Vascular & Endovascular

This channel includes news on non-coronary vascular disease and therapies. These include peripheral artery disease (PAD), abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysm (AAA and TAA), aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism (PE), critical limb ischemia (CLI), carotid artery and stroke interventions, venous interventions, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and interventional radiology therapies. The focus on most of these therapies is minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures performed in a cath lab.

‘Fundamental for all patients’: Exploring the benefits of palliative care for stroke survivors
Approximately 800,000 strokes occur each year in the United States alone. A majority of people survive, due in part to key advances in patient care over the years, but they often go forward without receiving the long-term help they need to recover and thrive.
Advancing AI for vascular surgery will require a commitment to data integrity
For artificial intelligence to truly transform care, the healthcare industry must address certain challenges. Jens Eldrup-Jorgensen, MD, a veteran vascular surgeon and member of the Society for Vascular Surgery, explains in a guest editorial.
Industry concerns over paclitaxel-coated devices may have put PAD patients at risk
Back in 2019, the FDA issued a warning about the use of paclitaxel-coated devices when treating peripheral artery disease. The agency took back that warning in 2023, but it appears to have made a significant impact on patient care.
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.
Clopidogrel vs. aspirin: Tracking the chronic maintenance period after PCI for different risk groups
As more high-risk patients undergo PCI, what is the best antiplatelet strategy following an initial event-free period of DAPT? Does it change after complex PCI? Researchers aimed to answer these questions, and many others, with new findings published in JAMA Cardiology.

Drug-coated balloons as effective as permanent stents for unblocking small arteries

Late-breaking results of a trial presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)’s 2018 meeting in Munich suggest a removable balloon is as effective as a permanent stent in unblocking small arteries.

August 31, 2018

‘We need to take action’: Study finds even low exposure to heavy metals increases risk for CVD

Environmental metals like arsenic, copper, cadmium and mercury could be contributing factors to cardiovascular disease—even at low levels of exposure and in developed countries, Cambridge researchers reported in the BMJ Aug. 29.

August 30, 2018

Middle-aged stroke survivors less likely to skip prescribed meds under ACA

More middle-aged stroke survivors are able to afford their preventive medications under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), meaning fewer patients are at an increased risk for cardiovascular conditions like hypertension and diabetes, Reuters reported this week.

August 28, 2018

Rivaroxaban fails to prevent VTE after hospital discharge

For patients hospitalized with an acute illness, prescribing rivaroxaban for 45 days after discharge doesn’t significantly reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) or VTE-related death, according to research presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress and published online in the New England Journal of Medicine.

August 27, 2018

Smoking rates have been falling across the board—except for children under 15

Smoking rates have been dropping steadily in Europe since the 1970s, but, according to new research published in PLOS ONE, 11- to 15-year-olds are using tobacco more frequently.

August 24, 2018

AHA pledges $6.5M to overhaul Nebraska’s stroke response system

The American Heart Association (AHA) and American Stroke Association this week pledged $6.5 million to a three-year initiative to improve Nebraska’s stroke response system, the Omaha World-Herald has reported.

August 23, 2018

Just 10 minutes of sitting is enough to impair microvascular function

New research published this month in Experimental Physiology suggests just 10 minutes of sitting or lying down could be enough to impair blood vessel function in the lower legs, but simple movements and foot exercises can work against that strain to restimulate blood flow and circumvent any deleterious effects.

August 23, 2018

Heart health at all ages linked to brain function

Two studies published Aug. 21 in JAMA highlighted the link between heart and brain health. One found older individuals who met fewer metrics for ideal cardiovascular health had an increased risk of dementia, while the other showed that younger adults who didn’t achieve similar standards already had decreased cerebral blood flow and more white matter lesions.

August 23, 2018

Vascular & Endovascular

‘Fundamental for all patients’: Exploring the benefits of palliative care for stroke survivors

Advancing AI for vascular surgery will require a commitment to data integrity

Industry concerns over paclitaxel-coated devices may have put PAD patients at risk

Genetic predisposition to depression increases CVD risk in women, but not men

Clopidogrel vs. aspirin: Tracking the chronic maintenance period after PCI for different risk groups