely to experience nausea, vomiting, upper-back pain, shortness of breath, dizziness and indigestion which are not considered to be the hallmark signs of a heart attack.<br></br><br></br> And while the study did not uncover the reasons why women were more likely to receive delayed treatment, it confirms the notion that heart-related symptoms may not be recognized as easily in women. According to Concannon, "Delays could be happening because the patient and the clinician are slower to recognize symptoms as cardiac-related (in women)."<br></br><br></br> An acute heart attack occurs when a blocked vessel restricts blood flow to an area of the heart muscle. The lack of blood flow means this area of the heart is deprived of oxygen. The longer a heart attack victim goes without receiving medical treatment, the longer the heart muscle goes without receiving oxygen. This oxygen deprivation causes significant, and sometimes irreversible, damage to the heart muscle. A phrase used by critical care professionals to underscore the importance of timely treatment is: "time lost equals muscle lost."<br></br><br></br> According to Concannon, "Delays of 15 minutes have been shown to contribute to a significantly larger area of damage to heart muscle in patients with heart attack. While our study included patients with any cardiac related symptom, we studied 15 minute delays because of their potential for harm in patients with heart attack."<br></br><br></br> Because delayed treatment has such serious consequences, women need to be aware of their own risk for heart disease. "In an emergency situation, symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest tightness are often viewed as psychogenic, rather than of cardiac origin," said Jennifer H. Mieres, M.D., spokesperson for the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women campaign, in a news release issued by the AHA. "Women must be actively engaged in their health, listen to their bodies and insist on a thorough evaluation of critical heart health factors."<br></br><br></br>Knowing the risk factors for cardiovascular disease is vital for women and men. They include:<br></br><br></br> A family history of heart disease<br></br><br></br> Increasing age<br></br><br></br> High blood pressure<br></br><br></br> High cholesterol<br></br><br></br> Obesity<br></br><br></br> Physical inactivity<br></br><br></br> Diabetes<br></br><br></br> Tobacco smoke<br></br><br></br> Exercising regularly, eating well and having annual screenings for blood pressure and cholesterol can lower your risk of heart disease. Being proactive in your own health care can also play a large role in the proper diagnosis and prompt treatment of heart and other major diseases.<br></br><br></br> SOURCE: Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, January 13, 2009.<br></br><br></br> Society for Women's Health Research (SWHR)<br></br> 1025 Connecticut Ave. NW, Ste. 701<br></br> Washington<br></br> DC 20036<br></br> United States<br></br>http://www.womenshealthresearch.org <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://ludasclips.blogspot.com/2009/02/sexy-mallu-indian-hot-desi-latina-girl.html">SEXY MALLU INDIAN HOT DESI LATINA GIRL DONT MISS IT</a></li> <li><a href="http://businessconsumerresearch.blogspot.com/2009/02/green-beauty-industry-wild-west-has.html">The Green Beauty Industry's Wild West Has Found a New Sheriff</a></li> <li><a href="http://lesbi7a.blogspot.com/2009/02/hot-sexy-blonde-lesbian-girls-big-boobs.html">Hot Sexy Blonde Lesbian Girls Big Boobs - Lebians Breasts boobs anal sex butt naked sex</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-3543209054168745987?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-78640323904479461212009-02-18T11:00:00.001+02:002009-02-18T15:53:58.892+02:00 <br></br>CryoLife, Inc. (NYSE: CRY), a biomaterials, medical device and tissue processing company, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared a new claim for the CryoValve(R) SG pulmonary human heart valve. The new labeling claim relates to reducing a component of the immune response in recipients of the CryoValve SG.<br></br><br></br> CryoValve SG pulmonary human heart valve is processed with the Company's proprietary SynerGraft(R) technology, which is designed to remove allogeneic donor cells and cellular remnants from the valve without compromising the integrity of the underlying collagen matrix.<br></br><br></br> The new claim relates to the fact that data from three company-sponsored clinical studies and a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on allograft heart valves shows that implantation of the CryoValve SG reduces the risk of inducing HLA class I and class II alloantibodies, based on Panel Reactive Antibody (PRA) measured at up to one year, compared to the standard- processed pulmonary human heart valve. The effect of reduced alloantibodies, however, on the long-term durability, or long-term resistance to rejection by the patient, of the CryoValve SG has not yet been clinically proven. The company has documented the implantation of more than 1,800 CryoValve SG pulmonary human heart valves.<br></br><br></br> The CryoValve SG pulmonary human heart valve is indicated for the replacement of diseased, damaged, malformed or malfunctioning native or prosthetic pulmonary valves. The valve can be used in conjunction with right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction procedures (RVOT), commonly performed in children with congenital heart defects. In addition, the valve can be used for pulmonary valve replacement during the Ross Procedure, an operation in which a patient's defective aortic valve is removed and replaced with his or her own pulmonary valve. The CryoValve SG is then surgically implanted in place of the removed native pulmonary valve.<br></br><br></br> A PRA screen is used to identify allosensitized patients prior to organ transplantation. An elevated PRA level, indicating pretransplant alloantibodies, increases the risk of organ transplant rejection and patient mortality. In addition, high and prolonged PRA levels may prevent or delay transplantation until a suitable crossmatch-compatible donor is identified.<br></br><br></br> "A major objective of our research and development is to reduce and ultimately eliminate the risk of an immune response for patients, and we are making great strides toward achieving that goal," said Steven G. Anderson, president and chief executive officer of CryoLife. "This new claim is important because a subset of patients receiving an allograft heart valve is likely to eventually require an organ transplant. Demonstration of reduced alloantibody levels with the CryoValve SG can be a key consideration for cardiac surgeons when replacing the pulmonary valve. Working with the FDA, we will monitor the long-term clinical outcomes over the coming years to assess what impact the SynerGraft process has on valve durability."<br></br><br></br>About CryoLife, Inc.<br></br><br></br> Founded in 1984, CryoLife, Inc. is a leader in the processing and distribution of implantable living human tissues for use in cardiac and vascular surgeries throughout the U.S. and Canada. The Company received FDA clearance for the CryoValve(R) SG pulmonary human heart valve, processed using CryoLife's proprietary SynerGraft(R) Technology in early 2008. The Company's BioGlue(R) Surgical Adhesive is FDA approved as an adjunct to sutures and staples for use in adult patients in open surgical repair of large vessels. BioGlue is also CE marked in the European Community and approved in Canada and Australia for use in soft tissue repair. CryoLife distributes Hemostase MPH(R), a hemostatic agent, in much of the U.S. for use in cardiac and vascular surgery and in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Canada for cardiac, vascular, and general surgery, subject to certain exclusions.<br></br><br></br> Statements made in this press release that look forward in time or that express management's beliefs, expectations or hopes are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include those regarding the expected benefits of the CryoValve SG and its potential impact on patients as well as the factors considered by surgeons when replacing a pulmonary valve. These forward looking statements may not occur as, when or to the extent expected, and are subject to a number of risk, including the following: CryoValve SG continues to undergo testing, and additional test results may not yield the anticipated benefits. Many factors impact the suitability of patients for transplants, and there can be no guaranty that patients who receive the CryoValve SG will be more likely to be considered suitable for transplants or have better results following a transplant. In addition, the factors considered by surgeons in weighing transplant options may vary and may change over time. The Company does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.<br></br><br></br> For additional information about the company, visit CryoLife's Web site: http://www.cryolife.com.<br></br><br></br> CryoLife, Inc.<br></br>http://www.cryolife.com <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://p1businessbooks.blogspot.com/2009/02/critically-acclaimed-umbra-joins-uclick.html">Critically-acclaimed Umbra Joins UCLICK Lineup of Comic Books on iPhone and iPod Touch</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2naked.blogspot.com/2009/02/bbw-ssbbw-big-boobs-big-booty-big_18.html">BBW, SSBBW, big boobs, big booty, big belly...lovely, sexy!</a></li> <li><a href="http://a5nasery.blogspot.com/2009/02/big-tits-blonde-girl-shows-her-boobs-on.html">Big Tits Blonde Girl Shows Her Boobs On Her Webcam</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-7864032390447946121?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-86940372945150014562009-02-18T11:00:00.000+02:002009-02-18T15:53:56.175+02:00 <br></br>Researchers at the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (GICD) and the University of California, San Francisco have unraveled a complex signaling process that reveals how different types of cells interact to create a heart. It has long been known that heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) actively divide and expand in the embryo, but after birth this proliferative capacity is permanently lost. How this transition occurs has not been known. In the current issue of the journal Developmental Cell, the scientists show that the secret to this switch lies in the cells that surround the muscle cells, known as fibroblasts, which send signals that tell cardiomyocytes to divide or get bigger in size. Manipulation of these signals may be able to induce cardiomyocytes to divide again for regenerative purposes after heart attacks. <br></br><br></br> Cells exist in a three-dimensional matrix with other cells. Reciprocal signaling between the neighboring cells, along with internally generated factors and signals, insure that the tissues attain the correct shape, size, and function. In heart development, prior to birth (embryogenesis) heart cells (cardiomyocytes) proliferate and develop into different parts of the heart. After birth, the cells no longer proliferate. Although they continue to grow, the inability to proliferate renders the heart unable to regenerate cells after they have been damaged as occurs in heart attacks. It has been suggested that cardiac fibroblasts, which are cells that surround the muscle cells and make up over half of the heart cells, might be important in embryogenesis, but little is known about their development and roles in the embryonic heart. <br></br><br></br> "We've always suspected that different cell types are involved in determining how a heart is built," said GICD Director and senior author Deepak Srivastava, MD. "Our research showed that the signals from cardiac fibroblasts contribute to the different responses of cardiomyocytes." <br></br><br></br> To replicate the cell interactions in the developing heart, the scientists developed a novel method of growing two distinct cell types together. By observing the cells in this system, they found that the embryonic cardiac fibroblasts promoted cell division by the cardiomyocytes more efficiently than adult cardiac fibroblasts. Furthermore, they found that fibronectin, collagen and a heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor are secreted specifically by the embryonic cardiac fibroblasts as signals to promote this cell division. These molecules act through another signaling molecule called b1 integrin, found on the surface of cardiomyocytes. The team confirmed their observations in mutant mice that lacked b1 integrin. The mutant mice had fewer myocardial cells and disruptions of the muscle integrity that eventually led to prenatal death. <br></br><br></br> "We found a major difference in the function of embryonic and adult cardiac fibroblasts. Embryonic cardiac fibroblasts promote myocyte proliferation, while adult fibroblasts promote myocyte hypertrophy," said Masaki Ieda, MD, PhD, Gladstone postdoctoral fellow and lead author on the study. "We are now trying to make adult cardiac fibroblasts more like their embryonic counterparts to induce cardiomyocyte proliferation in the adult." <br></br><br></br> "Fibroblasts are also abundant and integrally involved in many other tissues, including skin, breast, lung and some cancers. Our results may be relevant to the broader understanding of tissue development, function, and disease," said Dr. Srivastava. <br></br><br></br> ----------------------------<br></br>Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.<br></br>---------------------------- <br></br><br></br> Other authors on the study included Takatoshi Tsuchihashi and Kathryn N. Ivey of GICD, Robert S. Ross from the University of California, San Diego, and Ting-Ting Hong, and Robin M. Shaw from the University of California, San Francisco. <br></br><br></br> About the Gladstone Institutes <br></br><br></br> The J. David Gladstone Institutes, an independent, non-profit biomedical research organization, affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), is dedicated to the health and welfare of humankind through research into the causes and prevention of some of the world's most devastating diseases. Gladstone is comprised of the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, the Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology and the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease. More information can be found at http://www.gladstone.ucsf.edu/. <br></br><br></br> Source: Valerie Tucker <br></br>Gladstone Institutes <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://a8assfull.blogspot.com/2009/02/black-lesbians-hot-black-lesbian-teens.html">Black Lesbians Hot Black Lesbian Teens</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2kiska.blogspot.com/2009/02/hottest-freaky-cam-girl-shaking-huge.html">Hottest Freaky Cam Girl Shaking Huge Ass Exposed Hot Thong</a></li> <li><a href="http://lifestylelenta.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-butt-look-big-in-this-beer-book.html">'Does My BUTT Look BIG In This BEER?' Book Details Nutritional Values of 2,000 Worldwide Beers</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-8694037294515001456?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-69503033471684463832009-02-18T10:00:00.000+02:002009-02-18T14:52:43.431+02:00 <br></br>An enzyme makes the mouse heart prone to chronic cardiac insufficiency - if it is suppressed, the heart remains strong despite increased stress. Cardiologists at the Internal Medicine Clinic at Heidelberg University Hospital in cooperation with scientists at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and Göttingen University Hospital have now explained this key mechanism in a mouse model and thus discovered a promising approach for the systematic prevention of chronic cardiac insufficiency. The study has now been published online before print in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. <br></br><br></br> Long-term high pressure and stenoses of the valves or aorta make the heart work harder. When it compensates by excessive muscle growth (cardiac hypertrophy), the pump function is affected - rhythm disorders or heart failure can be the result. Other risk factors are overweight and age - more than 40 percent of people over age 70 suffer from cardiac muscle hypertrophy. <br></br><br></br> Despite progress in medication, around 95,000 people in Germany die annually from the consequences of chronic cardiac insufficiency. "It is essential to find the molecules that are key to the development of cardiac insufficiency in order to develop new, more efficient treatment" states Dr. Johannes Backs, head of a research group in the Department of Cardiology, Angiology, and Pneumonology (Director Prof. Dr. med. Hugo A. Katus) at Heidelberg University Hospital. <br></br><br></br> Enzyme activates stress response and hypertrophy of the heart <br></br><br></br> A key molecule for cardiac hypertrophy brought on by stress is the naturally occurring enzyme CaMKII delta (Calcium/Calmodulin-dependent kinase II delta). Dr. Backs' international research team proved this in genetically modified mice that could no longer produce this enzyme by surgically obstructing the main aorta to put the heart under greater stress and thus simulate permanent high blood pressure or valve stenosis in humans. The anticipated enlargement of the heart was very slight - the animals were protected. <br></br><br></br> "With these mice, we succeeded for the first time in specifically suppressing the CaMKII delta enzyme and clarifying its function in detail," said Dr. Backs. CaMKII delta has a direct effect on the cells' stress response. If it is missing, certain information in cell DNA is not accessed that is normally activated by stress, leading to hypertrophy of the heart. "There was still some slight enlargement of the heart, but presumably not enough to cause cardiac insufficiency," said Dr. Backs. Under normal conditions, the genetically modified mice are inconspicuous - their hearts function and react normally. <br></br><br></br> The function of CaMKII delta as an intermediate of the heart's stress response is a possible approach for effective therapy - the Heidelberg researchers anticipate that agents that block only this function of the enzyme would prevent the heart muscle from reacting to overload. Other functions of CaMKII delta should not be affected in order to avoid harmful side effects. <br></br><br></br> ----------------------------<br></br>Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.<br></br>---------------------------- <br></br><br></br> References: <br></br><br></br> Backs J, Backs T, Neef S, Kreusser MM, Lehmann LH, Patrick DM, Grueter CE, Qi X, Richardson JA, Hill JA, Katus HA, Bassel-Duby R, Maier LS, Olson EN. The delta isoform of CaM kinase II is required for pathological cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling after pressure overload. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2009 Jan 28. [Epub ahead of print] <br></br><br></br> More information on the internet:http://www.klinikum.uni-heidelberg.de/Immunologie.106593.0.html <br></br><br></br> Heidelberg University Hospital and School of Medicine <br></br><br></br> Health care, research, and teaching of international reputation <br></br><br></br> The Heidelberg University Hospital is one of the largest and most prestigious medical centers in Germany; the medical school at Heidelberg University is an internationally renowned biomedical research institute in Europe. Their common goal is to develop new therapies and implement them quickly in patient care. Hospital and medical school employ around 7,000 people and are active in training and qualification. In more than 40 clinics and departments with 1,600 beds, some 500,000 in and outpatients are seen and treated every year. Currently, approx. 1,300 future physicians are studying in Heidelberg; the Heidelberg Curriculum Medicinale (HeiCuMed) is the top medical training program in Germany. <br></br><br></br>http://www.klinikum.uni-heidelberg.de/ <br></br><br></br> ct: Dr. Johannes Backs <br></br>University Hospital Heidelberg <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://a5dance.blogspot.com/2009/02/porn-xxx-uncensored_18.html">PORN XXX UNCENSORED</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2dro4ery.blogspot.com/2009/02/bbw-big-beautiful-women-butt-booty.html">BBW, big beautiful women butt booty breast boobs</a></li> <li><a href="http://splopxx.blogspot.com/2009/02/watch-street-fighter-legend-of-chunli.html">WATCH Street Fighter Legend of Chunli HD MovieFULL MOVIES PART 1</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-6950303347168446383?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-75945685206796644552009-02-17T15:00:00.000+02:002009-02-17T19:51:18.203+02:00 <br></br>The CYPHER SELECT®Plus Sirolimus-eluting Coronary Stent has received CE marking within the European Union (EU) for treatment of patients with diabetes, a complex and often difficult-to-treat patient population. CE marking means conformity to the applicable European Directive and in the specific context of diabetes, permits the CYPHER SELECT®Plus stent to be marketed for the treatment of diabetes in all Member States of the European Union. <br></br><br></br> The expanded indication for the CYPHER SELECT®Plus Stent is based on numerous clinical studies, both randomized clinical trials as well as non-randomized trials that have been presented at major medical meetings and/or appeared in international peer reviewed publications, supporting the safety and efficacy of the device in patients with diabetes. <br></br><br></br> "It is well documented that patients with diabetes have a high risk of complex coronary artery disease," said Campbell Rogers, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Cordis Corporation. "Today's announcement provides diabetic patients and their physicians with critical validation of an important treatment tool." <br></br><br></br> Patients with diabetes often present with challenging coronary anatomy. In addition to diabetes, CYPHER SELECT®Plus Stent has recently received CE marking for the following coronary conditions: Chronic Total Occlusion, Multi-vessel Disease and Bifurcations. In August 2008, CYPHER SELECT®Plus received CE marking for treatment of acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). CYPHER SELECT® Plus Stent was previously indicated for de novo lesions, in stent restenosis and small vessels. CYPHER SELECT® Plus has a total of eight different indications. <br></br><br></br> Dr. Rogers added, "When taken collectively, diabetes, heart attack, multi-vessel disease, chronic total occlusions and bifurcations, represent the most challenging coronary conditions we see today. It is an important step forward for patient care that the CYPHER SELECT® Plus Stent is now indicated for these complex conditions." <br></br><br></br>About the CYPHER SELECT® Plus Stent<br></br><br></br> Featuring an enhanced stent delivery system, the CYPHER SELECT® Plus Stent offers exceptional deliverability, as well as the excellent, long-term clinical performance for which the CYPHER® Stent is widely known. <br></br><br></br> In addition to its flexible stent design and short tip, CYPHER SELECT® Plus Stent features the CYPH2ONIC(TM) Hydrophilic Coating Technology, an innovative coating technology that is significantly more lubricious than previous CYPHER® Stent products, greatly increasing a physician's ability to successfully navigate challenging coronary arteries. <br></br><br></br>About Cordis Corporation<br></br><br></br> For 50 years, Cordis Corporation, a Johnson & Johnson company, has been a recognized worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of interventional vascular technology. Through the company's innovation, research and development, Cordis partners with interventional cardiologists worldwide to treat millions of patients who suffer from vascular disease. <br></br><br></br> *Cordis Corporation has entered into an exclusive worldwide license with Wyeth for the localized delivery of sirolimus in certain fields of use, including delivery via vascular stenting. Sirolimus, the active drug released for the stent, is marketed by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth, under the name Rapamune®. Rapamune is a trademark of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. <br></br><br></br>Johnson & Johnson <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://a2pennis.blogspot.com/2009/02/naked-redhead-student-undresses-in-her.html">Naked Redhead Student Undresses In Her Bedroom</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2pennis.blogspot.com/2009/02/meet-hook-up-with-hot-sex-y-ssbbw.html">Meet Hook up with Hot sex y SSBBW BBW=big beautiful women huge breasts booty shaking</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2withoutclothes.blogspot.com/2009/02/porn-anal-sex-whole-slut-latino-oral.html">PORN anal sex whole slut latino oral ass tit fuck get fucked cunt dick pussy porno fucking</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-7594568520679664455?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-78147090884705524622009-02-17T14:00:00.000+02:002009-02-17T18:51:59.596+02:00 <br></br>The elderly represent a growing proportion of patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (MI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS). CS occurs when the heart fails to supply enough blood to the organs of the body, and remains the most common cause of death after heart attack among people 75 years of age and older. Proper selection of older patients for invasive management of heart disease remains a serious medical challenge, especially as the elderly are frequently underrepresented in or excluded from clinical trials. <br></br><br></br> In a study published in the February 2009 issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, researchers found the one-year survival of elderly patients (age ≥ 75 years) with acute MI complicated by CS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using contemporary techniques was comparable with survival of younger patients. <br></br><br></br> "Elderly patients who are admitted to the hospital with massive heart attacks may still benefit from emergency coronary artery balloon angioplasty and stenting, despite their advanced age," says David Clark, M.B.B.S., F.R.A.C.P., senior author of the study and interventional cardiologist at Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. "Although mortality occurs in roughly half of patients in these high risk situations, without this aggressive treatment, the prospect of survival is very poor." <br></br><br></br> Researchers analyzed baseline characteristics (e.g., smoking status, blood pressure, previous MI, renal function and symptom onset) and clinical outcomes, including death and emergence of other complications, in 143 consecutive patients from the Melbourne Interventional Group registry between 2004 and 2007. Elderly patients (n=45) were more likely to be female and have hypertension, previous MI, renal failure and multi-vessel coronary artery disease. Data indicated no significant differences for in-hospital, 30-day and one-year mortality in the elderly versus the younger groups. <br></br><br></br> CS is a very complicated illness to manage, often requiring timely and very specialized care. Patients typically spend significant time in intensive care, which often necessitates considerable human and financial resources. So, while outcomes data show that early revascularization can improve survival among elderly patients, other clinical factors - proper patient selection, the "physiological age" and prior condition of the patient (e.g., prior functional status, co-morbidities such as dementia and frailty) and a cost-benefit analysis of therapies - need to be considered by cardiologists. <br></br><br></br> "A patient's age in and of itself should not be used to deny someone more aggressive, invasive care with angioplasty for cardiogenic shock," says Judith S. Hochman, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.H.A., Harold Snyder Family Professor of Cardiology and director of the Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center, New York University School of Medicine. <br></br><br></br> "Having said that, we need to better understand and standardize criteria to improve selection of older patients who are likely to benefit. For example, as shown in this study, better kidney function clearly is a useful indicator that a patient will do well. What we don't want is to subject patients to uncomfortable, unnecessary procedures if they will not derive a benefit in terms of quality of life or life prolongation." <br></br><br></br> The elderly in particular are at increased risk for other complications. Authors add that further investigation of the selective use of early revascularization among this patient population is needed. <br></br><br></br> ----------------------------<br></br>Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.