Stroke

Cardiovascular departments are playing a role in stroke interventions at numerous health systems, working as part of the stroke care team with neurologists, radiology and the emergency department. Stroke first has be be classified as ischemic or hemorrhagic. These have very different care pathways. Ischemic strokes are increasingly being treated with neurological-interventional therapy that includes catheter based mechanical thrombectomy to remove the clot. This is a more aggressive treatment compared to traditional IV administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) thrombolytic therapy to dissolve the clot. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) brain bleeds can also be treated in some cases stent flow diverters and embolization coils.

Effective, but not worth the cost: CEPD use during TAVR fails to make a significant difference
Cerebral embolic protection devices are proven to work. However, according to one cardiologist, they are still not consistently reducing stroke rates.
How the shape, size and location of calcified carotid plaques affect stroke risk
A new analysis provides further insight into factors affecting plaque stability and subsequent ischemic events
A closer look at world’s first TAVR patient treated with new cerebral embolic protection device
The device covers three vessels at once and can be deployed through the patient's TAVR access site. Researchers shared their first-in-human experience in JACC: Case Reports.
Cannabis is bad for the heart—should the risk be taken more seriously?
Use of the drug more than doubles a person's risk of dying from heart disease, according to a new analysis of 24 different studies. In a separate editorial, two physicians shared their concerns and highlighted the importance of discussing these risks with patients.
Extended CTA exams more than triple stroke detection
New research reveals that expanding CT angiography scans of the head and neck to capture the area at least 6 cm below the carina can significantly increase the detection of cardioaortic thrombi.

Boston Scientific's Sentinel Cerebral Protection System during a TAVR procedure

Effective, but not worth the cost: CEPD use during TAVR fails to make a significant difference

Cerebral embolic protection devices are proven to work. However, according to one cardiologist, they are still not consistently reducing stroke rates.

How the shape, size and location of calcified carotid plaques affect stroke risk

A new analysis provides further insight into factors affecting plaque stability and subsequent ischemic events

EnCompass F2 device from Nevada-based EnCompass Technologies

A closer look at world’s first TAVR patient treated with new cerebral embolic protection device

The device covers three vessels at once and can be deployed through the patient's TAVR access site. Researchers shared their first-in-human experience in JACC: Case Reports.

cannabis use disorder marijuana joint weed smoking

Cannabis is bad for the heart—should the risk be taken more seriously?

Use of the drug more than doubles a person's risk of dying from heart disease, according to a new analysis of 24 different studies. In a separate editorial, two physicians shared their concerns and highlighted the importance of discussing these risks with patients.

Extended CTA exams more than triple stroke detection

New research reveals that expanding CT angiography scans of the head and neck to capture the area at least 6 cm below the carina can significantly increase the detection of cardioaortic thrombi.

cardiologists heart doctors heart research heart data

Balloon-expandable, self-expanding TAVR valves associated with comparable long-term outcomes

Patients treated with the Sapien 3 platform from Edwards Lifesciences and the Evolut platform from Medtronic were linked to more similarities than differences after six years. This was a single-center study, researchers noted, but it does provide an in-depth look at the safety and effectiveness of TAVR.

milli-spinner thrombectomy designed to target blood clots by engineers with Stanford University

Tiny clot-busting robots could transform care for stroke and heart attack patients

The robots are capable of swimming through a patient’s vascular system and removing blood clots. “It’s unbelievable," one Stanford researcher said. "This is a sea-change technology that will drastically improve our ability to help people.”

Calcified carotid plaques more likely to rupture than previously believed, MRI findings suggest

Ruptured plaques can lead to the formation of blood clots that significantly increase the risk of stroke.