UCLA researchers have discovered that a specific type of medication used to treat cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, angina and abnormal heart rhythms may also decrease the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Researchers found that a specific sub-class of dihydropyridine cardiovascular medications was associated with a 26 to 30 percent decrease in the risk of Parkinson’s. The findings appear in an upcoming print edition of the journal Annals of Neurology and are currently available online.

For the full story, Click  Here

Testing a patient’s cardiac respiratory stress response (RSR) can quickly and accurately detect the presence of significant coronary artery disease (S-CAD), according to new research published in the current issue of Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine. The results found patients with S-CAD had a significantly lower RSR compared to patients without (6.7% vs. 17.4%, respectively) suggesting RSR is a strong indicator for the disease.

For the full story, Click Here

A Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) study has found that relatively young men with longstanding HIV infection and minimal cardiac risk factors had significantly more coronary atherosclerotic plaques – some involving serious arterial blockage – than did uninfected men with similar cardiovascular risk. The investigation appearing in the January 2010 issue of the journal AIDS is the first to use CT angiography to identify coronary artery plaques in HIV-infected participants.

For the full story, Click Here

Abbott has announced that both the XIENCE PRIME(TM)Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System(1) and the XIENCE V(R) Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System have received additional new CE Markings covering the treatment of patients with diabetes. Receiving these new indications among the European Union Member States validates the use of XIENCE PRIME and XIENCE V to treat patients with diabetes. Coronary artery disease is one of the most common cardiovascular complications of diabetes.

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the “Cord Blood Stem Cells – A Global Market Overview” report to their offering. Umbilical cord and placenta, once considered medical waste are emerged to be a valuable source of stem cells. The cord blood stem cells show the potential to treat the fatal diseases such as leukemia, cardiac attacks and debilitating diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Clear Catheter Systems has been awarded the 2009 EACTS Techno-College Innovation Award for its PleuraFlow Active Tube Clearance System. The Techno-College Award is a worldwide competition to identify innovations with the potential to change the standard of care in heart and lung surgery. The award was established by the European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery to recognize the most important technological breakthrough related to thoracic and cardiovascular surgery.

Medtronic Inc announced the approval of its Attain Ability left-heart lead (Model 4196) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices for heart failure patients. Attain Ability has the thinnest lead body of any left-heart lead currently available, providing physicians with a tool to deliver therapy directly to hard-to-reach areas of the heart.

Siemens Healthcare has launched a NEW-GENERATION, superfast CT scanner that requires only a fraction of the radiation dose usually used in imaging techniques . The SOMATOM Definition Flash is a dual source device featuring two x-ray tubes which simultaneously revolve around the patient’s body, scanning even the tiniest anatomical details at a faster speed than ever before and with a much lower dose of radiation. The scanner can check the entire heart in just 250 milliseconds – less than half a heartbeat and can also image hearts with a fast or irregular beat without the need for beta blockers.

Syntermed, Inc.’s SyncTool™, a diagnostic tool for heart failure, has been exclusively licensed by GE Healthcare for new Xeleris workstations in combination with Syntermed’s Emory Cardiac Toolbox™ (ECTb). GE is also offering the software as an upgrade to existing customers that examines the advantages of cardiac resynchronization therapy (GE Healthcare) in patients suffering with heart failure. This will make nuclear cardiology more efficient and accurate. Syntermed also introduced a range of novel solutions for nuclear cardiology, such as ReconTools™ that will enhance diagnostic capabilities, and Syntermed Live™ which advances imaging workflow.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) clearance to MiCardia Corporation for marketing its Dynaplasty™ Annuloplasty Band DR™ and Annuloplasty Ring DR. These are the company’s first  Dynaplasty technology products to receive this clearance. Welcoming this approval MiCardia CEO, Paul Molloy commented that it involved extensive technical validation of the Company’s first generation annuloplasty system. He said, “It prepares the way for the progression of this highly unique and innovative Dynaplasty Technology and pairs with the commencement of the Company’s DYANA Phase I human study in Europe”.