<br></br>---------------------------- <br></br><br></br> The American College of Cardiology is leading the way to optimal cardiovascular care and disease prevention. The College is a 36,000-member nonprofit medical society and bestows the credential Fellow of the American College of Cardiology upon physicians who meet its stringent qualifications. The College is a leader in the formulation of health policy, standards and guidelines, and is a staunch supporter of cardiovascular research. The ACC provides professional education and operates national registries for the measurement and improvement of quality care. More information about the association is available online at http://www.acc.org/. <br></br><br></br> The American College of Cardiology (ACC) provides these news reports of clinical studies published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology as a service to physicians, the media, the public and other interested parties. However, statements or opinions expressed in these reports reflect the view of the author(s) and do not represent official policy of the ACC unless stated so. <br></br><br></br> Source: Amanda Jekowsky<br></br>American College of Cardiology <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://a8lickmyass.blogspot.com/2009/02/lovely-japanese-girls-kissing-08.html">Lovely Japanese Girls Kissing 08</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2naked.blogspot.com/2009/02/gale-super-sexy-xxx-adult-uncensored.html">Gale Super Sexy XXX Adult Uncensored Clip!</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2pennis.blogspot.com/2009/02/sexy-big-tits-babe-on-free-live-video_17.html">Sexy Big Tits Babe on Free Live Video Chat Site</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-7814709088470552462?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-85111398153032835662009-02-17T10:00:00.004+02:002009-02-17T15:01:16.493+02:00 <br></br>The first author, Dr Arne Schaefer from the Institute for Clinical Molecular Biology at Kiel University, sees clear similarities in the genetic predisposition: "We have examined the aggressive form of periodontitis, the most extreme form of periodontitis which is characterized by a very early age of onset. The genetic variation associated with this clinical picture is identical to that of patients who suffer from cardiovascular disease and have already had a myocardial infarction."<br></br><br></br> Because it has to be assumed that there is a causal connection between periodontitis and myocardial infarction, periodontitis should be taken seriously by dentists and diagnosed and treated at an early stage. "Aggressive periodontitis has shown itself to be associated not only with the same risk factors such as smoking, but it shares, at least in parts, the same genetic predisposition with an illness that is the leading cause of death worldwide.," warned Schaefer. Knowledge of the risk of heart attacks could also induce patients with periodontitis to keep the risk factors in check and take preventive measures.<br></br><br></br> Besides Arne Schaefer, Gesa Richter, who is doing a doctorate on the subject, is also part of Professor Stefan Schreiber's working group from the Institute for Clinical Molecular Biology at Schleswig Holstein University Hospital (UK S-H), Kiel Campus. As cardiologist, Dr Nour Eddine El Mokhtari from the Kiel Heart Centre is an important partner in the group. Dental expertise came from Dr Birte Größner-Schreiber from the Hospital for Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology at the UK S-H, Dr Barbara Noack, Technische Universität Dresden, as well as Professor Søren Jepsen from Bonn University and Professor Bruno Loos, Free University Amsterdam.<br></br><br></br> Christian-Albrechts-Universitaet zu Kiel<br></br>http://www.uni-kiel.de <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://a2kiska.blogspot.com/2009/02/hot-ebony-dancing-shaking-chicks-sexy.html">Hot Ebony Dancing Shaking Chicks Sexy Ass Erotic Sexy Celebrities Hot tight blonde Shakin</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2kiska.blogspot.com/2009/02/black-college-girl-showing-thong-on-cam.html">Black College Girl Showing thong on cam Hot white thong Sexy School Girls Striper</a></li> <li><a href="http://p1businessfranchise.blogspot.com/2009/02/etf-store-launches-operations.html">The ETF Store Launches Operations</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-8511139815303283566?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-81310324178004404142009-02-17T10:00:00.003+02:002009-02-17T15:01:14.072+02:00 <br></br>An international team of researchers including scientists of Helmholtz Zentrum München has succeeded in identifying new gene variants associated with an increased risk for myocardial infarction (MI), or heart attack. The identified genes and their underlying mechanisms provide new starting points for understanding genetic patterns in MI and for developing new treatment options. A key finding is that the MI risk is more than twice as great in individuals who carry not only one but several of the genetic markers. Three studies on genetic markers and MI risk have now been published in the current online issue of the renowned journal Nature Genetics.<br></br><br></br> In a large-scale study coordinated by the University of Lübeck, German, European and American researchers succeeded in identifying novel genetic markers associated with MI. Two institutes of Helmholtz Zentrum München the Institute of Epidemiology (director: Prof. Dr. Dr. H. Erich Wichmann) and the Institute of Human Genetics (director: Prof. Dr. Thomas Meitinger) - were also involved in the study. The scientists performed a genome-wide scan of thousands of patients with hundreds of thousands of genetic markers. Included in the studies were MI patients from the KORA study (director: Dr. Christine Meisinger) as well as healthy control persons from the population.<br></br><br></br> "The future challenge for us will be to integrate the insights we have gained about genetic factors and lifestyle factors in order to provide effective preventive measures for the population," said Prof. Dr. Annette Peters, research group leader at Helmholtz Zentrum München.<br></br><br></br> The first of the three studies investigated a million genetic markers in 1,200 MI patients and the same number of healthy test persons. Subsequent control studies on an additional 25,000 patients and healthy persons confirmed the initial suspicion: Culprit genes for MI are located on chromosomes 3 and 12. Scientists suspect that one of these genes, the MRAS gene, plays an important role in cardiovascular biology. The second gene, the HNF1A gene, is closely associated with cholesterol metabolism.<br></br><br></br> What is special about the second study is that it not only investigated individual genetic markers as to their influence on the risk of myocardial infarction, but also investigated haplotypes, combinations of up to ten neighboring markers. With this method additional genetic information can be derived compared to individual genetic markers. Thus the scientists were able to identify another region, this time localized on chromosome 6, which is associated with MI risk. The LPA gene at this locus regulates the concentration of a specific lipoprotein (Lp(a)), a particle which transports lipids in the blood. This finding, too, may be useful in the future for developing new therapeutic interventions.<br></br><br></br> The third study, published in the name of the Myocardial Infarction Genetics Consortium (MIGen), was able to identify three further, previously unknown MI genes on chromosomes 2, 6 and 21. The study also shows that in individuals with not just one but several genetic markers, the MI risk is more than double. The higher the number of disease genes now identified, the higher the disease risk. This knowledge will aid in assessing the risk for myocardial infarction in order to develop preventive and early intervention strategies.<br></br><br></br> More than 750,000 people die of myocardial infarction in Europe every year. MI and the underlying coronary artery disease are among the most frequent causes of death in Germany. Besides traditional risk factors such as age, hypertension, disorders of the lipid metabolism, diabetes mellitus, smoking and overweight, genetic risk factors play a key role in the emergence of the disease.<br></br><br></br> These studies provide crucial pieces to the at present incomplete puzzle of myocardial infarction genetics. The findings indicate that there may be many mechanisms involved in myocardial infarction that are still to be discovered. New mechanisms also mean new approaches for MI prevention and treatment. Further studies are needed to elucidate this in detail.<br></br><br></br> Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen - German Research Centre for Environmental Health<br></br>http://www.helmholtz-muenchen.de <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://businessadvertisingmarketing.blogspot.com/2009/02/fuelhaus-strategic-brand-design-helps.html">Fuelhaus Strategic Brand Design Helps Companies Do More with Less</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2kiska.blogspot.com/2009/02/black-chicks-shaking-caramel-booty.html">Black Chicks Shaking Caramel Booty Cleavage Twerking Large Boobs Big butted Vids Poppin</a></li> <li><a href="http://gotu-dating.blogspot.com/2009/02/adult-gay-men-make-love-on-bed.html">Adult gay men make love on the bed -_-</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-8131032417800440414?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-73415317581847248542009-02-17T10:00:00.002+02:002009-02-17T15:01:11.646+02:00 <br></br>Results from the ATHENA trial, reported in the 12th February issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, suggest that the (as yet unlicensed) antiarrhythmic drug dronedarone can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular-related hospitalisation or death in patients with atrial fibrillation. The study was performed at more than 550 centres in 37 countries.<br></br><br></br> The trial, with a mean follow-up of 21 months, randomised 4628 patients with atrial fibrillation and at least one other cardiovascular risk factor to either dronedarone or placebo. Results found 24% fewer deaths or hospitalisations (the primary composite endpoint) in the treatment group than in the placebo a hazard ratio for treatment of 0.76, p<br></br> The ACC/AHA/ESC guidelines for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation have described dronedarone as a derivative of amiodarone (a well established and recommended treatment for atrial fibrillation) under development as an ion-channel blocking drug.<br></br><br></br> Speaking on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology, Professor Christophe Leclercq from the CHU in Rennes, France, said: "The ATHENA trial shows that dronedarone, a new antiarryhtmic drug similar to amiodarone but with different effects on individual ion channels, reduced the risk of death or hospitalisation for cardiovascular reasons by 36% when compared with placebo. This was in patients without severe heart failure (NYHA class IV) but with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation or flutter with additional risk factor for death.<br></br><br></br> "The study found no difference in overall mortality between the two groups but cardiovascular death was significantly reduced with dronedarone by 29%. There was no difference in thyroid-related effects between the two groups. The EURIDIS and ADONIS trials have already shown that dronedarone significantly reduced the recurrence of arrythmias in patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation.<br></br><br></br> "Dronedarone may thus play a role in the management of atrial arrhythmias in patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial tachycardias without severe heart failure."<br></br><br></br>REFERENCES:<br></br><br></br> 1. Hohnloser SH, Crijns HJGM, van Eickels M, et al. Effect of dronedarone on cardiovascular events in atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med 2009; 360: 668-678.<br></br><br></br> 2. The most common arrhythmia (after a skipped beat) is atrial fibrillation, which affects up to 5 per cent of all adults, mainly the over-65s, and becomes more common with advancing age. <br></br><br></br>Hospitalisations for atrial fibrillation have increased dramatically in recent years. 3. ACC/AHA/ESC 2006<br></br><br></br> Hohnloser SH, Crijns HJGM, van Eickels M, et al. Effect of dronedarone on cardiovascular events in atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med 2009; 360: 668-678.<br></br><br></br> European Society of Cardiology (ESC)<br></br>http://www.escardio.org <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://lovenudua5.blogspot.com/2009/02/lesbian-asian-babes-super-booty-clap.html">Lesbian Asian Babes super booty clap Big Booty Latina Hottest asian</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2dro4ery.blogspot.com/2009/02/super-ginger-damn-good-adult-video.html">{SUPER} Ginger Damn Good Adult Video!</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2kiska.blogspot.com/2009/02/hot-black-babe-lingerie-ass-booty.html">Hot Black Babe Lingerie Ass Booty Shaking Deadly Porn Vid Exposed Boobs Girls With Booty</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-7341531758184724854?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-61297885815817291002009-02-17T10:00:00.001+02:002009-02-17T15:01:08.929+02:00 <br></br>Researchers at The Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee have linked higher levels of the hormone aldosterone to high blood pressure and blood vessel disease in African Americans. Aldosterone is secreted by the adrenal glands and causes salt retention by the kidneys.<br></br><br></br> The study appeared in the December 18, 2008, American Journal of Hypertension.<br></br><br></br> "The prevalence of high blood pressure, or hypertension, in African Americans is among the highest in the world," says lead researcher Theodore Kotchen, M.D., professor of medicine and associate dean for clinical research.<br></br><br></br> "Previously, we found relatively high aldosterone levels in African Americans with high blood pressure," he said. "In this study we have found that aldosterone may not only contribute to high blood pressure but also to related changes in blood vessel function in the kidneys and extremities."<br></br><br></br> The researchers compared 24-hour blood pressures, heart output, blood vessel stiffness, kidney blood flow, and aldosterone levels in 224 African Americans with high blood pressure, with those of 217 African Americans with normal blood pressure.<br></br><br></br> They found that those with high blood pressure had higher levels of aldosterone. Their heart output was lower, extremity blood vessel stiffness was greater, kidney blood flow was lower, and kidney resistance to blood flow was higher than those with normal blood pressure.<br></br><br></br> Most importantly, the blood pressure levels, blood vessel flexibility, and kidney blood flow in those with high blood pressure were all directly correlated with their aldosterone levels.<br></br><br></br> "These observations suggest that aldosterone contributes to high blood pressure and its related heart, kidney, and blood vessel disease in African Americans," says Dr. Kotchen.<br></br><br></br> His research has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute for over a decade.<br></br><br></br> Medical College of Wisconsin<br></br> 8701 Watertown Plank Rd.<br></br> Milwaukee<br></br> WI 53226<br></br> United States<br></br>http://www.mcw.edu <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://find-russian-lady.blogspot.com/2009/02/noxzema-and-localhookupz-lol.html">noxzema and localhookupz lol!!</a></li> <li><a href="http://healthstrahovanie.blogspot.com/2009/02/early-data-suggests-health-savings.html">Early Data Suggests Health Savings Accounts Are Gaining Popularity And May Cut Healthcare Costs, USA</a></li> <li><a href="http://nadoelopridumivaturlia2.blogspot.com/2009/02/ultimate-thong-vid-for-you-tube.html">Ultimate thong vid for you tube</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-6129788581581729100?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-73428594665442224462009-02-17T10:00:00.000+02:002009-02-17T15:01:02.851+02:00 <br></br>New research looks at whether a gene variant may affect the link between migraine and stroke or heart attacks. The study is published in the February 17, 2009, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.<br></br><br></br> The study involved 25,000 women who answered a questionnaire about their history of migraines and migraines with aura. Aura is usually described as visual disturbances, such as flashing lights or geometric patterns. The women were tested for a genetic variant called the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) D/I polymorphism.<br></br><br></br> A total of 4,577 women reported a history of migraine and of those, 1,275 had migraine with aura. Twelve years after the start of the study, 625 strokes and heart attacks were reported.<br></br><br></br> The study did not find a link between the gene variant and migraine, migraine with aura, stroke or heart attacks. However, women who had migraine with aura and also were carriers of certain genotypes, called the DD and the DI genotypes, had double the risk of stroke and heart attacks. In contrast, women who had migraine with aura and were carriers of a third genotype, called the II genotype, were not at increased risk. The authors add the caution that this relationship was identified with very little information and must be tested in other studies to determine if it is real.<br></br><br></br> "The complex relationship among this gene variant, migraine, stroke and heart disease has been the focus of many studies and the results have been controversial," says study author Markus Schürks, MD, MSc, with the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. "Getting to the bottom of whether there is a connection and why may help to develop ways to prevent issues like stroke and heart disease, which are leading causes of death in the United States."<br></br><br></br> The study was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the National Cancer Institute, the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, the Leducq Foundation and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.<br></br><br></br> The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 21,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis.<br></br><br></br> For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com.<br></br><br></br> American Academy of Neurology (AAN)<br></br> 1080 Montreal Ave.<br></br> St. Paul<br></br> MN 55116<br></br> United States<br></br>http://www.neurology.org <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://a5dance.blogspot.com/2009/02/manga-bdsm-bound-teens-toon-bondage.html">Manga BDSM Bound teens Toon Bondage Torture girl Domme</a></li> <li><a href="http://a5lisk.blogspot.com/2009/02/hot-redhead-babe-strips-for-you.html">Hot Redhead Babe Strips For You</a></li> <li><a href="http://healthstrahovanie.blogspot.com/2009/02/early-data-suggests-health-savings.html">Early Data Suggests Health Savings Accounts Are Gaining Popularity And May Cut Healthcare Costs, USA</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-7342859466544222446?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-59100718644324901232009-02-17T09:00:00.001+02:002009-02-17T13:59:31.874+02:00 <br></br>Preliminary results of one of the nation's largest national surveys of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems indicate the need for improvements in the way heart attack, specifically ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), is managed.<br></br><br></br> STEMI is the most serious and deadly type of heart attack, characterized by a complete blockage of a coronary artery. It requires rapid response and treatment to reopen the artery and restore blood flow to the heart muscle. The preferred treatment is primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), which involves mechanically opening the artery using a small balloon to clear the blockage followed by the insertion of a stent, a type of scaffolding used to prop open the artery.<br></br><br></br> The American Heart Association conducted the survey as part of its Mission: Lifeline initiative to improve the response and treatment of STEMI patients and ultimately all heart attack patients. The association gave the survey October - December 2008 to more than 5,400 EMS system or agency directors and asked questions about staffing, funding, training, and existing processes for handling patients who have experienced a STEMI.<br></br><br></br>The most significant findings:<br></br><br></br> -- Only half of EMS systems have 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs), used to detect STEMI, on 75 percent or more of their vehicles.<br></br><br></br> -- Of EMS systems with 12-lead ECGs:<br></br><br></br> -- Most lacked a standard method for EMS to communicate the 12-Lead ECG results to the hospital. Currently, paramedics use one or more of the following methods:<br></br><br></br> -- verbally reporting the ECG algorithm (an automatic, software-generated analysis of the ECG reading),<br></br><br></br> -- verbally reporting their own interpretation of the ECG reading, or<br></br><br></br> -- using an advanced technology like Blue Tooth or mobile phone to transmit the ECG algorithm or reading.<br></br><br></br> -- EMS field personnel remotely activate hospital catheterization ("cath") labs only 40 percent of the time. (Cath labs perform procedures like angioplasty and stenting). This can significantly delay evaluation and treatment.<br></br><br></br> -- Destination protocols are only used a third of the time to enable EMS to take STEMI patients directly to a hospital capable of providing angioplasty/stenting 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Instead, many EMS departments take patients to the closest hospital, which can cause significant delays to appropriate care.<br></br><br></br> -- Only about 20 percent of hospitals are able to perform procedures like angioplasty and stenting for STEMI patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.<br></br><br></br> "We were encouraged that more EMS systems than anticipated had vehicles equipped with 12 lead ECGs, devices that diagnose STEMI and other heart attacks," said Robert E. O'Connor, M.D., chair of the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline Emergency Cardiovascular Care task force. "However, we found the need for better systems to allow EMS to transmit data from ECGs and activate the cath lab on the way to the hospital and for policies allowing them to take patients to the facility able to provide appropriate care, whether it's the closest facility or not."<br></br><br></br> According to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines, primary PCI, typically balloon angioplasty with stenting, is the preferred treatment over clot busting drugs if it can be achieved within 90 minutes. EMS is a critical part of the system of care to decrease time to treatment for STEMI patients.<br></br><br></br> In coming months, the association's staff will receive survey data for their state or region and share it with coalitions composed of EMS and hospital personnel, physicians and nurses and health policy makers. The coalitions will use the information to create appropriate plans to improve the care of STEMI patients.<br></br><br></br> "EMS systems are the point of entry for all heart attack patients and are extremely important to reducing delays to STEMI care," said Alice K. Jacobs, M.D., former president of the American Heart Association and chair of the Mission: Lifeline advisory working group. "Our survey provides the American Heart Association and its coalition partners a great snapshot of their local EMS and where we need to make progress. It confirms the need for better coordination between EMS, emergency departments and hospitals in order to do what's best for the patient."<br></br><br></br>Other findings include:<br></br><br></br> -- More paramedics should receive training on interpreting 12 lead ECGs.<br></br><br></br> -- Funding is needed for additional 12 lead ECG devices and training.<br></br><br></br> -- Information sharing between EMS and hospitals is poor, so it's difficult to track the quality of care a patient receives as they move from EMS to hospital-based care. Confidentiality requirements are hindering the process.<br></br><br></br>The need for Mission: Lifeline<br></br><br></br> Each year, about 400,000 people in the U.S. have a type of heart attack known as STEMI, in which blood flow is completely blocked to a portion of the heart. Unless the blockage is eliminated quickly, the patient's health and life are at serious risk. The American Heart Association recommends that STEMI patients receive PCI procedures like angioplasty to restore blood flow to the heart muscle within 90 minutes. The association created Mission: Lifeline to close the gaps that separate STEMI patients from timely access to appropriate treatment. For more information about Mission: Lifeline, visit http://www.americanheart.org/missionlifeline.<br></br><br></br> American Heart Association<br></br>http://www.americanheart.org <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://a5dance.blogspot.com/2009/02/rough-bdsm-s-pain-girls-girl-torture.html">Rough BDSM S&M Pain girls girl Torture Hardcore Toon XXX</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2dro4ery.blogspot.com/2009/02/sexy-booty-latina-honey-shaking-it-part.html">Sexy Booty Latina Honey Shaking It Part 2!!!</a></li> <li><a href="http://golievideo.blogspot.com/2009/02/tranny-cum-sex-healthy-diet-for.html">Tranny Cum Sex Healthy Diet For Teenagers Vanessa Hugdens Nude Gay Spanking</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-5910071864432490123?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-44382986210289653692009-02-17T09:00:00.000+02:002009-02-17T13:59:29.164+02:00 <br></br>The British Heart Foundation is calling on people in England to help make sure heart patients remain at the top of the Government's health care strategy. <br></br><br></br> The heart charity is urging the public to sign a petition demanding a new Government plan to support people affected by heart and circulatory conditions in England. People can sign the petition online at http://www.newheartplan.org.uk or in any of the 490 BHF charity shops in England. <br></br><br></br> Heart and circulatory disease is the UK's biggest killer, claiming the lives of around 200,000 people each year in the UK. Every six minutes someone dies from a heart attack. <br></br><br></br> The National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease in England comes to an end in 2009/10 and there is currently no plan to replace it. The framework has been crucial in providing a focus for the health service in reducing death and disability caused by heart and circulatory conditions. <br></br><br></br> Betty McBride, Director of Policy & Communications, at the BHF said: "This isn't a "job done" - heart disease remains the UK's biggest single killer and the Government mustn't be allowed to take its foot of the pedal on this. If that happens the undoubted progress we've made in we've made in recent years will unravel. Heart patients deserve better." <br></br><br></br> The BHF is a member of the Cardio & Vascular Coalition (CVC), a group of 41 organisations who are all calling for a new Government plan to tackle heart and circulatory conditions. The Coalition has conducted a public consultation to find out what patients, their families and carers want from a new plan, ahead of publishing its own strategy for the future of heart patient care in March. <br></br><br></br> Betty McBride said: "Stroke and Cancer have plans and the Government has just published its new Dementia strategy. The two million heart patients in England have every right to ask where's ours?" <br></br><br></br> "The Government can't afford to take its eye off the ball. The burden of cardiovascular disease is set to increase as more people are living longer with heart conditions. And with an increasing number of people overweight and obese the progress we've made could be reversed unless we make every effort to maintain momentum." <br></br><br></br> The BHF is the nation's heart charity, dedicated to saving lives through pioneering research, patient care, campaigning for change and by providing vital information. But we urgently need help. We rely on donations of time and money to continue our life-saving work. Because together we can beat heart disease. <br></br><br></br> For more information visit http://www.bhf.org.uk <br></br><br></br> The CVC is a national coalition of 41 voluntary organisations with an interest in promoting and protecting cardiac and vascular health in England. The CVC is committed to working with and influencing central and local government, health and social care commissioners, service planners and policy makers to ensure that cardiac and vascular health is high on their agendas. For more information about the CVC visit http://www.cardiovascularcoalition.org.uk <br></br><br></br> The petition will be available for people to sign in BHF Shops in England from 16 Feb-16 March. To find your nearest BHF Shop, visit http://www.bhf.org.uk/shops<br></br><br></br> British Heart Foundation <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://p1businessbooks.blogspot.com/2009/02/dr-kourosh-dini-honored-with-2009-mom.html">Dr. Kourosh Dini Honored with 2009 Mom's Choice Award</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2gofuck.blogspot.com/2009/02/sexy-girl-dancing-in-red-sexy-dress-hot.html">sexy girl dancing in red sexy dress hot ass</a></li> <li><a href="http://get-russian-girlfriend.blogspot.com/2009/02/smart-ass-shaking-sexyhottestbbw.html">Smart Ass Shaking!! SEXY,HOTTEST...BBW, ssbbw,big beautiful women, bbw folks, black bbw....