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.

Women of all ages face rising risks of heart disease and stroke—but cardiologists see a path forward
Cardiovascular disease is already the No. 1 killer among women—and new projections from the American Heart Association suggest things are going to get much worse. There are certain things that clinicians and patients can do, however, to help reverse this trend and save countless lives.
Death after PCI seen in just 0.5% of patients—heart attack, cardiac arrest most common causes
The new analysis included data from more than 22,000 PCI patients treated at one of two high-volume U.S. facilities. Infection was the most common noncardiac cause of death.
CCTA delivers value, even when treating low-risk patients with no history of CAD
Total plaque volume and total plaque burden can help find patients who may be closer to suffering a heart attack than they realize.
Ultrathin iron bioresorbable scaffold shows promise in first randomized trial
An investigational device could help interventional cardiologists avoid the limitations of drug-eluting stents, according to a new analysis published in JACC.
Interventional cardiologists take on angiography-derived physiology in new expert opinion
ADP offers care teams multiple benefits not seen with traditional wire-based physiologic assessments. A roundtable of 17 expert clinicians discussed the topic at length, and their findings were used to develop a new manuscript published in JSCAI.

New recommendations highlight the importance of CCTA when treating acute chest pain in the ED

The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography developed and published the new document to help educate healthcare providers who regularly treat acute chest pain in the emergency department.

Impella Heart Pump Abiomed RECOVER IV RCT cardiogenic shock

Impella heart pumps boost survival up to 81% for cardiogenic shock patients

The heart pumps appear to provide significant benefits for patients with acute myocardial infarction- or myocarditis-related cardiogenic shock.

Drinking coffee linked to a much lower risk of heart disease, death

"Our findings indicate that drinking modest amounts of coffee of all types should not be discouraged but can be enjoyed as a heart-healthy behavior," said a cardiologist involved in the study.

Cardiac CT comparable to invasive angiography when assessing stable chest pain, new meta-analysis confirms

Researchers examined data from nearly 5,400 patients, tracking such outcomes as myocardial infarction, stroke and all-cause mortality.

Is CBD safe for patients with heart disease?

CBD is generally viewed as a safe, well-tolerated treatment option, but there is still limited research on how it interacts with other medications commonly prescribed by cardiologists.

artificial sweetener sweet sugar aspartame diet healthy CVD heart attack stroke

Aspartame, other artificial sweeteners linked to significant heart problems

These findings, researchers wrote, suggest that artificial sweeteners "should not be considered a healthy and safe alternative to sugar."

A TAVR procedure being performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. These structural heart procedures require a team approach.

TAVR patients with CAD face a greater risk of death—is PCI the answer?

All-cause mortality after five years is much more likely if a TAVR patient presents with CAD, according to a new analysis published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Religion and spirituality linked to better heart health among Black Americans

“Religiosity and spirituality may serve as buffers to stress and have therapeutic effects," according to one Mayo Clinic cardiologist involved in the study.

Acute Coronary Syndromes

Women of all ages face rising risks of heart disease and stroke—but cardiologists see a path forward

Death after PCI seen in just 0.5% of patients—heart attack, cardiac arrest most common causes

CCTA delivers value, even when treating low-risk patients with no history of CAD

Ultrathin iron bioresorbable scaffold shows promise in first randomized trial

Interventional cardiologists take on angiography-derived physiology in new expert opinion