American Heart Association reports Genetic Test may improve Post-Stent Treatment, Outcome
May 11, 2018
American Heart Association
Dallas, TX – Using genetic testing to inform which blood thinner to use following a procedure to open narrowed blood vessels resulted in significantly fewer complications among patients, according to new research in Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine, an American Heart Association journal.
In the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death, and stroke is the fifth-leading cause. A major contributor to these cardiovascular diseases is clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis), which result from the buildup of fatty deposits or plaque.
A test for specific genetic mutations successfully informed blood-thinner treatment selection following stent placement to open clogged blood vessels, leading to significantly fewer complications. (American Heart Association)
American Heart Association says Quality of Stent Procedures consistently good across U.S. regardless of popular Hospital Ranking
November 18, 2017
American Heart Association Meeting Report Poster Presentation S2003
Anaheim, CA – Hospitals ranked among the best in cardiology and heart surgery by U.S. News and World Report appear no better at performing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a potentially life-saving heart procedure, than unranked hospitals, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2017, a premier global exchange of the latest advances in cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians.
Patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or angioplasty, for blocked or narrowed arteries appear to fare equally well at hospitals ranked among the best in heart care by U.S. News and World Report and at unranked hospitals. (American Heart Association)
Sleep disorders may predict heart events after angioplasty
June 17, 2016
American Heart Association Rapid Access Journal Report
Dallas, TX – People who have had percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also known as angioplasty, for acute coronary syndrome could be at higher risk of death, heart failure, heart attack and stroke if they have sleep-disordered breathing, such as sleep apnea, according to new research in Journal of the American Heart Association, the Open Access Journal of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
Acute coronary syndrome, is an umbrella term for conditions in which the blood supplied to the heart is suddenly blocked.
Sleeping woman. (American Heart Association)
American Heart Association says new reversible drug shows early promise in preventing dangerous Clots
December 22, 2015
American Heart Association Rapid Access Journal Report
Dallas, TX – A new drug that protects against dangerous blood clots in patients undergoing procedures such as angioplasty to restore blood flow through the coronary arteries, appears safe, fast, and the effects are uniquely reversible, according to early testing described in the American Heart Association journal: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.
Antiplatelet drugs currently available to patients carry an increased risk of bleeding.
A uniquely acting antiplatelet agent, PZ-128, appears to be safe and fast for preventing blood clots and its effects are reversible, reducing risk for excessive bleeding. (American Heart Association)
How Old is your Heart and Who can you Trust to Fix It?
August 2, 2011
Consumer Reports Health investigation finds rush to Overtest and Overtreat; Disturbing Overuse of Angioplasty
Yonkers, NY – An investigation by Consumer Reports Health reveals that the practice of healing hearts has become a money-making machine that too often favors profits over science. The report shines a light on excessive testing and overtreatment, taking special note of the overuse of angioplasty.
To help consumers make informed decisions about their cardiac care, Consumer Reports Health is providing several consumer tools including Ratings for 323 surgical groups that perform heart bypass surgery in the U.S., Ratings for heart screenings, and a heart-risk calculator. [Read more]
