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.

heart patient stretching at home

Morning exercise may have added benefits for the heart

With exercise, does timing really matter? According to one new study, working out early in the day was linked to a lower risk of heart disease and healthier blood pressure levels than working out at any other point in the day.

A single injection of saNppa lipid nanoparticles enables self-amplification and high-yield pro-ANP production for more than 28 days. Circulating pro-ANP is selectively cleaved by the cardiac protease corin into active ANP, activating NPR1/cGMP signaling in the heart. Image courtesy of Science, Kaiyue Zhang et al. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adu9394

Single injection could help heal heart attack damage

Amplifying the body’s natural release of a specific hormone may reduce stress on the heart and limit long‑term damage after myocardial infarctions.  

Heart failure hospitalizations after PCI: a warning sign of ‘exceptionally high risk’

Nonfatal adverse events after PCI are associated with an increased risk of two-year mortality. That risk is especially high, it seems, when patients are hospitalized for heart failure symptoms such as shortness of breath and edema. 

heart patient

A ‘disquieting plateau’: Healthcare costs are up, but survival among heart patients stays the same

The cardiovascular mortality rate in the United States decreased dramatically from 2000 to 2011. Since then, however, it has remained relatively unchanged.

Shockwave Medical IVL

Shockwave Medical’s new coronary IVL catheter, now twice as fast, impresses after 30 days

The new-look device was designed to deliver 10 pulses to severely calcified coronary lesions in five seconds. Early data linked the catheter with positive 30-day safety and effectiveness outcomes.

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High-sensitivity troponin protocol most successful at freestanding EDs

Freestanding EDs demonstrated meaningful operational advantages over hospitals when using an accelerated troponin pathway. This included earlier discharges for low-risk chest pain patients.

GLP-1 drugs and healthy habits work together to boost heart health, Harvard study confirms

When patients on GLP-1 therapy also make healthy lifestyle choices—getting enough sleep and exercising, for example—the benefits are significantly greater. 

Image of the A-FLUX Reducer System for chest pain by VahatiCor

New heart device for ‘no-option’ chest pain patients shows early potential

The self-expanding, recapturable coronary sinus reducer was associated with a safe implant procedure and "promising" outcomes after six months. Additional research is already underway.