UIHC surgery saves newborn boy Nov 11, 2008
Diagnosed with transposition of the great artery and a ventricular septal defect, his father did anything he could to keep his mind off his son's illness. A ventricular septal defect is a hole between the pumping chambers of the heart and is almost always fatal ... After closing the ventricular septal defect, the surgeon used a titanium-nickel "patch" to close the baby's artery. (Daily Iowan, IA)
BETTER LIFE: More news on keeping your heart healthy Nov 11, 2008
The defibrillator implanted in Cheney's chest is designed to deal with a more dangerous rhythm, called ventricular fibrillation, which affects the powerful pumping chamber at the bottom of the heart. It doesn't affect the atria, which are at the top. (USA Today -- Money)
Aspirin Doesn't Guard Diabetics Against Heart Disease Nov 11, 2008
Two additional studies found that eating high-fat diets increased left-ventricular mass, which is linked to left ventricular dysfunction, a predictor for heart failure, while diets high in fruits, vegetables and fish had the opposite effect, said researchers at Drexel University School of Public Health in Philadelphia. HealthDay. (MEDLINEplus)
First trial of gene therapy for advanced heart failure shows promising results Nov 11, 2008
Seven of nine patients who were given the drug showed improvements over six months in several areas: symptomatic (five patients), functional (four patients), biomarker (two patients) and left ventricular function/remodeling (six patients). Two patients with pre-existing antibodies to the viral vector delivery system did not show improvements. (EurekAlert!)
Celladon Announces Presentation of Clinical Data From First-in-Human MYDICAR(R) Trial for Advanced Heart Failure at American Heart Association Scientific Sessions Nov 10, 2008
In addition, improvements from baseline to six months across a number of parameters important in assessing heart failure status were observed, including symptomatic (5 patients), functional (4 patients), biomarker (2 patients) and left ventricular function/remodeling (6 patients). Of the nine patients treated, two with low levels of pre-existing antibodies to the AAV vector did not show improvement in these parameters. (PR Newswire)
Can an Artificial Heart Replace the Real Thing? Nov 9, 2008
Most earlier mechanical hearts such as the seminal Jarvik 7 and other ventricular assist devices were not designed to replace diseased hearts entirely, but to assist impaired function and bridge heart patients to transplant. Other total artificial hearts, meanwhile, such as the U.S.-developed AbioCor and a prototype being tested by MagScrew, have not successfully modulated beating and pulse according to the physical needs of the host. (Time.com)
Heart Defect Shouldn't Limit Kids' Exercise Oct 31, 2008
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children born with a hole between the left and right sides of the heart - what doctors call a ventricular septal defect -- are generally as healthy and physically fit as other children and should not be discouraged from engaging in strenuous exercise, a Dutch research team has found ... They combined exercise testing, activity monitoring and a questionnaire to see whether or not children with ventricular septal defect fall short in their capacity to exercise compared... (MEDLINEplus)
5 Deaths Prompt Heart Pump Recall Oct 27, 2008
The FDA said the implantable ventricular assist devices are mechanical pumps that help a persons heart that is too weak to pump blood through the body. They're designed to provide sufficient blood flow to a damaged or diseased heart, and are often used as a patient waits for a heart transplant. (Click2Houston, TX)
Thoratec Corporation Issues Worldwide Medical Device Correction of HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist System Oct 26, 2008
Thoratec Corporation Issues Worldwide Medical Device Correction of HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist System ... Thoratec Corporation Issues Worldwide Medical Device Correction of HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist System ... FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- PLEASANTON, CA -- October 24, 2008 Thoratec Corporation is initiating a worldwide medical device correction of all serial numbers of the HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Systems (HM II LVAS) having Catalogue No. 1355 or 102139, which have... (U.S. Food and Drug Administration -- Alerts)
Thoratec Corporation Issues Worldwide Medical Device Correction of HeartMate II(R) Left Ventricular Assist System Oct 25, 2008
