CVD News watch, April 17

How has been your spring so far? Isn’t spring the perfect time for walking, cycling, or jogging? How about starting this weekend? Check out our heart(y) news update below!

CVD legislation watch

2009 Lobby Day – You’re the Cure on the Hill
On April 20 to 21, about 500 cardiovascular health advocates will be in Washington DC to lobby for affordable health care coverage, increased funding for cardiovascular research and heart disease and stroke prevention programs. The advocates include American Heart Association president Timothy Gardner, president-elect Clyde Yancy, and other officers who will all be wearing red when they meet their representatives in Congress on Capitol Hill next week. As part of the American Heart Association’s You’re the Cure on the Hill, these advocates will urge their members of Congress to support public policies that will help reduce death and disability from heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, the nation’s No. 1 killer.

CVD genetic watch

Genomewide Association Studies of Stroke
Doctors and scientists from all over the world teamed up perform “an analysis of genomewide association data generated from four large cohorts composing the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology consortium.” Until recently, the genes behind stroke risk were unknown. The analysis revealed that “a genetic locus on chromosome 12p13 is associated with an increased risk of stroke.” The findings have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

CVD drug watch

Radiocast: Aspirin Every Day – Is it Right for You?
This audiocast from the Healthcare 411 news series of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality looks into the use of aspirin as a preventive therapy against stroke and heart attack. According to Dr. Michael LeFevre, member of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, patients should first talk to their doctors before taking aspirin. While aspirin has been shown to prevent first heart attacks, it is also associated with a lot of side effects, including gastrointestinal bleeding. The risks and benefits of aspirin therapy should be weighed first.

CVD medical device watch

FDA clears Myxo ETlogix valve ring under new name but disagrees with earlier decision by Edwards that device did not need 510(k)
The US FDA clears dETlogix annuloplasty ring 5100 for the treatment of mitral-valve insufficiency. Due to disagreement between the regulators and manufacturer (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA), the product was recalled last autumn. It is now back in the market but has been renamed “Edwards dETlogix,” model 5100. According a compay spoeks person

“The product is indicated for use in all mitral-valve insufficiencies irrespective of etiology, including degenerative as well as ischemic, rheumatic, and congenital. The device remains unchanged other than its name.”

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