Go Red Today: Heart(y) News February 5

Go Red Today
Don’t forget to wear something red today. Today, Friday, February 5 is National Wear Red Day in the US. And while at it, check out The Heart Truth Campaign and events for the American Heart Month.

AHRQ and American College of Cardiology Collaborate on Study of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) will work together with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to study the long-term benefits and risks of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in patients at risk for ventricular fibrillation.
According to AHRQ Director Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy

“This study will provide critically important data from the real world of everyday medicine to inform discussions about the long-term benefits of ICD use. This study is an excellent example of how government and the private sector can work together to advance research and improve the quality and safety of health care services.”

HHS Secretary and Surgeon General Join First Lady to Announce Plans to Combat Overweight and Obesity and Support Healthy Choices
Three powerful ladies lead the fight against obesity. First Lady Michelle Obama, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin announced last week the plans to launch a major campaign against childhood obesity in the US. The First Lady says:

“The surge in obesity in this country is nothing short of a public health crisis that is threatening our children, our families, and our future. In fact, the health consequences are so severe that medical experts have warned that our children could be on track to live shorter lives than their parents.  The paper released today is an incredibly important step in directing the Nation’s attention to solving the obesity epidemic and we do not have a moment to waste.”

Panel to FDA: Nebivolol shouldn’t be approved for chronic heart failure
An FDA advisory panel recommends against the approval of nebivolol for the treatment of heart failure. Nebivolol has been approved for hypertension and its manufacturers have applied for extending the drug’s indication to chronic heart failure in the US. The panel’s vote against the approval was unanimous. The drug’s supporters pointed out that nebivolol is already approved for heart failure treatment in more than 70 countries. The US panel, however, was not fully convinced by the data presented to support the application.

New software provides 3-D views of arteries in catheterization lab
A new technology is being tested that would allow doctor to view 3-dimensional images of the heart arteries during a cardiac catheterization procedure. According to study investigator Dr. John D. Carroll

“Coronary interventions may be improved by having a realistic, 3-D image of the coronary artery tree… This [the study] is the first in-human use. The next step is to test it in multiple centers around the world. In addition, we’ll formally test it to see the impact on clinical care. The bottom line is that this is very exciting technology that holds great promise.”

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