Acute Coronary Syndromes

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is most commonly caused by a heart attack (myocardial infarction) where blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked. This is usually caused by a blood clot from a ruptured coronary artery atherosclerotic plaque. Other causes include spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), which most commonly occurs in women. ACS is usually treated in a cath lab with angioplasty and the placement of a stent to prop the vessel open.

The HeartBeam AIMIGo device is approximately the size of a credit card and uses the company’s patented 3D vectorelectrocardiography (3D VECG) technology to capture signals from three different projections and deliver a synthesized 12-lead ECG.

New research underway on credit card-sized heart monitor that synthesizes 12-lead ECGs

The portable device uses HeartBeam's patented 3D vectorelectrocardiography (3D VECG) technology to capture signals from three different projections and deliver a synthetic 12-lead ECG.

March 14, 2024
Boston Scientific’s Agent Drug-Coated Balloon (DCB), which delivers a therapeutic dose of the anti-proliferative drug paclitaxel to the patient’s scar tissue to prevent ISR from recurring, gained FDA approval on March 1..

Cardiologists share historic research that led to FDA’s long-awaited approval of coronary DCB

When Boston Scientific’s coronary DCB gained approval in the United States, it was a moment the country's cardiologists had been looking forward to for years. The cardiologists who researched the device have now detailed their findings, highlighting the "unmet need" this technology is addressing. 

March 14, 2024
HeartFlow FFR-CT is a non-invasive imaging method to determine the fractional flow reserve for the entire coronary tree.

AI-based CAD assessments as accurate as FFR, new 10-year study confirms

The FDA-approved technology developed by HeartFlow can predict a patient's long-term risk of target vessel failure as well as more invasive treatments performed inside a cath lab. 

March 12, 2024
Weekly doses of semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor originally developed to treat diabetes, could help approximately 93 million U.S. adults lose weight and reduce their risk of adverse cardiovascular events, according to new research published in Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy. Novo Nordisk sells and markets subcutaneous treatments of semaglutide 2.4 mg under the brand name Wegovy.

A big win for Wegovy: Weight loss drug semaglutide first in history to gain FDA approval for reducing heart risks

The FDA made a special announcement about its decision, describing the news as "a major advance for public health."

March 8, 2024
Patients who take diuretics, renin-angiotensin system (RAD) inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at the same time face a much higher risk of developing acute kidney injury (AKI)

Some older patients taking aspirin to prevent CVD may be doing more harm than good

“Aspirin is no longer a one-size-fits-all preventive tool for older adults," according to one specialist with Michigan Medicine. 

March 7, 2024
Using computed tomography (CT) to perform coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring can help identify symptomatic chest pain patients who do not require further testing, according to a new analysis published in Radiology.[1]

Coronary calcium scoring predicts when chest pain patients can skip invasive testing

Using CT to perform coronary artery calcium scoring on symptomatic chest pain patients can deliver significant value, according to a new data published in Radiology

March 6, 2024
AI artificial intelligence stethoscope doctor

FDA grants AI software for imaging-based heart assessments its breakthrough device designation

The new software was also added to the FDA's Tap Pilot program, an honor reserved for “high-quality, safe, effective and innovative medical devices."

March 5, 2024

Ultra-processed foods linked to 32 adverse health outcomes, including CVD-related death and diabetes

Data from nearly 9.9 million participants were included in the team’s final analysis. The group emphasized the important role governments can play in trying to reverse the world's reliance on these products. 

March 4, 2024