Cardiovascular Week articles from February 2009

Cardiovascular Week archives from February 2009

Seasonal variation in blood pressure.
February 2, 2009... A French study reported in the 12th January issue of Archives of Internal Medicine has found a strong correlation between blood pressure and outdoor temperature in a large sample of the elderly.(1) As a result, the investigators advise that,...

Abnormal heart function associated with reduced capacity for exercise.
February 2, 2009... Patients with abnormal diastolic function (when the heart is relaxed and expanded) in the left ventricle of the heart have a substantially lower maximum capacity for exercise, according to a study in the January 21 issue of JAMA (see also JAMA...

Studies from D. Traul and co-researchers update current data on abdominal aortic aneurysm.
February 2, 2009... Researchers in the United States conducted a study "To demonstrate that results similar to high-volume academic centers can be achieved in the community setting when treating abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) using endovascular techniques, given...

Research from G.J. Deborst and co-researchers in the area of angiology published.
February 2, 2009... In this recent article published in the Journal of Endovascular Therapy, scientists in Netherlands conducted a study "To evaluate if there are any differences in duplex ultrasound velocity measurements between native and stented carotid...

Researchers at University of Sydney have published new data on angiology.(Report)
February 2, 2009... "The assessment of arterial baroreflex function in cardiovascular diseases requires quantitative evaluation of dynamic and static baroreflex properties because of the frequent modulation of baroreflex properties with unstable hemodynamics,"...

Findings from H.F. Harrison et al in hemochromatosis reported.
February 2, 2009... "The purpose of this study was to assess the level of satisfaction and understanding of test results, by a sample of non-C282Y homozygous participants in the hemochromatosis and iron overload screening (HEIRS) study, who received serum ferritin...

New cardiology study findings have been reported by researchers at University of Bern.
February 2, 2009... According to recent research from Bern, Switzerland, "Acute ischemic stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in industrialized nations. The sequel of stroke ranges from mild to severe disability and even death." "Since the...

Research from Tulane University in the area of cardiology published.
February 2, 2009... According to a study from the United States, "The cardiac neural crest (cNC) lineage plays key roles in heart development by directly contributing to heart structures and regulating development of other heart lineages. The basic...

Research on cardiology discussed by scientists at University of Bristol.
February 2, 2009... According to a study from Bristol, the United Kingdom, "Spontaneous Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) appears to play an important role in cardiac sinoatrial node pacemaking. However, comparatively little is known about the role...

Studies from Y.N. Fan et al add new findings in the area of cardiology.
February 2, 2009... According to a study from Beijing, People's Republic of China, "Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFATc4) has been implicated as a critical regulator of the cardiac development and hypertrophy. However, the mechanisms for regulating NFATc4...

Study results from M. Tamamoriadachi and colleagues in the area of cardiology published.
February 2, 2009... According to recent research from Tokyo, Japan, "Cardiomyocytes withdraw from cell cycle after terminal differentiation due in part to impaired nuclear import of cyclin D1. Thus, we have previously shown that expression of nuclear localization...

Research from H.C. Mcgill and co-researchers provides new data on cardiovascular medicine.
February 2, 2009... "Atherosclerosis begins in childhood with fatty streaks, which progress seamlessly to fibrous plaques in adulthood. These plaques, in turn, might rupture and cause thrombotic arterial occlusion and ischemic damage to vital organs," scientists...

New defibrillators study findings have been reported by scientists at Harvard University.(Report)
February 2, 2009... "Recent studies have reported a possible increased risk of delayed perforation with the St. Jude Riata defibrillator lead," scientists writing in the journal Heart Rhythm report (see also Defibrillators). "The purpose of this study was to...

New glycogen storage disease study findings recently were published by researchers at National Institutes of Health.
February 2, 2009... According to a study from the United States, "The role of autophagy, a catabolic lysosome-dependent pathway, has recently been recognized in a variety of disorders, including Pompe disease, the genetic deficiency of the glycogen-degrading...

CryoLife, Inc. Receives Tissue From 100,000th Donor, Marking Industry Milestone.
February 2, 2009... CryoLife, Inc. (NYSE:CRY), announced that it achieved an industry milestone when it received tissue from its 100,000th individual donor. The tissue, received January 14, 2009 came from a Kansas-based organ and tissue procurement organization...

Observe American Heart Month With an Innovative Way to Walk at Work.
February 2, 2009... With American Heart Month on tap for February, now is a great time for employers to encourage healthy heart habits, namely exercise (see also Details, a Steelcase company). Research indicates that moderate exercise 30 minutes per day can...

