Electron cryomicroscopy shows cardiac thin filament structure
13.01.2020
Researchers at Osaka University used electron cryomicroscopy (CryoEM) to image essential cardiac muscle components, known as thin filaments, with unprecedented resolution. They also discovered the mechanism by which these filaments regulate heartbeat via cardiac muscle contractions in the presence or absence of calcium ions by changing their conformations.
Biomarker predicts risks in patients with heart failure
07.01.2020
A UCLA-led study revealed a new way to predict which patients with "stable" heart failure – those who have heart injury but do not require hospitalization – have a higher risk of dying within one to three years.
Wearable AC monitors vital data
07.01.2020
One day, soldiers could cool down on the military battlefield – preventing heat stroke or exhaustion – by using "wearable air conditioning," an on-skin device designed by engineers at the University of Missouri. The device includes numerous human health care applications such as the ability to monitor blood pressure, electrical activity of the heart and the level of skin hydration.
Imaging shows possible cause of noise-related blood vessel damage
05.12.2019
Each 5 decibel increase in environmental noise is associated with a 34% increase in risk for a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular disease event.
'Smart' surfaces help to improve blood-vessel grafts
03.12.2019
Researchers at McMaster University have created a new coating to prevent clotting and infection in synthetic vascular grafts, while also accelerating the body's own process for integrating the grafted vessels.
Protection through awareness and prevention - World Diabetes Day 2019
14.11.2019
Do you know who celebrates his birthday on November 14th? It’s the Canadian surgeon Frederick Banting. Why is that important? Because he was the first to isolate the hormone insulin and thereby lay the foundation for the treatment of diabetes. That's why World Diabetes Day today reminds us of Banting, in 2019 for the 28th time already!
Cardiac diagnostics – prompt and personalized
08.11.2019
If physicians suspect an acute myocardial infarction, they first order an ECG. This test is very established and allows cardiologists to quickly diagnose acute heart attacks – though the test does not detect less common heart attack symptoms. So far, those patients had to wait up to twelve hours before a heart attack could be accurately diagnosed or ruled out. But things are about the change.
mHealth: preventive healthcare via app
06.11.2019
Demand for apps for preventive health care is growing all the time. Particularly popular are diagnostic assistants that record physiological and fitness data. However, there are data protection concerns with these tools.
MEDICA TECH FORUM: light-based imaging technique OCT
04.11.2019
Since its inception, MEDICA TECH FORUM has focused on the implementation of innovations and new technologies into clinical practice. 2019 marks the tenth year of the Forum. In honor of its anniversary, we will brighten things up a bit, as one of the focal points will highlight how optical coherence tomography (OCT) uses light to produce images.
App: reminds heart patients to take their pills
21.10.2019
Heart patients using a smartphone app reminder are more likely to take their medication than those who receive written instructions, according to a study. "We hypothesised that the app would increase adherence by 30 percent, but the impact was even greater," said study author Dr Cristian M. Garmendia, of the Cardiovascular Institute of Buenos Aires.
Cardiac Tissue Engineering: a heart out of the Petri dish
23.09.2019
For patients waiting for donor organs, every day can mean the difference between life and death. Making things even more complicated is the fact that not every organ is a compatible match with the patient. It would mean enormous progress if we could grow organs from the patient's own cells in the lab. That's why patients with heart disease place big hope in tissue engineering.
mHealth: Atrial fibrillation detection – App supports heart health
08.05.2019
Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of persistent cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm). Researchers estimate that 1.8 million Germans are presently affected by this disease. The condition is difficult to diagnose, frequently goes undetected and may result in a stroke. A new smartwatch medical app is designed to help patients detect atrial fibrillation before it’s too late.
Cardiac arrhythmia: treatment in the linear accelerator
08.04.2019
Cardiac arrhythmia is a group of conditions where nerve cells trigger uncontrolled contractions of the heart muscle. They are treated with either medicine or catheter ablation of the tissue. In an interdisciplinary collaboration, cardiologists and radiotherapists took a different approach and used high-precision radiation therapy to treat a patient for whom the other options proved unfeasible.
Interview with Rapid Response Revival Research
15.11.2018
When sudden cardiac arrest occurs, every minute counts to prevent severe damage to the patient. AED devices are proven to increase the survival rate during these events. One who has first-hand experience with this is Donovan Casey.
WAKE-UP study a wake-up call for acute stroke care
08.08.2018
Some solutions are simple, though not necessarily obvious. The WAKE-UP study, which included 70 participating European stroke centers, has now studied a relatively simple procedure to manage the acute care of stroke patients and avoid potential long-term effects. Best of all, it is available wherever MRI is offered.
Regenerative heart valves: from simulation to replacement
23.07.2018
Every year, more than 250,000 patients worldwide receive heart valve implants. Children require repeated replacement surgery because their bodies are still growing, the prosthetic heart valves are not. Regenerative heart valves solve this problem. Until now, we have only been able to monitor how these living implants develop in the body after the fact. Computer models now make this predictable.
Resuscitation via videostream – how EmergencyEye can save lives
02.07.2018
When the heart stops beating, irreversible brain damage occurs within minutes without resuscitation. Meanwhile, action is only taken in very few instances of cardiac arrest. Even first responders frequently feel helpless in this situation. In Germany, approximately 65,000 people die each year from sudden cardiac arrest. This is where EmergencyEye comes in to offer valuable support.
Ventricular fibrillation – Using ultrasound to detect its causes
17.05.2018
Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the heart muscle exhibits a rapid, erratic beat. The cause might be a circulatory system disease or heart attack. Researchers in Göttingen are now developing an ultrasound technique to get to the bottom of ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmias and facilitate better treatment options.
Organ Care System: treatment under extreme conditions
08.05.2018
Multidrug-resistant organisms that are treated with a dosage that exceeds the regular dose a hundred times and at temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius – the human organism is unable to handle it. Yet if the diseased organ is treated outside of the body, extreme conditions are an option. For the first time, physicians have succeeded in treating a severe case of pneumonia by using the OCS.
VR Lab for medical students: linking theory and practice
22.03.2018
Virtual reality and medicine are increasingly mentioned in the same context. In addition to the development of applications that support the treatment of patients suffering from chronic pain and anxiety, this technology also benefits medical staff. Two months ago, the Ulm University Hospital has opened the VR Lab, where medical students can train and learn with the help of 3D organs.
"Spray-On" muscle fibers for biomimetic surfaces
08.01.2018
Few patients with heart failure are fortunate enough to receive a donor's heart. Ventricular assist devices (or heart pumps) have been around for several years and are designed to buy time as patients wait for a transplant. Unfortunately, the body doesn't always tolerate these devices.
Medical life savers – Intensive-care medicine and monitoring at MEDICA 2017
16.11.2017
The patient's safety is always the highest priority. Especially after accidents or serious illnesses, attentive monitoring and preservation of breath, pulse and heart rate is necessary. Discover technical guardians and life-savers at MEDICA 2017.
Research and diagnostics – laboratory technology at MEDICA 2017
14.11.2017
Whether analysis, evaluation or preparation of samples – the laboratory is the core of every research institute. The work’s efficiency also depends to a large extent on the equipment and items. You can discover the latest trends and developments in laboratory technology at MEDICA 2017. See for yourself!
Optical coherence tomography - Looking into the vessel with light
30.10.2017
The cardiology department at the Clinical Center Dortmund has used optical coherence tomography for many years. The technique can be used to examine the inside of the coronary arteries.