Stroke

Cardiovascular departments are playing a role in stroke interventions at numerous health systems, working as part of the stroke care team with neurologists, radiology and the emergency department. Stroke first has be be classified as ischemic or hemorrhagic. These have very different care pathways. Ischemic strokes are increasingly being treated with neurological-interventional therapy that includes catheter based mechanical thrombectomy to remove the clot. This is a more aggressive treatment compared to traditional IV administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) thrombolytic therapy to dissolve the clot. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and  intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) brain bleeds can also be treated in some cases stent flow diverters and embolization coils. 

orforglipron Foundayo Eli Lilly

Weight loss pill linked to reduced risk of heart attack or stroke after FDA requested more data

The FDA asked, and Eli Lilly and Company delivered. The company now hopes to secure an additional approval for orforglipron/Foundayo that covers the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

overweight patient seeking health advice

FDA links weight loss pill to ‘unexpected’ cardiovascular risks

The once-daily pill received FDA approval on April 1. However, the agency has requested additional data on multiple potential side effects. 

Heart cardiologists doctors surgery

PFA associated with heightened stroke risk

PFA is still quite safe overall. However, new data out of EHRA 2026 suggest cardiologists have much to learn about minimizing risk during treatment. 

Adam Greenbaum, MD, presents late-breaking data at ACC.26.

New stroke prevention device for TAVR holds its own in head-to-head battle with Sentinel

A new embolic protection device from Emboline was noninferior to the FDA-approved Sentinel device in terms of safety and efficacy. In addition, it captured much more TAVR-generated debris and was linked to an improved technical success rate. 

XCath Robotics, a Houston-based medical robotics company, announced the successful completion of the world’s first telerobotic stroke operation of its kind. Neurosurgeon Vitor Mendes Pereira, MD, chair of advanced neurovascular interventions at the University of Toronto, used the XCath Iris Surgical Robotic System to perform the historic procedure.

World’s first telerobotic neurosurgery performed on stroke patient 120 miles away

Neurosurgeon Vitor Mendes Pereira, MD, was in Santiago, Panama, but his patient was in Panama City. "It is the highlight of my career to be involved in this historic achievement," Pereira said.

intrasaccular flow disruptor coronary aneurysm

Cardiologists use endovascular device for brain aneurysms to treat high-risk heart patients

A multidisciplinary research team has found a new use for a reliable medical device. Multiple heart patients have already benefited for the group’s outside-the-box thinking.

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Early use of tirzepatide after heart attack or stroke linked to key cardiovascular benefits

When patients without diabetes land in the hospital after a heart attack or stroke, early treatment with tirzepatide may prove beneficial. 

acute kidney injury after TAVR

Acute kidney injury after TAVR: Key risk factors every cardiologist should know

Multiple studies have linked acute kidney injury after TAVR to a heightened risk of short- and long-term mortality.