Oct. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Thoratec Corporation is initiating a worldwide medical device correction of all serial numbers of the HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Systems (HM II LVAS) having Catalogue No. 1355 or 102139, which have been distributed since the beginning of clinical studies in November 2003. Over time, wear and fatigue of the percutaneous lead connecting the HeartMate II LVAS blood pump with the System Controller may result in damage that could interrupt pump function,... (PR Newswire)
Dasmunsi shifted to Apollo Oct 20, 2008
The 62-year old minister was admitted to AIIMS following complete left ventricular failure on October 13. . (Sify.com, India)
Dasmunsi`s condition continues to remain stable Oct 19, 2008
The 62-year old minister was admitted to AIIMS following complete left ventricular failure on Monday last. Bureau Report. (Zee News)
Keith Michael Walker Oct 18, 2008
The AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in a patient. The device is able to treat them through defibrillation, through the application of electrical therapy, which stops the arrhythmia, and allows the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm. (Leitchfield Grayson County, KY)
Palpitations--Causes and Diagnosis Oct 16, 2008
Atrioventricular block or sinus node ( nature s pacemaker ) dysfunction ... Premature supraventricular or ventricular contractions (PVCs) ... Supraventricular or ventricular tachycardia. (Suite101.com)
Dasmunsi shows no clinical improvement: Doctors Oct 16, 2008
35 AM on Monday following a complete left ventricular failure. His condition was critical since then. (India Times, India -- Community News)
Novel Imaging Approach May Assist In Predicting Success Of Treatment For Atrial Fibrillation Oct 16, 2008
13, 2006) Analysis of data from a registry of patients with left ventricular dysfunction indicates that height is an independent risk factor for an arrhythmia of the upper chambers of the heart, according to a. (June 16, 2005) A common stomach bug may also be linked to the development of irregular heart rhythm, also known as atrial fibrillation, suggests a small study in. (Science Daily)
Proteus Biomedical prescribes 'smart pill' Oct 16, 2008
" Cardiac application Proteus announced April 24 it has initiated a clinical study of its novel way -- called cardiac electric tomography -- to assess heart function in patients using a pacemaker equipped with a chip-embedded wire it has developed. This could help nearly 5 million Americans and about 22 million people worldwide who suffer from heart failure, according to the American Heart Association. Cardiac resynchronization therapy, a treatment for selected patients with heart failure, can... (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
I&B minister Dasmunsi continues to be critical Oct 14, 2008
62-year-old Dasmunsi was admitted to AIIMS on Monday with complete left ventricular failure of the heart. Explaining his condition, Behl said "The function of the left ventrical is to pump blood efficiently to the body. This was not happening at the time of his admission. He (Dasmunsi) was completely breathless and had lung congestion.". (India Times, India -- Community News)
Dasmunsi still on life support in AIIMS Oct 14, 2008
When brought to hospital, he had a complete left ventricular failure of the heart and sources say his left side is completely paralysed. Dashmunshi is one of the most energetic ministers in the Cabinet and is a key strategist and the party's face in West Bengal. (NDTV.com)
Dasmunsi continues to be critical Oct 14, 2008
62-year-old Dasmunsi was admitted to AIIMS on Monday with complete left ventricular failure of the heart. Explaining his condition, Behl said "The function of the left ventricle is to pump blood efficiently to the body. This was not happening at the time of his admission. He was completely breathless and had lung congestion.". (Sify.com, India)
P R Dasmunsi admitted to AIIMS; condition serious Oct 13, 2008
"He had a complete left ventricular failure of the heart when he was admitted," said AIIMS spokesman Y K Gupta. "He is under observation. The next few hours are critical," he added. (India Times, India -- Community News)
Dasmunsi admitted to AIIMS Oct 13, 2008
"He had a complete left ventricular failure of the heart when he was admitted," said AIIMS spokesperson Y K Gupta. 62-year-old Dasmunsi was admitted to hospital with severe breathlessness and lung congestion, doctors said. (Sify.com, India)
New devices used to reduce arterial occlusions, provide cardiac support, highlighted at TCT 2008 Oct 13, 2008
The featured devices include one designed to optimize stenting of complex arterial lesions, a left ventricular assist device for patients undergoing high risk percutaneous coronary intervention and another for treating high risk diabetic and dialysis patients with peripheral artery disease ... Dr. Grenadier said that, "ASC slippage was very rare (1.2%), thereby avoiding 'geographic miss,' and the rate of significant dissections post-ASC was rare (1.5%) and much lower than the historic rate with... (EurekAlert!)
