Battling diabetes with beta cells

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Affecting eight percent of America's population, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, strokes and heart disease. Thanks to Tel Aviv University researchers, a new cure –– based on advances in cell therapy –– may be within reach.

Overcoming poor response to standard oral antiplatelet agents

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Existing practice surrounding many cardiovascular medications, including anti-hypertensive and lipid-lowering agents, is based on the evaluation of response to therapy. In cases where ideal therapeutic targets (which have been identified through several previous studies) are not met in the single individual, there is evidence to support the need to intensify standard treatment so as to achieve better control of the cardiovascular risk factor under treatment (e.g. blood pressure or cholesterol levels) as this translates into a better outcome.

New European guidelines for the management of acute pulmonary embolism

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This obstruction may lead to a rise of pressure in the pulmonary circulation and possibly to life-threatening heart failure. PE is a difficult diagnosis that may be missed because of non-specific complaints. On the other hand, early diagnosis is fundamental since immediate treatment is highly effective. Depending on how critical the patient's condition is on admission, initial therapy is primarily aimed either at life-saving restoration of blood flow through the occluded pulmonary arteries or at prevention of potentially deadly recurrences (new episodes) of PE.

Myocardial regeneration by intracoronary infusion of selected population of stem cells in AM

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REGENT is a multicenter, randomized trial for comparison of intracoronary infusion of bone marrow-derived unselected mononuclear cells (MNC) and selected CD34+CXCR4+ cells in 200 patients with acute myocardial infarction and reduced LVEF ≤ 40%.

Primary end-point was change of LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and volumes measured by MRI before and 6 months after the procedure.

ST elevation infarction

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Munich, Germany, Tuesday 2 September 2008:

Compared to the 2003 guidelines, important new recommendations have been formulated regarding:

1. the need for setting up networks of hospitals with different levels of technology using the same protocol and connected by an efficient ambulance service

2. the selection of primary PCI vs fibrinolytic therapy

3. the use of antithrombotic co-therapies with both primary PCI and fibrinolytis

4. secondary prevention
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Heart failure implementation

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Munich, Germany, Tuesday 2 September 2008:

The guidelines are developed through a rigorous process involving a task force of 15 experts in the field and a review committee of 21 international authorities.

The 2008 ESC guidelines cover for the first time both acute and chronic heart failure. Indeed, the guidelines have built upon the realisation that patients with acute heart failure often develop chronic problems and likewise, those with chronic heart failure, often suffer from acute illness.

Fibrin-derived peptide FX06 reduces cardiac reperfusion injury

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Professor Dan Atar, the Coordinating Investigator of the F.I.R.E. (FX06 In ischemia and REperfusion) trial, a Phase II clinical study of FX06, will present the results of the trial at 12-noon on September 2nd in the Hot Line III Session at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich, Germany.

Results of the APPRAISE-I dose guiding trial

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Munich, Germany, Tuesday 2 September 2008 :

While the results of the study did not show a statistically significant difference in ischemic events among any of the four doses of apixaban evaluated, trends emerged that support further study, according to researchers at the Duke Clinical Research Institute.

Virus weaves itself into the DNA transferred from parents to babies

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Parents expect to pass on their eye or hair color, their knobby knees or their big feet to their children through their genes. But they don't expect to pass on viruses through those same genes.

Advances in the management of patients with diabetes mellitus: Triumphs and tragedies

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The need for long term studies to establish the best means of treating Diabetes, was underlined by Prof John Cleland from the University of Hull at the ESC Congress in Munich. Prof Cleland listed the latest treatment available for patients and voiced his concern about the side-effects and efficacy of available anti-diabetic drugs.

Treating Patients with Diabetes Mellitus