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.

FDA approves first new clot-dissolving drug for ischemic stroke in decades
Tenecteplase is a tissue plasminogen activator given to patients through a single five-second intravenous bolus. It is only the second drug of its kind to gain FDA approval, and the first in many years.
Cardiologists recommend complete revascularization, intravascular imaging in new ACS guidelines
The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association published the new guidelines with assistance from other leading U.S. medical societies.
Why cardiac CT adoption remains low among primary care providers
The rapid rise of CCTA represents one of cardiology’s biggest ongoing trends, but most primary care providers are still not embracing a CT-first strategy.
Medtronic enrolls first patient in new coronary DCB trial—data could lead to FDA approval
The paclitaxel-coated device, already approved in Europe and other parts of the world, will be tested on more than 1,200 patients for a new international trial. If the study is a success, Medtronic hopes to gain regulatory approval in the United States and Japan.
AI leader Heartflow enters new era focused on delivering personalized care for CAD patients
The company's AI-powered CCTA assessments have already been used to help manage more than 400,000 heart patients around the world.

Fish oil supplements lower the risk of heart disease—but only for patients with the right genetic makeup

“What we found is that fish oil supplementation is not good for everyone," one researcher explained. "It depends on your genotype.”

A key discovery: Researchers make history, identify new details about the beating heart

Researchers believe they have broken new ground that could make a significant impact on the treatment of genetic heart disease.

Heart attacks more likely to be missed in women than men

When treating female patients, researchers explained, physicians are less likely to think there is potential for a heart attack.

Women consistently experience longer delays in care, worse outcomes following a life-threatening heart attack

The new meta-analysis included data from 56 different studies, covering patients from 30 countries.

Battle of the beta-blockers: Should doctors prescribe metoprolol or carvedilol after a heart attack?

Researchers explored data from more than 5,000 patients who were prescribed one of the two beta-blockers following an acute myocardial infarction.

Living an active lifestyle reduces chances of dying immediately after a heart attack

The study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, included data from more than 28,000 patients.

Higher hospitalization rates for chest pain do not lead to better outcomes

Chest pain is one of the most common reasons adults in the United States visit the emergency department, leading to more than 7 million patient encounters each year.

When perception is reality: Readmission rates higher among CVD patients who think they’ll be back

A new study in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes examines trends in readmission rates among CVD patients.

Acute Coronary Syndromes

FDA approves first new clot-dissolving drug for ischemic stroke in decades

Cardiologists recommend complete revascularization, intravascular imaging in new ACS guidelines

Why cardiac CT adoption remains low among primary care providers

Medtronic enrolls first patient in new coronary DCB trial—data could lead to FDA approval

AI leader Heartflow enters new era focused on delivering personalized care for CAD patients