Vasopressors in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Oct 10, 2008
3 minutes in each group and that only 9% of the patients in each group had ventricular fibrillation and thus a greater chance of survival than the patients with pulseless electrical activity or asystole. Studies have shown that. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Datascope Announces New Clinical Trial of Intra-Aortic Balloon Counterpulsation in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction to Expand Market Utilization Oct 8, 2008
This study concluded that ``left ventricular unloading with IABC therapy prior to reperfusion reduces the extent of myocardial (damage) ... A multi-center, randomized, controlled study of mechanical left ventricular unloading with Counterpulsation to Reduce Infarct Size Pre-PCI for Acute Myocardial Infarction. (Primezone Releases)
Summary for Patients Oct 7, 2008
Association of Electrocardiographic Morphology of Exercise-Induced Ventricular Arrhythmia with Mortality -- Eckart et al. 149 (7): 451 -- Annals of Internal Medicine ... The summary below is from the full report titled "AssociationofElectrocardiographic Morphology of Exercise-Induced Ventricular Arrhythmia with Mortality in Patients Referred for Exercise Testing." It is in the 7 October 2008 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine (volume 149, pages 451-460) ... Exercise-induced ventricular... (Annals of Internal Medicine)
Heart Pump Helps Children Waiting for Transplant Oct 3, 2008
There are already devices approved and in use for adults called ventricular assist devices, and the small version of a biventricular assist device is available for use in Europe, though it's not yet approved in the United States. Biventricular means the device does the work of both sides of the heart. (MEDLINEplus)
Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Oct 3, 2008
Hypertension and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy. Hematuria. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Cardiac Arrest Survival Rates Vary Widely Sep 25, 2008
"I need to know your numbers. If we had numbers on, say, witnessed ventricular fibrillation, then we could use the basic principles we know about to implement changes that potentially could improve survival.". Ventricular fibrillation is a potentially fatal abnormal heartbeat ... The survival rate of people who had ventricular fibrillation in the study ranged from 7. (MEDLINEplus)
Calcific Aortic Stenosis — Time to Look More Closely at the Valve Sep 25, 2008
Calcific aortic stenosis is a progressive disease that results in stiff valve leaflets with eventual obstruction to left ventricular outflow. Once symptoms occur, valve replacement is the only effective treatment, and there are no known therapies to prevent disease progression. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Key To Surviving Heart Attacks - Location Sep 24, 2008
Seattle was also five times better than Alabama in cases of ventricular fibrillation - an irregular heartbeat treatable with an electric shock if it's given within minutes. In Seattle, nearly 40 percent of those patients survived compared with less than 8 percent in Alabama. (CBS News)
* Four-year-old boy from Yunlin dies from enterovirus Sep 24, 2008
After developing symptoms including twittering, high blood pressure and ventricular flutter, he was sent to hospital for treatment. As his condition did not improve, the boy was transferred to a medical center in Changhua, where he was pronounced dead on Saturday. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
When your heart stops suddenly, little chance of survival Sep 24, 2008
For patients with ventricular fibrillation, the heart rhythm disturbance that can be shocked back into phase by a defibrillator, survival rates were higher, 8 percent to 40 percent. Seattle posted the highest survival rates in both categories. (OregonLive, OR -- News)
City in which one lives may determine survival after cardiac arrest Sep 24, 2008
It occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating and the person is no longer breathing, often because of disruption to normal heart contractions, also known as ventricular fibrillation. Eighty per cent of cardiac arrests occur in the home. (Globe and Mail)
