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.

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Study links marijuana to increased death risk among young MI sufferers

About 10 percent of people who suffer a type 1 myocardial infarction (MI) at age 50 or younger use cocaine or marijuana, according to a new study, and these individuals showed double the risk of cardiovascular or all-cause death over extended follow-up.

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South Asians at increased risk for ASCVD than European ancestry counterparts

South Asians are more likely to die of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) than East Asians or people of European ancestry, according to a new scientific statement published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation on May 24.

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Depression screening crucial for patients with CAD to control mortality, morbidity

New research from Florida State University suggests depression screening in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is especially crucial, because those individuals tend to have higher rates of morbidity and mortality.

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Experts: Inflammation key to atherosclerosis—but more drug testing needed

Therapies targeting cholesterol and inflammation have both shown the ability to reduce cardiovascular events among patients with atherosclerosis, but more evidence is needed before anti-inflammatory drugs gain widespread use similar to statins, according to a consensus statement published May 14 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

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Industry leaders recommend collaboration with OB/GYNs for heart health

Annual well woman exams, traditionally performed by an OB/GYN, provide a “golden opportunity” for women to get their heart health evaluated, according to a new joint advisory issued by the head officials of the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

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Reducing care variability also shrinks gender gap in STEMI outcomes

A four-step protocol designed to improve care for all patients who experience ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) also reduced gender-specific disparities in suboptimal care and clinical outcomes, Cleveland Clinic researchers reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Procella Therapeutics and Smartwise Enter Collaboration With AstraZeneca to Develop Novel Cardiovascular and Catheter-based Therapies

STOCKHOLM, May 7, 2018 — In patients who have suffered from a heart attack, a large portion of heart cells die, which may cause heart failure and significant mortality and morbidity. The aim of the collaboration with the global biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca is to develop new ways of regenerating parts of the heart muscle that have been damaged by a heart attack, using Procella Therapeutics' stem cell technology, as well as novel catheter injection methods, using Smartwise's Extroducer catheter.

Movie director says marijuana helped him survive heart attack—but evidence doesn't back him up

Kevin Smith, a director known for movies such as “Clerks” and “Chasing Amy,” suffered a massive heart attack in February. Now, months after undergoing emergency surgery to treat 100 percent blockage in his left anterior descending artery, Smith has said marijuana might have helped him survive the ordeal.