Mayo Clinic Announces Sharing Mayo Clinic Blog for Patients, Employees.
February 2, 2009... Mayo Clinic announced the launch of its culture blog, Sharing Mayo Clinic, (http://sharing.mayoclinic.org/), which provides an online site for patients and employees to share their stories about what makes Mayo Clinic unique (see also Mayo...

First comprehensive paper on statins' adverse effects released.
February 9, 2009... A paper co-authored by Beatrice Golomb, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and director of UC San Diego's Statin Study group cites nearly 900 studies on the adverse effects of...

Findings from L. Wales and co-authors broaden understanding of abdominal aortic aneurysm.(Clinical report)
February 9, 2009... Researchers in London, the United Kingdom conducted a study "To compare aneurysm morphology, initial outcomes and mid-term results in patients receiving Talent or Zenith grafts for elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVR). Over a 6-year time...

Studies from O. Goitein and co-researchers update current data on acute myocarditis.
February 9, 2009... According to recent research from Tel Aviv, Israel, "The diagnosis of acute myocarditis is challenging. Nonspecific clinical presentation and an overlap with the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction present a diagnostic dilemma." "The...

Research from G. Fein and colleagues provide new insights into alcoholism.
February 9, 2009... "The harmful effects of alcohol dependence on brain structure and function have been well documented, with many resolving with sufficient abstinence. White matter signal hyperintensities (WMSH) are thought to most likely be consequences...

New aneurysm study results reported from G. Lacanna et al.
February 9, 2009... In this recent study, researchers in Milan, Italy conducted a study "To identify functional aortic regurgitation (FAR) determinants in patients with ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (ATAA) and surgically confirmed normal aortic valve anatomy....

Findings from H. Purerfellner and co-authors broaden understanding of atrial fibrillation.(Clinical report)
February 9, 2009... According to recent research from Linz, Austria, "Two independent studies have revealed a potential limitation of post-mode switch overdrive pacing (PMOP), which is its delayed start. We conducted a prospective, randomized, single blind,...

Research on Marfan syndrome detailed by H. Dutau and co-authors.
February 9, 2009... According to recent research from Marseille, France, "A 43-year-old man was referred to our institution with severe extrinsic compression of the trachea at the level of the main carina secondary to an aortic aneurysm, causing respiratory...

New tachycardia study results reported from A. Desisti et al.
February 9, 2009... " The study aimed at evaluating the long-term effects of transient atrioventricular ( AV) block on clinical outcomes during atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT) cryoablation. Methods and results In 150 consecutive patients (39...

Reports from Vrije University Amsterdam describe recent advances in ventricular fibrillation.
February 9, 2009... "Coronary artery spasm has been known to induce ischaemia and ventricular arrhythmias," scientists in Netherlands report (see also Ventricular Fibrillation). "We present a case of recurrent ventricular fibrillation caused by...

Findings from U. Jandt and co-authors provide new insights into angiography.(Report)
February 9, 2009... "Rotational coronary angiography provides a multitude of x-ray projections of the contrast agent enhanced coronary arteries along a given trajectory with parallel ECG recording. These data can be used to derive motion information of the...

Findings from Ruhr University provide new insights into cardiology.
February 9, 2009... According to recent research from Bad Oeynhausen, Germany, "It is Just as vital to have an exact overview of the physical fitness of young and growing people as it is for adults. The currently used exercise protocols have limitations in healthy...

New cardiology data have been reported by researchers at University of California.
February 9, 2009... "Cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C) is an accessory protein of striated muscle sarcomeres that is vital for maintaining regular heart function," researchers in the United States report (see also Cardiology). "Its 4 N-terminal...

New findings from Children's Heart Center describe advances in cardiology.
February 9, 2009... "The literature has scant documentation of the relationship between the important founders of paediatric cardiology, Maude Abbott and Helen Taussig," scientists in the United States report (see also Cardiology). "Recently discovered...

Reports by S. Chowdhary and co-researchers describe recent advances in cardiology.
February 9, 2009... " Benchmarking the performance of providers is an increasing priority in many health care economies. In-hospital mortality represents an important and uniformly assessed measure on which to examine the outcome of percutaneous coronary...

Reports summarize cardiology study results from Washington University.
February 9, 2009... " Treadmill exercise testing provides prognostic and clinical information that is not available for patients with lower extremity disabilities who undergo pharmacologic stress tests. We sought to determine whether arm ergometer (AXT) exercise...

Research conducted at Johns Hopkins University has updated our knowledge about cardiology.
February 9, 2009... According to recent research from the United States, "Nitroxyl (HNO) donated by Angeli's salt activates uptake of Ca2+ by the cardiac SR Ca2+ pump (SERCA2a)." "To determine whether HNO achieves this by a direct interaction with SERCA2a or...

