Whenever we start a clinical trial to test a new coronary stent we always ask ourself; “what is the best stent for our patients”? Coronary artery disease is a progressive pathological condition that results from atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. As atherosclerosis progresses from damage of the inner layer of the artery, fat or…
Stem cells in the treatment of a heart attack: a Non-STEMI
What is the role of stem cell treatment of a heart attack: non-STEMI? Non-STEMI or Non-ST elevation Myocardial Infarction is the dominant presentation of acute coronary syndrome. This occurs when the blood supplied to the heart muscle is suddenly blocked. Other presentations include unstable angina and STEMI or ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction. Patients presenting…
Stem Cells in the Treatment of Heart Failure
Can stem cells help improve heart muscle in patients with congestive heart failure? The use of stem cells in the treatment of heart failure cases is currently being investigated. Cardiovascular disease is the # 1 killer in the United States accounting for one third of all deaths. Heart disease kills more people than cancer, HIV, diabetes or trauma. Many advances in…
Open Heart Surgery – Incredible Picture Guide!
What is Open Heart Surgery? Traditionally, open heart surgery meant the breastbone being cracked open, providing direct access to the heart, allowing heart surgeons to fix heart problems while the patient is placed on a heart lung machine. Open heart surgery is probably the most widely known and feared of all operations, but in the…
Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension and Pulmonary Endarterectomy
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is an uncommon disease but an important one for several reasons – it is substantially under recognized, it may result in progressive and disabling symptoms, the natural history is progression to death, but there is a highly effective operation (Pulmonary Endarterectomy) that may abolish symptoms and reverse the unfavorable natural…
Heart Attacks In Women
Why single out heart attacks in women? Dealing with the societal “requirements” and to “keep up with the Jones,” all of the women in my life hardly have time to themselves. When they do get time to relax, 9 times of 10 they are already exhausted and feel fatigued. Heart disease is the predominate killer…
How to do the MitraClip Procedure – A Complete Guide
The MitraClip procedure represents a cutting edge way to fix a leaky mitral valve. For a broad overview of the procedure and the type of patients who need it, see our article The MitraClip – Treatment for a Leaky Heart Valve. The following article is meant for all levels of those wishing to learn about the…
Heart Flutter
Heart flutter is a nonspecific term often used by people when describing an abnormal sensation in their chest that may refer to one of several conditions which may be benign or may be concerning, including premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), premature atrial contractions (PACs), heart block, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, POTS, or muscle spasms in…
TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement): The New Heart Valve Replacing Open Heart Surgery
What Is A TAVR (TAVI)? TAVR is a revolutionary new heart valve treatment most commonly used to treat a tight aortic valve, otherwise known as aortic stenosis, TAVR stands for ‘transcatheter aortic valve replacement’, it is also commonly referred to as TAVI, which stands for ‘transcatheter aortic valve implantation’. TAVR and TAVI are the same thing. Transcatheter…
Can You Die From a Broken Heart?
My wife lost her first love recently. Preceding me by five years, this guy was a constant presence in her house when we met. He shared her bed. He slept on her sofa. He ate her food. Even when I cast questioning glances his way during the early days of our courtship, nothing changed. I…