Cyclist credits quick action by friend and a bit of luck for saving his life Sep 23, 2008
Doctors discovered an electrical impulse problem, called ventricular fibrillation. They implanted a defibrillator device in my heart. (Sierra Vista Herald, AZ)
Take a simple step to help Sep 23, 2008
In cities such as Seattle where CPR training is widespread and the response of fire/rescue crews is quick, the survival rate is about 30 percent for people with ventricular fibrillation meaning the heart s main pumping chamber loses its rhythm. In cities such as New York where few people are given CPR by bystanders and rescue response is longer, survival is 1 to 2 percent. (Racine Journal Times, WI)
Protective effect of KCNH2 single nucleotide polymorphism K897T in an LQTS family and identification of novel KCNQ1 and KCNH2 mutations Sep 23, 2008
Together, our results expand the mutational and clinical spectrum of LQTS and provide insights into the factors that determine QT prolongation associated with increased risk of ventricular tachycardia and sudden death. The complete article is available as a. (BioMed Central)
Can Sudden Death in Young Athletes Be Prevented? Sep 22, 2008
" Athletes and Sudden Death Syndrome (ASDS) is an often fatal syndrome occurring in young athletes. Dr. Link presented findings which showed that by following some very simple steps, lives could be saved. One step would be using safety baseballs and chest protectors for young baseball players. He outlined factors commonly associated with ASDS and the frequent underlying link to heart failure. Dr. Link discussed other athletic activities found to trigger ASDS, as well as other possible underlying... (Canada Newswire)
Integra Announces the Addition of a Low Profile Shunt to the OSVII Flow-Regulating Shunts Sep 22, 2008
In the event of sudden increases in intraventricular pressure, it has a third safety stage where it allows a higher flow rate until pressure is returned to a normal range ... Hydrocephalus is most commonly treated by inserting a shunt into the ventricular system of the brain to divert the flow of cerebrospinal fluid out of the brain and through a pressure valve to maintain a normal level of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles ... Integra currently offers a diverse line of hydrocephalus... (Primezone Releases)
This girl's heart was on the right side Sep 20, 2008
She underwent a double switch operation after left ventricular 'retraining ' at Wockhardt Hospital recently , the first time the operation was carried out in the country on a patient above 12 years of age. The nine-hour surgery set right the anomalies in her body. (Times of India)
Inventor speaks at engineers' meeting Sep 18, 2008
The inventor of the first fully implantable ventricular assist device spoke at the Happy Valley SolidWorks User Group's inaugural meeting Wednesday night ... Gerson Rosenberg, inventor of the LionHeart ventricular assist device, was the keynote speaker for the event because he used SolidWorks software in his design process ... The LionHeart is the world's first fully implantable ventricular assist device, which is used to treat congestive heart failure, according to hmc. (Daily Collegian, PA)
Heart Disease in Infants Sep 17, 2008
The most common types of congenital heart disease are left to right shunts caused by holes in the ventricular septum due to defects in the membrane along the intraventricular ridge ... Ventricular septal defect ... A septal defect with a dextraposed aorta overriding the ventricular septal defect, thus the blood is pumped directly out of the heart from the right side. (Suite101.com)
Hospitals could reduce unnecessary tests for cardiac diagnostic imaging Sep 13, 2008
When compared to blood flow during rest, the test reflects imbalances of blood flow to the heart's left ventricular muscle tissue the part of the heart that performs the greatest amount of work pumping blood. Henry Ford performs about 4,000 cardiac nuclear tests annually, among the lowest in Michigan. (EurekAlert!)
