AstraZeneca and the Artery Explorer Take California Residents on Virtual Journey Through the Arteries

SAN FRANCISCO, July 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN ) today announced that the 2009 US AGAINST ATHERO tour is in the San Francisco Bay Area from August 1-9 for the National Senior Games, the largest multisport event in the world for people over 50 years of age, to h...

Carotid Artery Sections React Differently to Plaque

Findings may help explain location of deadly builups WEDNESDAY, July 22 (HealthDay News) -- One part of the carotid artery that supplies the brain with blood actually expands when deadly plaque builds up, but two other sections don't, and that can lead to a fatal stroke, researchers at...

Study estimates radiation dose, cancer risk from coronary artery calcium screening

CHICAGO A study based on computer modeling of radiation risk suggests that widespread screening for the buildup of calcium in the arteries using computed tomography scans would lead to an estimated 42 additional radiation-induced cancer cases per 100,000 men and 62 cases per 100,000 women, accord...

June 2009 Mayo Clinic Health Letter Highlights Probiotics, Carotid Artery and Breast Cancer Treatments

ROCHESTER, Minn., July 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Here are highlights from the June issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter. You may cite this publication as often as you wish. Reprinting is allowed for a fee. Mayo Clinic Health Letter attribution is required. Include the following subscripti...

Aspirin Lowers Stroke Risk in Peripheral Artery Disease

But findings limited by lack of studies on subject, researchers note TUESDAY, May 12 (HealthDay News) -- There haven't been enough studies to tell whether aspirin reduces the risk of heart attack and death for people with the blocked leg blood vessel condition called peripheral arteria...

Different treatment options in chronic coronary artery disease

Sometimes cardiologists and cardiac surgeons can agree! There is often disagreement between the professions of cardiology and cardiac surgery about the proper therapy for coronary artery disease (CAD)and this can harm the patient. In the current edition of Deutsches rzteblatt International , an i...

With Peripheral Artery Disease, Med Adherence Is Low

Survival, though, is greater when guidelines are followed, study finds FRIDAY, April 24 (HealthDay News) -- Less than half of those who have peripheral artery disease are taking the recommended combination of medications to control it, new research says. Researchers collected data o...

Hypertension, diabetes and increased carotid artery wall thickness means increased risk of stroke

Increased carotid artery wall thickness (CAWT), which can cause heart attack and stroke in many patients, is significantly related to diabetes and hypertension, according to a study performed at A.O.U. in Cagliari Sardegna, Italy (Chairman, Professor Giorgio Mallarini). During the study, 186 p...

Abbott Initiates U.S. Study of Absolute Pro(TM) Peripheral Stent System for Iliac Artery Disease

MOBILITY trial showcases company's leadership in developing innovative endovascular treatment options ABBOTT PARK, Ill., April 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Abbott ( NYSE: ABT ) today announced the initiation of MOBILITY, a clinical trial studying the safety and efficacy of the Absolute Pro(T...

Number of Revascularization Procedures, Related In-Hospital Mortality and Some Complications Decline, While Rates of Infection and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery Increase

Increases translate into $170 million in incremental Medicare spending in FY 2006 ATLANTA, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The number of revascularization procedures, related in-hospital mortality and some complications among Medicare beneficiaries decreased between 2003 and 2006. At the same time, ...

Seaweed and fireflies brew may guide stem cell treatment for peripheral artery disease

An unlikely brew of seaweed and glow-in-the-dark biochemical agents may hold the key to the safe use of transplanted stem cells to treat patients with severe peripheral arterial disease (PAD), according to a team of veterinarians, basic scientists and interventional radiologists at Johns Hopkins. ...

Walking Program May Relieve Peripheral Artery Pain

Distance improved and pain fell for participants, study finds SATURDAY, Feb. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Supervised exercise programs offer an effective way to treat the lower leg pain and cramping caused by peripheral arterial disease, a new study says. The Dutch study, published in the...

Society for Women's Health Research and MITA Promote Greater Awareness of Medical Imaging to Diagnose Women's Coronary Artery Disease

Groups Provide Information on Cardiac Medical Imaging Technology for Patients and Families WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- February is American Heart Month and 44 million American women are living with or are at risk for heart disease. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bi...

