Health - Heart latest news

People who have a carotid bruit are at a significantly greater risk ofcardiovascular death and heart attack, according to an articlepublished in The Lancet. A carotid bruitis a sound that blood makes when it passes over an obstruction in thecarotid artery, the main passageway for supplying blood to the head andneck. A bruit is usually detected with a stethoscope and is anindicator of arterial blockage.

Medical College of Wisconsin researchers in Milwaukee have shown for the first time that thrombopoietin (TPO), a naturally occurring protein being developed as a pharmaceutical to increase platelet count in cancer patients during chemotherapy, can also protect the heart against injury during a heart attack.The study, led by John E.

As new research suggests that chest compressions alone can save the life of a casualty in cardiac arrest, the British Red Cross advises following existing procedures, which include giving rescue breaths. The research, published by the American heart Association, states that providing chest compressions without rescue breaths (mouth-to-mouth resuscitation) can be enough to save a life.

Volcano Corporation (NASDAQ: VOLC), a leading manufacturer and developer of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), functional measurement (FM) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) products designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral vascular disease, announced the first human procedure using the Volcano OCT Imaging catheter. The procedure was performed by Dr. Patrick Serruys at the Thoraxcenter, in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

CardioTech International, Inc. (AMEX: CTE), a developer and manufacturer of advanced medical devices and materials for the treatment of a broad range of disease states, announced that it has received the necessary Ministry of Health approval to add a 4mm graft for the clinical trial of CardioPassT , the Company's proprietary synthetic coronary bypass graft. Until now, the trial was only approved for a 5mm graft.

St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ) announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance and European CE Mark approval of the StradaT Carotid Guiding Sheath, a flexible tube through which Physicians can deliver balloon catheters, stents and other tools to open blockages in the carotid arteries. The Strada Carotid Guiding Sheath is designed specifically to provide easier and faster access to challenging carotid anatomy.

Despite widespread use of cholesterol-lowering drugs, a significant number of cardiac patients continue to suffer heart attacks and stroke. Researchers theorize that high levels of an enzyme found in coronary plaques may be to blame, by making plaques more likely to rupture and block blood flow. The drug darapladib may offer a way to fight that risk, according to new research led by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

It has long been known that aerobic exercise can increase HDL levels. Now there's clinical evidence that shows just how much exercise is needed to produce HDL elevations. ...

Title: Stroke Survivors Walk Better With Human HelpCategory: Health NewsCreated: 5/9/2008 2:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 5/9/2008

Title: Study Offers Clues to Link Between Arrhythmia, Sudden DeathCategory: Health NewsCreated: 5/9/2008 2:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 5/9/2008