Stem cell regeneration repairs congenital heart defect Sep 12, 2008
Specifically, the "knockout" of a critical heart-protective protein known as the KATP channel compromised heart contractions and caused ventricular dilation or heart enlargement. The condition, including poor survival, is typical of patients with heritable dilated cardiomyopathy. (EurekAlert!)
Life and Death after ICD Implantation Sep 4, 2008
Randomized trials have established that the prophylactic use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) prolongs survival in patients with left ventricular dysfunction that is due to myocardial infarction1 or associated with heart failure from any cause ... gov] ), compared ICD therapy or amiodarone with placebo in 2521 patients with symptomatic heart failure due to ischemic or nonischemic left ventricular dysfunction. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Quality of Life with Defibrillator Therapy or Amiodarone in Heart Failure Sep 4, 2008
Background Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy significantly prolongs life in patients at increased risk for sudden death from depressed left ventricular function ... Methods In a randomized trial, we compared ICD therapy or amiodarone with state-of-the-art medical therapy alone in 2521 patients who had stable heart failure with depressed left ventricular function. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Prognostic Importance of Defibrillator Shocks in Patients with Heart Failure Sep 4, 2008
ICD shocks that followed the onset of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation were considered to be appropriate. All other ICD shocks were considered to be inappropriate. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Further Analysis From ATHENA Study Showed That Multaq(R)(Dronedarone) Reduced the Risk of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Sep 3, 2008
The patients studied in ATHENA were either 75 years of age or older (with or without cardiovascular risk factor) or above 70 years of age with at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor (hypertension, diabetes, previous cerebrovascular event, left atrium size greater than 50 mm or left ventricular ejection fraction lower than 40%). Patients were randomized to receive Multaq(R) 400 mg BID or placebo, with a maximum follow-up of 30 months. (PR Newswire)
Sudden Death After Arrest May Be 'New' Syndrome, Study... Sep 3, 2008
"Probably when these young males are captured it is very stressful and their level of catecholamines goes very high and that can finish their life by ventricular fibrillation (cardiac arrest).". Catecholamines are hormones produced by the adrenal glands. (Fox News)
Never normal Sep 2, 2008
Tetralogy means 'four', hence there are four main things wrong with the heart: Sub-pulmonary stenosis: A narrowing below the pulmonary valve Ventricular Septal Defect: A hole in the wall between the ventricles which means that blood can leak from one side to the other Over-riding aorta: The entrance to the aorta, which should only carry oxygenated blood, lies over the VSD allowing the right ventricle to pump some deoxygenated blood directly into it Thick right ventricle: The right ventricle... (BBC News -- Health)
With the BEAUTIFUL Results, Procoralan* (ivabradine) is the First Antianginal Treatment Shown to Reduce Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) and Revascularisation in Stable Coronary Patients Aug 31, 2008
QUICK SEARCH BY ORGANIZATION. FREE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES. (Canada Newswire)
Cooper’s Heart Aug 26, 2008
Cooper is 18 months old and born with this heart defect which causes him to suffer from supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) ... This electrical activity is initiated in the sinoatrial (SA) node in the right atrium of the heart, then passes through the gatekeeper , the atrioventricular (AV) node, to then the bundle of His ... In severe cases, extreme cardiac instability can trigger ventricular fibrillation - uncoordinated contractions of the muscle in the lower chamber (ventricles). (Thomaston Times, GA)
Heart Disease Aug 24, 2008
But it also might result in ventricular fibrillation, in which the heart muscle begins fluttering instead of pumping. If the heart's normal pumping action isn't restored quickly, either through cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or the use of an electric defibrillator, death from cardiac arrest is likely. (Time.com)
The connection between work stress, heart issues Aug 21, 2008
If someone would have said ventricular tachycardia, before that day, I would have said gesundheit, said Kalmer, president of William J. Kalmer CLU Ltd., an affilliate of National Financial Partners, based in Austin, Texas. Ventricular tachycardia, which occurs in two out of 10,000 people, is a disruption of normal heartbeat that could cause the heart to become unable to pump adequate blood through the body. (Milwaukee Business Journal, WI)