University of North Carolina reports research in cardiology.(Report)
February 9, 2009... According to recent research published in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism, "The purpose of this study was to determine if ethanol prevents the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening via glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta...

Research data from Cardiff University update understanding of cardiology.
February 9, 2009... A report, 'Perturbing plasma membrane hemichannels attenuates calcium signalling in cardiac cells and HeLa cells expressing connexins,' is newly published data in European Journal of Cell Biology. According to recent research from Wales, "Many...

Fitch Affirms Forrest County General Hospital Mississippi Bonds at 'A'; Outlook Stable.
February 9, 2009... Fitch Ratings affirms the underlying 'A' rating on the outstanding Mississippi Hospital Equipment and Facilities Authority's series 2007A and series 2000 bonds issued for the benefit of Forrest County General Hospital (FCGH). The Rating Outlook...

South Africa Cardiovascular Devices Investment Opportunities, Analysis and Forecasts to 2012.
February 9, 2009... Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/fab2ec/south_africa_cardi) has announced the addition of Global Markets Direct's new report "South Africa Cardiovascular Devices Investment Opportunities, Analysis and Forecasts...

Microcoils help locate small lung nodules.
February 16, 2009... A new technique combining computed tomography (CT) with fiber-coated surgical microcoils allows physicians to successfully locate and remove small lung nodules without the need for a more invasive procedure, according to a new study published...

New abdominal aortic aneurysm findings from University of London, Imperial College described.
February 16, 2009... According to recent research from London, the United Kingdom, "The UK Small Aneurysm Trial (UKSAT) and the American Aneurysm Detection and Management (ADAM) trial both concluded that early elective open surgery does not confer any late survival...

Reports on abdominal aortic aneurysm findings from M. Vantveer and co-researchers provide new insights.(Report)
February 16, 2009... "Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) arc at risk of rupture when the internal load (blood pressure) exceeds the aneurysm wall strength. Generally, the maximal diameter of the aneurysm is used as 1 predictor of rupture; however, biomechanical...

Research from University of Leicester in the area of abdominal aortic aneurysm described.(Report)
February 16, 2009... According to a study from Leicester, the United Kingdom, "Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are characterised by chronic transmural inflammation. This study investigated the expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant...

Studies from Groningen University provide new data on abdominal aortic aneurysm.
February 16, 2009... According to a study from Netherlands, "The study defined the selection criteria used for treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (RAAAs) and reviewed results during a 5-year period. From 2002 on, our tertiary referral center adopted a...

New aortic aneurysms study findings have been reported from University of Virginia.
February 16, 2009... According to a study from the United States, "Risk for both intracranial aneurysms (IAs) and aortic aneurysms (AAs) is thought to be heritable with mounting evidence for genetic predisposition. The concept of shared risk for these conditions is...

Researchers from Oklahoma State University publish new studies and findings in the area of diarrhea.(Report)
February 16, 2009... "Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection in goats can result in severe reproductive losses, with abortion rates reaching 80%. Infection with BVDV in aborted goat fetuses and stillborn kids can result in placentitis, encephalitis,...

Research from E. Razi and co-authors provides new data about pulmonary edema.
February 16, 2009... According to recent research from Iran, "A 12-year-old boy was referred with acute asymmetric pulmonary edema (APE) four-hour after scorpion sting to Emergency department. On admission, the main clinical manifestations were: dyspnea, tachypnea,...

New tachycardia study findings have been published by scientists at Korea University.
February 16, 2009... According to a study from Seoul, South Korea, " Although T wave alternans (TWA) and the T wave peak-to-end (Tpte) interval are associated with vulnerability to ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT), no previous reports have demonstrated that TWA...

New research on cardiac failure from P. Leszek and co-authors summarized.
February 16, 2009... "In heart failure, alterations in the expression of proteins relevant to calcium homeostasis are involved in depressed contractility and diminished relaxation. However the regulation of genes expression is only partially known," investigators...

Reports outline cardiology study findings from X.X. Liu and colleagues.(Report)
February 16, 2009... "Stress in the lipids of the cell membrane may be responsible for activating stretch-activated channels (SACs) in nonspecialized sensory cells such as cardiac myocytes, where they are likely to play a role in cardiac mechanoelectric feedback....

Reports outline cardiology study results from L.C. Zelarayan et al.
February 16, 2009... "We analyzed the effect of conditional, alpha MHC-dependent genetic beta-catenin depletion and stabilization on cardiac remodeling following experimental infarct. beta-Catenin depletion significantly improved 4-week survival and left...

