Cardiology

This abstract oral session featured top cardiology researchers who were given a mere 15 minutes to review the highlights of their most recent work. The reasons for their studies and what they found are covered below.

Drs. Akar, Knight, and Mithilesh presented several case studies to help explain key procedures and techniques in the management of arrhythmias after ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Two studies presented during this abstract poster session focused on atrial fibrillation; the key points from both are covered here.

Women with high testosterone levels are at an elevated risk--as much as three times those with lower levels--of coronary heart disease and the metabolic syndrome.

Researchers are finding that interactive game systems like Nintendo's Wii are especially helpful for people with chronic health conditions. Playing the games increases physical activity and can even improve the ability to care for oneself.

In light of the fact that one-third of patients with heart failure are not receiving the most effective medications, the Mayo Clinic provides and overview of treatments recommended by national guidelines.

Do women face a higher risk of death compared with men following treatment with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) following ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)? A study presented during the "Women, STEMI, and PCI Trials" Abstract Oral Session Tuesday morning at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2009 sought to answer that question.

This poster presentation, part of the “Ion Channels and Cardiac Rhythm” abstract poster session, reviewed the results of study that Daniel Bartos and colleagues conducted in order to determine the mutation behind the development of familial atrial fibrillation (FAF2 and long QT syndromes (LQT1).

This heavily trafficked poster session featured posters focused on left atrial pressure waveform analysis, intracardiac echocardiography, pressure-guided cryoballon isolation of the pulmonary veins, radiofrequency ablation, atrial fibrillation due to mitral valve disease, a non-contact mapping system, and the mechanism of chronic atrial fibrillation. MDNG had the pleasure of meeting with some of the presenters, and summaries of their posters are provided below.

This brief presentation (roughly 25 minutes)—part of the “Groundbreaking Studies in the Practice of Cardiovascular Medicine: Circulation Editors’ Choices” session—featured Stefan H. Hohnloser, MD, who presented the results of a study that were published in the February 12, 2009 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

The pundits are going to have their field day with this one. "The danger [with this Bill] is that as costs continue to rise and coverage becomes less comprehensive, people will conclude that we've tried health reform and it didn't work. But the real problem will be that we didn't really try it.

New research presented at CHEST 2009 shows that statins may have negative effects in some cardiac patients.

The Institute of Medicine released its "To Err is Human" report in 2000. Now that we're nearing the end of 2009, safety experts are examining the extent to which the IOM's recommendations have been implemented.

We rank 19th among industrialized countries in preventable deaths in such conditions as diabetes, epilepsy, stroke, influenza, ulcers, pneumonia, infant mortality, and appendicitis.

When a patient is diagnosed with heart disease, cardiologists typically focus on treating him or her for obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). However, an article published in the October 20 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology explains that “up to half of women may not have” CAD.

On Monday, the ACC and AHA released the 2009 ACCF/AHA Focused Update on Perioperative Beta Blockade, an addendum to the ACC/AHA 2007 Guidelines on Perioperative Cardiovascular Evaluation and Care for Noncardiac Surgery.

The new health Internet being designed by federal officials will hopefully be up and running by next year, a move that will allow physicians and patients to more easily exchange health information.

A new study by researchers in Canada shows that a majority of high school freshmen have at least one major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. These factors include obesity and elevated cholesterol levels, two problems that are also common in America. Results of the study may serve as a guide for US physicians to monitor and work to change heart disease and stroke risk in teenagers.

The answer may surprise you.

The weight gain that is often seen in children taking antipsychotic medications can also have a negative impact on metabolic factors in those children.

Cardiologists will find that these online resources will be beneficial for themselves and their patients.

A recent study from Kaiser Permanente shows that women with diabetes face a 26% greater risk of also developing atrial fibrillation.

Remember, we have essentially 2 options; All we can do is pick the lesser of the evils. Example: Federal control is bad; corporate control is worse.

Great for healthcare providers, but bad for patients?

Researchers have developed the first mathematical model in cardiology and emergency medicine that enables clinicians to more quickly and reliably diagnose acute heart failure (AHF) in emergency room patients.

I was out of town on business and had a 'slip & fall.' After many tries and many hours on the phone, Oxford could not direct us to a plan orthopedist—hand surgeon? Yes; Foot and ankle? Didn't happen. Ironically (or was it?), that bureaucratic hurdle saved them a bundle.

Researchers have used mouse embryonic stem cells to create a patch made of cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts that may one day be used to repair tissue damaged by heart disease.

Certain common herbicides and lipid-lowering fibrate drugs act in humans to block a nutrient-sensing taste receptor also present in intestine and pancreas.