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.

Cardiology, radiology specialists debate CCTA’s rise as a go-to imaging modality for CAD
CCTA is being utilized more and more for the diagnosis and management of suspected coronary artery disease. An international group of specialists shared their perspective on this ongoing trend.
FDA clears credit card-sized heart monitor
The new device was designed to help patients evaluate their own heart health in real time.
TAVR/PCI bests SAVR/CABG when treating severe AS and complex CAD
Percutaneous treatment was linked to improved survival and fewer adverse events than surgery when patients presented with both symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and complex coronary artery disease.
More vulnerable, but still treatable: Frail heart patients benefit from PCI, CABG
High-risk patients are often treated with medical therapy alone instead of revascularization. However, new data make it clear that these patients can live much longer when treated with PCI or CABG.
Genetic predisposition to depression increases CVD risk in women, but not men
The heightened risks were even seen in women who were never diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. It remains unclear why the same trend was not seen in men.

Premature heart attack deaths more common among Black, male and rural patients

Researchers tracked data from more than 600,000 patient deaths in the United States, sharing their findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

December 22, 2021

FDA announces Class I recall of intra-aortic balloon pumps after 1 death, 71 complaints

The recall includes more than 4,000 devices distributed over the last several years.

December 16, 2021

Predicting when T2D patients may experience a cardiovascular event

The group's prediction model performed well, though some modifications are still needed before it is ready for prime time.

December 2, 2021

STEMI mortality is on the decline, but certain patients still face an above-average risk

Researchers analyzed CDC data from more than 3.6 million STEMI-related deaths.

November 30, 2021

Mental stress–induced myocardial ischemia elevates risk of CV events

The study's authors wrote that additional research is warranted to assess whether testing for mental stress–induced ischemia provides value.

November 11, 2021

FDA announces Class I recall of battery packs for intra-aortic balloon pumps

According to multiple customer complaints, the battery packs are failing before they should. This creates the potential for significant complications, including death.

November 2, 2021

ACC, AHA release long-awaited chest pain guidelines

The new guidelines stress the importance of more complete chest pain evaluations, patient communication and shared decision-making.

October 28, 2021

Researchers, take note: Nonfatal MI not a surrogate for all-cause or cardiovascular mortality

The new study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, examined data from 144 different randomized clinical trials.

October 26, 2021

Acute Coronary Syndromes

Cardiology, radiology specialists debate CCTA’s rise as a go-to imaging modality for CAD

FDA clears credit card-sized heart monitor

TAVR/PCI bests SAVR/CABG when treating severe AS and complex CAD

More vulnerable, but still treatable: Frail heart patients benefit from PCI, CABG

Genetic predisposition to depression increases CVD risk in women, but not men