Researchers from Taipei Veterans General Hospital discuss findings in cardiovascular electrophysiology.
February 16, 2009... "Cavotricupsid Isthmus Conduction Characteristics. The characteristics of cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and flutter that may predict recurrence of flutter is not known," scientists in Taipei, Taiwan...

Scientists at Cleveland Clinic release new data on cardiovascular electrophysiology.
February 16, 2009... "We assessed defibrillation strength shock-induced changes of the membrane time constant (tau) and membrane potential (Delta Vm) in intact rabbit hearts after administration of lidocaine, a sodium (Na+) channel blocker, or nifedipine, a L-type...

Studies from Harvard University provide new data on cardiovascular electrophysiology.
February 16, 2009... According to a study from the United States, "Clinical evidence supports the use of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in adults with heart failure, but experience in pediatrics and congenital heart disease (CHD) is limited in terms of...

Findings from K. Oishi and co-authors provide new insights into phosphatase.
February 16, 2009... According to a study from the United States, "Missense mutations in the PTPN11 gene, which encodes the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2, cause clinically similar but distinctive disorders, LEOPARD (LS) and Noonan (NS) syndromes. The LS is an...

Research on life sciences detailed by scientists at University of Rochester, Department of Medicine.(Report)
February 16, 2009... Researchers detail in 'ECG parameters and exposure to carbon ultrafine particles in young healthy subjects,' new data in life sciences. "The mechanisms underlying the association between air pollution and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality...

Cardiac Dimensions[R] Inc. Receives CE Mark for CARILLON[TM] Mitral Contour System[TM].
February 16, 2009... Cardiac Dimensions[R], Inc. announced that on January 26th it received the CE Mark approval for its CARILLONO Mitral Contour SystemO from KEMA Quality B.V. u a European Union Notified Body from the Netherlands. The CARILLONO system is a...

MedCath Corporation Reports First Quarter Earnings.(Financial report)
February 16, 2009... MedCath Corporation (NASDAQ:MDTH), a healthcare provider focused on high acuity healthcare services, predominately the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, announced its operating results for its first quarter of fiscal 2009,...

Belgium Cardiovascular Devices Investment Opportunities, Analysis and Forecasts to 2012 Report.
February 16, 2009... Research and Markets(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/889ede/belgium_cardiovasc) has announced the addition of Global Markets Direct's new report "Belgium Cardiovascular Devices Investment Opportunities, Analysis and Forecasts to 2012"...

New abdominal aortic aneurysm findings from S. Stamler and co-authors described.
February 23, 2009... In this recent report, researchers in the United States conducted a study "To retrospectively evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the use of bivalirudin, a direct thrombin antagonist, compared with unfractionated heparin in endovascular...

Recent findings from Keio University, Medical Department highlight research in abdominal aortic aneurysm.
February 23, 2009... "A celiomesenteric trunk (CMT) accounts for fewer than 1% of all visceral artery anomalies. Aneurysms involving a CMT are exceptionally rare: our search of the literature found only eight cases reported," scientists writing in the journal...

Reports summarize abdominal aortic aneurysm study results from L.A. Lucas and co-researchers.
February 23, 2009... "Seroma following open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair has rarely been described," investigators in the United States report (see also Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm). "The majority of cases in the literature have been associated with use of...

Research from A. Long and co-authors yields new data on abdominal aortic aneurysm.
February 23, 2009... According to recent research from Reims, France, "Usual imaging after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) consists of AAA diameter monitoring and endoleak detection. Among additional predictor parameters...

Research on abdominal aortic aneurysm discussed by I. Dicenta and co-researchers.
February 23, 2009... According to a study from Boulogne, France, "With the development of endovascular aneurysm repair, abdominal aortic aneurysms with short infrarenal necks ( "We present our experience with direct aortic repair for AAASN performed via a total...

Erasmus University publishes research in cardiology.
February 23, 2009... According to a study from Netherlands, "The aim of the present study was to analyse the adverse effects of SonoVue echo contrast in a consecutive series of 352 cardiac patients during a 4-year period." "During 352 consecutive cardiac...

New cardiology research from University of Ulm discussed.
February 23, 2009... According to recent research from Ulm, Germany, "In mouse, the LIM-homeodomain transcription factor Islet1 (Isl1) has been shown to demarcate a separate cardiac cell population that is essential for the formation of the right ventricle and the...

Research from Mayo Clinic yields new findings on cardiology.
February 23, 2009... According to a study from the United States, "The Wnt/beta-catenin pathway exhibits distinct and developmental stage-specific roles during cardiogenesis. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in...