</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-4438298621028965369?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-3038710023815769732009-02-16T13:00:00.001+02:002009-02-16T17:52:52.657+02:00 <br></br>Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSIR) announced the final two-year results for the Company's trial evaluating Prochymal® for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. Prochymal is a proprietary formulation of adult stem cells designed to provide therapeutic benefit by controlling inflammation, promoting tissue regeneration, and preventing scar formation. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 53 patients, which evaluated safety and preliminary efficacy, found heart attack patients receiving the intravenous therapy had lower rates of adverse events and significantly improved heart function. <br></br><br></br>Important Findings Include: <br></br><br></br> - The trial met its primary endpoint demonstrating safety of Prochymal in the acute MI setting. <br></br> - Patients receiving Prochymal had fewer adverse events compared to placebo. <br></br> - A lower percentage of patients treated with Prochymal required repeat hospitalization. <br></br> - Patients receiving Prochymal had reduced incidence of cardiac arrhythmia. <br></br> - Patients receiving Prochymal had a significant and durable improvement in cardiac function. <br></br><br></br> "This study adds convincing long-term data to the excellent safety profile of Prochymal, having now treated hundreds of patients in trials over the past decade," said C. Randal Mills, Ph.D., President and CEO of Osiris Therapeutics. "We are excited that Prochymal demonstrated strong evidence of efficacy beyond the best cardiac care available today. We are now advancing this program into a larger Phase II trial, focusing on patients with more severe heart damage." <br></br><br></br> Recently, Osiris completed enrollment in a Phase III trial of Prochymal for the treatment of steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease (GvHD). In January, clearance from U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was received to broaden the expanded access program for Prochymal, now making the investigational stem cell product available to adults, as well as pediatric patients, with life-threatening GvHD. In 2008, Osiris and Genzyme Corp. announced a strategic alliance for the development and commercialization of Prochymal. Under the terms of the agreement, Osiris will commercialize Prochymal in the United States and Canada, and Genzyme will commercialize the treatment in all other countries. <br></br><br></br>Final Safety Data <br></br><br></br> Throughout the two-year trial Prochymal demonstrated a favorable safety profile. In this fully-immunocompetent patient population, there were no signs of adverse immune response or infusional toxicities. The adverse events rate experienced by Prochymal patients was lower than that of placebo patients (8 versus 11 per patient). Notably in the class of chest pain events, there were fewer cases in the Prochymal group than placebo (24.2% vs. 63.2%, p= 0.008). No serious adverse events were attributed to Prochymal, and all-cause hospitalizations trended lower in the Prochymal group (38.2%) as compared to the placebo group (47.4%). <br></br><br></br>Performance Data <br></br><br></br> Data from this trial strongly suggests that Prochymal is able to attenuate adverse effects typically associated with acute myocardial infarction by blocking scar formation and pathological remodeling. This was evident in cardiac performance measures of both electrical and mechanical function of the heart. <br></br><br></br> During the trial patients receiving Prochymal experienced fewer arrhythmias. This effect was maintained for the duration of the study, with 47.4% of placebo patients experiencing cardiac arrhythmia compared to only 11.8% of Prochymal patients (p=0.006). Ventricular arrhythmias are associated tissue damage and scar formation in the heart resulting from infarction and can be a sign of poorer prognosis. <br></br><br></br> Along with the conduction effects seen, the mechanical performance data collected from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data on a subset of patients showed functional recovery that was maintained through the two-year study. <br></br><br></br> Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), which reflects the fraction of blood pumped out of a ventricle with each heart beat, is a common measurement of overall heart function and typically declines after a heart attack. Patients with significantly compromised LVEF progress to heart failure. Two-year MRI data demonstrates there was statistically significant improvement in LVEF over baseline, 6.6 point in Prochymal relative to a 3.9 point improvement in placebo. For patients with more severe myocardial infarction, defined as a baseline LVEF of 45% or less, even greater effects were observed. The Prochymal group showed a significant 9.5 point improvement over baseline two years post-treatment (p <br></br> "This placebo controlled study was truly first of its kind and the data produced is promising," said Timothy Henry, M.D., Director of Research at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation at Abbott Northwestern. "It clearly suggests that allogeneic adult stem cells have significant potential to improve recovery following a heart attack and can prevent long term adverse effects. Given the fact that we can administer this drug through a standard IV in an acute setting, Prochymal could become an integral part of standard of care for treatment of heart attacks everywhere." <br></br><br></br>About the Phase II Acute Myocardial Infarction Trial <br></br><br></br> The Phase II double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of Prochymal in conjunction with standard of care for improving heart function in patients who experienced a first heart attack. This trial focuses on patients who have suffered a severe myocardial infarction, defined as LVEF between 30% and 45% at baseline. The target enrollment is 220 patients. Patients will be randomized to either Prochymal or placebo at 1:1. Efficacy endpoints determined from cardiac MRI include end systolic volume, LVEF and the ability of Prochymal to preserve functional heart tissue, or limit scar formation following a heart attack. In addition, functional and quality of life assessments will be performed. <br></br><br></br>About Prochymal <br></br><br></br> Prochymal is a preparation of mesenchymal stem cells specially formulated for intravenous infusion. The stem cells are obtained from the bone marrow of healthy adult donors. Prochymal is currently being evaluated in Phase III trials for steroid refractory GvHD, acute GvHD, and Crohn's disease. Prochymal has been granted Fast Track status by FDA for all three of these indications. Prochymal also obtained Orphan Drug status by FDA and the European Medicines Agency for GvHD. Prochymal is being studied in Phase II trials for the treatment of COPD, type 1 diabetes, and acute myocardial infarction. Additionally, the Department of Defense recently awarded Osiris a contract to develop Prochymal as a treatment for acute radiation syndrome. <br></br><br></br>About Osiris Therapeutics <br></br><br></br> Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. is the leading stem cell therapeutic company focused on developing products to treat serious medical conditions in the inflammatory, orthopedic and cardiovascular areas. The Company's pipeline of internally developed biologic drug candidates under evaluation includes Prochymal for inflammatory, autoimmune, and cardiovascular indications, as well as Chondrogen for arthritis in the knee. Osiris is a fully integrated company, with capabilities in research, development, manufacturing, and distribution of stem cell products. Osiris has a partnership with Genzyme Corp. for the development and commercialization of Prochymal and Chondrogen in countries outside the United States and Canada. Osiris has developed an extensive intellectual property portfolio to protect the company's technology including 47 U.S. patents each having one or more foreign counterparts. Osiris, Prochymal and Chondrogen are registered trademarks of Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. More information can be found on the company's website, http://www.Osiris.com. (OSIR-G) <br></br><br></br>Forward-Looking Statements <br></br><br></br> This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "ongoing," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project" or similar words or phrases, or the negatives of those words or phrases, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the following: our product development efforts; our clinical trials and anticipated regulatory requirements and the ability to successfully navigate these requirements; the success of our product candidates in development; status of the regulatory process for our biologic drug candidates; implementation of our corporate strategy; our financial performance; our product research and development activities and projected expenditures, including our anticipated timeline and clinical strategy for Prochymal, Chondrogen and our other MSC and biologic drug candidates; our cash needs; patents and proprietary rights; the safety and ability of our potential products to treat disease and the results of our scientific research; our plans for sales and marketing; our plans regarding our facilities; types of regulatory frameworks we expect will be applicable to our potential products; and results of our scientific research. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties related to the Collaboration Agreement with Genzyme include, among others: typical business transactional risks; risks related to product development and clinical trial design, performance and completion; uncertainty of the success of Prochymal and Chondrogen in clinical trials and their ability to treat disease; Genzyme's early termination and opt-out rights; the ability of Osiris and Genzyme to successfully navigate regulatory requirements and to manufacture and commercialize products; and the uncertainty as to the ability of the parties to successfully perform under the collaborative arrangement and for Osiris to earn milestone and royalty payments thereunder. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the factors described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports filed on Form 10-Q, with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. <br></br><br></br>Osiris Therapeutics <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://healthcarejobsinportland.blogspot.com/2009/02/nurse-practitioner-your-own-business.html">Nurse Practitioner - your own business (Canby)</a></li> <li><a href="http://lesbi7a.blogspot.com/2009/02/master-chief-baby.html">Master Chief Baby</a></li> <li><a href="http://healthstrahovanie.blogspot.com/2009/02/bipartisan-group-of-senators-seeks-to.html">Bipartisan Group Of Senators Seeks To Eliminate As Much As $100 Billion From Economic Stimulus Package</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-303871002381576973?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-91931864618712934652009-02-16T13:00:00.000+02:002009-02-16T17:52:50.011+02:00 <br></br>On Feb. 11, Dr. Willem Johan Kolff, the world's most prolific inventor of artificial organs, passed away at the age of 97 in Philadelphia. Among Dr. Kolff's many accomplishments were the artificial kidney, heart-lung machine, artificial eye, artificial ear and artificial arm. However, he was best known for his decades of work that led to the Jarvik 7 artificial heart. <br></br><br></br> "The modern version of Dr. Kolff's artificial heart, the CardioWest™ temporary Total Artificial Heart, is the result of 60 years of development by the giants of medicine," said Rodger Ford, president and CEO of SynCardia Systems, Inc. "Without Dr. Kolff's vision, innovation and leadership, the artificial heart would not be the life-saving technology it is today." <br></br><br></br> In 1947, the modern-day artificial heart began as a dream of Dr. Kolff. In 1950, Dr. Kolff left his home in The Netherlands to begin work on the artificial heart at Cleveland Clinic. On Dec. 12, 1957, Dr. Kolff's work resulted in the implant of an artificial heart into a dog that lived for 90 minutes. <br></br><br></br> In 1967, Dr. Kolff left Cleveland Clinic to start the Division of Artificial Organs at the University of Utah. More than 240 physicians, engineers, students and faculty developed, tested and improved Dr. Kolff's artificial heart. <br></br><br></br> On Dec. 2, 1982, Dr. Kolff's 35 years of dedication culminated in the first implant of his artificial heart into dentist Barney Clark. Clark, who was hours from death prior to the surgery, lived for 112 days. <br></br><br></br> Today, there have been more than 780 implants, accounting for more than 150 patient years of life on the artificial heart. Originally designed as a permanent replacement heart, the CardioWest artificial heart is currently approved as a bridge to human heart transplant for patients dying from both sides of the heart failing (end stage biventricular failure). <br></br><br></br> The next generation of artificial heart technology is the Companion Discharge Driver, which is designed to power the artificial heart outside the hospital. In March, SynCardia will submit an application to the FDA to conduct an IDE clinical study of the Companion Discharge Driver at 22 U.S. certified centers. For the first time in the U.S., CardioWest patients will be able to enjoy life at home while they wait for a matching donor heart. <br></br><br></br> This spring, Herman Broers, the co-founder and managing director of the Willem Kolff Foundation, will hold a memorial ceremony at the Kolff Museum in The Netherlands to honor Dr. Kolff. The CardioWest artificial heart is currently on display at the Kolff Museum in the very room where Dr. Kolff first envisioned his artificial heart more than 60 years ago. <br></br><br></br>SynCardia Systems, Inc. <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://medicalnewshub.blogspot.com/2009/02/make-lashes-longer-thicker-and-darker.html">Make Lashes Longer, Thicker, and Darker with Latisse&#8482;</a></li> <li><a href="http://medicalnewshub.blogspot.com/2009/02/pearly-penile-papule-patients-can.html">Pearly Penile Papule Patients Can Successfully Be Treated with Targeted CO2 Technology at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre</a></li> <li><a href="http://medicalnewshub.blogspot.com/2009/02/resorb-networks-inc-sells-myblackbook.html">Resorb Networks, Inc Sells MyBlackBook Trademarks, Announces Sexual History Tracking Service's New Name, nOOkist&#8482;</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-9193186461871293465?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-84750879111833337242009-02-16T11:00:00.001+02:002009-02-16T15:52:29.336+02:00 <br></br>A new study has identified the first common gene variants associated with an increased incidence of hypertension - a significant risk factor for heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. The report receiving early online release in the journal Nature Genetics identifies variants in genes for proteins involved with cardiovascular response to stress that also appear to influence blood pressure levels, an association previously seen in animals but not demonstrated in humans. <br></br><br></br> "It's well known that hypertension can run in families, and a few rare genetic syndromes that raise blood pressure have been identified. But the common genetic basis for the type of hypertension that affects a billion individuals around the world has been very difficult to establish," says Christopher Newton-Cheh, MD, MPH of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Center for Human Genetic Research and Cardiovascular Research Center, first author of the Nature Genetics report. <br></br><br></br> To search for hypertension-associated variants, the investigators focused on two genes called NPPA and NPPB that are involved in the production of atrial and B-type natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP) - proteins known to relax blood vessels and to be involved in the excretion of dietary sodium. Animals in which both copies of NPPA have been knocked out are hypertensive, and even those with a single functional copy will develop hypertension on a high-sodium diet. <br></br><br></br> The overall study involved analyzing genetic data from almost 30,000 individuals. The researchers first screened 1,700 participants in the Framingham Heart Study for 13 common variations - called single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) - in the NPPA and NPPB genes, looking for any correlation with levels of ANP and BNP. SNPs identified in that first stage were validated in three other study groups, including participants from Sweden and Finland; and variants associated with changes in natriuretic peptide levels were then tested in the same individuals for any association with blood pressure levels. <br></br><br></br> Results of that third stage - which suggested two hypertension-associated SNPs - were validated in another study group. One identified variant, found in almost 90 percent of the population, was associated with a 20 percent reduction of ANP levels and an 18 percent greater incidence of hypertension. The other variant had a similar although less pronounced effect on ANP levels and blood pressure. <br></br><br></br> "Natriuretic peptides are known to be produced by the heart when it is stressed, and screening for peptide levels is widely used to diagnose heart failure, a condition in which they are sharply elevated," says senior author Thomas Wang, MD, of the MGH Cardiology Division. "It's currently premature to advocate screening natriuretic peptide levels or gene variants to diagnose hypertension risk, but someday it may be possible to treat natriuretic-peptide-deficient individuals with therapies that restore normal levels and reduce risk." <br></br><br></br> Newton-Cheh adds, "It's likely that many more genes will be found to contribute to changes in blood pressure, and the real challenge will be understanding the mechanism behind their effects. An advantage of these variants is that we know they act by influencing a well-studied pathway that may be modified with therapies that are currently being developed." He and Wang are both assistant professors of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and were co-corresponding authors on the paper. <br></br><br></br> ----------------------------<br></br>Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.<br></br>---------------------------- <br></br><br></br> Support for the Nature Genetics study included grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund and the American Heart Association. Co-authors of the paper are Kenneth Bloch and Sekar Kathiresan, MGH Cardiology; Martin Larson, Ramachandran Vasan, Daniel Levy, Emelia Benjamin, and Xiaoyan Yin, Framingham Heart Study of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and Boston University; Aarti Surti, Candace Guiducci, and Joel Hirschhorn, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT; Joachim Struck, Nils Morgenthaler and Andreas Bergmann, BRAHMS AG, Germany; Stefan Blankenberg, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany; Frank Kee, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK; Peter Nilsson, University Hospital, Malmo, Sweden; Leena Peltonen, Erki Vartiainen and Veikko Salomaa, National Public Health Institute, Finland; and Olle Melander, Lund University, Sweden <br></br><br></br> Massachusetts General Hospital, established in 1811, is the original and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. The MGH conducts the largest hospital-based research program in the United States, with an annual research budget of more than $500 million and major research centers in AIDS, cardiovascular research, cancer, computational and integrative biology, cutaneous biology, human genetics, medical imaging, neurodegenerative disorders, regenerative medicine, systems biology, transplantation biology and photomedicine. <br></br><br></br> Source: Sue McGreevey <br></br>Massachusetts General Hospital <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://technologyinternetpr.blogspot.com/2009/02/aurora-lifetools-implements-assuresign.html">Aurora Lifetools Implements AssureSign Biometric Electronic Signature Solution to Enhance Customer Convenience and Expedite Contracts</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2naked.blogspot.com/2009/02/sexy-big-booty-ass-girl-does-hot-strip.html">Sexy big booty ass girl does HOT strip tease</a></li> <li><a href="http://nakedznakomstva.blogspot.com/2009/02/bambi-mother-deleted-death-scene-pt-9.html">Bambi's Mother - Deleted Death Scene PT. 9 of Many</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-8475087911183333724?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-11300177307406542992009-02-16T11:00:00.000+02:002009-02-16T15:52:04.507+02:00 <br></br>Researchers have developed and tested a synthetic atherosclerosis drug that can reduce the build-up of dangerous blood vessel plaques without producing the side-effect of fatty liver disease (which leads to its own set of problems like diabetes). The encouraging results of this study in mice could lead to a new type of drug to treat or even prevent atherosclerosis. <br></br><br></br> Targets of this drug, called DMHCA, are proteins called the Liver X Receptors (LXR). These proteins control a body's cholesterol levels by limiting the absorption of dietary cholesterol and by increasing the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids. Unfortunately, most LXR ligands also control fatty acid production, so therapeutic compounds that activate LXR also raise the levels of other fats, particularly in the liver. <br></br><br></br> DHMCA, though, had negligible effects of fat production in laboratory tests, so Dagmar Kratky and colleagues tested it in mice genetically engineered to be atherosclerotic. They found that compared to another experimental LXR drug (T0901317), DMHCA could significantly reduce the size of arterial lesions in the mice (45-48%) without increasing fat content in the liver or blood. Together, these results, appearing in the February Journal of Lipid Research, show much therapeutic promise. <br></br><br></br> ----------------------------<br></br>Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.<br></br>---------------------------- <br></br><br></br> From the article: "Synthetic LXR agonist attenuates plaque formation in apoE-/- mice without inducing liver steatosis and hypertriglyceridemia," by Adelheid Kratzer, Marlene Buchebner, Thomas Pfeifer, Tatjana Becker, Georg Uray, Makoto Miyazaki, Shinobu Miyazaki-Anzai, Birgit Ebner, Prakash Chandak, Rajendra Kadam, Emine Calayir, Nora Rathke, Helmut Ahammer, Branislav Radovic, Michael Trauner, Gerald Hoefler, Uday Kompella, Guenter Fauler, Moshe Levi, Sanja Levak-Frank, Gerhard Kostner, and Dagmar Kratky <br></br><br></br> Article link: http://www.jlr.org/cgi/content/full/50/2/312 <br></br><br></br> Corresponding Author: Dagmar Kratky, Institute of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Austria <br></br><br></br> Source: Nick Zagorski <br></br>American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://nutritionanddietnews.blogspot.com/2009/02/during-aaas-nano-biotechnology-session.html">During AAAS Nano-Biotechnology Session Panel Ponders Healthy Donuts, Education</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2naked.blogspot.com/2009/02/wallow-in-oil.html">Wallow in oil</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2naked.blogspot.com/2009/02/sexy-big-booty-ass-girl-does-hot-strip.html">Sexy big booty ass girl does HOT strip tease</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-1130017730740654299?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-49098343120423809412009-02-15T11:00:00.002+02:002009-02-15T15:50:49.404+02:00 <br></br>The NHS should take a more sophisticated approach to risk in trying to prevent cardio-vascular disease, a new report argues today. The report The Prevention of Cardio-Vascular Disease presents a series of recommendations all aimed at improving the way the health services delivers preventative services. <br></br><br></br> Cardio-vascular disease is one of the UK's biggest killers, but takes many forms including heart disease, stroke, peripheral arterial disease and kidney disease. Patients may be at risk of more than one of these types of illnesses, and so 'one size fits all' models of prevention may not be appropriate. <br></br><br></br> Commenting, report author David Furness, SMF Health Project Leader, said: <br></br><br></br> "The NHS should be congratulated for recognising that preventing cardio-vascular disease is about reducing risk, not just screening for disease. However we need to do more to identify individuals at risk of developing different types of illnesses, and to put in place appropriate interventions to help prevent this. This might be through GP consultations or even early years programmes that help children from developing unhealthy lifestyles that are likely to result in heart disease later in life". <br></br><br></br> One of the contributors to the report, Professor Roger Boyle, the National Clinical Director for Heart disease, said: <br></br><br></br> "It has been a long standing ambition of the Department of Health [to make sure that] health promotion and the mechanics of prevention are dealt with in a more holistic way - not just treating heart disease but looking at the entirety of an individual's health". <br></br><br></br> The Social Market Foundation hopes that this report will play a part in developing a programme of risk assessment and preventative measures that will help to tackle cardio-vascular disease in the coming years. <br></br><br></br> The report has been produced with the support of Bristol-Myers Squibb and sanofi-aventis, who supported the costs of the seminar and production of the report. The opinions expressed in the report are those of the authors and (where relevant) contributors at the SMF seminars, not those of the two companies. <br></br><br></br> • The prevention of Cardio-Vascular Disease by David Furness is published today by the Social Market Foundation <br></br><br></br> • The Social Market Foundation is a leading UK think tank, developing innovative ideas across a broad range of economic and social policy. It champions policy ideas which marry markets with social justice and takes a pro-market rather than free-market approach. www.smf.co.uk<br></br><br></br> • The report, prevention of Cardio-Vascular Disease, highlights the findings of an expert roundtable which brought together some of the UK's foremost experts in preventing heart disease, <br></br><br></br> • The report presents the findings of an expert round-table attended by:<br></br><br></br> -- Professor Roger Boyle, Department of Health<br></br> -- Dr Andrew Foulkes, West Sussex PCT<br></br> -- David Furness. SMF<br></br> -- Barney Gough, SMF<br></br> -- Sue Griffith, Department of Health<br></br> -- Dr Mike Knapton, British Heart Foundation<br></br> -- Dr Gillian Leng, NICE<br></br> -- Dr Tom Marshall, University of Birmingham<br></br> -- Lyndsay Mountford, SMF<br></br> -- Dr Henry Purcell, Royal Brompton Hospital<br></br> -- Dr Azhar Rana, Bristol Myers-Squibb<br></br> -- Professor Gerard Stansby, Nuffield Hospital, Newcastle on Tyne and Chair of Target PAD Group<br></br> -- Dr Tony Whitehead, sanofi Aventis<br></br> -- Professor David Wood, Imperial College London<br></br><br></br>Social Market Foundation<br></br> 11 Tufton Street<br></br> London SW1P 3QB<br></br>www.smf.co.uk <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://a5asslick.blogspot.com/2009/02/hot-mallu-masala-b-grade-super-hot.html">Hot Mallu Masala B Grade Super Hot Scene Part3</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2naked.blogspot.com/2009/02/dance-like-wockee.html">Dance like a Wockee</a></li> <li><a href="http://splopxx.blogspot.com/2009/02/getting-away-with-murder-abortion.html">Getting Away With Murder Abortion</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-4909834312042380941?