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.

Surgeons with University of Maryland Medical Center transplant a pig heart into a human patient for only the second time ever on Sept. 20 2023. Bartley P. Griffith, MD, a professor of surgery and clinical director of the cardiac xenotransplantation program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), and Muhammad M. Mohiuddin, MD, scientific director of the cardiac xenotransplantation program at UMSOM, performed the historic procedure. #pigheart

Surgeons make history again, transplant pig heart into human patient for second time ever

That same team that transplanted a pig heart into a human patient for the very first time in 2022 has now done it again. The patient is currently recovering from the procedure, which occurred on Sept. 20. 

September 25, 2023

Long-term cannabis use may not increase heart attack risk, new study finds—but many questions remain

Access to cannabis is skyrocketing across the United States, but much more research is still needed on its long-term side effects. 

September 18, 2023

Low-cost generic programs offer CVD medications at affordable prices—but availability changes from one to the next

Programs managed by H-E-B, Kroger, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company and Walmart appear to offer the most options for CVD patients. When it comes to AFib and heart failure, however, researchers believe the choices could be improved. 

September 14, 2023
doctor with overweight patient who may be treated with TAVR or surgery

American College of Cardiology targets preventable heart disease with new screening campaign

The ACC has joined forces with Amgen and Esperion Therapeutics to increase LDL screening in patients with and without a history of cardiovascular issues.

September 12, 2023
doctor with overweight patient who may be treated with TAVR or surgery

Deaths from obesity-related CVD have skyrocketed in US, especially among Black adults

According to a new analysis of more than 280,000 deaths, the number of obesity-related cardiovascular deaths in the United States tripled from 1999 to 2020. 

September 6, 2023
Product Recall

FDA shares update on heart devices linked to multiple recalls and patient deaths

The devices, designed to provide temporary support to a patient's left ventricle, have been associated with a long list of issues in recent months. 

September 1, 2023
VIDEO of Prof. Steen Kristensen explaining key trials and news from ESC 2023. #ESC #ESCcongress #ESC2023 ESCcongress2023

Key takeaways from ESC Congress 2023

Steen Dalby Kristensen, a cardiologist with Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, detailed some of the hottest topics at the European Society of Cardiology's annual meeting. 

August 31, 2023
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Deferred testing for low-risk chest pain patients is safe, limits unnecessary catheterizations

Once physicians confirm a patient's CAD risk is low, they can feel comfortable putting diagnostic testing on hold. 

August 25, 2023