Data presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2021 shows that racial disparities persist in stroke treatment. According to a news release, mechanical removal of blood clots causing a stroke is increasing, but there remain racial differences in the treatment, a study shows. Get the full story at our sister site, Medical Design […]
American Heart Association
Medical societies issue ‘urgent letter’ on racial violence
A trio of medical societies issued an urgent letter to denounce the racism and violence unfolding in the wake of George Floyd’s death in police custody. The letter, dated May 30 (five days after Floyd was killed in Minneapolis), was issued by the Association of Black Cardiologists and its cardiovascular partners, the American Heart Association […]
Study finds delays in seeking stroke treatment amid COVID-19
Ischemic stroke patients are showing up to the hospital an average of 160 minutes later during the COVID-19 pandemic than during a similar timeframe in 2019, according to a new study. The delay is affecting both stroke survival and recovery, add stroke surgeons from the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery (SNIS). The first study to confirm […]
Stent makers point to quality-of-life findings by massive federal study
The giant federal study that found the use of stents in stable heart-disease patients is no better than drugs to treat clogged arteries reached another, less-hyped conclusion. Manufacturers of stents for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) note that the Ischemia study also concluded that patients who undergo a stenting procedure have a better quality of life. They suffer […]
BREAKING: Abiomed stock down 20% after new research raises questions about Impella
Shares of heart pump company Abiomed (NSDQ:ABMD) fell today after research released over the weekend suggested potentially serious complications involving the company’s Impella heart pumps. Abiomed stock was down more than 20%, to $178.09 per share, by the close of trading after news of the two studies came out of the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions […]
Study: Stents no better than drugs for stable heart disease
This article has been updated with stock market results and comments from Medtronic. A major new study has concluded that the use of stents in stable heart disease patients is no better than drugs to treat clogged arteries. Results of the Ischemia study were released at the American Heart Association annual meeting in Philadelphia on Saturday. The […]
Apple announces medical studies using new Research app
Apple (NSDQ:AAPL) said yesterday that it is launching medical studies into women’s health, hearing, and heart function and movement with its new Research app. The Cupertino, Calif.-based company said the app will show how medical research is conducted and allow participants to contribute to potential medical discoveries. The Research app will be available as a free […]
Cardiologist questions use of Boston Scientific Watchman device
A Philadelphia cardiologist has written a newspaper column questioning the efficacy and cost of Boston Scientific’s Watchman device for stroke prevention. The Watchman left atrial appendage closure device is designed to prevent blood clots that form in the heart’s left atrial appendage from reaching the brain. Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) markets it as an alternative to blood-thinning […]
Study: Boston Sci’s Watchman cheaper than drugs long-term
Updated to include comments from the principal investigator. A new study has found that use of the Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) Watchman left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device to treat atrial fibrillation costs less than existing and novel anticoagulant drugs over five years. Researchers conducted the analysis using an Excel-based simulation model developed to assess the […]
Royal Philips, American Heart Association join to boost cardiac arrest survival
Royal Philips (NYSE:PHG) and the American Heart Association have paired up to increase sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) survival rates in densely populated cities around the world. The Connected Pulse program combines education programs to increase awareness of CPR with the use of publicly-available automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and new technologies to strengthen the chances for survival until […]
9 cardiology breakthroughs you need to know
Cardiology breakthroughs couldn’t come soon enough because heart disease is the No. 1 killer of men and women in the U.S. About 610,000 Americans die of heart disease per year, and an additional 735,000 Americans suffer from a heart attack. The statistics terrify. About 610,000 Americans die of heart disease per year, and an additional […]