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-49981679144087243712009-02-15T11:00:00.001+02:002009-02-15T15:50:46.657+02:00 <br></br>Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE: EW), the world leader in the science of heart valves, announced today that it received CE Mark approval for European commercial sales of the new RetroFlex 3 transfemoral delivery system for the Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve.<br></br><br></br> The RetroFlex 3 delivery system is designed to optimize the physician's ability to control the navigation of the valve, through the incorporation of the valve expansion balloon directly into the delivery system's flexible tip. The new design also facilitates the crossing of the patient's native aortic valve, which in this population is calcified as a result of severe aortic stenosis.<br></br><br></br> "The delivery system for the Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter valve is a critical component in facilitating the delivery and implantation of the valve," said Patrick Verguet, Edwards' corporate vice president, Europe. "Our continued focus on developing new delivery systems enables us to respond to the needs of physicians utilizing the transcatheter valve in high-risk European patients. We are actively seeking opportunities to incorporate features that address the patient's anatomy, disease state and desire for a simpler procedure."<br></br><br></br> Edwards is the only company to provide both transfemoral and transapical delivery systems for transcatheter aortic valve replacement. With both approaches, the Edwards SAPIEN valve delivery is performed while the heart continues to beat and without open-heart surgery or cardiopulmonary bypass. <br></br><br></br> The Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve with the RetroFlex 3 transfemoral and Ascendra transapical delivery systems is approved for commercial sale in Europe. In the United States, the Edwards SAPIEN valve is an investigational device that is being studied in the PARTNER randomized clinical trial, and is not available for sale.<br></br><br></br>About Edwards Lifesciences<br></br><br></br> Edwards Lifesciences is the global leader in the science of heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring, with more than five decades of experience in partnering with clinicians to develop life-saving innovations. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Edwards treats advanced cardiovascular disease with its market-leading heart valve therapies, and critical care and vascular technologies, which are sold in approximately 100 countries. The company's global brands include Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, Edwards SAPIEN, FloTrac, Fogarty, PERIMOUNT Magna and Swan-Ganz. Additional company information can be found at http://www.edwards.com.<br></br><br></br> Edwards, RetroFlex and RetroFlex 3 are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. Edwards Lifesciences, the stylized E logo, Ascendra, Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, Edwards SAPIEN, FloTrac, Fogarty, PERIMOUNT Magna, and Swan-Ganz are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation and are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.<br></br><br></br>Edwards Lifesciences <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://nakedznakomstva.blogspot.com/2009/02/handkerchieg-card-trick-perfomed-by-me.html">handkerchieg card trick perfomed by me</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2kiska.blogspot.com/2009/02/shake-that-ass.html">Shake that ass</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2kiska.blogspot.com/2009/02/shake-tht-ass-video-by-imcute570_15.html">shake tht ass video by imcute570 Photobucket</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-4998167914408724371?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-20004709488539042572009-02-15T11:00:00.000+02:002009-02-15T15:50:44.093+02:00 <br></br>Bolton Medical announced today that they've reached the halfway point in the U.S. clinical trial for the RELAY(R) Thoracic Stent-Graft System. The trial studies the use of the RELAY Thoracic Stent-Graft as a treatment for thoracic aortic aneurysms in adult patients. The device has been approved in Europe since 2005, and has been used to successfully treat more than 2000 patients world-wide.<br></br><br></br> During an actual procedure, the RELAY Thoracic Stent-Graft is placed inside the diseased aorta without a major surgical incision and seals off the aneurysm allowing normal blood flow to resume. Because it was designed specifically for the thoracic anatomy, it allows surgeons to achieve placement in difficult, curved or otherwise challenging parts of a patient's unique anatomy.<br></br><br></br> "The design differences in the RELAY system work really well with certain anatomies," says Dr. Anthony Lee, Associate Professor or Vascular Surgery, University of Florida. "The device gives a high level of control to the physician, is very accurate in its deployment, and comes in a wide range of sizes, allowing for individual patient treatment."<br></br><br></br> Thoracic Stent-Grafts are an increasingly popular option to traditional open surgery for patients requiring treatment for main thoracic pathologies. The endovascular stent-graft procedure generally results in a reduced hospital stay and a lesser recovery time for patients. This can provide a considerable advantage in care given that the majority of patients who meet the criteria are seniors.<br></br><br></br> Bolton Medical is part of Werfen Group, an international group producing and selling products in the healthcare industry. Bolton Medical's focus is innovative thoracic endovascular therapies with a new generation of thoracic Stent-Graft called RELAY. RELAY was specifically designed for the thoracic aorta with key benefits in precise placement of the stent and durability through S -curved support strut. The outstanding flexibility of RELAY supports treatment of thoracic aortic pathologies.<br></br><br></br>Bolton Medical <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://nakedznakomstva.blogspot.com/2009/02/amazing-coin-trick.html">Amazing coin trick</a></li> <li><a href="http://offlady.blogspot.com/2009/02/kiss-lesbians-girl-porn-sexy-japanese.html">kiss lesbians girl porn sexy japanese xxx</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2naked.blogspot.com/2009/02/mega-sweet-isabella-nice-sexy-adult.html">Mega SWEET Isabella Nice Sexy Adult Video!</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-2000470948853904257?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-87817109865493825612009-02-15T10:00:00.001+02:002009-02-15T14:51:24.932+02:00 <br></br>Sanofi-aventis (Paris Bourse: EURONEXT: SAN; and New York: NYSE: SNY) announced today that the ATHENA trial was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The trial showed that Multaq(R) (dronedarone), in addition to standard therapy, significantly reduced the risk of first cardiovascular hospitalization or death by 24 percent (31.9% vs. 39.4%, p<br></br> Atrial fibrillation is the leading cause of hospitalization for arrhythmia in the US(1) and represents one-third of hospitalizations for arrhythmia in Europe.(2) Hospitalization due to AF has increased dramatically (two-to-three fold) in recent years in the US(1). Atrial fibrillation is a complex disease that increases the risk of stroke up to five-fold(3), worsens the prognosis of patients with cardiovascular risk factors(4) and that doubles the risk of mortality.(5)<br></br><br></br> The authors' findings, as reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed a significant decrease in the risk of cardiovascular death by 29 per cent (p=0.03) in patients with AF. Multaq significantly decreased the risk of arrhythmic death by 45 per cent (p=0.01) and there were numerically fewer deaths (16 per cent) from any cause in the dronedarone group compared to placebo (p=0.18). First cardiovascular hospitalization was reduced by 26 per cent (p<br></br> "The ATHENA trial is the first trial to show a reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular hospitalization or death in patients taking an anti-arrhythmic drug for atrial fibrillation" commented Dr. Stefan H. Hohnloser J.W., Goethe University's Division of Clinical Electrophysiology, Frankfurt, Germany, principal investigator of the ATHENA study. <br></br><br></br> Reported significant adverse events in the Multaq(R) arm vs. placebo arm included diarrhea (9.7% vs. 6.2%), nausea (5.3% vs. 3.1%), bradycardia (3.5% vs. 1.2%), QT-interval prolongation (1.7% vs. 0.6%); skin disorders (10.3% vs. 7.6%) consisting mainly of rash, and an increase in blood creatinine (4.7% vs. 1.3%)*. There was no difference in permanent study drug discontinuation between Multaq(R) and placebo (30.2% vs. 30.8%).<br></br><br></br> Dr. Stuart J. Connolly, Director of the division of cardiology at McMaster University, Ontario, Canada and co-principal investigator of the ATHENA trial said "The clinical benefits observed with dronedarone in ATHENA occurred without a significantly higher rate of thyroid or pulmonary disorders compared with placebo reported within the study period." <br></br><br></br> * The mechanism of blood creatinine increase was well defined in a separate study of healthy volunteers and is not indicative of renal toxicity <br></br><br></br>About the ATHENA Study<br></br><br></br> The landmark ATHENA study is the only double-blind, antiarrhythmic study in patients with AF that assesses morbidity-mortality. The study was conducted at more than 550 sites in 37 countries and enrolled a total of 4,628 patients.<br></br><br></br> The patients studied in ATHENA were either 75 years of age or older (with or without cardiovascular risk factors) or below 75 years of age with at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor (hypertension, diabetes, previous ischemic cerebrovascular event, left atrium size greater than 50 mm or left ventricular ejection fraction lower than 40 percent). Patients with recently decompensated heart failure or in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV were excluded. Patients were randomized to receive dronedarone 400 mg BID or placebo, with a mean follow-up of 21 months.<br></br><br></br> The ATHENA study objectives were designed to show a potential benefit of dronedarone on the primary composite endpoint of all-cause mortality combined with cardiovascular hospitalization compared with placebo. The pre-specified secondary endpoints were death from any cause, cardiovascular death and hospitalization for cardiovascular reasons. The pre-specified safety endpoint was the incidence of treatment emergent adverse events (between first study drug intake and last study drug intake plus 10 days) including all adverse events, serious adverse events and adverse events leading to study drug discontinuation.<br></br><br></br>About Atrial Fibrillation <br></br><br></br> AF is a common heart arrhythmia in which the upper chambers of the heart beat in an uncoordinated and disorganized fashion, which can cause palpitations, shortness of breath and fatigue. AF currently represents a major economic burden for society. Seventy percent of the annual cost of AF management in Europe is driven by in-patient care and interventional procedures. Hospitalizations for AF have increased dramatically (two-to-three-fold) in recent years. AF hospitalizations now represent a third of all hospitalizations for arrhythmia and mortality in the US and Europe. AF affects nearly 7 million people in the European Union and the United States.<br></br><br></br> The condition is increasingly frequent with advancing age and is often caused by age-related changes in the heart or as a result of cardiovascular disease. AF increases the risk of stroke up to five-fold and heart failure two-to-three-fold. AF also doubles the risk of mortality.<br></br><br></br> Without appropriate management, AF can lead to serious complications such as stroke and congestive heart failure. In addition to preventing stroke and reducing the burden of the disease, successful management of AF should also aim at further reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. <br></br><br></br> The goals of treatment for patients with AF are related to managing the arrhythmia itself and to the prevention of thromboembolism. AF may be treated with medications that either slow the heart rate or revert the heart rhythm back to normal sinus rhythm. <br></br><br></br>About dronedarone (Multaq(R)<br></br><br></br> Multaq(R) (dronedarone) is an investigational treatment and the only antiarrhythmic drug to have shown a significant reduction in cardiovascular hospitalization or death in patients with AF/AFL. Multaq(R), discovered and developed by sanofi-aventis, has been studied in a clinical development program including more than 6,200 patients. Multaq(R) is one of the major therapeutic innovations in atrial fibrillation for the last twenty years. Multaq(R) has been granted a priority review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a registration dossier is also under regulatory review by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA).<br></br><br></br>About sanofi-aventis<br></br><br></br> Sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to improve the lives of everyone. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT : SAN) and in New York (NYSE : SNY).<br></br><br></br> Forward Looking Statements<br></br><br></br> This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include product development, product potential projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to future events, operations, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "plans" and similar expressions. Although sanofi-aventis' management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of sanofi-aventis, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, future clinical data and analysis, including post marketing, decisions by regulatory authorities, such as the FDA or the EMEA, regarding whether and when to approve any drug, device or biological application that may be filed for any such product candidates as well as their decisions regarding labelling and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of such products candidates, the absence of guarantee that the products candidates if approved will be commercially successful, the future approval and commercial success of therapeutic alternatives as well as those discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by sanofi-aventis, including those listed under "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in sanofi-aventis' annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2007. Other than as required by applicable law, sanofi-aventis does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements. <br></br><br></br> (1) Singh SN et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006;48:721-730<br></br><br></br> (2) Fuster V et al. ACC/AHA/ESC Guidelines. European Heart Journal 2006;27:1979-2030<br></br><br></br> (3) Wolf et al. Stroke. 1991;22:983-988.<br></br><br></br> (4) Wachtell K et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005;45:712-719.<br></br><br></br> (5) Benjamin EJ et al. Circulation. 1998;98:946-952.<br></br><br></br>http://www.sanofi-aventis.com <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://get-russian-girlfriend.blogspot.com/2009/02/black-men-better-learn-to-defend.html">Black Men, Better Learn To Defend Yourself.</a></li> <li><a href="http://komarjopa.blogspot.com/2009/02/lesbians-are-going-wild-kissing.html">Lesbians are going wild- kissing</a></li> <li><a href="http://gotu-dating.blogspot.com/2009/02/what-about-poor-white-man-pt-2.html">WHAT ABOUT THE POOR WHITE MAN PT. 2</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-8781710986549382561?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-48972417368143889622009-02-15T10:00:00.000+02:002009-02-15T14:51:22.238+02:00 <br></br> Cardium Therapeutics (NYSE Alternext US: CXM) and its operating unit InnerCool Therapies today reported that InnerCool's CoolBlue surface temperature modulation system was highlighted in a television segment that aired on Chicago's NBC 5 News. The story can be viewed at here. The segment features a maternity patient who suffered cardiac shock while delivering her baby at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. The baby was saved as a result of physicians performing an emergency Caesarean section surgery - however the mother was clinging to life in a coma and was considered likely to be "brain dead." Over 40 minutes and a series of electric shocks the mother was resuscitated while she was simultaneously cooled with InnerCool's CoolBlue surface cooling system. Months later, she appears fully recovered and with normal neurological function. The attending physicians, Drs. Richard E. Temes and Omar Lateef, expressed their belief that hypothermia can improve brain recovery in post-cardiac patients and should be widely used. Dr. Temes noted that "hypothermia is perhaps the most powerful neuroprotecting agent out there." Dr. Richard Bernstein who heads Northwestern's Therapeutic Cooling Program stated, "80 percent of hospitals that should be doing this are not. It takes a champion and some pressure from patient advocacy groups to make it happen." <br></br><br></br> "There has been increasing interest in patient temperature modulation therapy as a result of the growing number of hospitals and EMS providers adopting cooling protocols for out-of-hospital and in-hospital cardiac arrest patients. This recent news story is yet another example of how a patient recovered neurological function following an in-hospital cardiac arrest who was provided an opportunity to potentially benefit from our cooling technology," stated Christopher J. Reinhard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cardium Therapeutics and InnerCool Therapies. "We believe InnerCool is the only company positioned to offer a comprehensive portfolio of best-in-class endovascular and surface cooling solutions to the growing number of hospitals and healthcare providers in this rapidly expanding therapeutic area." <br></br><br></br>CoolBlue™ Surface Temperature Modulation System<br></br><br></br> InnerCool's CoolBlueä surface temperature modulation system, which includes a console and a disposable CoolBlue vest with upper thigh pads, is designed to provide a complementary tool for use in less acute patients or in clinical settings best suited to prolonged temperature management. InnerCool's CoolBlue vest and thigh pads wrap the body without requiring any adhesives to stick to the skin and produce cooling rates of around 1°C per hour, i.e. similar to those of currently-marketed surface cooling systems and endovascular systems using inflatable balloon-based catheters. InnerCool's CoolBlue external or surface-based temperature modulation system is designed to cool or warm patients from outside of their bodies and is intended for use in less acute settings such as in-hospital fever management. InnerCool's CoolBlue nurse-friendly and cost-effective surface temperature modulation system is also now available for sale in Europe and Australia through recently-completed distributorship agreements. <br></br><br></br>RapidBlue™ Endovascular Temperature Modulation System<br></br><br></br> InnerCool's RapidBlueä system for high-performance endovascular temperature modulation includes a programmable console with an enhanced user-friendly interface and touch panel screen and powers the low profile flexible Accutrol® catheter to quickly modulate patient temperature at cooling rates of 4-5 degrees Celsius per hour or warming rates of 2-3 degrees Celsius per hour. The Accutrol catheter, which has a flexible metallic temperature control element (TCE®) and a built-in temperature feedback sensor to provide fast and precise patient temperature control, can accurately measure core body temperature within 0.1 degree Celsius. Its novel software control algorithm provides automated and precise body temperature control, eliminating the use of peripheral temperature probes which are generally slow in responding to core temperature changes. <br></br><br></br> The RapidBlue console and Accutrol catheter can quickly and accurately modulate whole body temperature without introducing or exchanging any fluid within the body. The system functions by programmably circulating cold or warm saline in a closed circuit within the catheter to either cool or warm its outer metallic surface, which effectively conducts heat out of or into the surrounding bloodstream. The unique design of InnerCool's TCE®, which is both thermally conductive and includes alternating surface helices to promote mixing around the TCE, further enhances heat transfer and enables rapid patient temperature modulation, even in obese patients. The catheter and TCE have a covalently-bonded heparin coating for hemo-compatibility and the catheter can be readily inserted intravenously while the patient is in an operating room or intensive care setting without the need for continuous fluoroscopy. The integrated temperature sensor allows for automated temperature management, and also eliminates the need to place bladder or other patient temperature probes which can be slow to react to changes in core body temperature, and may be uncomfortable to the patient and time-consuming to place. <br></br><br></br> Other currently-marketed endovascular systems rely on plastic-based balloon catheters that are inflated after placement in the bloodstream. Although expansion of the balloons increases their overall surface area for heat transfer, it also tends to make the catheters fairly large and rigid. In addition, they do not contain integrated temperature feedback sensors and heat transfer is limited by the very poor conductive nature of plastic. In terms of performance, a medium-sized balloon-based catheter which inflates to about 8 mm (24 French) has been reported to cool anesthetized intubated (i.e. surgical) patients at a rate of around 1 degree Celsius per hour. In comparison, InnerCool's RapidBlue System combines an ultra-thin flexible metallic catheter of only 3.5 mm (10.7 French) or 4.6 mm (14 French) with the potential to achieve cooling rates that are approximately 4-fold faster, i.e. about 1 degree Celsius per 15 minutes. Rapid cooling is considered to be particularly important for preserving tissue and organ function under conditions of acute ischemia, which result from reduced blood flow to critical tissues and organs. <br></br><br></br> The RapidBlue System can be used in inducing, maintaining and reversing mild hypothermia in neurosurgical patients, both in surgery and in recovery or intensive care. The system can also be used for cardiac patients in order to achieve or maintain normal body temperatures during surgery and in recovery / intensive care, and as an adjunctive treatment for fever control in patients with cerebral infarction and intracerebral hemorrhage. Potential additional applications of the technology may include endovascular cooling for cardiac arrest (resuscitation), acute ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction (heart attack) and trauma. <br></br><br></br>About Cardium<br></br><br></br> Cardium Therapeutics, Inc. and its subsidiaries, InnerCool Therapies, Inc. and the Tissue Repair Company, are medical technology companies primarily focused on the development, manufacture and sale of innovative therapeutic products and devices for cardiovascular, ischemic and related indications. <br></br><br></br> Cardium's InnerCool Therapies subsidiary is a San Diego-based medical technology company in the emerging field of temperature modulation therapy to rapidly and controllably cool the body in order to reduce cell death and damage following acute ischemic events such as cardiac arrest or stroke, and to potentially lessen or prevent associated injuries such as adverse neurological outcomes. For more information about Cardium's InnerCool subsidiary and patient temperature modulation, including InnerCool's new RapidBlue™ System, which just received FDA clearance, and its CoolBlue™ System, please visit http://www.innercool.com. <br></br><br></br> Cardium also has two biologic candidates in clinical development. Cardium's Tissue Repair Company subsidiary (TRC) is focused on the development of growth factor therapeutics for the treatment of severe chronic diabetic wounds. TRC's lead product candidate, Excellarate™, is a DNA-activated collagen gel for topical treatment formulated with an adenovector delivery carrier encoding human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). Excellarate™ is initially being developed to be administered once or twice for the potential treatment of non-healing diabetic foot ulcers. Other potential applications for TRC's Gene Activated Matrix™ (GAM) technology include therapeutic angiogenesis (cardiovascular ischemia, peripheral arterial disease) and orthopedic products, including hard tissue (bone) and soft tissue (ligament, tendon, cartilage) repair. For more information about Cardium's Tissue Repair Company subsidiary, please visit http://www.t-r-co.com. <br></br><br></br> Cardium's Generx product candidate (alferminogene tadenovec, Ad5FGF-4) is a DNA-based growth factor therapeutic being developed for potential use by interventional cardiologists as a one-time treatment to promote and stimulate the growth of collateral circulation in the hearts of patients with ischemic conditions such as recurrent angina. For more information about Cardium Therapeutics and its businesses, products and therapeutic candidates, please visit http://www.cardiumthx.com or view its most recent Annual Report at http://www.cardiumthx.com/flash/pdf/CardiumAR07_Book_FINAL.pdf. <br></br><br></br>Forward-Looking Statements<br></br><br></br> Except for statements of historical fact, the matters discussed in this press release are forward looking and reflect numerous assumptions and involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control and may cause actual results to differ materially from stated expectations. For example, there can be no assurance that temperature modulation therapies will gain increasing acceptance and use, that alternatives to InnerCool's products will not be perceived as better, safer or less expensive, that results or trends observed in one clinical study will be reproduced in subsequent studies, that necessary regulatory approvals will be obtained, or that our own actual or proposed products and treatments will prove to be sufficiently safe and effective and will gain market acceptance. Actual results may also differ substantially from those described in or contemplated by this press release due to risks and uncertainties that exist in our operations and business environment, including, without limitation, our limited experience in the development, testing and marketing of therapeutic hypothermia devices and whether our efforts to launch new devices and systems will be successful or completed within the time frames contemplated, risks and uncertainties that are inherent in the conduct of human clinical trials, including the timing, costs and outcomes of such trials, our dependence upon proprietary technology, our history of operating losses and accumulated deficits, our reliance on collaborative relationships and critical personnel, and current and future competition, as well as other risks described from time to time in filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date hereof. <br></br><br></br>Cardium's Generx <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://a5lisk.blogspot.com/2009/02/wet-girl-boobs-massage.html">Wet Girl Boobs Massage</a></li> <li><a href="http://nadoelopridumivaturli.blogspot.com/2009/02/upskirt-school-girl-very-hot.html">Upskirt School Girl Very Hot</a></li> <li><a href="http://get-russian-girlfriend.blogspot.com/2009/02/wbt-valentine-day.html">WBT: Valentine's Day</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-4897241736814388962?