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News from the world of cardiology...

A new wrist-mounted device allows more accurate measurement of blood pressure, according to research published recently in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The sensor (A-PULSE CASP®, HealthSTATS) … Continue reading Blood pressure readings more accurate with new device →...

We continue our series in which Consultant Interventionist Dr Michael Norell takes a sideways look at life in the cath lab…and beyond. In this column, he considers spas. I have been pondering about writing on this topic for some years. My hesitation to do so was largely the result of an anxiety to distance myself from any suggestion of advertising. However, the spell of impressively cold weather during the run up to last Christmas has prompted me to put aside such sensitivities and produce a column or two on one of my ‘Top Ten Essentials for Modern Day Living’. The question, “What have the Romans ever done for us?” has prompted countless well-rehearsed responses; long straight roads, the introduction of Latin and sewerage, are just a few examples. However, in addition to other notable ancient civilisations, they are particularly remembered for their enthusiasm for utilising mineral baths, dipping into hot springs and for generally enjoying the many benefits of communal bathing. ...

A report from the 5th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Cardiorenal Forum, held at the Royal College of Physicians, London, October 2010, in association with the Dutch Society of Nephrology and the Netherlands Cardiorenal Group...

In this fourth article from the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS), Dr Simon Ray, BCS Vice-President for Clinical Standards, summarises the major issues of the moment. The BCS Clinical Standards Division has a broad ranging remit that includes revalidation, workforce issues, guidelines and practice development. Several of these areas are particularly hot topics at the moment....

Positive EU opinion for apixaban in VTE prevention The new factor Xa inhibitor, apixaban, (Pfizer/Bristol-Myers Squibb), has received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in adult patients who have undergone elective hip or knee replacement surgery. Apixaban is one of a number of new oral anticoagulants that are expected to replace warfarin....

A survey it carried out following the introduction of telehealth monitoring to the homes of 74 people suffering from long-term conditions in NHS Birmingham East and North, showed savings of £277,187 through reduced hospital admissions for relevant conditions (see table 1). The number of hospital admissions for the group fell from 175 in the 12 months before monitoring began, to 24 in the 12 months following introduction of the programme. Total number of days spent in hospital was reduced by 1,062 (table 1)....

Patients who start antihypertensive treatment with two drugs do better than those initially given just one, according to the ACCELERATE trial....

The UK Stroke Association is in the process of planning an awareness campaign around atrial fibrillation (AF) and its link to stroke. The campaign has three stated aims:...

Congratulations to Barbara Conway, Cardiovascular Clinical Team Leader at NHS Darlington, who has won the British Journal of Cardiology Prize for Innovation in Cardiac Rehabilitation. She was awarded £500 at the BACR’s (British Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation) recent conference. ...