sudden cardiac death

Risk of sudden cardiac death appears increased within 30 days of heart attack

harminka — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:28:24 -0600

The risk of sudden cardiac death following a heart attack has declined significantly in the past 30 years, although patients appear to be at elevated risk for sudden cardiac death for the first month after having a heart attack, after which time their risk decreases unless they develop heart failure, according to a study in the November 5 issue of JAMA.

Novel insight into cardiac arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death

harminka — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:53:40 -0500

A new study by researchers at Rhode Island Hospital provides much-needed insight into the molecular mechanisms that cause arrythmia, or irregular heartbeat, and how it triggers sudden cardiac death, one of the nation’s leading killers. Their findings, published online in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, could pave the way for the development of new, genetically-targeted therapies to treat and prevent fatal arrythmias.

Malfunctioning kidneys may raise risk of sudden death in women

harminka — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:36:12 -0500

Women whose kidneys are poor at filtering impurities from the blood are at heightened risk of sudden cardiac death, according to a report published in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association.

In-home utomated external defibrillators don't improve sudden cardiac arrest survival

harminka — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:51:52 -0500

David Callans, MD, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, will be available to comment on the New England Journal of Medicine study on the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for sudden cardiac arrests that occur in the home.

Angina drug potentially useful against heart rhythm disorders

harminka — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:54:42 -0500

A recently approved angina drug may also represent a powerful new treatment for a rare hereditary syndrome that places teens at risk for sudden cardiac death, according to research presented to today at the 57th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in Chicago.

Cholesterol-associated gene variants can predict cardiovascular events

harminka — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:21:32 -0500

A study appearing in this week’s New England Journal of Medicine confirms that a combination of gene variants previously associated with cholesterol levels does reflect patients’ cholesterol levels and can signify increased risk of heart attack, stroke or sudden cardiac death.

Methadone Even at Therapeutic Levels Can Kill

harminka — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:33:33 -0600

Methadone is a possible cause of sudden cardiac death even when it isn’t overdosed but is taken at therapeutic levels primarily for relief of chronic pain or drug addiction withdrawal, a new study by Oregon Health & Science University researchers suggests.

New insights into deadly heart rhythm disorder

harminka — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 07:31:16 -0600

Every year, 300,000 Americans die suddenly when, out of the blue, a “storm” of electrical activity arises within their heart muscle – so violent and so abrupt that their hearts just stop beating. These tragic and dramatic “sudden cardiac deaths” strike people young and old, often without warning.

Women less to receive ICDs for prevention of sudden cardiac death

harminka — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 06:48:15 -0500

Among Medicare patients, men are about 2-3 times more likely than women to receive an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for the prevention of sudden cardiac death, according to a study in the October 3 issue of JAMA.

How to prevent sudden cardiac death in heart disease patients

harminka — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 04:46:51 -0500

High-risk patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy appear to have reduced risk of sudden cardiac death with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator that terminates dangerous heart rhythm disorders, according to a study in the July 25 issue of JAMA.

Statin Drugsto Reduce Risk of Heart Failure, Sudden Cardiac Death

harminka — Wed, 02 May 2007 10:42:36 -0500

Statin drugs, known primarily for their ability to lower cholesterol, also may reduce the overactive sympathetic nervous system response that contributes to the worsening of heart failure and increases the risk of sudden cardiac death, two University of Missouri-Columbia researchers have found. Heart failure is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States.