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-75259693439832460252009-02-15T09:00:00.000+02:002009-02-15T13:50:28.950+02:00 <br></br>Four western New York hospitals using emergency treatment strategies emphasizing evidence-based therapy and better communication among health care providers reduced heart attack patient deaths by 19 percent for up to one year after patient discharge. <br></br><br></br> The prospective research study, "Acute Coronary Syndrome Emergency Treatment Strategies: Improved Treatment and Reduced Mortality in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Guideline-based Critical Care Pathways," was published in January in the American Heart Journal. <br></br><br></br> "The study shows that when you improve communication among departments about patient care, and when you take key information from published medical journals and apply them to every day medicine, you can make a significant difference in patient outcomes and the quality of care they receive," said study lead author and practicing cardiologist Dr. John Corbelli, who also serves as associate clinical professor of medicine for the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. <br></br><br></br> This is the first study to investigate an acute coronary syndrome critical care pathway approach in a population of patients encompassing the total acute coronary syndrome management spectrum. WellPoint subsidiary, HealthCore Inc., performed the outcomes research for this study based on research funding from Sanofi-Aventis, Bristol-Myers Squibb and the Kaleida Health Foundation. <br></br><br></br> "ACSETS was derived from the synergy between the cardiologists and emergency department physicians," said Dr. Dave Janicke, study co-author and clinical associate professor of emergency medicine at State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. "The ACSETS guideline-driving pathway is initiated as soon as the ACS patient arrives in the Emergency Department and is subsequently carried through hospitalization including discharge medications and follow-up." <br></br><br></br> The prospective study demonstrated that patients received better care for acute coronary syndrome, including fewer days in the hospital and more medically appropriate use of medication, when the ACSETS critical care pathway was used. The control group was made up of patients who had been treated at the four hospitals before ACSETS was implemented. <br></br><br></br> "Previous work has established that hospitals adhering to certain performance measures in treating patients with heart attack had lower mortality," said Corbelli. "We wanted to know if we could improve the mortality rates of these patients by developing a new approach - or a new critical pathway - to better assist medical staff in putting these published guidelines into practice." <br></br><br></br> Within the first 24 hours after arrival in the emergency department, at discharge and during 12 months following discharge, more ACSETS patients than pre-ACSETS patients received all eight guideline-based acute coronary syndrome treatment medications studied. <br></br><br></br> "Post discharge readmission and mortality has been shown to be a major issue in managing patients with ACS," said Mark Cziraky, study co-author and HealthCore vice president of research development and operations. "The fact that the mortality rate is lower one year after discharge in ACS patients demonstrates that they continued their therapy after leaving the hospital." <br></br><br></br> At discharge, ACSETS patients had their medications reviewed so that the appropriate drug therapies were prescribed. Patients were educated to understand the impact of their medications and the importance of compliance with the prescribed regimen. Study authors also met with local managed care groups to ensure that the design of their health plans allowed ACSETS patients easy access to cardiac therapies. <br></br><br></br> While the study showed no difference in in-patient mortality rates among the two groups, it did show that the ACSETS patients admitted for heart attack had a mortality rate of 19 percent less than the control group for up to one year after discharge. <br></br><br></br> "After discharge, higher refill rates were seen for the ACSETS group than for the pre-ACSETS group, with that difference showing statistical significance for clopidogrel and statins," Cziraky said. <br></br><br></br> ACSETS, based on guidelines established by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, uses pre-printed order sheets customized for use in the emergency department, inpatient and discharge that simplify the task of matching intensity of therapy to risk. Rather than follow the normal procedure of creating a new order sheet at every patient stop - from the ER to the floor and then to discharge - the same set of orders stayed with the patients as they made their journeys through the hospital. <br></br><br></br> Physicians and other medical staff members were trained on the ACSETS order sheets for a period over 26 weeks before the study began. ACSETS educates medical staff members throughout the continuum of patient care regarding key elements of the guidelines and encourages ready adherence to those guidelines at the bedside in a time-efficient manner. <br></br><br></br> About the study <br></br><br></br> ACSETS is used for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome patients with unstable angina, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), or ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The study group included 1,709 ACSETS patients and 1,240 pre-ACSETS control patients. <br></br><br></br> The study compares acute coronary syndrome care pre (Jan. 2, 2002) and post (May 1, 2003 to Aug. 31, 2004) in a four-hospital system in western New York state. Two hospitals were urban with cardiac catherization facilities and two other hospitals were suburban and lacked cardiac catherization facilities. <br></br><br></br> All patients were admitted to the hospital through the emergency department and discharged with a diagnosis of unstable angina, NSTEMI or STEMI. The intervention group consisted of patients with at least one ACSETS order sheet in their medical chart. <br></br><br></br> ----------------------------<br></br>Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.<br></br>---------------------------- <br></br><br></br> About HealthCore <br></br><br></br> HealthCore, based in Wilmington, Del., is the clinical outcomes research subsidiary of WellPoint. HealthCore has a team of highly experienced researchers including physicians, biostatisticians, pharmacists, epidemiologists, health economists and other scientists who study the "real world" safety and effectiveness of drugs, medical devices and care management interventions. HealthCore offers insight on how to best use this data and communicates these findings to health care decision-makers to support evidence-based medicine, product development decisions, safety monitoring, coverage decisions, process improvement and overall cost-effective health care. For more information, go to http://www.healthcore.com/. <br></br><br></br> Source: Lori McLaughlin <br></br>HealthCore <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://a1sexblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/ugly-ass-celebrities.html">Ugly Ass Celebrities</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2dro4ery.blogspot.com/2009/02/delicious-lez-anal-sensual-massage-love.html">Delicious Lez Anal Sensual Massage = Love</a></li> <li><a href="http://a1sexblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/exotic-lesbian-dancer-gets-naked-to.html">Exotic lesbian dancer gets naked to wear a strap on and stick it to her girlfriend</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-7525969343983246025?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-54359883869752030482009-02-14T10:00:00.001+02:002009-02-14T14:51:14.752+02:00 <br></br>A study in mice indicates that overeating, rather than the obesity it causes, is the trigger for developing metabolic syndrome, a collection of heath risk factors that increases an individual's chances of developing insulin resistance, fatty liver, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.<br></br><br></br> How and where the body stores excess, unused calories appears to matter most when determining a person's risk of developing metabolic syndrome, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center suggest.<br></br><br></br> "Most people today think that obesity itself causes metabolic syndrome," said Dr. Roger Unger, professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern and senior author of the study. "We're ingrained to think obesity is the cause of all health problems, when in fact it is the spillover of fat into organs other than fat cells that damages these organs, such as the heart and the liver. Depositing fatty molecules in fat cells where they belong actually delays that harmful spillover."<br></br><br></br> The study appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and is among the first to suggest that weight gain is an early symptom of pre-metabolic syndrome, rather than a direct cause.<br></br><br></br> "Obesity delays the onset of metabolic syndrome, but it doesn't prevent it," said Dr. Unger, who has investigated diabetes, obesity and insulin resistance for more than 50 years. "People who are obese or overweight are on the road to developing metabolic syndrome unless they stop overeating. Sooner or later, it will happen."<br></br><br></br> Currently about 50 million Americans suffer from metabolic syndrome. The exact cause of metabolic syndrome is unknown, but obesity and lack of exercise have been considered to be the primary underlying contributors to its development. Several studies in Dallas have shown that overweight patients with metabolic syndrome have increased fat levels in their liver, heart and pancreas.<br></br><br></br> Individuals with congenital generalized lipodystrophy a genetic condition in which people are born with no fat cells in which to store fat develop metabolic syndrome at an earlier age than people who are obese. They also develop more severe cases of metabolic syndrome earlier than their obese counterparts.<br></br><br></br> The goal of this study was to determine whether an individual's capacity to store fat in fat cells plays a role in whether they develop metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes and at what point that occurs.<br></br><br></br> For the study, the researchers compared mice genetically altered to prevent their fat cells from expanding when overfed to mice with no such protections against becoming obese. The normal mice got fat when overfed, but didn't develop signs of metabolic syndrome until about 7 weeks into the experiment, at about 12 weeks of age.<br></br><br></br> The mice engineered to remain slim, however, enjoyed no such "pre-diabetic honeymoon period," the study authors said. Some became seriously ill at 4 to 5 weeks of age and displayed evidence of severe heart problems and marked hyperglycemia by 10 weeks of age, a full 8 weeks before the normal mice displayed even minimal heart problems. The genetically altered mice also suffered devastating damage to heart cells and to the insulin-secreting cells in their pancreas.<br></br><br></br> "The genetically altered animals were perfectly normal as long as they were on a normal diet and not overfed. But as soon as we put them on a high-calorie diet, they got terribly sick very fast," said Dr. May-yun Wang, assistant professor of internal medicine at and lead author of the study.<br></br><br></br> She said the mice engineered to stay slim got sick quicker because the extra calories were not stored in the fat cells, the one place in the body equipped to store fat. Instead, fat was stored in other tissues, mimicking what happens in people with congenital generalized lipodystrophy.<br></br><br></br> "Recognition of this should encourage physicians and obese patients to pursue more aggressive interventions before they develop metabolic syndrome, rather than after the onset of disease, as is customary," Dr. Wang said.<br></br><br></br> The new results complement earlier findings by diabetes researchers at UT Southwestern who investigated why mice genetically engineered to be obese are at no more risk of developing metabolic syndrome than normal mice. The results of that study, which was led by Dr. Philipp Scherer, professor of internal medicine and director of the Touchstone Center for Diabetes Research, also suggested that it's not the amount of body fat, but where it is stored in the body that appears to matter most to health.<br></br><br></br> Dr. Unger said the most recent findings, like Dr. Scherer's, in no way condone obesity.<br></br><br></br> "It's best to eat only what you need to replace the energy you burn," he said. "But, if you eat more than you need, as most Americans do, it's better to put the surplus calories in fat cells than in the rest of the body because fat cells are designed specifically for fat storage. You won't be as trim, but you'll be healthier," Dr. Unger said.<br></br><br></br> The study results also imply that any gene that impairs the ability to store fat in the fat cells likely predisposes an individual to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, Dr. Unger said.<br></br><br></br> Researchers from Baylor University Medical Center and University Medical Center in Geneva also contributed to the study.<br></br><br></br> The study was funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Swiss National Science Foundation.<br></br><br></br> Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/edocrinology to learn more about UT Southwestern's clinical services in endocrinology.<br></br><br></br> UT Southwestern Medical Center<br></br> 5323 Harry Hines Blvd.<br></br> Dallas<br></br> TX 75390-9060<br></br> United States<br></br>http://www.utsouthwestern.edu <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://lovenudua5.blogspot.com/2009/02/nude-sex-super-sexy-booty-erotic-sexy.html">nude sex - Super Sexy Booty Erotic Sexy Dancing Sexy Lingerie Panties</a></li> <li><a href="http://komarjopa.blogspot.com/2009/02/superbe-brunette-hottie-nude.html">superbe brunette hottie nude</a></li> <li><a href="http://nadoelopridumivaturli.blogspot.com/2009/02/lesbian-lesbians-aaaxxx-naked-girl-love.html">lesbian lesbians 女同志xxx naked girl love sex porn kiss kissing</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-5435988386975203048?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-25761775627564051462009-02-14T10:00:00.000+02:002009-02-14T14:51:12.116+02:00 <br></br>Medical News Today is pleased to announce the launch of a new Vascular channel. The section will include news on arterial diseases (aortic abdominal aneurysms, thoracic aortic aneurysms, aortic arch, dissections and ischemia, as well as peripheral arterial disease) and venous diseases (varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis). <br></br><br></br> Medical News Today asks that any subscribers to the tailored Newsletter or Newsalert, who would like to receive the news from this new section in their e-mails, amend their preferences using the link provided in their last/next e-mail from Medical News Today (or use our feedback form if you would like assistance). <br></br><br></br> Other channels that have been added recently and will also need to be updated in the e-mail subscriptions include: <ul><li>Asbestos / Mesothelioma</li> <li>Back Pain</li> <li>COPD</li> <li>Eczema / Psoriasis</li> <li>Fibromyalgia</li> <li>Lymphology/Lymphedema</li> <li>Medical Practice Management</li> <li>Melanoma / Skin Cancer</li> <li>Menopause</li> <li>Ovarian Cancer</li> <li>Palliative Care / Hospice Care</li> <li>Tuberculosis</li> <li>Veterans / Ex-Servicemen</li></ul> If you have a suggestion for another new channel you would like to see on our site please fill in the form at the bottom of our Contact Us page.<br></br><br></br> To sign up for one of our free e-mails please fill in the form on the relevant page:<br></br>Weekly Newsletter<br></br>Daily Newsalert<br></br> Every e-mail provides you with a link to unsubscribe or change your preferences if you wish to do so. <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://a2dro4ery.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-friend-bitch.html">My Friend's a bitch</a></li> <li><a href="http://ludasclips.blogspot.com/2009/02/kissing-sisters-most-hot-video.html">Kissing sisters the most hot video</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2dro4ery.blogspot.com/2009/02/alex-c-feat-y-ass-doktorspiele.html">Alex C feat. Y-ass - Doktorspiele</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-2576177562756405146?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-70409135422418875332009-02-14T09:00:00.000+02:002009-02-14T13:58:54.982+02:00 <br></br>Healthy blood vessels play a key role in the prevention and treatment of diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. <br></br><br></br> Endothelial cells line the blood vessels and are critical to the regulation of blood vessel growth and function. <br></br><br></br> Researchers at the Centenary Institute have discovered a mechanism that helps control the development of endothelial cells. <br></br><br></br> Professor Jenny Gamble, Head of the Vascular Biology program at Centenary, says the process by which endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) change to mature endothelial cells is an important but little understood control. <br></br><br></br> "If endothelial cell lining is injured or damaged, for example during wound healing, an organ transplant or heart attack, the EPC leave the bone marrow, circulate in the blood and home to the site of the injury where they continue to repair and are induced to become mature cells," she explains. <br></br><br></br> Publishing in Blood, Professor Gamble and her team found that this process, called differentiation, is partly controlled by the enzyme sphingosine kinase-1. <br></br><br></br> "We found that high levels of SK-1 keep the cells as EPCs whereas a decrease in the amount of SK-1 allows the cell to differentiate to functionally mature endothelial cells." <br></br><br></br> By understanding these fundamental tools the body uses to heal itself, there is potential to manipulate this process to create new treatments. <br></br><br></br> For example, the vascular complications of diabetes are attributed, in part, to the decreased numbers and function of EPCs. Additionally, stents are used extensively for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. However they can often be problematic because of a lack of good endothelial cell coverage. <br></br><br></br> Centenary Institute Executive Director, Professor Mathew Vadas says an increased understanding of the process of differentiation may allow SK-1 to be manipulated to drive this process and therefore improve treatments of these diseases in the future. <br></br><br></br> ----------------------------<br></br>Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.<br></br>---------------------------- <br></br><br></br> About the Centenary Institute <br></br><br></br> The Centenary Institute is an independent medical research institute, affiliated with Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the University of Sydney. Our unique blend of highly skilled staff and state-of-the art equipment and facilities has allowed us to become world leaders in three critical areas of medical research - cancer, cardiovascular disease and infectious diseases. For further information about the Centenary Institute, visit http://www.centenary.org.au. <br></br><br></br> Publication reference <br></br><br></br> Bonder CS, Sun WY, Matthews T, Cassano C, Li X, Ramshaw HS, Pitson SM, Lopez AF, Coates PT, Proia RL, Vadas MA, Gamble JR.<br></br>Sphingosine kinase regulates the rate of endothelial progenitor cell differentiation.<br></br>Blood. 2008 Dec 24. [Epub ahead of print]. <br></br><br></br> Source: Erin Sharp <br></br>Research Australia <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://a5splog.blogspot.com/2009/02/hot-blonde-lesbian-babes-playing-ass.html">Hot Blonde Lesbian Babes Playing Ass Kissing XXX Hardcore</a></li> <li><a href="http://businessadvertisingmarketing.blogspot.com/2009/02/social-media-experts-gather-in-richmond.html">Social Media Experts Gather in Richmond, VA for New Media Seminar</a></li> <li><a href="http://a8adultvideos.blogspot.com/2009/02/brother-sister-boyfriend-girlfriend.html">Brother-Sister-Boyfriend-Girlfriend Chapter Twelve</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-7040913542241887533?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-47849759274537917212009-02-13T12:00:00.001+02:002009-02-13T16:52:00.010+02:00 <br></br>A little more than a year after University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists showed they could turn skin cells back into stem cells, they have pulsating proof that these "induced" stem cells can indeed form the specialized cells that make up heart muscle. <br></br><br></br> In a study published online in Circulation Research, a journal of the American Heart Association, UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health professor of medicine Tim Kamp and his research team showed that they were able to grow working heart-muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) from induced pluripotent stem cells, known as iPS cells. <br></br><br></br> The heart cells were originally reprogrammed from human skin cells by James Thomson and Junying Yu, two of Kamp's co-authors on the study. <br></br><br></br> "It's an encouraging result because it shows that those cells will be useful for research and may someday be useful in therapy," says Kamp, who is also a cardiologist with UW Health. "If you have a heart failure patient who is in dire straits - and there are never enough donor hearts for transplantation - we may be able to make heart cells from the patient's skin cells and use them to repair heart muscle. That's pretty exciting." <br></br><br></br> It's also a few more discoveries away. The researchers used a virus to insert four transcription factors into the genes of the skin cell, reprogramming it back to an embryo-like state. Because the virus is taken up by the new cell, there is a possibility it eventually could cause cancer, so therapies from reprogrammed skin cells will likely have to wait until new methods are perfected. <br></br><br></br> Still, the iPS cardiomyocytes should prove immediately useful for research. And Kamp says the speed at which knowledge is progressing is very encouraging. <br></br><br></br> Jianhua Zhang, lead author on the study, noted that it took 17 years, from when a mouse embryonic stem cells were first created in 1981, to 1998, when Thomson created the first human embryonic stem cells. In contrast, the first mouse iPS stem cells were created in 2006, and Thomson and Yu published their paper in November 2007, announcing the creation of human iPS stem cells that began as skin cells. <br></br><br></br> While research on embryonic stem cells is controversial, because it destroys a human embryo, lessons learned through such research apply to current work with iPS cells made from adult cells. <br></br><br></br> "That's one of the important things that have come out of the research with embryonic stem cells, it taught us how human pluripotent stem cells behave and how to work with them," Kamp says. "Things are able to progress much more quickly thanks to all the research already done with embryonic stem cells." <br></br><br></br> Many types of heart disease have known genetic causes, so creating cardiomyocytes grown from patients who have those diseases will likely be some of the next steps in the research. One of Kamp's colleagues, Clive Svendsen, a UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health professor of neurology and anatomy, has grown the iPS cells into disease-specific neural cells. Kamp and Svendsen are also on the faculty of the Waisman Center and the Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center. <br></br><br></br> Kamp's latest research, proving that iPS cells can become functional heart cells, is just one step along the way to better understanding and treatment of disease. <br></br><br></br> "We're excited about it, because it's the some of the first research to show it can be done, but in the future, we'll probably say, 'Well, of course it can be done,'" he says. "But you don't know until you do it. It's a very mysterious and complicated dance to get these cells to go from skin cells to stem cells to heart cells." <br></br><br></br>University of Wisconsin-Madison <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://a2kiska.blogspot.com/2009/02/barrics-mondays-with-midget-for-one.html">The Barrics - Mondays With Midget (for one monday only)</a></li> <li><a href="http://a5nasery.blogspot.com/2009/02/young-asian-hn-hentai-movie-7.html">young asian hn hentai movie 7</a></li> <li><a href="http://nicestrladies.blogspot.com/2009/02/amateur-webcam-teen-striptease.html">Amateur - Webcam Teen Striptease</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-4784975927453791721?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-84178139387599529122009-02-13T12:00:00.000+02:002009-02-13T16:51:57.317+02:00 <br></br>New research findings help explain why some HIV patients treated with antiretroviral medications experience increased incidence of heart attacks.<br></br><br></br> The late-braking data was presented by researchers from the School of Medicine and Medical Sciences at University College Dublin, the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin, and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland at the Retrovirus Conference in Montreal, Canada, on 11 February 2009.<br></br><br></br> A major international study, published in 2008, identified a higher than expected incidence of heart attacks among patients being treated with antiretroviral drugs for HIV. Building on this research, scientists at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland developed a novel assay (test) tied to HIV to measure platelet activity in blood. Platelets are essential for blood clotting when the skin is broken but, if they are dysfunctional within the bloodstream, they can cause clots within arteries which lead to heart attacks.<br></br><br></br> Using this new test, the team from University College Dublin and the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin, undertook clinical trials to investigate the activity of platelets among HIV patients in Dublin, Ireland. These findings show a significant increase in platelet reactivity among patients taking certain antiretroviral medications.<br></br><br></br> 'These findings will significantly affect the management of patients with HIV and have important implications for the treatment of HIV worldwide," says Dr Paddy Mallon, consultant in Infectious Diseases at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin and a lecturer in medicine at University College Dublin, who leads the group researching drug toxicities in HIV.<br></br><br></br> "The international research published last year showed the link between antiretroviral treatments and increased risk of heart attacks but not the reason why. We have now demonstrated that the use of certain drugs for HIV has a direct effect on platelets within the blood. The results provide invaluable information to help in the search for safe long term therapies for HIV infection."<br></br><br></br> Professor Dermot Kenny from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, whose group developed the novel assay, said that the results of this trial demonstrated the value of translational research. "Because of our close collaboration we have seen how the novel diagnostics developed in our lab can move rapidly into the clinic in Ireland. We plan to extend this research to other HIV centres internationally."<br></br><br></br> Dublin, University College<br></br>http://www.ucd.ie <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://nakedznakomstva.blogspot.com/2009/02/hot-japaness-girl-bikini-red-show.html">Hot Japaness girl Bikini red show</a></li> <li><a href="http://nadoelopridumivaturli.blogspot.com/2009/02/vip-button.html">VIP Button</a></li> <li><a href="http://a8coolgirls.blogspot.com/2009/02/sexy-girls-kissing-9.html">Sexy&Hot Girls Kissing 9</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-8417813938759952912?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-88115790579755218392009-02-13T11:00:00.002+02:002009-02-13T15:57:39.190+02:00 <br></br>Pennsylvania Cardiologists David Schwartzman, MD, and Jeffrey L. Williams, MD, MS, FACC, are authors of a study released in the European Society of Cardiology's Journal Europace. Their article titled "Electroanatomic properties of pulmonary vein antral regions enclosed by encircling ablation lesions" describes experience with 200 consecutive patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablations using intracardiac echocardiography, 3D intracardiac mapping, and jet ventilation. (http://europace.