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.

A paradox at work: Obese patients experience best ACS outcomes

Underweight patients, meanwhile, had the highest mortality rates following hospitalization for ACS.

October 20, 2020

Why metoprolol should be the beta-blocker of choice for heart attack patients

While metoprolol was linked with limiting infarct size, two other beta-blockers—atenolol and propranolol—were not associated with such improvements.

October 9, 2020

Women receive less aggressive care, and are more likely to die, after heart attack-related cardiogenic shock

Overall, researchers found, women were less likely to undergo coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention and mechanical circulatory support than men.

September 29, 2020

A return to normalcy: Resuming sexual activity soon after a heart attack boosts survival

The study tracked nearly 500 patients for more than two decades.

September 23, 2020

Repeat heart attacks are down in the United States, especially among women

Recurrent coronary heart disease is also on the decline, according to a new analysis published in Circulation.

September 21, 2020

FDA fast-tracks empagliflozin for improving patient outcomes following a heart attack

The designation covers patients with and without diabetes.

September 15, 2020

How to predict a CVD patient’s risk of total, colorectal and lung cancer

The analysis was presented at ESC Congress 2020 and published in JACC: CardioOncology.

August 28, 2020

What new research out of Korea tells us about NSAID use and heart attacks

The authors tracked more than 108,000 patients who suffered their first heart attack between 2009 and 2013.

July 27, 2020

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