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Last Updated: Nov 17th, 2006 - 22:35:04 |
Latest Research
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Cardiology
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CHF
Seven-point system gauges seriousness of heart failure in elderly
A simple points system may soon help guide treatment of elderly heart failure patients. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that by counting how many of seven easy-to-obtain health factors a patient has, physicians can estimate the patient's risk of dying.
Nov 10, 2006, 17:06
Latest Research
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Cardiology
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CHF
Famotidine may help to slow progression of chronic heart failure
An over-the-counter medication used to treat heartburn and acid reflux also appears to help decrease the debilitating effects of chronic heart failure, preliminary research shows. But more testing must be done before the drug is recommended for use by heart failure patients, doctors say. According to the research, the same type of chemical reaction that allows stomach acid to cause heartburn and create ulcers also appears to damage and weaken diseased hearts. Blocking this process with the drug famotidine (Pepcid) may help to slow the progression of chronic heart failure (CHF). The research, conducted by the National Cardiovascular Center in Suitra, Japan, appears in the Oct. 3, 2006 edition of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Lead researcher Masafumi Kitakaze, MD, PhD, said although the initial results look promising, more research is needed.
Sep 27, 2006, 00:22
Latest Research
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Cardiology
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CHF
Ilk gene underlies heart failure
Two independent papers in the September 1 issue of G&D reveal a critical role for the ILK protein in regulating cardiac contractility � identifying a new genetic component of heart disease. Congestive heart failure affects 2-3 million people in the United States annually. A large portion of congestive heart failure cases is caused by a condition known as cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is a mostly genetic disease of the heart muscle that causes the heart to become enlarged, and to pump less efficiently.
Aug 19, 2006, 21:35
Latest Research
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Cardiology
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CHF
Nocturnal Hypertension Increase Congestive Heart Failure Risk
Having a relatively high blood pressure level at night may increase the risk for congestive heart failure, according to a study in the June 28 issue of JAMA. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is one of the most common, costly, disabling, and deadly diseases. Once diagnosed as having CHF, patients have a 1 in 3 chance of dying within 1 year and a 2 in 3 chance of dying within 5 years, according to background information in the article. The death rate associated with CHF exceeds that of most cancers, although recent reports suggest an improving prognosis. The predominant causes of CHF are hypertension and coronary heart disease, and high blood pressure (BP) is suggested to be the most important risk factor for CHF. Previous studies have established that 24-hour BP measurements, which provide information that is not obtained from conventional office-based BP measurement, such as average BP over a 24-hour period and night-day patterns, are powerful predictors of cardiovascular illness and death. However, no previous studies have examined 24-hour ambulatory (as opposed to office-measured) BP as a predictor of CHF in persons free of CHF at baseline.
Jun 29, 2006, 02:52
Latest Research
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Cardiology
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CHF
Gender-based differences seen in predictive value of exercise test results of heart failure patients
Peak oxygen consumption during an exercise test is one of the key criteria used to determine when a heart failure patient may need a heart transplant, but the standard values currently used may not accurately predict outcomes for female patients, according to a new study in the June 6, 2006, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Jun 3, 2006, 09:12
Latest Research
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Cardiology
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CHF
Training program may reverse underlying abnormalities in heart failure more effectively than drug treatment
Aerobic training is associated with a reversal of abnormal hormonal patterns that underlie many of the debilitating symptoms of heart failure, according to a new study in the May 2, 2006, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Apr 28, 2006, 01:31
Latest Research
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Cardiology
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CHF
Acetazolamide improves sleep apnea associated with heart failure
Since sleep apnea is associated with heart failure, patients who take a single dose of acetazolamide--a mild diuretic and respiratory stimulant--before going to bed exhibit less sleep apnea, improved blood oxygen levels and fewer daytime symptoms of sleepiness.
Jan 18, 2006, 23:33
Latest Research
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Cardiology
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CHF
NT-proBNP test results comparable to those of BNP blood test in patients with kidney disease
A large-scale analysis has shown that a blood test previously found useful in diagnosing or ruling out heart failure in emergency room patients remains effective in patients with chronic kidney disease. The study also demonstrates that the test for a marker called NT-proBNP can identify patients at a higher risk for death, independent of kidney dysfunction. The report from investigators at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) will appear in the January 3, 2006 Journal of the American College of Cardiology and is receiving early online release.
