Copyright 2009 Medical News Today Latest Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/cardiovascular/ admin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin) editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors) en-us Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156259.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156259.php The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Multaq tablets (dronedarone) to help maintain normal heart rhythms in patients with a history of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (heart rhythm disorders). The drug is approved to be used in patients whose hearts have returned to normal rhythm or who will undergo drug or electric-shock treatment to restore a normal heart beat. Heart Disease Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156427.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156427.php Resuming sexual activity is expressed by patients as extremely important after a myocar­dial infarction (MI). In spite of this, sex counselling is an area of nursing practice that is frequently neglected and needs more evidence-based knowledge. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156252.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156252.php A study in the July 1 issue of the journal SLEEP demonstrates that levels of inflammatory markers varied significantly with self-reported sleep duration in women but not men. The study found that both interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels varied with sleep duration in women following multiple adjustments for a number of confounding factors. Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156266.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156266.php Sanofi-aventis (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Multaq(R) (dronedarone) 400 mg Tablets. Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFL) soon will have a new treatment option to help improve current management of their disease. Multaq(R) is the first drug approved in the United States that has shown a clinical benefit to reduce cardiovascular hospitalization in patients with AF/AFL. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156268.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156268.php Recent news reports have highlighted the importance of physician credentials and ensuring that physicians meet high standards in their chosen area of practice, according to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), which coordinates and assists its 24 Member Boards in their efforts to develop and implement educational and professional standards for the evaluation and certification of physician specialists. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156283.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156283.php Mental stress causes carotid artery dilation and increases brain blood flow. A series of ultrasound experiments, described in BioMed Central's open access journal Cardiovascular Ultrasound, also found that this dilatory reflex was absent in people with high blood pressure. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156246.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156246.php GENE THERAPY: Defining immune pathways limiting gene therapy In gene therapy, recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are commonly used vehicles for delivering the therapeutic gene into target cells. One factor limiting the clinical application of such vehicles is that the immune system often mounts a response against the AAV vehicle. Genetics Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156218.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156218.php The frontiers of cell transplantation for cardiac repair are discussed in the current issue of Cell Transplantation (Vol. 18 No.3), now available on-line without charge at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ct. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156224.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156224.php The American Dietetic Association has released an updated position paper on vegetarian diets that concludes such diets, if well-planned, are healthful and nutritious for adults, infants, children and adolescents and can help prevent and treat chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes. Nutrition / Diet Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156185.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156185.php Pfizer Australia announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire the local distribution rights for THELIN® (Sitaxentan sodium), an oral, once-daily highly selective endothelin receptor antagonist, indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients with NYHA/WHO Functional Class III symptoms to improve exercise ability. Efficacy has been shown in primary pulmonary hypertension and in pulmonary hypertension associated with connective tissue disease1. Hypertension Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156192.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156192.php WHAT: Food prices rose by 5.5 percent in the past year and are expected to increase up to an additional 4 percent in 2009. Americans are seeking to get the most out of their dollar, and since together, dairy foods provide a unique package of nine essential nutrients, they are a nutritional bang for the buck. Nutrition / Diet Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156093.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156093.php A new study of obese adolescents has shown that laparoscopic gastric banding surgery -- the "Lap-Band" procedure -- not only helps them achieve significant weight loss but can also improve and even reverse metabolic syndrome, reducing their risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156026.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156026.php Local laws, insurance reimbursement and public misperceptions impede emergency medical services (EMS) workers from using best resuscitation practices, according to a study reported in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156022.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156022.php Wide gaps in quality outcomes for women persist, not only when compared to men, but among hospitals and states, according to a new study released by HealthGrades, the leading independent healthcare ratings organization. The Sixth Annual HealthGrades Women's Health in American Hospitals study identifies patient outcomes for maternity care and inhospital treatment of 16 procedures/diagnoses concerning women's health. Women's Health / Gynecology Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156003.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156003.php Additional research is called for and patients with moderate to severe periodontitis should receive evaluation and possible treatment to reduce their risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a special consensus paper by editors of The American Journal of Cardiology and Journal of Peridontology in the July 1, 2009 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology, published by Elsevier. Dentistry Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155927.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155927.php Lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects more than eight million Americans, with significant risks of limb loss, disability and death. Treatment of lower extremity PAD focuses on restoring normal blood supply to the affected limb. Traditional treatment, such as surgical bypass, is effective but invasive. Vascular Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155935.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155935.php Researchers at the University of Glasgow believe they have found a potential new treatment for cardiovascular disease which reduces blood pressure. Scientists at the British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre (BHF GCRC) used a recently-developed antioxidant called MitoQ10 to prevent damage to the mitochondria of cells in an experimental model of hypertension and stroke. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155908.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155908.php Doctors at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute announced today the completion of the first procedure in which a patient's own heart tissue was used to grow specialized heart stem cells that were then injected back into the patient's heart in an effort to repair and re-grow healthy muscle in a heart that had been injured by a heart attack. The minimally-invasive procedure was completed on the first patient on Friday, June 26. Heart Disease Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155896.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155896.php A UCSF study for the treatment of heart failure after heart attack found that the extract derived from bone marrow cells is as effective as therapy using bone marrow stem cells for improving cardiac function, decreasing the formation of scar tissue and improving cardiac pumping capacity after heart attack. Findings were published online and in the July 2009 issue of the Journal of Molecular Therapy. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155936.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155936.php Doctors at a heart center in the US announced yesterday that the first of 24 heart attack patients taking part in a clinical trial has successfully undergone a procedure where his own heart tissue was used to grow specialized heart stem cells that were then injected back into his heart where it is hoped they will repair and regenerate healthy heart muscle in place of that injured by heart attack. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155825.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155825.php Accredited Practising Dietitian and PhD student Janice Sangster has been awarded the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA)/Unilever Australasia Postgraduate Research Scholarship for her work on weight loss, physical activity and heart disease. Janice will carry out a lifestyle program to encourage people with heart disease to be a healthy weight and take part in regular physical activity. Heart Disease Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155817.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155817.php The latest news on procedures, drugs and equipment in the field of cardiology will be presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress which will take place in Barcelona, from 29 August to 2 September. With over 30,000 participants, the ESC Congress is the world's biggest cardiology meeting. A record number of abstract submissions - 9,848 - were registered this year, reflecting how the meeting is now the main platform for cardiovascular research. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155751.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155751.php Pig heart valves used to replace defective aortic valves in human patients failed much earlier and more often than expected, says a report from cardiac surgeons at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. This is the first report to demonstrate this potential problem, the researchers say. Heart Disease Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155655.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155655.php Transferring heart attack patients to specialized hospitals to undergo angioplasty within six hours after receiving clot-busting drugs reduces the risk of life-threatening complications, according to a Canadian-led study published today. Heart Disease Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155660.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155660.php The national aortic screening programme in the UK should, in due course, prevent about half of all aneurysm deaths in men over 65 and will be extremely cost effective for the NHS, conclude researchers in a study published on bmj.com. However a second study, also published today, concludes that screening is not cost effective and calls for additional research into the long term outcomes and costs of screening. Cardiovascular / Cardiology