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 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) priority review, the FDA has cleared the Agepha Pharma USA LLC's drug Lodoco (colchicine) as the first anti-inflammatory atheroprotective cardiovascular treatment.

FDA approves colchicine, the first anti-inflammatory drug for treating cardiovascular disease

The FDA's approval of colchicine, which is marketed and sold under the name Lodoco, is expected to have a big impact on cardiac care and outcomes.

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Bitterroot Bio, a new biotech company launched by physicians and industry veterans, raises $145M

The new company formed in 2021, but waited until now to publicly launch. Its founders included two Stanford University physicians.

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FDA announces recall of certain Impella heart pumps after 3 patient injuries, nearly 200 complaints

The FDA has labeled this as a Class I recall, which means using these devices can lead to significant injuries, including death.

Regularly eating avocados is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a new study.

Plant-based diets—both vegetarian and vegan—linked to lower cholesterol levels, reduced risk of blocked arteries

A new systematic review and meta-analysis of 30 RCTs highlighted numerous benefits associated with vegetarian and vegan diets. Combining a plant-based diet with statin therapy, one researcher noted, could result "in an even larger beneficial effect.”

Imaging results more helpful than genetics when predicting heart disease, new head-to-head study confirms

The new analysis, published in JAMA, suggests that CT results can help identify medium- and high-risk patients who may need to be considered for statin therapy or other preventive treatments.

WHO warns against use of artificial sweeteners, highlighting CVD and diabetes risks

The World Health Organization has published a new guideline recommending against the use of artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose to lose weight or reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases.

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How improving access to PCI affects heart attack outcomes

When PCI-capable hospitals open and close, how does it impact patient care for the surrounding area? Researchers aimed to find out, sharing their findings in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

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Avertix Medical, known for its implantable heart attack detection devices, to go public with initial value of $195M

The healthcare technology company, previously known as Angel Medical Systems, is merging with BIOS Acquisition Corporation to form a new publicly traded company.