Poor Teen Sleep Habits May Raise Blood Pressure, Lead To CVD Aug 20, 2008
Childhood hypertension is associated with adult hypertension, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, end-organ damage and left ventricular hypertrophy (an enlargement of the heart s main pumping chamber). Part of the problem is the technological invasion of the bedroom with computers, cell phones and music, Redline said. (Science Daily)
PMC uses heart aid device Aug 16, 2008
The device, know as VAD, or ventricular assist device, is now helping Allen's heart along. Two of the devices were employed, an RVAD and a LVAD, one for the right and one for the left ventricle. (Pocatello Idaho State Journal, ID)
VIDEO: Racing to stop a silent killer Aug 15, 2008
VIDEO Racing To Stop A Silent Killer (from The Herald ). He was, it seemed, a fit and healthy man; a professional athlete at the peak of his powers. (The Herald)
Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Early Repolarization Aug 14, 2008
To the Editor: In their article on sudden cardiac arrest associated with early repolarization, Ha ssaguerre and colleagues (May 8 issue)1 refer to the definition of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation that is used by the joint steering committees of the Unexplained Cardiac Registry of Europe and of the Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation Registry of the United States ... Registries,2 necropsy studies,3 and endomyocardial-biopsy studies4 have shown that concealed myocardial diseases in... (New England Journal of Medicine)
U.S. Hospitals Underutilize Proven Heart Failure Therapy Aug 13, 2008
While clinical trials have shown that CRT helps patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) -- which shows how well the heart pumps -- of 35 percent or less, only 14. 3 percent of the patients with this condition received CRT.. (MEDLINEplus)
Study: Hospitals are underusing cardiac devices Aug 12, 2008
Those guidelines recommended the devices for heart-failure sufferers with a left ventricular ejection fraction, a measure of the heart's pumping strength, of 35 percent or less. While fewer than half of these patients received the devices, 10 percent of patients with stronger hearts got the pacemakers and were likely "over treated," Hernandez said. (Boston Globe)
Cardiac resynchromization: Race, age, geography matter, study shows Aug 12, 2008
Clinical guidelines recommend that CRT be reserved for patients with left ventricular ejection fractions of 35 percent or less. An ejection fraction is a numerical measure reflecting how much blood leaves the ventricle with each heartbeat. (EurekAlert!)
* What a treadmill test can tell you Aug 5, 2008
Though most are benign, a rhythm disturbance after the test called ventricular ectopy is linked to a somewhat raised death rate over the next five years. The bottom line. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
North Iowan awaits heart transplant Aug 5, 2008
Loren Toomsen, of Clear Lake, hopes to soon be rid of the battery-operated Left Ventricular Assist Device that has kept him alive while awaiting a heart transplant ... Toomsen was placed on a waiting list for a heart transplant in July 2007 after undergoing an implant operation for a battery-operated Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), an experimental device that saved his life. (Mason City Globe-Gazette, IO)
Soccer: A fighter for France, and against racism, retires Aug 4, 2008
" The initial alarm was that Thuram had ventricular hypertrophy, the disease that caused the sudden deaths of a spate of soccer players and runners in their prime last year. The fact that he is healthy, and in no need to pursue further riches through professional play, leaves him free to follow the role for which he is uniquely qualified: to use the platform of his game to confront racial tensions in society. Today in Sports "Football," he once said in an interview with The Observer in London,... (International Herald Tribune)
Time to Take Myocardial Reperfusion Injury Seriously Jul 31, 2008
1 Timely and effective reperfusion with the use of either primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or thrombolytic therapy remains the most effective treatment strategy for limiting the size of the myocardial infarct, preserving left ventricular ejection fraction, and improving the clinical outcomes in such patients. However, despite optimal reperfusion therapy, morbidity and mortality remain substantial, with about 5 to 6% of patients having a subsequent cardiovascular event by 30 days. (New England Journal of Medicine)