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/eun361). <br></br><br></br> Encircling lesions of the right and left pulmonary venous antra is commonly practiced during atrial fibrillation ablation. The importance to procedure outcome of electrical isolation of unablated myocardium enclosed by the encircling lesions is increasingly clear. The safe and effective achievement of isolation is dependent on a thorough comprehension of the 'electroanatomic' ablation substrate. Their article sought to improve comprehension of this substrate by examining relationships between anatomy and electrogram amplitude and timing after encircling ablation. <br></br><br></br> When asked about the type of patient that can benefit from an atrial fibrillation ablation, Dr. Williams states, "Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia I see in clinical practice and an estimated 2-3 million people in the United States have atrial fibrillation." He continues, "As a cardiologist, there are three major objectives I have when managing atrial fibrillation: rate control, prevention of thromboembolism, and correction of the rhythm abnormality. I first attempt a noninvasive management strategy that starts with patient education and continues with lifestyle modifications and medications that may decrease the burden of atrial fibrillation. The ideal patient for an atrial fibrillation ablation is one who has no major structural heart disease and has highly symptomatic paroxysms of atrial fibrillation that I cannot control with medicines." <br></br><br></br> The Invasive Electrophysiology Laboratory at Good Samaritan Hospital (http://www.gshleb.org) offers the most advanced 3D intracardiac mapping system and intracardiac echocardiography available to cardiologists and is the only center in Central Pennsylvania to offer jet ventilation for advanced cardiac ablation to ensure the safest possible procedures. Good Samaritan Hospital has received the Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure Gold Performance Achievement Award from the American Heart Association. The recognition signifies that GSH has reached an aggressive goal of treating heart failure patients with 85% compliance for at least 24 months to core standard levels of care as outlined by the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology secondary prevention guidelines for heart failure patients. According to the most recent Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council report, there is no other hospital in central Pennsylvania that has better patient survival ratings for Chest Pain or Abnormal Heartbeats. <br></br><br></br> Dr. Williams is available for consultations at Good Samaritan Hospital and at his practice, Lebanon Cardiology Associates, Lebanon, Pennsylvania (http://www.lebanoncardiology.com). As a cardiologist and electrophysiologist, he specializes in advanced cardiac heart rhythm evaluation, intracardiac arrhythmia ablation (including atrial fibrillation) and implantation of pacemakers and defibrillators. <br></br><br></br> LCA has been providing cardiac care to Lebanon County for over 20 years and offers their patients innovative and state of the art treatment including cardiac imaging, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, peripheral vascular disease, and heart failure. Both GSH and LCA are only 14 miles from Hershey, centrally located between Lancaster and Reading. In addition, they are located less than 5 minutes from the Lebanon VA Medical Center. <br></br><br></br> Lebanon Cardiology Associates <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://a8sexyasses.blogspot.com/2009/02/gossip-girl.html">Gossip Girl</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2kiska.blogspot.com/2009/02/extreme-cupid-dead-bass-cover-yeah-part.html">Extreme - Cupid's Dead Bass Cover (yeah, 'that' part)</a></li> <li><a href="http://nutritionanddietnews.blogspot.com/2009/02/new-reference-material-can-improve.html">New Reference Material Can Improve Testing Of Multivitamin Tablets</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-8811579057975521839?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-30723826347122333552009-02-13T11:00:00.001+02:002009-02-13T15:57:36.697+02:00 <br></br>An international team of physicians and scientists have discovered a way to treat cardiomyopathy (heart disease) with adult stem cells, including a rare metabolic condition otherwise requiring heart transplant. <br></br><br></br> Florida based Regenocyte Therapeutic is using stem cells extracted from patients' blood to repair damaged heart muscle, regenerate tissue, and create new vessels to improve circulation. According to the organization's director of Cardiology and Vascular Disease, Zannos G. Grekos, M.D., by applying specific growth factors to the patient's stem cells (in a lab) the team creates a new cell population which is educated to target the area of damage or deficiency when placed into the patient's heart and blood vessels. "We've now treated close to 100 patients with their own stem cells and seen an average 22 point increase in ejection fraction (EF) with a significant improvement in heart failure classification - typically from a Class IV to a Class II status in less than 180 days," Grekos states. <br></br><br></br> The cardiomyopathy treatment study, the first six months of which was published December 2008 in Anti-Aging Medical News, follows patients through one year post-treatment with autologous adult stem cells, also called Angiogenic Cardio-Regenerative Progenitor cells (ACP's). Regenocyte's chief medical advisor Athina Kyritsis, M.D. announced that, "Across the board, no adverse effects from treatment were reported by patients and function plus quality of life measurably improved." Grekos and his team measured patients' heart function by cardiac nuclear scans, PET scans, and echocardiographs. <br></br><br></br> An invasive cardiologist in Florida, Grekos is also an associate clinical professor of Cardiology for Nova Southeastern University. <br></br><br></br>Case Study: Cardiomyopathy from Fabry Disease <br></br><br></br> Robert Pleva of Fort Myers, Florida, age 60, suffers from Fabry disease, a rare and untreatable enzyme deficiency that leads to multiple organ failure. His heart had been damaged by an attack in 1999. In addition to cardiomyopathy, Pleva had chronic high blood pressure, pulmonary hypertension (a severe lung condition) and mitral valve issues. He was living on kidney dialysis, awaiting a heart transplant with the hope that a new heart would make him strong enough to qualify for a kidney transplant. <br></br><br></br> Robert Pleva was treated with adult stem cell therapy in June 2008. Regenocyte announced that Pleva's ejection fraction has increased from 28 percent before stem cell treatment to 44 percent as of January 2009, six months after stem cell treatment. "This was a case where the patient's only option for survival was heart transplant and that is no longer the case," said Dr. Grekos. "We couldn't be more pleased with this outcome. He's off the heart transplant list and continuing to improve. Bob's dialysis time has been reduced by 10 percent, so we are looking at treating his kidney function as a next step." <br></br><br></br> Pleva says the improvement in his health since adult stem cell therapy has been dramatic. "I feel so good and have so much energy," he explains. "The best part about it is being able to do things I haven't done in a long time." <br></br><br></br> An electrician with the Lee County, Florida School Board for the past 26 years, Pleva describes concern prior to treatment that his debilitating symptoms would soon end his career. He is now back to working full time along with riding motorcycles, remodeling his house and working in his yard. "The treatment has put me back on track," he says. <br></br><br></br> Pleva's wife Roxanne, who he cites as his "rock", says in addition to his increased energy, one of the biggest changes is in the reduction in the amount of her husband's medication. "His blood pressure has come way down, so he's been taken off many of his prescriptions," she explains. "We're just taking it one step at a time…and I'm getting my husband back." <br></br><br></br> Regenocyte Therapeutic is the first stem cell clinic in the United States to move beyond research and successfully treat end-stage diseases with adult stem cells. In addition to cardiac and vascular conditions, they have used adult stem cell therapy to help patients with severe pulmonary disease, early senile dementia and macular degeneration. <br></br><br></br> Paul Schwartz, Chief Operations Officer says the company's progressive technology and stringent protocols contribute to the high level of efficacy. "The patients' safety comes first," he explains. "We adhere strictly to ISSCR (International Society for Stem Cell Research) and WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines, and only use FDA approved biologic factors. We believe we've found the right combination of biotechnology and medical expertise to advance adult stem cell therapy as the treatment that changes the future of medicine, particularly in dealing with diseases considered to be untreatable." <br></br><br></br> To obtain more information about adult stem cell therapy, physicians and educational opportunities visit http://www.regenocyte.com<br></br><br></br>Regenocyte Therapeutic <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://ludasclips.blogspot.com/2009/02/good-kitty-gone-bad-xxx-porn-nude-sex.html">Good Kitty Gone Bad xxx porn nude sex porno fuck teenhentai</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2naked.blogspot.com/2009/02/hot-girl-called-cantante-dancing-for.html">Hot girl called Cantante dancing for you</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2naked.blogspot.com/2009/02/two-beautiful-sexy-girl-dancing-and.html">Two beautiful sexy girl dancing and shaking ass</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-3072382634712233355?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-30531812832753434712009-02-13T11:00:00.000+02:002009-02-13T15:57:33.323+02:00 <br></br>Transoma Medical, manufacturer of Sleuth, the first wireless, automated implantable cardiac monitoring system has now received FDA marketing clearance on its second-generation product, Sleuth AT™ (Advanced Trending) Cardiac Monitoring System. The Sleuth products offer physicians the ability to diagnose patients with recurrent, unexplained fainting and abnormal heart rhythms quickly with its virtually unlimited memory capacity and hands-free downloading for the patient, while minimizing paperwork and practice workload. <br></br><br></br> With Sleuth AT, physicians can now choose to program the capture of high-quality ECG (electrocardiogram) strips at frequent intervals, providing a new level of insight into complex arrhythmias which are often asymptomatic and frequently changing. These captured ECG strips are automatically transferred to a 24/7 monitoring center, staffed by Certified Cardiac Technicians, who classify and notify physicians of the presence of a wide variety of cardiac arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation (AF). <br></br><br></br> "The Transoma Sleuth AT system promises to provide an improved approach," said Dr. Peter Kowey, Chief of Cardiology for Main Line Health, William Wikoff Smith Chair in CV Research at the Lankenau Institute in Wynnewood, PA. "The concept of the device, without memory constraints, automatically capturing frequent ECG strips which are then over-read at the monitoring center, may address the limitations and inaccuracies of existing devices used to assess complex arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation." <br></br><br></br> "AF is an extremely common problem for my patients and significantly increases their risk of stroke," continued Dr. Kowey. "In fact, the need for long-term monitoring of AF patients was reinforced last month at the 2009 Boston AF Symposium by both surgeons and electrophysiologists. Although some therapies have been shown to control these arrhythmias, at least temporarily, until now there has not been a good way to monitor continued success. With the Sleuth AT system, physicians can be notified by the monitoring center if the patient's AF has returned. This is important because recurrence of AF happens without symptoms as often as 50 to 70 percent of the time." <br></br><br></br> AF is the most common cardiac arrhythmia affecting approximately 2.2 million patients in the United States and is increasing in prevalence as the population ages. Presence of AF can lead to two to seven times higher risk of stroke, an increased risk of heart failure or sudden cardiac death, due to inefficient pumping of the heart. <br></br><br></br> "We are pleased to announce FDA marketing clearance of the Sleuth AT system," said Nestor Jaramillo, Transoma Medical Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "We are experiencing great success with our first clinical product which was based on more than 20 years of experience with our remote, wireless monitoring technology platform in biomedical research. In addition to providing insight into the cause of unexplained, infrequent symptoms, Sleuth AT is designed to provide physicians with timely and accurate ECG data that could allow them to monitor the efficacy of prescribed therapies." <br></br><br></br>How Sleuth AT Works<br></br><br></br> As a complete, remote and automated system, Sleuth AT offers several advantages over other currently available implantable monitoring products. The Sleuth AT Cardiac Monitoring System includes the Implantable Loop Recorder (ILR), the Personal Diagnostic Manager (PDM), the Base Station and a 24/7 Monitoring Center operated by Medicomp, a leader in cardiac monitoring since 1981. <br></br><br></br> -- The Implantable Cardiac Monitor is a small, thin device, about the size of a 50-cent piece (or the size of the smallest pacemakers), which continuously monitors the electrical activity of the heart, the ECG. The cardiac monitor is implanted under the skin during a brief, simple, outpatient procedure. <br></br><br></br> -- The Personal Diagnostic Manager (PDM) is a hand-held, multipurpose device that automatically retrieves and stores relevant ECG data from the implanted cardiac monitor, securely relays the information to the base station and then to the monitoring center. The PDM is also used by the physician to program the implanted cardiac monitor. Data are collected in three ways: <br></br><br></br> - Patients who experience symptoms, such as lightheadedness, can press a button on the PDM which tells the system to store the patient's ECG strip during the time of the symptom. <br></br><br></br> - The system automatically captures and stores the ECG strip when the patient's heart rate is above or below physician-programmed limits. <br></br><br></br> - The system can be programmed to capture regular ECG strips every 4 hours, 15 minutes or 7.5 minutes <br></br><br></br> -- At the third-party Monitoring Center, certified cardiac technicians review the patient's ECG data and provide information to the physician to aid in diagnosis and ongoing treatment. Physicians can access this information via a secure Web portal, and have the reports faxed or e-mailed to them as they prefer. If the cardiac technician observes a particularly concerning arrhythmia, the patient's physician will be contacted immediately. <br></br><br></br>About Transoma Medical<br></br><br></br> Transoma Medical, Inc., headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a medical technology company engaged in developing, manufacturing and distributing implantable, wireless diagnostic and monitoring products. Transoma is focused on monitoring systems that provide physicians with vital signs information important to accurately diagnose and monitor various forms of cardiovascular disease, and to optimize drug, interventional, surgical and device treatment alternatives. <br></br><br></br>Transoma Medical <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://nadoelopridumivaturli.blogspot.com/2009/02/backfat-be-poppin.html">Backfat Be Poppin'</a></li> <li><a href="http://a5nasery.blogspot.com/2009/02/two-sexy-girl-dancing-for-you-only.html">Two sexy girl dancing for you only</a></li> <li><a href="http://a5nasery.blogspot.com/2009/02/wolf-man.html">wolf man</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-3053181283275343471?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-38195517677574421392009-02-13T10:00:00.000+02:002009-02-13T14:56:49.311+02:00 <br></br>Five hundred lives a year will be saved through the creation of specialist stroke and trauma centres in London, according to a consultation launched this week. Expert clinical care and the latest technology would be concentrated in a few super - centres which would treat the most serious and life-threatening cases. And they would be linked to a network of A&E and stroke units across the capital dealing with less serious cases, rehabilitation and continued treatment . <br></br><br></br> The consultation, which is on part of Lord Darzi's ten year vision for the capital 'Healthcare for London', will look at the location and coverage of potential sites for eight specialist stroke and four major trauma centres. <br></br><br></br> Stroke is the second biggest killer in London and the most common cause of disability - around 11,500 Londoners suffer a stroke each year, about one person every hour. <br></br><br></br> The consultation calls for an extra £23m a year to be invested in delivering improved stroke care. The new stroke services would start to be delivered from early 2010. <br></br><br></br> Dr Chris Streather, Healthcare for London clinical stroke lead, said: 'Londoners deserve better access to life-saving treatment if they suffer a stroke. Clinical excellence in essential, but time is of the essence too. Many patients are treated in hospitals close to home, but the quality of clinical care they receive can be poor.' <br></br><br></br> Delivering this high quality care requires specialist multidisciplinary teams and high quality equipment available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. <br></br><br></br> However, in 2006, out of 30 hospitals in London providing stroke services, only three treated over 90 per cent of stroke patients in a dedicated unit. <br></br><br></br> The best stroke care means rapid access to a CT scan to determine the cause of stroke, immediate treatment with clot-busting drugs, if appropriate, and physiotherapy within a few days of the stroke. <br></br><br></br> Thrombolysis - the use of clot-busting drugs - needs to occur within three hours of the onset of a stroke to be effective, and a CT scan is required before thrombolysis can occur. In 2006, no London hospital provided 90 per cent of patients with a scan within 24 hours. <br></br><br></br> Major trauma centres would deal only with the most serious cases, such as badly injured car crash victims and patients with life-threatening knife and gunshot wounds. <br></br><br></br> Currently each hospital only treats around one major trauma victim per week, 1,600 cases a year across the capital. <br></br><br></br> London currently only has one major trauma unit at the Royal London Hospital and this would be boosted to four. Up to £12m would be invested in the centres, along with improvements to all A&Es in London. <br></br><br></br> Matt Thompson, vascular surgery professor at St George's Healthcare NHS Trust said. 'The best evidence shows that dedicated major trauma centres with expert teams of professionals are able to save more lives. <br></br><br></br> 'People will have a much better chance of surviving and recovering from a major trauma injury when they have direct access to specialist teams and state-of-the-art equipment to ensure immediate treatment is available, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.' <br></br><br></br> David Sissling, Programme Director, Healthcare for London said; 'There must be radical changes in how stroke and major trauma services for adults are delivered in London. Doing nothing is not an option. <br></br><br></br> 'All stroke patients and trauma patients in London will benefit from improved trauma centres and hyper-acute centres. Our proposals will ensure investment, new services and world class quality for all Londoners.' <br></br><br></br> Under the Healthcare for London proposals, all Londoners will be no more than 30 minutes from a specialist stroke unit and no more than 45 minutes from a major trauma centre. <br></br><br></br> The consultation will last 14 weeks and its findings will be considered by a joint committee of primary care trusts in the summer. <br></br><br></br> -- The Stroke and Trauma consultation document is available at http://www.healthcareforlondon.nhs.uk <br></br><br></br> -- Healthcare for London works on behalf of 31 primary care trusts in London. The programme aims to make health services in the capital better, safer and more accessible. This includes developing specialist stroke and trauma centres, better access to GPs, out of hours and more outpatient care in the community. <br></br><br></br> -- The preferred option for establishing trauma networks in London is : <br></br><br></br> Major trauma centres at: <br></br><br></br> - The Royal London Hospital; <br></br> - King's College Hospital; <br></br> - St George's Hospital; <br></br> - St Mary's Hospital <br></br><br></br> -- We are recommending developing new hyper-acute stroke units at the following hospitals: <br></br><br></br> - Charing Cross Hospital<br></br> - King's College Hospital<br></br> - Northwick Park Hospital<br></br> - Queen's Hospital<br></br> - St George's Hospital<br></br> - The Princess Royal University Hospital<br></br> - The Royal London Hospital<br></br> - University College Hospital<br></br><br></br> -- We are recommending developing local stroke units and mini-stroke centres (Transient Ischaemic Attack - TIA centres) at the following hospitals: <br></br><br></br> - Barnet Hospital <br></br> - Charing Cross Hospital <br></br> - Chelsea and Westminster Hospital <br></br> - King's College Hospital <br></br> - Kingston Hospital <br></br> - Mayday Hospital <br></br> - National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery (part of University College Hospital) <br></br> - North Middlesex Hospital <br></br> - Northwick Park Hospital <br></br> - Queen Elizabeth Hospital <br></br> - Queen's Hospital <br></br> - St George's Hospital <br></br> - St Helier Hospital <br></br> - St Mary's Hospital <br></br> - St Thomas' Hospital <br></br> - The Hillingdon Hospital <br></br> - The Princess Royal University Hospital <br></br> - The Royal Free Hospital <br></br> - The Royal London Hospital <br></br> - University Hospital Lewisham <br></br> - West Middlesex Hospital <br></br><br></br> Local NHS organisations in north east London are leading a general review of acute services which will be guided by the Healthcare for London vision. Whilst there is clarity that (under the preferred option) hyper-acute stroke units, stroke units and TIA services will be provided at The Royal London and Queen's Hospital (Romford), the proposed locations of other stroke and TIA services at north east London hospitals will not be clear until the review is complete. Stroke services at Whipps Cross University Hospital, Homerton University Hospital, Newham General Hospital and King George Hospital will continue to be provided whilst the review is undertaken. All these hospitals are potential providers of stroke unit and TIA services in the future. After the review's completion in April 2009, local NHS organisations in north east London will make specific proposals for local stroke services of the highest quality. These will be submitted to the Joint Committee of PCTs for consideration and, if appropriate, approval in July 2009. <br></br><br></br>http://www.healthcareforlondon.nhs.uk <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://nadoelopridumivaturli.blogspot.com/2009/02/belen-rodriguez-nuda-scherzi-parte.html">belen rodriguez nuda a scherzi a parte</a></li> <li><a href="http://a5dance.blogspot.com/2009/02/indian-sex-film-hot-scene.html">Indian Sex Film Hot Scene</a></li> <li><a href="http://gotu-dating.blogspot.com/2009/02/this-is-where-to-find-single-women-in.html">This is where to find single women in Denver!</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-3819551767757442139?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-1102640474057829962009-02-13T09:00:00.000+02:002009-02-13T13:58:45.761+02:00 <br></br>Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) announced the beginning of patient enrollment in the PLATINUM clinical trial, which is designed to evaluate the Company's PROMUS™ Element™ Everolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent. The first European patient was enrolled on 29 January 29 at Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital in Latvia by Andrejs Erglis, M.D., Ph.D., F.E.S.C., F.A.C.C., Head of the Latvian Centre of Cardiology, and President of the Latvian Society of Cardiology. <br></br><br></br> The PLATINUM clinical programme will enroll 1,728 patients at 160 sites worldwide. The trial will compare the PROMUS Element Everolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent to the PROMUS™ Everolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent. The Company plans to develop additional variations of the Element Stent platform, including next generations of a bare-metal stent and a paclitaxel-eluting TAXUS® Element Stent. <br></br><br></br> The Element Stent platform features a proprietary Platinum Chromium Alloy, designed specifically for coronary stents. This alloy, coupled with a new stent architecture, is designed to enable thinner struts, increased flexibility and a lower profile while improving radial strength, recoil and visibility. In addition, the PROMUS Element Stent System incorporates the new Apex™ Dilatation Catheter technology, designed to enhance deliverability to complex lesions. <br></br><br></br> "I'm delighted to have enrolled the first European patient into this groundbreaking international trial," said Dr Erglis. "PROMUS Element Stents have an innovative design and architecture, and have the potential to deliver the benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention to patients with complex anatomy and lesions. The development of both everolimus and paclitaxel stents with this new system should be welcomed by interventional cardiologists." <br></br><br></br> The global Principal Investigator for the trial is Gregg W. Stone, M.D., of Columbia University Medical Center and the Cardiovascular Research Foundation in New York. The International Co-Principal Investigator is Ian Meredith, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Cardiology at the Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne, Australia. <br></br><br></br> The Company plans to launch PROMUS Element in Europe during the fourth quarter of this year. <br></br><br></br> The PROMUS Element and TAXUS Element Stent Systems are investigational devices and are limited by applicable law to investigational use only and are not available for sale. <br></br><br></br> Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices whose products are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties. For more information, please visit: http://www.bostonscientific-international.com. <br></br><br></br>Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements<br></br><br></br> This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "anticipate," "expect," "project," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "intend" and similar words. These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and estimates using information available to us at the time and are not intended to be guarantees of future events or performance. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding clinical trials, regulatory approvals, competitive offerings, product performance and our market position. If our underlying assumptions turn out to be incorrect, or if certain risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. These factors, in some cases, have affected and in the future (together with other factors) could affect our ability to implement our business strategy and may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements expressed in this press release. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements. <br></br><br></br> Factors that may cause such differences include, among other things: future economic, competitive, reimbursement and regulatory conditions; new product introductions; demographic trends; intellectual property; litigation; financial market conditions; and, future business decisions made by us and our competitors. All of these factors are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of them are beyond our control. For a further list and description of these and other important risks and uncertainties that may affect our future operations, see Part I, Item 1A - Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we may update in Part II, Item 1A - Risk Factors in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q we have filed or will file thereafter. We disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or in events, conditions, or circumstances on which those expectations may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this document. <br></br><br></br>Boston Scientific Corporation <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://datetoday-b1.blogspot.com/2009/02/santa-baby-christmas-carol-cartoon.html">Santa Baby Christmas Carol Cartoon Comedy for Women</a></li> <li><a href="http://a5dance.blogspot.com/2009/02/indian-sex-film-hot-scene.html">Indian Sex Film Hot Scene</a></li> <li><a href="http://a8pussi.blogspot.com/2009/02/hot-muscle-men-kissing.html">Hot muscle men kissing</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-110264047405782996?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-10525590033873199492009-02-12T15:00:00.000+02:002009-02-12T19:56:30.232+02:00 <br></br>Rush University Medical Center is offering a free community event offering the latest health information on heart and vascular disease treatments from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11. The program will be held on the Rush campus at the Armour Academic Center located at 600 S. Paulina St., Chicago, Room 994. <br></br><br></br> "Advancements in Therapies for Heart and Vascular Diseases" will include three interventional cardiologists' perspectives on the future of medicine and how you may benefit from the latest treatment advances available at Rush. <br></br><br></br> Dr. Gary Schaer will discuss the emerging role of stem cells for heart disease. Dr. Jeffery Snell will discuss the use of gene therapy for peripheral heart disease, and Dr. Clifford Kavinsky will review treatment for congenital and structural heart disease. A question and answer session will follow the talks. <br></br><br></br> Specialists in the interventional cardiology program at Rush University Medical Center have led the way in the search for better nonsurgical methods for diagnosing and treating patients with heart and vascular diseases. Current clinical trials include Tamaris, ACCORD, and MARVEL. With a focus on patient care, Rush is dedicated to the development of new therapies and medical devices, as well as the expansion of scientific and medical knowledge. Join us to learn about the most recent cardiovascular clinical trials at Rush that are designed to expand the ability to fight heart disease. <br></br><br></br> Attendees will receive free parking in the Rush garage. Refreshments will be available for registered attendees. To register, please call (888) 352-RUSH (7874) or visit the "Events and Classes" page at http://www.rush.edu. <br></br><br></br>Rush University Medical Center <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://razdevaniesexy.blogspot.com/2009/02/pvc-skirt.html">PVC SKIRT</a></li> <li><a href="http://dlinnayasosiska.blogspot.com/2009/02/kelly-jocelyn-can-give-up.html">Kelly Jocelyn - Can't Give Up</a></li> <li><a href="http://a8sexygirls.blogspot.com/2009/02/asian-schoolgirls-kissing.html">Asian Schoolgirls Kissing</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-1052559003387319949?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-28547410120155517292009-02-12T13:00:00.000+02:002009-02-12T17:54:39.158+02:00 <br></br>BIOTRONIK, a leading European medical technology company focusing on vascular intervention and cardiac rhythm management, announces the CE mark and completion of the first successful cardiac ablation clinical case with the TRIGNUM Flux magnetic irrigated gold tip catheter. <br></br><br></br> The launch of the TRIGNUM Flux catheter represents an important introduction of unique, new technology for the treatment of Atrial Fibrillation, and represents another solid block in the foundation of the rapidly growing EP business unit that BIOTRONIK is building. The first clinical case was successfully performed by Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Kuck, Director of the Cardiologic Center at the Asklepios Klinik in Hamburg, Germany. During this case a patient who presented with a comorbidity of Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter was successfully mapped and ablated in both atrial chambers of the heart. <br></br><br></br> What makes the TRIGNUM Flux so special? The TRIGNUM Flux magnetic irrigated gold tip catheter is a highly flexible ablation device equipped with three magnets at the distal end. Its complementary flexibility combined with the computer-aided magnetic-guided Stereotaxis Niobe® System ensures a precise, stable, sensitive and reproducible catheter positioning. The safety of the device is further enhanced by the catheter's unique irrigated gold tip electrode with high thermal conductivity. This feature prevents thrombus formation, commonly known as blood clotting, during the ablation procedure and could enable safer procedures with better outcomes. <br></br><br></br> The superiority of the irrigated gold tip ablation concept was recently highlighted by Prof. Hiroshi Nakagawa, Co-Director of the Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (Oklahoma, USA) during the "Expert Meeting Berlin" on January 30th, 2009. In his scientific validation Prof. Nakagawa demonstrated that irrigated gold tip ablation reduces the incidence of thrombus formation significantly compared to conventional irrigated ablation technology. <br></br><br></br> After the first successful clinical procedure Prof. Kuck commented on the TRIGNUM Flux: "With the caution of a scientist I can say that I am quite enthusiastic about the performance of the TRIGNUM Flux catheter. It has superior steerability and stability in different anatomical locations on the right and left side of the heart and we have not seen any kind of blood clotting during the case. The TRIGNUM Flux combines safety and efficacy in a unique way." <br></br><br></br> "We are very excited about the commercial release of the TRIGNUM Flux magnetic irrigated gold tip catheter" commented Marlou Janssen, Global Vice President Marketing & Sales CRM of BIOTRONIK GmbH & Co. KG. "Making the safety profile of our irrigated gold tip ablation catheters available for magnetic navigation will result in a significant increase of adoption for this breakthrough technology. More patients with complex cardiac rhythm disorders can be safely treated. AF is a clear strategic focus for BIOTRONIK with ablation being a therapy solution. We have strengthened our commitment to this technology with the acquisition of Vascomed last year and we are delivering on our commitment with the launch of six new products this year." <br></br><br></br>About BIOTRONIK GmbH & Co. KG <br></br><br></br> As one of the world's leading cardiovascular medical device companies, with several million implanted devices, BIOTRONIK is represented in over 100 countries with its global workforce of more than 4000 employees. Known for having its finger on the pulse of the medical community, BIOTRONIK assesses the challenges physicians face, and provides the best solutions for all phases of patient care, ranging from diagnosis to treatment to patient management. Quality, innovation and reliability define BIOTRONIK and its growing success, and deliver confidence and peace of mind to physicians and their patients worldwide. <br></br><br></br>BIOTRONIK GmbH & Co. KG <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://lesbi7a.blogspot.com/2009/02/red-dress-long-hair-big-tits-tiny-ass.html">red dress long hair big tits tiny ass girl fucking a guy hard xxx sex sexy</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2naked.blogspot.com/2009/02/ninel-conde-en-hoy-nice-big-booty-and.html">Ninel Conde En Hoy Nice Big Booty and Titties</a></li> <li><a href="http://a8coolgirls.blogspot.com/2009/02/me-and-my-shadow.html">Me and My Shadow</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-2854741012015551729?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-15568970496735880412009-02-12T12:00:00.001+02:002009-02-12T16:54:24.232+02:00 <br></br>"Listen to your heart this Valentines Day" - that is the message from Dr Peter Grunewald, a British based GP, who has developed an exciting new wellbeing programme for your heart. <br></br><br></br> "HeartSpheres is a new approach to caring for your heart and having a happier and healthier life." He says "Valentine's Day brings the emotional and physical heart into focus," says Dr Grunewald. "Everyone's heart deserves care and attention, and not just on Valentine's Day." <br></br><br></br> HeartSpheres is a holistic and scientifically researched heart-based technique, which promotes physical and emotional health, enhancing life by helping overcome stress and negative emotions. <br></br><br></br> On Valentines Day, Dr Grunewald launches a series of courses, taking in major cities across Britain to take his message and the technique out to the public. "The name HeartSpheres reflects the harmonising of the three spheres of cognition, emotion and will. We want to help people to stay balanced, even under difficult life circumstances. The aim is to ensure you have the lasting capacity to manage extreme emotions and stress, both pro-actively and productively. This gives long-term benefit as well as short-term". <br></br><br></br> HeartSpheres provides powerful and scientifically-validated self-help techniques, which are intended to transform negative conditions such as stress, anxiety, fatigue and depression into positive emotional states. This in turn, deepens professional and social skills, creativity, intuitive insight and personal development. You can change the way you process stressful events to avoid negative impact on your health and your heart. <br></br><br></br> "The heart is not just the physical organ that stands in the centre of a network of arteries and veins thousands of miles long. It is also where we feel our most powerful emotions. Many cultures believe it to be the home of our emotions such as love, joy, anger and sadness. It is viewed by many of the integrator of mind and body, spirit and matter". <br></br><br></br> "Many healthcare practitioners believe that aligning the mind with the heart is therefore a key to greater well-being".<br></br><br></br> Dr Grunewald's courses are aimed at anyone who has an interest in improving their happiness, health and wellbeing. The first course will be in Bristol on Tuesday 13th March 2009 and others will follow in London, Manchester and Birmingham. <br></br><br></br> The one-day courses will cover topics such as the Role of the Heart, Physiology of Stress, Heart Rate Variability and Coherence, Neurobiology of Emotions, Transforming Stress, Developing Empathy, as well as core techniques for self-empowerment, personal development and health promotion, such as Breathing Techniques, Focused Relaxation, Review, Inner Dialogue, Intuitive Conversation and Mental Rehearsing. <br></br><br></br> As a special Valentines Day gift you could buy a HeartSpheres course for your loved one, giving them a present that will last a lifetime. <br></br><br></br> To learn more about the HeartSpheres technique, or to book a course, visit the website http://www.HeartSpheres.com Alternatively, you can book by sending a cheque for £199.75 + VAT, payable to HeartSpheres, to HeartSpheres Ltd. , 17 Stoke Hill, Stoke Bishop, BS9 1JN, telephone number: 0844 800 2433<br></br><br></br> Dr. Peter Grunewald MD has been working as a General Practitioner in an NHS medical centre providing integrated healthcare. He has been medical advisor to a number of charitable organisations since 1986. For many years he has been involved in the training of health professionals, teachers and care staff and in facilitating professional development workshops. He also works in private practice and is the author of The Quiet Heart. <br></br><br></br>HeartSpheres <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://a2naked.blogspot.com/2009/02/like-rolling-stoneiliveiibob-dylan.html">Like a Rolling Stone（live）／Bob Dylan Cover／奇妙丸／Kimyomaru</a></li> <li><a href="http://businessentrepreneursblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/trekaroo-launches-new-site-family.html">Trekaroo Launches New Site - Family Travel Will Never be the Same</a></li> <li><a href="http://razdelgirl.blogspot.com/2009/02/naked-sexy-kinky-naked-sex-porn-porno.html">Naked Sexy Kinky naked sex porn porno sexo xxx films shag cam hardcore babe masturbating sex porn</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-1556897049673588041?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-79998762942905685522009-02-12T12:00:00.000+02:002009-02-12T16:54:21.719+02:00 <br></br>Knocking out one gene that contributes to insulin resistance appears to prevent much of the cardiovascular damage typically associated with obesity, researchers say. <br></br><br></br> Cardiovascular disease is the biggest health threat of obesity and Medical College of Georgia researchers trying to understand why have knocked out protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, or PTP1B, in genetically fat mice that get diabetes. <br></br><br></br> "Even before you have really bad diabetes, you are walking around obese with your glucose control a little bit off and already beating up your circulation," says Dr. David Stepp, vascular biologist at the MCG Vascular Biology Center and co-director of MCG's Diabetes & Obesity Discovery Institute. "That is the point where you need to be intervening." <br></br><br></br> If he's right, PTP1B becomes a drug target for obese people who may not yet be diabetic but already have trouble with blood glucose control. <br></br><br></br> "We have shown cardiovascular function is improved by knocking out this gene. The question is why," says Dr. Stepp, principal investigator on five-year, $2.5 million National Institutes of Health grant that he hopes will help find the answer. <br></br><br></br> He suspects resistance may again be the problem but this time it's to nitric oxide, a powerful dilator of blood vessels. <br></br><br></br> Overeating increases glucose so the body increases insulin production in an effort to use or store this important energy source. In people headed toward diabetes, the body begins to miscalculate insulin needs and overproduce; fine control is lost and the high and low insulin swings begin. <br></br><br></br> "If you are obese, the fasting glucose may be a little bit off but not terrible. What is terrible is you are beginning to lose control," says Dr. Stepp, associate professor in the MCG Schools of Medicine and Graduate Studies. Over time, the body gets in the vicious cycle of making more insulin and paying less attention to it. Blood glucose levels soar while the body has decreased ability to use or discard the fuel. To make matters work, PTP1B is over-expressed in obesity, further hampering the body's ability to deal with glucose by inappropriately turning off insulin receptors. "You have lost your thermostat." <br></br><br></br> High glucose levels also mean higher levels of super oxides that block nitric oxide, MCG researchers say. "Once you have less nitric oxide, you start getting blood vessel disease," says Dr. David Fulton, vascular biologist at the Vascular Biology Center and senior investigator on the grant. Blood vessels stop dilating as they should, walls become inflamed and thick and clots can form. "You start adding up cardiovascular problems," says Dr. Fulton, associate professor in the MCG Schools of Medicine and Graduate Studies. <br></br><br></br> "What this gene is telling us is, if you can just improve the fine control, the fact that your fasting glucose is a little off, despite the fact that you are still fat, your cardiovascular function is enormously better," Dr. Stepp says. <br></br><br></br> Nitric oxide is like a tonic for keeping the cardiovascular system healthy, the researchers say, and nitric oxide levels are an "early casualty" of swinging glucose levels. Obese mice show impaired nitric oxide dilation, a defect corrected by deleting PTP1B. Obese humans also show evidence of impaired blood vessel dilation and vascular remodeling. In an effort to figure out how, the researchers will look at blood flow, blood pressure and vascular remodeling in the PTP1B knockout mice. They want to identify aspects of nitric oxide signaling impaired in obesity and improved with reduced insulin resistance. <br></br><br></br> "We are trying to identify the molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular disease associated with obesity and track that with improvements in insulin resistance," Dr. Stepp says. <br></br><br></br> One of the body's natural responses to high glucose levels - sugar sticking to hemoglobin - may be the best measure of swinging glucose levels that need to be stopped. "Even if the blood glucose is normal at that moment, that tells you it has been high, that it's swinging," he says. The sugar-coated hemoglobin also can start sticking to blood vessel walls, a problem deletion of PTP1B also seems to fix. Hemoglobin is a protein and a binding receptor for sugar-modified proteins - receptor for advanced glycation end products, or RAGE - is up-regulated in obesity and down-regulated in mice missing PTP1B. <br></br><br></br> ----------------------------<br></br>Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.<br></br>---------------------------- <br></br><br></br> Source: Toni Baker <br></br>Medical College of Georgia <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://a2naked.blogspot.com/2009/02/hot-blond-babe-gets-her-perfect-tits.html">Hot blond babe gets her perfect tits fondled</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2pennis.blogspot.com/2009/02/philippine-cats-claw-martial-arts.html">PHILIPPINE CATS CLAW MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATION-KUWAIT</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2kiska.blogspot.com/2009/02/japanes-idol-porn-ass-girl-with-hot.html">Japanes idol Porn Ass Girl With Hot Natural Boobs Tits Hot A</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-7999876294290568552?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-71083882756570804192009-02-12T11:00:00.001+02:002009-02-12T15:54:53.073+02:00 <br></br>The world's first phase one FDA approved clinical trial using adult cardiac stem cells to treat heart disease will be conducted by a team of University of Louisville doctors at Jewish Hospital.<br></br><br></br> For the first time, patients with advanced heart disease who already are undergoing bypass surgery will be recruited for participation in the clinical trial, which uses adult stem cells taken from the patient's own cardiac tissue. During surgery, a small piece of tissue that is routinely removed during the bypass procedure will be frozen and sent to colleagues at Harvard University so that the adult cardiac stem cells can be extracted and removed.<br></br><br></br> After the patient has recovered for three to four months, the cells will be directly injected into cardiac scar tissue using a minimally-invasive cardiac catheterization procedure, which reaches the heart through a large artery in the patient's leg.<br></br><br></br> The patients will be evaluated over the course of at least a year for heart function and blood flow. The heart's overall size and the size of the scar tissue will be measured.<br></br><br></br> "Our hope is that the cardiac stem cells will help the heart tissue regenerate, reducing the size of the patient's scar tissue and improving heart function," said study leader Roberto Bolli, Jewish Hospital Heart and Lung Institute Distinguished Chair in Cardiology.<br></br><br></br> All patients enrolling in the clinical trial will receive the cardiac stem cell therapy, since this is a phase one clinical trial designed to test the treatment's safety and feasibility.<br></br><br></br> Bolli, who is also chief of the Division of Cardiology and director of UofL's Institute for Molecular Cardiology, is collaborating with a number of leaders in the field of cardiovascular and stem cell medicine for this clinical trial, including Piero Anversa, of Harvard University and Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston and Mark Slaughter, Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at UofL.<br></br><br></br> Jewish Hospital<br></br>http://www.jewishhospital.org <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://smallbusinesshub.blogspot.com/2009/02/chapman-university-school-of-law-takes.html">Chapman University School of Law Takes Top Honors at Fourth Annual Arbitration Competition</a></li> <li><a href="http://a8sexyasses.blogspot.com/2009/02/nina-y-fran.html">Nina y Fran</a></li> <li><a href="http://a5lisk.blogspot.com/2009/02/man-fuck-anal-blonde-xxx-porn-porno.html">man fuck anal blonde xxx porn porno suck</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-7108388275657080419?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-18546384277043953102009-02-12T11:00:00.000+02:002009-02-12T15:54:34.537+02:00 <br></br>Sanofi Aventis (Paris Bourse: EURONEXT: SAN; and New York: NYSE: SNY) announced that the ATHENA trial was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The trial showed that Multaq(R) (dronedarone), in addition to standard therapy, significantly reduced the risk of first cardiovascular hospitalization or death by 24 percent (31.9% vs. 39.4%, p<br></br> Atrial fibrillation is the leading cause of hospitalization for arrhythmia in the US(1) and represents one-third of hospitalizations for arrhythmia in Europe(2). Hospitalization due to AF has increased dramatically (two-to-three fold) in recent years in the US(1). Atrial fibrillation is a complex disease that increases the risk of stroke up to five-fold(3), worsens the prognosis of patients with cardiovascular risk factors(4) and that doubles the risk of mortality(5).<br></br><br></br> The authors' findings, as reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed a significant decrease in the risk of cardiovascular death by 29 per cent (p=0.03) in patients with AF. Multaq significantly decreased the risk of arrhythmic death by 45 per cent (p=0.01) and there were numerically fewer deaths (16 per cent) from any cause in the dronedarone group compared to placebo (p=0.18). First cardiovascular hospitalization was reduced by 26 per cent (p<br></br>"The ATHENA trial is the first trial to show a reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular hospitalization or death in patients taking an anti-arrhythmic drug for atrial fibrillation" commented Dr. Stefan H. Hohnloser J.W., Goethe University's Division of Clinical Electrophysiology, Frankfurt, Germany, principal investigator of the ATHENA study.<br></br><br></br> Reported significant adverse events in the Multaq(R) arm vs. placebo arm included diarrhea (9.7% vs. 6.2%), nausea (5.3% vs. 3.1%), bradycardia (3.5% vs. 1.2%), QT-interval prolongation (1.7% vs. 0.6%); skin disorders (10.3% vs. 7.6%) consisting mainly of rash, and an increase in blood creatinine (4.7% vs. 1.3%). There was no difference in permanent study drug discontinuation between Multaq(R) and placebo (30.2% vs. 30.8%).<br></br><br></br> Dr. Stuart J. Connolly, Director of the division of cardiology at McMaster University, Ontario, Canada and co-principal investigator of the ATHENA trial said "The clinical benefits observed with dronedarone in ATHENA occurred without a significantly higher rate of thyroid or pulmonary disorders compared with placebo reported within the study period."<br></br><br></br>About the ATHENA Study<br></br><br></br> The landmark ATHENA study is the only double-blind, antiarrhythmic study in patients with AF that assesses morbidity-mortality. The study was conducted at more than 550 sites in 37 countries and enrolled a total of 4,628 patients.<br></br><br></br> The patients studied in ATHENA were either 75 years of age or older (with or without cardiovascular risk factors) or below 75 years of age with at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor (hypertension, diabetes, previous ischemic cerebrovascular event, left atrium size greater than 50 mm or left ventricular ejection fraction lower than 40 percent). Patients with recently decompensated heart failure or in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV were excluded. Patients were randomized to receive dronedarone 400 mg BID or placebo, with a mean follow-up of 21 months.<br></br><br></br> The ATHENA study objectives were designed to show a potential benefit of dronedarone on the primary composite endpoint of all-cause mortality combined with cardiovascular hospitalization compared with placebo. The pre-specified secondary endpoints were death from any cause, cardiovascular death and hospitalization for cardiovascular reasons. The pre-specified safety endpoint was the incidence of treatment emergent adverse events (between first study drug intake and last study drug intake plus 10 days) including all adverse events, serious adverse events and adverse events leading to study drug discontinuation.<br></br><br></br>About Atrial Fibrillation<br></br><br></br> AF is a common heart arrhythmia in which the upper chambers of the heart beat in an uncoordinated and disorganized fashion, which can cause palpitations, shortness of breath and fatigue. AF currently represents a major economic burden for society. Seventy percent of the annual cost of AF management in Europe is driven by in-patient care and interventional procedures. Hospitalizations for AF have increased dramatically (two-to-three-fold) in recent years. AF hospitalizations now represent a third of all hospitalizations for arrhythmia and mortality in the US and Europe. AF affects nearly 7 million people in the European Union and the United States.<br></br><br></br> The condition is increasingly frequent with advancing age and is often caused by age-related changes in the heart or as a result of cardiovascular disease. AF increases the risk of stroke up to five-fold and heart failure two-to-three-fold. AF also doubles the risk of mortality.<br></br><br></br> Without appropriate management, AF can lead to serious complications such as stroke and congestive heart failure. In addition to preventing stroke and reducing the burden of the disease, successful management of AF should also aim at further reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.<br></br><br></br> The goals of treatment for patients with AF are related to managing the arrhythmia itself and to the prevention of thromboembolism. AF may be treated with medications that either slow the heart rate or revert the heart rhythm back to normal sinus rhythm.<br></br><br></br>About dronedarone (Multaq(R))<br></br><br></br> Multaq(R) (dronedarone) is an investigational treatment and the only antiarrhythmic drug to have shown a significant reduction in cardiovascular hospitalization or death in patients with AF/AFL. Multaq(R), discovered and developed by sanofi-aventis, has been studied in a clinical development program including more than 6,200 patients. Multaq(R) is one of the major therapeutic innovations in atrial fibrillation for the last twenty years. Multaq(R) has been granted a priority review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a registration dossier is also under regulatory review by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA).<br></br><br></br>About Sanofi Aventis<br></br><br></br> Sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to improve the lives of everyone. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).<br></br><br></br>Forward Looking Statements<br></br><br></br>This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include product development, product potential projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to future events, operations, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "plans" and similar expressions. Although sanofi-aventis' management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of sanofi-aventis, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, future clinical data and analysis, including post marketing, decisions by regulatory authorities, such as the FDA or the EMEA, regarding whether and when to approve any drug, device or biological application that may be filed for any such product candidates as well as their decisions regarding labelling and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of such products candidates, the absence of guarantee that the products candidates if approved will be commercially successful, the future approval and commercial success of therapeutic alternatives as well as those discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by sanofi-aventis, including those listed under "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in sanofi-aventis' annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2007. Other than as required by applicable law, sanofi-aventis does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements.<br></br><br></br> The mechanism of blood creatinine increase was well defined in a separate study of healthy volunteers and is not indicative of renal toxicity<br></br><br></br>References<br></br><br></br> (1) Singh SN et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006;48:721-730<br></br><br></br> (2) Fuster V et al. ACC/AHA/ESC Guidelines. European Heart Journal 2006;27:1979-2030<br></br><br></br> (3) Wolf et al. Stroke. 1991;22:983-988.<br></br><br></br> (4) Wachtell K et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005;45:712-719.<br></br><br></br> (5) Benjamin EJ et al. Circulation. 1998;98:946-952.<br></br><br></br> Sanofi Aventis<br></br>http://www.sanofi-aventis.us <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://businessentrepreneursblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/trekaroo-launches-new-site-family.html">Trekaroo Launches New Site - Family Travel Will Never be the Same</a></li> <li><a href="http://offlady.blogspot.com/2009/02/gays-and-lesbians.html">gays and lesbians</a></li> <li><a href="http://a8assfull.blogspot.com/2009/02/tits-explanation-why-she-is-so-hot.html">Tits explanation why she is so hot</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-1854638427704395310?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-4145155941730206102009-02-12T10:00:00.000+02:002009-02-12T14:54:16.065+02:00 <br></br>When 91-year-old Irvin Lafferty was diagnosed with severe blockage of his heart valve - hardening that is formally known as aortic valve stenosis - open-heart surgery was out of the question. He'd already survived quadruple bypass while in his 50s, and having lived almost a century, Lafferty wasn't a good candidate for heart surgery for many reasons. His local cardiologist referred him to surgical and interventional specialists at Chicago's Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute of Northwestern Memorial Hospital. And, on January 21, 2009, Lafferty became the first patient in Illinois to receive a prosthetic heart valve through a procedure known as transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation, which combines catheterization technology and traditional surgery, allowing doctors to implant a new heart valve in place of Lafferty's diseased valve while his heart remained beating. <br></br><br></br> "Traditional open-heart surgery is a very safe and effective way to replace diseased heart valves, but for many patients bypass surgery is not a viable option" says Patrick M. McCarthy, MD, Northwestern Memorial's chief of cardiothoracic surgery and co-director of its Bluhm Institute and a Heller-Sacks professor of surgery at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. "By utilizing the percutaneous technique - meaning surgery is not required - we are able to greatly reduce risk for these patients. We see percutaneous valve repair as not only having a great impact upon how high-risk patients are treated, but in how heart valve disease is treated period, in the U.S. and around the world." <br></br><br></br> McCarthy is a co-principal investigator for the clinical trial that provided Lafferty's new heart valve, which is formally referred to as the Placement of AoRtic TraNscathetER Valve, or PARTNER. The Bluhm Institute is among the trial's pioneering sites. McCarthy says the procedure builds upon a routine catheter-based procedure, the balloon aortic valvuloplasty. <br></br><br></br> "Balloon aortic valvuloplasty has been traditionally offered as a palliative therapy for patients who were not candidates for aortic valve surgery," said the hospital's Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Charles J. Davidson, MD, who is also a co-principal investigator for the trial and a professor of medicine at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. "This particular technique is a more durable treatment than balloon valvuloplasty and is potentially a breakthrough for treating high-risk patients." <br></br><br></br> Medical experts estimate every year nearly 200,000 people in the U.S. need new heart valves. Yet over half of them do not receive them primarily due to frailty, one of the most common reasons for exclusion from traditional open-heart surgery. <br></br><br></br> "Surgery becomes far too risky when patients are conditionally weak or frail," says Chris Malaisrie MD, a Northwestern Memorial cardiac surgeon and member of the site team evaluating this new procedure. "The goal is to replace diseased valve at minimal risk to these patients - many of whom have very limited therapeutic options. Aortic valve replacement is one of few therapies offering both symptomatic relief and improved long-term survival." <br></br><br></br> During insertion, the artificial valve remains collapsed until it reaches its destination. It is then expanded and released in place of diseased aortic heart valves. The prosthesis is made of stainless steel and biological leaflets that help direct the flow of blood in the heart. It is permanent and integrates an expandable stent that holds the valve in its intended position. Northwestern Memorial utilizes both the transfemoral (through the groin) and transapical (through the ribs) approaches. Implantation occurs in a hybrid operating room suite that incorporates elements of both a traditional OR and catheterization laboratory. <br></br><br></br> For more information about the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute and the treatment of aortic valve stenosis please visit us online at http://www.nmh.org/heart. Participation in the PARTNER study will last a minimum of five years. For more information about the trial contact Kerry Madden, RN, at the Bluhm Institute's Clinical Trials Unit. <br></br><br></br> Dr. Patrick McCarthy, the Principal Investigator for this study, is a consultant for Edwards Lifesciences (for valve repair, not the study device used in the PARTNER trial), the manufacturer of the investigational valve. In addition, Dr. McCarthy receives royalties from 3 annuloplasty rings developed with Edwards (Edwards MC3 tricuspid system, Myxo ETlogix, and the Carpentier-McCarthy-Adams IMR ETlogix Annuloplasty Ring [CMA IMR ring]. <br></br><br></br> ----------------------------<br></br>Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.<br></br>----------------------------<br></br><br></br> Source: Kris Lathan <br></br>Northwestern Memorial Hospital <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://nadoelopridumivaturli.blogspot.com/2009/02/porn-anal-sex-oral-ass-tit-glory-hole.html">PORN anal sex oral ass tit glory hole sexy fucked cunt dick pussy porno fucking naked lingerie</a></li> <li><a href="http://a5dance.blogspot.com/2009/02/priya-rai-sexy-doctor.html">Priya Rai - Sexy Doctor</a></li> <li><a href="http://lovenudua5.blogspot.com/2009/02/best-awek-cun-seksi-mantap.html">Best Awek Cun Seksi Mantap</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-414515594173020610?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-51251070785187417452009-02-11T15:00:00.000+02:002009-02-11T19:54:05.130+02:00 <br></br>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first ablation catheters for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (uncoordinated contractions of the upper heart chambers), one of the most common types of arrhythmias-or abnormal heart rhythms--affecting more than two million Americans. <br></br><br></br> The devices approved today, the NaviStar ThermoCool saline irrigated radio-frequency ablation catheter and the EZ Steer ThermoCool Nav, can be used to create small, strategically placed scars in heart tissue to block irregular electrical waves that cause atrial fibrillation. The FDA previously approved other ablation catheters to treat arrhythmias such as atrial flutter and ventricular tachyarrhythmia, but not atrial fibrillation. <br></br><br></br> Atrial fibrillation is usually treated with drugs, and in certain severe cases, with open heart surgery. Catheter ablation should be used only after drug treatment has failed to adequately control the symptoms of the condition. <br></br><br></br> "This approval provides physicians with another option for treating this common and potentially debilitating condition," said Daniel G. Schultz, M.D., director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. <br></br><br></br> While atrial fibrillation is a major risk factor related to stroke, there is no conclusive evidence that links the treatment of symptoms by ablation to a reduction in stroke. Therefore, the FDA agrees with the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology, which recommend that patients at risk for stroke continue to take blood-thinning medications after ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation. <br></br><br></br> The FDA based this approval on a clinical study of 167 patients at 19 medical centers in the United States, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, and Italy. Data from the study showed the devices to be effective in eliminating symptomatic recurrence of atrial fibrillation episodes for one year in approximately 63 percent of treated patients versus 17 percent of the patients in the control group. <br></br><br></br> The catheters were the focus of an FDA Circulatory System Devices advisory panel on Nov. 20, 2008, when they received the panel's unanimous recommendation for approval. <br></br><br></br> As a condition of approval, manufacturer BioSense Webster must establish a physician training program and conduct postmarket studies to collect data on these devices' long-term safety and effectiveness (including incidence of stroke, mortality, cardiac arrest, major bleeding, and pulmonary vein stenosis), and the effect of physicians' experience in operating the device on procedural safety. Both catheters are manufactured by BioSense Webster of Diamond Bar, Calif. <br></br><br></br>FDA <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://razdensa.blogspot.com/2009/02/sexy-girls-grinding-nude-webcam.html">Sexy Girls Grinding Nude Webcam</a></li> <li><a href="http://a5vsun.blogspot.com/2009/02/cool-amateure.html">cool amateure</a></li> <li><a href="http://businessconsumerresearch.blogspot.com/2009/02/lovebug-babycakes-snuggle-buns-most.html">Lovebug? Babycakes? Snuggle Buns? 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Further analysis revealed that the increased lifespan in mice lacking AT1A was likely a result of decreased oxidative damage to cells, a key factor in ageing, and increased levels of genes involved in cell survival (such as Sirt3). <br></br><br></br> TITLE: Disruption of the Ang II type 1 receptor promotes longevity in mice <br></br><br></br> AUTHOR CONTACT:<br></br> Ariela Benigni<br></br> "Mario Negri" Institute for Pharmacological Research, Bergamo, Italy. <br></br><br></br> View the PDF of this article at: https://www.the-jci.org/article.php?id=36703 <br></br><br></br> HEMATOLOGY: New signposts to the way out of the bone marrow for blood cell precursors <br></br><br></br> Understanding what molecular pathways control the release of hematopoietic stem cells (i.e., the stem cells that give rise to all blood cells) from the bone marrow has immense relevance to a number of clinical situations, including stem cell transplantation and post-chemotherapy treatment regimens. New insight into the molecules involved in regulating the movement of human hematopoietic progenitor cells from the bone marrow, provided by the work of Tsvee Lapidot and colleagues, at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, might provide clues to developing new ways to enhance stem cell release from the bone marrow. <br></br><br></br> In the study, CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells in the bloodstream of healthy individuals were found to express higher levels of the protein MT1-MMP and lower levels of the protein RECK than their precursor cells in the bone marrow. Further, when healthy individuals were treated with a drug that stimulates the release of hematopoietic progenitor cells from the bone marrow, the circulating cells expressed even higher levels of MT1-MMP. Further analysis in mice with bone marrow reconstituted with human cells, revealed that blocking MT1-MMP function impaired the release of human hematopoietic progenitor cells from the bone marrow and that blocking RECK function enhanced the release of these cells. Additional experiments determined that MT1-MMP promotes the release of hematopoietic progenitor cells from the bone marrow by cleaving a protein known as CD44. The authors conclude that MT1-MMP and RECK have opposing roles in the control of human hematopoietic progenitor cell egress from the bone marrow. <br></br><br></br> TITLE: MT1-MMP and RECK are involved in human CD34+ progenitor cell retention, egress, and mobilization <br></br><br></br> AUTHOR CONTACT:<br></br> Tsvee Lapidot<br></br> Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. <br></br><br></br> View the PDF of this article at: https://www.the-jci.org/article.php?id=36541 <br></br><br></br> HEMATOLOGY: Explaining how the drug eptifibatide can have unintended consequences <br></br><br></br> The drug eptifibatide interferes with blood clotting and is used to treat a number of serious heart conditions associated with a high risk of heart attack. Despite the effectiveness of eptifibatide and other related drugs, in a few individuals they cause serious side effects, including thrombocytopenia (a deficiency in blood cells known as platelets, which are important for blood clotting). Peter Newman and colleagues, at the BloodCenter of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, have now provided new insight into the molecular mechanisms by which eptifibatide induces thrombocytopenia. <br></br><br></br> Eptifibatide works by antagonizing a protein complex known as integrin alpha-IIb-beta-3. The rare cases of thrombocytopenia in patients treated with eptifibatide are caused by antibodies, generated by the immune system of the patients, that recognize the drug bound to integrin alpha-IIb-beta-3. In the study, the authors analyzed the effects of patient serum containing an alpa-IIb-beta-3-specific, eptifibatide-dependent antibody on normal human platelets. In the presence of eptifibatide, the antibodies caused the platelets to become activated. Further analysis revealed that activation was mediated via a signaling pathway initiated by Fc-gamma-RIIa and beta-3 integrin. These data provide a mechanism that explains how alpa-IIb-beta-3-specific, eptifibatide-dependent antibodies can cause thrombocytopenia. <br></br><br></br> TITLE: Eptifibatide-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis in humans require Fc-gamma-RIIa and the integrin beta-3 cytoplasmic domain <br></br><br></br> AUTHOR CONTACT:<br></br> Peter J. Newman<br></br> BloodCenter of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. <br></br><br></br> View the PDF of this article at: https://www.the-jci.org/article.php?id=36745 <br></br><br></br> PULMONARY: The protein FGF2: a new target in the fight against pulmonary hypertension? <br></br><br></br> Pulmonary hypertension is the name given to the potentially fatal condition of high blood pressure in the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lung, where the blood replenishes its supply of oxygen, and back. It is characterized by the proliferation of a subset of cells in the wall of the blood vessel going from the heart to the lung that are known as pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PA-SMCs). While the lung endothelium (the layer of cells that lines the blood vessels going to and from the lung) is thought to influence this process, its role has not been well understood. In a new study, Saadia Eddahibi and colleagues, at INSERUM U841, France, have revealed the role of a specific protein, FGF2, in the endothelial response during pulmonary hypertension. <br></br><br></br> The lung endothelium of patients with pulmonary hypertension had increased FGF2 production compared to healthy controls. Moreover, PA-SMCs treated with media from cultured patient endothelial cells experienced greater proliferation than PA-SMCs treated with media from healthy control individuals. This proliferation was blocked by approaches that inhibited FGF2, both in cultured cells and in a rat model of pulmonary hypertension. The authors therefore conclude that FGF2 may serve as a novel target in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. <br></br><br></br> TITLE: Endothelial-derived FGF2 contributes to the progression of pulmonary hypertension in humans and rodents <br></br><br></br> AUTHOR CONTACT:<br></br> Saadia Eddahibi<br></br> INSERM U841, Créteil, France. <br></br><br></br> View the PDF of this article at: https://www.the-jci.org/article.php?id=35070 <br></br><br></br> PULMONARY: Immune cells contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) <br></br><br></br> Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease of the lung and the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Although recent studies suggest immune cells known as lymphocytes contribute to the chronic airway inflammation that is associated with COPD, there is no evidence that they are involved in the development of the disease. However, Michael Borchers and colleagues, at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, have now determined that a subset of lymphocytes known as CTLs do contribute to the development of COPD-like disease in mice. <br></br><br></br> In the study, in vivo and in vitro exposure of the lining of the mouse airway to cigarette smoke induced the airway lining to express a protein known as RAET1, which binds the protein NKG2D on CTLs, activating them. Consistent with CTLs having a role in the development of COPD, induction of RAET1 expression in the lining of mouse airways, induced COPD-like disease that was reversible by blocking NKG2D. As the authors found increased expression of a protein that binds human NKG2D in lung tissue from smokers with normal lung function, and current and former smokers with COPD, but not in lung tissue from individuals who had never smoked, they suggest that persistent expression of proteins that bind NKG2D in the cells lining the lungs and airways contributes to the development of COPD via activation of CTLs. <br></br><br></br> TITLE: Sustained CTL activation by murine pulmonary epithelial cells promotes the development of COPD-like disease <br></br><br></br> AUTHOR CONTACT:<br></br> Michael T. Borchers<br></br> University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. <br></br><br></br> View the PDF of this article at: https://www.the-jci.org/article.php?id=34462 <br></br><br></br> ----------------------------<br></br>Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.<br></br>---------------------------- <br></br><br></br> Source: Karen Honey <br></br>Journal of Clinical Investigation <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://a8sexyasses.blogspot.com/2009/02/romeo-juliet-kissing-you.html">♥ Romeo & Juliet - Kissing You ♥</a></li> <li><a href="http://gotu-dating.blogspot.com/2009/02/add-bible-study-tokyo-japan.html">ADD Bible Study @ Tokyo Japan</a></li> <li><a href="http://technologyinternetpr.blogspot.com/2009/02/barmanocom-adopts-openid-to-make-life.html">Barmano.com Adopts OpenID to Make Life Easier for Bar Goers Everywhere</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-8146881674832693513?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-31846542434307702872009-02-11T14:00:00.000+02:002009-02-11T18:53:44.184+02:00 <br></br>The Peine Clinic in Lower Saxony is the first hospital in Germany to interface its angiography systems with an image management and reporting system. All data generated prior to or during an intervention in the cardiac cath lab is now automatically transferred to the new IT system. The advantage: while the examination is still in progress, operating personnel can use important examination data to prepare a report for wards or referring physicians in just a matter of minutes. Previously, this took several hours, because the data was transferred from forms to the reporting system manually and the images were also stored manually. For this innovative IT solution in the catheter laboratory in Peine, Siemens interfaced its dynamic image archiving system syngo Dynamics with the angiographic system Axiom Artis FC and the hemodynamic measuring station Axiom Sensis XP. <br></br><br></br> In May 2008, the former community hospital in Peine opened a cardiac catheter laboratory. In order to begin with the most efficient environments possible, the Peine Clinic chose Siemens syngo Dynamics cardiology image management and reporting system. In the past, one of the most time-consuming tasks in the clinical routine for cadiac cath has been the preparation of reports. The large amount of data that had to be transferred manually from different forms, or from external data media, to the electronic reporting systems caused long delays in report availability. The Peine Clinic choose Siemens to install a solution that would significantly reduce the amount of time and effort for report preparation following cardiac catheterization. To achieve this objective, Siemens interfaced its multi-modality image archiving system syngo Dynamics with the angiographic system Axiom Artis FC and the hemodynamic measurement station Axiom Sensis XP. An interface to the clinic's ultrasound systems will be added in the future. Axiom Sensis XP, a state-of-the art recording procedure for interventional cardiology and electrophysiology, even transmits measurement data automatically to syngo Dynamics via real-time data transfer. <br></br><br></br> Directly at their syngo Dynamics workstations, the reporting physicians are now provided with all data required to prepare the necessary reports as soon as catheterization is completed. This considerably accelerates the workflow in the cardiology department and allows for more precise reporting than in conventional catheter labs. <br></br><br></br> "While selecting a suitable provider, we were looking for integrated as well as cost-effective solutions for angiography systems and IT. The Siemens spectrum fully met these requirements with the real-time data exchange of Axiom Sensis XP and syngo Dynamics," explains Arturo Junge, director of administration at the hospital. <br></br><br></br> The chief physician of Medical Clinic I (Cardiology & Pneumology), Dr. Petra Wacker, also appreciates the advantages of having this reporting system for diagnostic image viewing and dynamic image processing at a single workstation. According to Dr. Wacker, evidence-based reporting also supports both the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical procedures. "We benefit especially from the fact that reports are generated almost automatically, a fact which greatly reduces the risks incurred through user errors. This allows us to ensure high-quality patient care," says Dr. Wacker. <br></br><br></br> "With this scalable solution, we are best equipped to face the technical challenges of the future. Networking will make the data exchange even faster and offer further advantages, for example in long-term archiving. This will certainly expand the existing cooperation of our hospitals," said Wilfried Schröter, Head of Medical Systems of the Peine Clinic. <br></br><br></br>Klinikum Peine gGmbH was founded in March 2003 as a subsidiary of the Allgemeines Krankenhaus Celle foundation. On April 1, 2003, the Clinic took over management of the hospital of the Peine administrative district and on September 1 of the same year, the Peine hospital passed to the ownership of the Klinikum Peine gGmbH. The AKH Celle and the Peine Clinic have 1,045 beds in total. The Peine Center has eight specialist departments under physician management, two in-patient wards and cares for approximately 14,000 in-patients annually. <br></br><br></br> The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first integrated healthcare company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care - from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. Additionally, Siemens Healthcare is the global market leader in innovative hearing instruments. The company employs around 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2008 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of €11.2 billion, orders of €11.8 billion, and Sector profit of €1.2 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare<br></br><br></br>Siemens Healthcare Sector <noindex><p>[Via <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>]</p></noindex> <ul> <li><a href="http://offlady.blogspot.com/2009/02/brian-and-justin-love-look-what-you.html">Brian And Justin Love Look What You Done To Me</a></li> <li><a href="http://a2kiska.blogspot.com/2009/02/super-sexy-dancer-18_11.html">SUPER SEXY DANCER 18</a></li> <li><a href="http://businessdirectmarketing.blogspot.com/2009/02/admob-and-mads-announce-global.html">AdMob and MADS Announce Global Strategic Partnership, Innovative Mobile Industry Leaders Plan to Accelerate Mobile Advertising</a></li> </ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/177484122659315752-3184654243430770287?l=cardiovascularblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>catornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177484122659315752.post-19124930178635244172009-02-11T12:00:00.001+02:002009-02-11T16:53:02.331+02:00 <br></br>In the not-too-distant future, a simple blood test may predict the genetic risk of suffering a heart attack - no matter what your ethnic background. Dr. Sonia Anand, a professor in the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University, and researcher within the Population Health Research Institute, led a group of Canadian and British researchers who pinpointed specific genes and their association with an increased risk of heart attack. <br></br><br></br> Their research - Genetic Variants Associated with Myocardial Infarction risk Factors in over 8,000 Individuals from Five Ethnic Groups: The INTERHEART Genetics Study - appears in a recent online edition of Circulation Cardiovascular Genetics. <br></br><br></br> Dr. Anand and her team extracted DNA from the INTERHEART case-control study of 8,795 individuals of European, south Asian, Arab, Iranian and Nepalese origin and genotyped 1,536 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 103 genes. <br></br><br></br> SNPs are single base pair variations in DNA which occur within genes and, in some cases, change the production of proteins or alter the expression of other genes. (Scientists believe common SNPs may be associated with the development of some common chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, vascular disease and some forms of mental illness). <br></br><br></br> Their results show a "significant" association between four genes, and high cholesterol levels, particularly ApoB/A1 levels - ApolipoproteinB which is the primary protein involved in "bad cholesterol" and responsible for carrying cholesterol to tissues. In the current study, the researchers concluded 13 common SNPs were associated with heart disease risk factors and 1 variant was independently associated with the risk of a heart attack. <br></br><br></br> The earlier INTERHEART study led by Dr. Salim Yusuf, director of the Population Health Research Institute and professor at McMaster University showed nine risk factors accounted for more than 90% of the risk for heart attacks globally. Those nine risk factors are dyslipidemia /high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, abdominal obesity, tobacco, physical inactivity, psychosocial stressors, low fruit and vegetable intake and no alcohol consumption. Together the genetic variants (SNPs) increased the prediction of risk of MI by 1.6%.<br></br><br></br> "Most genetic studies have focused on studying white Caucasians," said Dr. Anand. "The unique contribution of our study is that we demonstrate that common genetic variants are indeed common across 5 ethnic groups. Furthermore, we are able to put the contribution of these factors on the risk of heart attack into perspective, demonstrating that the nine risk factors account for the vast majority of heart attacks and the genetic variants while important only add a small independent contribution to the risk of heart attack." <br></br><br></br> In addition to researchers from McMaster University, the research team included investigators from McGill University and the Genome Quebec Innovation Centre; the Institute of Human Genetics, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. <br></br><br></br> Dr. Anand is also a member of the Myocardial Infarction Genetics Consortium. In a separate paper published also this week in Nature Genetics Online, the consortium compared the genomes of about 3,000