Cardiovascular diseases

Stethoscope v. MP3 player

Sweden - According Canadian physician Neil Skjodt a simple MP3 recording device gave a superior performance in auscultation of lung and heart sounds.

World's 1st cardiac motion evaluation in minutes

Toshiba's new Artida Ultrasound system is the world's first ultrasound system that can track and display myocardial wall motion three-dimensionally.

Magnetic Field Imaging improves cardiac diagnostics

Magnetic Field Imaging (MFI) provides cardiologists with an additional tool to detect arrythmia and irregular cardiac blood flow and thus contributes to a more precise diagnosis. While an ECG acquires electric signals produced by the activity of the cardiac muscle, MFI measures the electrophysical function of the heart by determining the magnetic field during a heartbeat.

Magnetic Field Imaging improves cardiac diagnostics

Euro 900 million for molecular imaging R&D

The Technology initiative “Molecular Imaging” aims to strengthen the synergies of science and industry in research and development of new technologies in order to significantly improve diagnostic and treatment options, for example for cardiovascular diseases, cancer or Alzheimer's.

Compact portable ECG promises earlier diagnosis

A compact portable, easy-to-use ECG machine, the MAC 400, was launched in Europe by GE Healthcare at the recent European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

Use that toothbrush!

Since the 1950s, the American Heart Association (AHA) has urged a large number of people to take antibiotics before dental work or other procedures that could flood the bloodstream with bacteria. This antibiotic intake was thought to prevent infective endocarditis.

The most useful EU-supported venture

The Eastern Lithuania Cardiology Project (ELCP) - an integral inter-institutional regional project sponsored by the Lithuanian Government and the European Structural Funds, which began in 2004 - will end this year. In May, those who voted on the Lithuanian EU Support official website (a specially organised event, focusing on all EU-supported projects in all fields) nominated this project as the…

EU approves use of implantable defibrillator

The US firm Boston Scientific reports that it has received the Conformité Européenne (CE) Mark for its Confient implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), the company's first branded cardiac rhythm management device to treat sudden cardiac death. Containing wireless capability, the Confient ICD has been designed to reduce right ventricular pacing.

Taxus produces similar outcomes in men & women

Results of a gender-specific study to assess the efficacy of the Taxus paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent in women undergoing coronary revascularisation were released at the European Society of Cardiology Congress by interventional device developer Boston Scientific.

LightSpeed VCT XT saves resources

The Cardiocentro Ticino in Lugano, Switzerland ' a tertiary care centre specialising in treating patients with coronary artery disease ' carries out around 300 major operations and 2,000 invasive coronary angiographies annually. Six months ago, the hospital acquired state-of-the art equipment, including GE's LightSpeed VCT XT.

The therapeutic potential of adult stem cells in cardiovascular diseases

By Bodo E. Strauer (Düsseldorf, Germany) Russian summary and complete article in English.

E-SIRIUS Trial: Safety and efficacy of drug-eluting stents

Cordis Corporations' CYPHER stent is a Sirolimus-eluting coronary stent used for treatment of patients with coronary artery disease. The five-year results of the E-Sirius Trial show that in comparison to bare metal stents the CYPHER stent offers sustained clinical benefits.

For and against - Absorbable metal stents

Coronary stents provide wall wrapping of dissection, prevent elastic recoil, and reduce restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. In addition, drug eluting stents loaded with antiproliferative agents inhibit intimal hyperplasia and offer a further reduction of restenosis.

Cardiac Diagnostic Imaging - Significance of ultrasound

Some of the medical procedures and equipment showcased and discussed at the MEDICA 2007 are sure to provide medical experts with plenty of discussion material. In cardiac diagnostic imaging a minor revolution is taking place, with ultrasound procedures increasing in significance. But innovation in x-ray methods is also continuing.

Progenitor cell transfer for cardiac repair after

Progenitor cell transfer to repair the damaged heart has emerged as an innovative and promising recent development in cardiovascular medicine.

Robot moves steadily in on catheter ablation

The Sensei Robotic Catheter System, a first generation robotic platform launched by Hansen Medical at the USA's Heart Rhythm Society Scientific Sessions in May this year, is in use in Europe.

Cardiologists meet to sum up progress

During a meeting of cardiologists in Prague earlier this year to exchange experiences with new methods and treatments to control atrial fibrillation, Dr Josef Kautzner, Head of Cardiology Department at IKEM (Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine) pointed out that numbers of patients with AF will more than double during the next 20 years.

TWA predicts mortality in patients with normal ejection fraction

An increased TWA (T-wave alternans) is a significant indicator of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, as well as of sudden cardiac death in patients with mostly normal ejection fraction, according to a recently published study by researchers led by Dr Tuomo Nieminen.