Sudden increase in LVAD thrombosis rates

The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has rapidly been incorporated into the management of patients with advanced heart failure.  In response to an internal audit demonstrating a rapid increase in the incidence of pump thrombosis following implantation of HeartMate II LVADs, the authors pooled data from additional centers to investigate this trend.  The resultant retrospective […]

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Acute effects of air pollution – Beijing Olympics study

Although it is now well established that air pollution is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), the mechanisms by which air pollution leads to CVD are not well understood.  Postulated mechanisms include systemic inflammation and thrombosis or endothelial dysfunction.  However, pollution-associated increases in these biomarkers have been inconsistent, partly due to inherent limitations of […]

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Statins inhibit thrombosis

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the primary risk factors for atherosclerotic coronary disease. Statins have revolutionised lipid management with their proven ability to reduce circulating cholesterol levels and have even demonstrated regression of coronary plaques. Interestingly, statins have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic activities, with several studies having shown statin therapy to be […]

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