It’s no secret that vascular health declines with age. Contributing to this decline is dysfunction of the endothelium, the inner lining of the blood vessels. Normally, a functional endothelium enables coagulation, platelet adhesion and immune activity. However, its dysfunction is associated with reduced anticoagulant properties and an inability of arteries and arterioles to dilate fully,ContinueContinue reading “Raise a glass to vascular health”
Tag Archives: cardiovascular system
NO treatment for septic shock
Septic shock occurs when acute inflammation, low blood pressure and blood clotting cause blood delivery to the organs to slow dangerously, resulting in lack of oxygen followed by progressive organ failure. Septic shock is the leading cause of death in intensive care units; mortality rates may exceed 70%. The mechanisms underlying development of septic shockContinueContinue reading “NO treatment for septic shock”
New devices for CTO revascularization
From bacterial collagenase to laser wires, presenters at the Fourth International Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) Summit discussed their experience with several new modalities developed specifically for treating challenging CTOs. J. Interv. Cardiol. 20, 402-405 (2007). view full text (login required)
Researchers discuss advances in retrograde approach to crossing CTOs
Presenters at the Fourth International Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) Summit held in February reported the latest advances in using the retrograde approach to cross CTOs. This technique has been largely developed and honed by Japanese researchers as an alternative to the standard antegrade approach. Proceedings of TCT 4, 10-13 (2007). view PDF
Cell therapy for congestive heart failure moves to clinical trials
Presenters at the Third International Conference on Cell Therapy for Cardiovascular Diseases reported the most recent clinical trial results of cell-based treatments for congestive heart failure involving both bone marrow- and muscle-derived progenitor cells. Proceedings of TCT 4, 14-16 (2007). view PDF
Global frontiers in cell-based therapies explored
Investigators at the Third International Conference on Cell Therapy for Cardiovascular Diseases discussed the latest advances in 2 areas at the forefront of cardiovascular cell treatments: angiogenesis/tissue repair, and engineered cardiac tissue. Proceedings of TCT 4, 15-17 (2007). view PDF
Hybrid cell technologies show promise in treating ischemia
By combining cell therapy techniques with tissue engineering—two approaches that have produced mixed results on their own—researchers are attempting to effect myocardial repair after a heart attack, as well as interrupt the cellular cascade that leads from myocardial infarction (MI) to eventual heart failure. Each approach has its strengths and drawbacks, researchers reported at theContinueContinue reading “Hybrid cell technologies show promise in treating ischemia”
Benefit of embolic protection differs in different settings
The potential clinical benefit of embolic protection during percutaneous intervention is not a yes-or-no question but varies with the type of device used and the anatomic system involved. Initially developed and tested in saphenous vein grafts, embolic protection devices have now been applied in coronary (myocardial infarction), carotid, and renal settings. Results have been disapppointingContinueContinue reading “Benefit of embolic protection differs in different settings”
PFO closure for migraines remains an open question
Though greatly anticipated, results of the MIST (Migraine Intervention with STARFlex Technology) trial, presented during the Innovation in Intervention Summit at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology in March 2006, failed to prove the benefits of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in migraine prevention. The MIST results add to the body ofContinueContinue reading “PFO closure for migraines remains an open question”
Nonautologous cells progress toward clinical trials
Although nonautologous cells are increasingly considered the best cell-based method for treating cardiovascular disease, their therapeutic application has thus far been hindered by a lack of knowledge concerning their immunogenicity, ideal conditions for differentiation, and mechanisms for introducing them into damaged hearts. Presentations at the Second International Conference on Cell Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease inContinueContinue reading “Nonautologous cells progress toward clinical trials”
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