New Research Estimates 1500 Lives Could Be Saved Annually if the Lowest Performing Hospitals for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Performed as Well as Top-ranking Hospitals

ATLANTA, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- New research estimates that 1500 lives could potentially be saved if U.S. hospitals with the highest risk-adjusted mortality rates (RAMR) for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery performed as well as hospitals with the lowest RAMR. The same study also found t...

Large study illustrates cardiac CT can effectively assess coronary artery disease

Cardiac CT can effectively assess coronary artery stenosis, according to a large study performed at Leiden University Medical Center in Leiden, The Netherlands. The study consisted of 1,331 patients who had suspected coronary artery disease with 50% or more stenosis. 10,561 coronary artery seg...

Anesthesia Type Won't Influence Neck Artery Surgery Outcomes

Study may settle debate on safety of general vs. local delivery WEDNESDAY, Nov. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Outcomes for surgery to treat carotid (neck) artery blockages are the same for patients who have general or local anesthesia, according to a study by U.K. researchers. Based on the...

When Is Screening for Renal Artery Stenosis Medically Necessary?

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- After diabetes and hypertension, renal artery stenosis is the leading cause of kidney failure. Recent changes in the opinions of nephrologists and cardiologists, as well as new medical guidelines, are increasing doctors' awareness of the need to screen for i...

Hispanics Less Likely to Get Repeat Artery Surgery

Even though they have risk factors that could lead to coronary problems, study finds SUNDAY, Nov. 9 (HealthDay News) -- Despite certain risk factors, Hispanic patients were 57 percent less likely than Caucasians to undergo coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) one year after successful...

Heart CT Scan Helps Find Coronary Artery Disease

A $199 Screening Offered at Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center CHICAGO, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The Imaging Department at Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center, 2233 W. Division Street, is offering a Coronary Calcium CT Scan for the discounted fee of $199 during the months of Octob...

Women's Peripheral Artery Disease Tied to Secondhand Smoke

They face 69% increased risk for heart disease, 56% risk of ischemic stroke, study finds MONDAY, Sept. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Women exposed to secondhand smoke at home or in the workplace had a 67 percent increased risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD) compared to women who weren't e...

First-Ever National Ranking of 'Hot Spots' for Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.) Identifies Cities With Higher Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

- Actress Phylicia Rashad Travels to P.A.D. 'Hot Spots' During P.A.D. Awareness Month to Urge Diagnosed Residents to Seek Treatment - NEW YORK, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- According to research conducted by the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF), Detroit tops the list of P.A.D. ...

Vermillion Announces Publication of Data Supporting Its Peripheral Artery Disease Diagnostic Test Program

- Results published in Vascular Medicine - FREMONT, Calif., Aug. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vermillion, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRML ), a molecular diagnostics company, announced the publication of data supporting its peripheral artery disease (PAD) diagnostic program. The results were...

Drug-Coated Stents Reduce Repeat Artery Procedures

But sicker patients may be getting bare metal devices, study suggests TUESDAY, June 24 (HealthDay News) -- Heart patients who got drug-coated stents did better than those who received the bare-metal kind of stent, a major study found. But it isn't a simple either-or issue, the study...

Insulin Resistance Tied to Peripheral Artery Disease

Those with highest levels at almost twice the risk, regardless of diabetes, study finds MONDAY, June 16 (HealthDay News) -- A new study has found a strong association between insulin resistance and peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which leads to a four-to-five times increased risk of...

Noise in Artery Could Warn of Heart Risk

Carotid bruits linked to increased odds of heart attack, death, study finds THURSDAY, May 8 (HealthDay News) -- That unusual, harsh sound a doctor can hear when passing a stethoscope over a main artery to the brain could indicate an increased risk of heart attack and death from heart d...

Vermillion to Host Live Roundtable Discussion With Lead Investigator of its Peripheral Artery Disease Diagnostic Test Program

- Conference Call to Occur on Wednesday, April 30 at 2 p.m. Eastern - FREMONT, Calif., April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vermillion, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRML ), a molecular diagnostics company, will host a roundtable teleconference to address the need for improved detection of peripheral artery d...

Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Leg Artery Blockages

But doctors are divided on whether supplements are a good option WEDNESDAY, April 16 (HealthDay News) -- New research has discovered that people with low blood levels of vitamin D were found to have a higher incidence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), potentially dangerous blockage...

MAQUET Cardiovascular Launches HEARTSTRING III Proximal Seal System for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Innovative technology eliminates the need for an aortic clamp reducing the risk for cerebral emboli and potentially improving patient neurocognitive outcomes SAN JOSE, Calif., April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- MAQUET Cardiovascular LLC today announced the launch of HEARTS...

Renal artery stenting falls short in large randomized trial

CHICAGO, Ill. (April 1, 2008) The largest-ever randomized study to evaluate the effectiveness of catheter-based interventions in patients with narrowing of the renal artery has shown that angioplasty and stenting offer no benefit over medical therapy. Among patients who completed one year of foll...

Genetic mutation found in peripheral artery disease

The finding, appearing online in the journal Circulation, is the first to document a genetic mutation linked to PAD. Although the work was done in mice, researchers say it is likely to give them new insight into how PAD develops and progresses in humans. Dr. Brian Annex, professor of medicine ...

GPS Devices Measure Severity of Peripheral Artery Disease

Same technology used in cars determined walking abilities of patients, study suggests TUESDAY, Feb. 5 (HealthDay News) -- The same device that keeps you from getting lost while driving in your car might also give doctors a way to determine the severity of peripheral artery disease (PAD...

Cardica's C-Port Anastomosis Systems for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Procedures to be Used to Train Cardiothoracic Surgeons at Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) University

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. and FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cardica, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRDC ) today announced that its innovative C-Port(R) Distal Anastomosis Systems will be used in two courses to train cardiothoracic surgeons at the 2008 STS University. In addition to the ...

Vascular surgeons ask, what's next for carotid artery stenting?

Philadelphia, PA, January 16, 2008 A procedure called carotid artery stenting (CAS) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to surgery, called carotid endarterectomy (CEA), for patients with dangerous narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the brain. However, questions remain about...

Coronary Artery Calcium May Raise Women's Heart Risk

New study challenges traditional assessment of risk MONDAY, Dec. 10 (HealthDay News) -- About 5 percent of women considered at low risk for heart disease still face potential cardiovascular problems because of calcium buildup in their arteries, a new study suggests. "Previous studie...

Making emergency artery repair safer

Sacramento, Calif. December 6, 2007 Catheters outfitted with balloons, lasers, and miniature drills have made the treatment of blocked arteries virtually routine. These devices are used to clear plaque from many vessels including coronary, femoral, renal, and carotid arteries. Until recently, a ...

Asymptomatic peripheral artery disease prevalence is rising

ORLANDO, Nov. 4 The prevalence of asymptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) is steadily increasing among American adults, researchers reported at the American Heart Associations Scientific Sessions 2007. PAD occurs when fatty deposits accumulate in the inner linings of artery walls, restrictin...

Peripheral Artery Disease Up Sharply Among U.S. Women

The condition, which is symptomless, can lead to heart attack and stroke SUNDAY, Nov. 4 (HealthDay News) -- More American women are suffering from asymptomatic peripheral artery disease, a circulatory condition that can signal a higher risk for heart attack and stroke, a new study foun...

Research sheds light on carotid artery stenting risk in elderly

New Orleans, LA Dr. Hernan Bazan, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Section of Vascular Surgery, at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Medicine, is the lead author of a research paper which may help physicians decide which patients with carotid artery occlusive...

Real-World Studies of Carotid Artery Stenting Demonstrate Results Comparable to Guidelines for Patients Treated With Surgery

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Two carotid stenting trials examining outcomes in real-world patients demonstrated for the first time results that are comparable to guidelines established by the American Heart Association (AHA)(1) for patients treated with carotid artery surgery....

Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Blockage a Significant Stroke Risk

Doppler Ultrasound Screening Can Reveal Blockages Prior to Stroke CLEVELAND, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Carotid artery blockages, such as the one Senator Kennedy had removed today, are a significant risk factor for stroke but many do not know that they have the life-threatening condition. Dopp...