Dec 15, 2005, 16:28
Latest Research
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Cardiology
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CHF
Moderate exercise may delay congestive heart failure
A new University of Colorado at Boulder study involving laboratory rats that indicates low-intensity exercise may significantly delay the onset of congestive heart failure appears to have some promising implications for humans. According to Professor Russell Moore of CU-Boulder's integrative physiology department who led the study, lab rats carrying the genetic characteristics for spontaneously developing heart failure were shown to live significantly longer if they exercised moderately on a treadmill. The exercise protocol, the equivalent of daily, leisurely strolls in humans, extended the life expectancy of the rat study group by at least 10 percent to 15 percent, according to the study.
Dec 11, 2005, 15:26
Latest Research
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Cardiology
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CHF
Pulmonary artery catheter in critically ill has neutral effect
A meta-analysis of previous studies indicates that use of a pulmonary artery catheter in critically ill patients neither increases risk of death or hospital stay or adds benefit, according to another article in this issue of JAMA.
Oct 6, 2005, 21:44
Latest Research
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Cardiology
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CHF
ESCAPE Trial - No Benefit From Pulmonary Artery Catheterization In Severe Heart Failure
Hospitalized patients with severe congestive heart failure did not experience a benefit from use of pulmonary artery catheterization, but had more adverse events, according to a study in the October 5 issue of JAMA.
Oct 6, 2005, 21:40
Latest Research
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Cardiology
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CHF
Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) malfunction in the failing heart
A new study has identified a molecular defect in cardiac cells that may be a fundamental cause of heart failure, a progressive weakening of the heart that leaves the organ unable to pump blood through the body.
Sep 20, 2005, 20:32
Latest Research
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Cardiology
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CHF
GRK2 or beta-adrenergic kinase (�ARK1) is a Potential Biomarker for Heart Failure
A team of scientists led by Walter Koch, Ph.D., director of the Center for Translational Medicine in the Department of Medicine in Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, previously showed that an enzyme called GRK2 or beta-adrenergic kinase (�ARK1) is critically important in heart function. It is increased in failing human hearts and contributes to the loss of the heart�s contractile strength during the development of heart failure. Decreasing or inhibiting the enzyme reversed heart failure in laboratory tests.
Aug 20, 2005, 16:55
Latest Research
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Cardiology
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CHF
Cardiovascular problems interfere with exercise
A UCLA imaging study revealed significant tissue loss in the regions of heart-failure patients' brains that regulate the autonomic nervous system, interfering with the cardiovascular system's ability to swiftly adapt to changes in blood pressure and heart rate.
Aug 20, 2005, 16:45
Latest Research
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Cardiology
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CHF
New Heart Failure Guidelines Support the Use of BiDil(R)
Updated heart failure guidelines released on Tuesday by the of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) support the combined use of isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine, now available as a proprietary fixed-dose formulation known as BiDil(R) (isosorbide dinitrate/hydralazine hydrochloride), as an adjunct to current standard heart failure therapy for black patients. BiDil was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and launched by NitroMed, Inc. in July 2005.
Aug 18, 2005, 11:35
Latest Research
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Cardiology
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CHF
Low hemoglobin levels are a predictor of increased risk of death in heart failure
Low hemoglobin levels are a predictor of increased risk of death and complications among heart failure patients, according to a report in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Aug 18, 2005, 02:05
Latest Research
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Cardiology
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CHF
New knowledge to shape new heart failure therapies
Researchers have determined how metabolic pathways differ between healthy and failing hearts. Normally, a heart derives its energy from a balance of fatty acids and carbohydrates, specifically glucose.
Jul 22, 2005, 00:52
Latest Research
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Cardiology
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CHF
Extended Phase II Results of Furosemide GR(TM) in Congestive Heart Failure
Depomed, Inc. (Nasdaq:DEPO) today announced results from its extended Phase II trial of Furosemide GR(TM), a controlled release formulation of the leading diuretic furosemide, which is used to treat edema in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients. Additional data from ten patients who underwent additional treatment indicated that Furosemide GR continued to produce comparable diuresis to immediate release furosemide, however with variable urinary urgency and frequency between the two treatment groups.
Jun 4, 2005, 11:45
Latest Research
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Cardiology
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CHF
FDA approval for MOMENTUM trial of percutaneous CHF therapy
Orqis Medical Corporation, developer of the novel and proprietary catheter-based Cancion� cardiac recovery system (CRSTM) to treat congestive heart failure (CHF), today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unconditional approval for researchers to treat up to 200 CHF patients at 40 centers participating in the company's MOMENTUM pivotal clinical trial.
Apr 28, 2005, 00:07
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