Study results from University of Berlin update understanding of cardiology.
February 23, 2009... According to a study from Berlin, Germany, "Epidemiological studies suggest that consumption of tea is associated with beneficial cardiovascular effects. Since different types of tea are consumed throughout the world, a question of much...

Study results from Y. Zhang and colleagues in the area of cardiology published.(Report)
February 23, 2009... "A fully implantable, axial flow blood pump has been developed in Fu Wai Hospital aiming for clinical use. This ventricular assist device (VAD), which was developed after numerous CFD analyses for the flow characteristics of the pump, is...

New data from University of Wurzburg illuminate research in cardiomegaly.
February 23, 2009... According to recent research published in the journal Nature Medicine, "The extracellular-regulated kinases ERK1 and ERK2 (commonly referred to as ERK1/2) have a crucial role in cardiac hypertrophy. ERK1/2 is activated by mitogen-activated...

Data on cardiovascular pharmacology detailed by researchers at University of Wollongong.(Report)
February 23, 2009... According to a study from Australia, "Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are readily incorporated into heart and skeletal muscle membranes where, in the heart, animal studies show they reduce O-2 consumption. To test the...

Findings from Tohoku University, Medical Department broaden understanding of cardiovascular pharmacology.(Report)
February 23, 2009... According to recent research from Sendai, Japan, "The endothelium synthesizes and releases several vasodilator substances, including prostacyclin, nitric oxide (NO), and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). We have demonstrated...

Studies from Kyushu University yield new information about cardiovascular pharmacology.
February 23, 2009... According to recent research published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, "The long-acting dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, azelnidipine, is suggested to inhibit sympathetic nerve activity. We previously demonstrated that...

Scientists at University of Kentucky target enzyme research.
February 23, 2009... "Calpains are ubiquitous intracellular calcium- and thiol-dependent proteases," scientists in the United States report (see also Enzyme Research). "Their over activation, resulting in the degradation of various substrates, has been...

Studies from P.M. Vandam et al provide new data on ischemia.
February 23, 2009... "A method is described to determine the effect on the ECG of a reduced propagation velocity within an ischemic zone," scientists in Netherlands report (see also Ischemia). "The method was designed to change the activation sequence...

Investigators at Case Western Reserve University, Department of Genetics target genetics & genomics.(Report)
February 23, 2009... New research, 'SMN complex localizes to the sarcomeric Z-disc and is a proteolytic target of calpain,' is the subject of a report. "Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a recessive neuromuscular disease caused by mutations in the human survival...

Studies from Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics further understanding of life sciences.(Report)
February 23, 2009... New research, 'Identification and functional characterization of NODAL rare variants in heterotaxy and isolated cardiovascular malformations,' is the subject of a report. "NODAL and its signaling pathway are known to play a key role in...

Researchers from National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Department of Molecular report details of new studies and findings in the area of muscular dystrophy.
February 23, 2009... A report, 'Dominant-negative inhibition of Ca2+ influx via TRPV2 ameliorates muscular dystrophy in animal models,' is newly published data in Human Molecular Genetics. According to recent research from Osaka, Japan, "Muscular dystrophy is a...

New research on sleep apnea from University of Michigan, Cardiovascular Center summarized.
February 23, 2009... Scientists discuss in 'Comparison of two headgear systems for sleep apnea treatment of stroke patients' new findings in sleep apnea. According to recent research published in the journal Cerebrovascular Diseases, "Obstructive sleep apnea is a...

New spinal cord injury findings from University of British Columbia published.
February 23, 2009... Scientists discuss in 'Autonomic assessment of animals with spinal cord injury: tools, techniques and translation' new findings in spinal cord injury. "Literature review. To present a comprehensive overview of autonomic assessment in...

National Instruments to Further Medical Device Development With Grants in 2009.
February 23, 2009... National Instruments (NASDAQ:NATI) announced it will continue its investment to further medical device development by offering software and training grants in 2009. As the global economic climate tightens, the medical device industry continues...

Easing regulations does not mean lower quality of cardiac care.
February 23, 2009... States that dropped regulations overseeing the performance of two common heart procedures showed no increase in death rates, according to researchers at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Rice University and Duke University Medical Center. The...

Tributes.com Launches 'Light a Candle' Program In Support of the American Heart Association and Heart Health Month.
February 23, 2009... Tributes.com, the online resource for local and national obituary news, today launched the 'Light a Candle' program -- offering consumers the opportunity to place a virtual candle in memory of their loved ones. Visitors can now light candles or...