A new invention will allow for very efficient imaging of the myocardial movements with the use of MRI (magneticresonanceimaging – magnetic resonance imaging). Obtained image is the result of a very strong magnetic field (about 150 thousand times greater than the Earth’s field). Read full text »

Cardiogenic shock is usually associated with an extensive damage of the left ventricle connected with myocardial infarction. Frequency of cardiogenic shock in MI ranges from 5% to 10%, but it can also occur as a complication of right ventricular infarction (3% of cases). There are, however, other causes of the shock: valvular dysfunction (12%) or impaired blood flow in e.g. cardiac tamponade. Read full text »

Clopidogrel – introduced in 1997, not so long ago was the second best-selling drug all over the World, next to the acetylic acid it positioned itself firmly in the field of cardiology as a dual antiplatelet therapy introduced in patients suffering from angina pectoris, NSTEMI, STEMI treated with anticoagulants or PCI as well as in prevention of thrombosis in symptomatic arterosclerosis. Read full text »

Few days ago, on July 25th this year, FDA has granted clearance for CorPath 200 System by Corindus Vascular Robotics. It is the first robotic system designed to perform percutaneous intravascular interventions. This innovation introduces the new quality of interventional cardiologists’ work. Read full text »

Written for www.physiciansweekly.com by: Kim A. Eagle, MD

A study from University of Michigan researchers shows that the signs or symptoms of acute aortic dissection can usually be identified using a risk score generated by a simple bedside screening tool.

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In February 2012 in “The Lancet” a research team led by Maciej Tomaszewski published a work which describes a new risk factor for The Ischemic Heart Disease. The factor is located in the genetic code of the Y chromosome and is likely to be inherited. Read full text »

Scientists are working on developing a tagged antibody, which will identify atherosclerotic plaque and fat in the walls of arteries. Deposits are threatening with wall rupture and thrombus, so as a consequence with heart attack or ischemic brain stroke. The results of studies on the antibody were published in Circulation Research, journal of the American Heart Association (AHA). Read full text »

A number of new robotic systems for surgery have appeared in recent years. These developments aim both at research and improvement of clinical practice in robotic surgery.

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Outcomes of one of the largest clinical trials comparing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) to open heart surgery aortic valve replacement (AVR) were published. Non-inferiority of the TAVI procedure has been demonstrated for mortality and overall clinical outcomes (1). Read full text »

Wrtitten for www.physiciansweekly.com by Craig D. Williams, PharmD
Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Pharmacy Practice
Oregon State University College of Pharmacy
Oregon Health & Science University


Craig D. Williams, PharmD, has indicated to Physician’s Weekly that he has worked as a paid speaker and has received grants/research aid from Merck and Co.
Clinicians should take an active role in helping their patients with type 2 diabetes protect themselves from developing cardiovascular disease, or CVD, in the future.


Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been well documented as a major cause of morbidity and mortality for individuals with diabetes. Adults with diabetes have a two- to four-fold higher risk of CVD when compared with those without diabetes. “The common conditions coexisting with type 2 diabetes—especially hypertension and dyslipidemia— are clear risk factors for CVD,” says Craig D. Williams, PharmD. “Diabetes itself also confers independent risk of CVD.”

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