Latest news with #JACC
Medscape
2 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Ablation Still Best Option When Patient Has AF and Obesity
Demonstrating that the best solution is not always a multistage approach, a new trial shows catheter ablation is superior to a combination of antiarrhythmic drugs and lifestyle changes — weight loss, more exercise, and alcohol reduction — when treating atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients who also have obesity. The PRAGUE-25 trial, led by Pavel Osmancik, MD, PhD, with the Cardiocenter at Charles University in Prague, found catheter ablation was roughly twice as effective in an intention-to-treat analysis at controlling AF at the 1-year mark compared with a combination of antiarrhythmic drugs and lifestyle modification (73% vs 34.6%). A 'referral to [catheter ablation] in this population should not be delayed until the patient loses weight,' according to the researchers, who published their findings online on June 30 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology simultaneously with a presentation at theNew York Valves 2025 Conference. Obesity: A Strong Predictor of AF AF, the most common sustained heart arrhythmia, affects about 60 million people worldwide. Obesity is one of its strongest predictors. An increase in BMI of 5 has been linked with a 19%-29% higher incidence of the rhythm disorder. The PRAGUE trial was a randomized, noninferiority trial conducted in five centers in the Czech Republic. Patients that were included had symptomatic AF (paroxysmal, persistent, or long-standing persistent) and a BMI of 30 to 40. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 either to receive catheter ablation (n = 100) or a combination of medication and lifestyle changes (n = 103) from May 2021 to November 2023. Baseline characteristics were balanced, according to the researchers. After randomization, all patients had a baseline cardiopulmonary exercise test, echocardiography, quality of life analysis, blood biochemistry testing, and a baseline 7-day electrocardiographic Holter recording. Patients in the catheter ablation group underwent ablation within 6 weeks of randomization. Lifestyle modification was started within 4 weeks after randomization and was managed by teams of dietary specialists and physiotherapists, rather than cardiologists. Patients in the combination therapy group lost significantly more weight at 12 months (about 6 kg, P < .001 compared to 0.35 kg in the other group), and that weight loss was maintained through the 24-month follow-up. The weight loss goal in this trial was 10%, an ambitious target in the period, especially given the physical limitations associated with AF. Ramesh Hariharan, MD, cardiac electrophysiologist at UTHealth Houston and Memorial Hermann Health, Houston, who was not part of the study, said much of this research was conducted before the widespread use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, and those medications may help current patients achieve greater weight loss faster. But even with greater weight loss, Hariharan said, the new findings reinforce the idea that no option alone is enough. Lifestyle changes and medicines need to accompany ablation, not replace it, he said, 'otherwise we're going to end up doing [ablations] more frequently.' What's more, technology has improved in the last year with nonthermal pulsed field ablation, which offers 'far fewer collateral damage complications' and results in a 45-minute procedure 'compared to a 2- to 4-hour procedure before. It has made ablation a lot easier.' Gregory M. Marcus, MD, MAS, associate chief of cardiology for research at UCSF Health, San Francisco, said the evidence 'is already definitive that catheter ablation is superior to antiarrhythmic drugs, and there is evidence that successful lifestyle change can reduce the burden of atrial fibrillation.' But this trial is the first to show a head-to-head comparison of ablation with a combination of antiarrhythmic drugs and lifestyle changes. Marcus said he is not convinced the findings exclude the possibility some in this patient population may still be able to treat their AF without ablation. 'For an obese, very sedentary person who drinks too much alcohol, those are, at least theoretically, the prime candidates for lifestyle modification as a way to effectively treat their Afib,' he said. One important lesson, Marcus said, is that this adds to the growing evidence that when considering the population at large with AF, 'on average, catheter ablation is pretty definitively the most effective way to reduce the chance of atrial fibrillation recurrence.' But some of the most interesting results were in the group who underwent lifestyle modification, he said. In addition to weight loss and improved exercise capacity, they experienced a statistically significant decrease in hemoglobin A1c concentrations of 1.4 mmol/L compared with an increase of 2.5 mmol/L in patients who received catheter ablation. 'Those are things that will prolong life and will also improve quality of life,' he said. 'Whether we're going to do an ablation or not,' Marcus added, 'we should always counsel our atrial fibrillation patients about healthy lifestyle management. There are other things to life besides atrial fibrillation.' The study authors and Hariharan reported no relevant financial disclosures. Marcus is a consultant and was a co-founder of the startup InCarda Therapeutics, which is investigating a novel therapy for the treatment of acute AF.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Foldax Announces Positive One-Year Data on TRIA Mitral Valve
Clinical Trial Results Presented at New York Valves and Concurrently Published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) SALT LAKE CITY, June 27, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Foldax® Inc., a leader in the development of innovative polymer heart valves, today announced compelling one-year results from the India Clinical Trial of the TRIA™ Mitral Valve, showing a good safety profile, sustained hemodynamic performance, and statistically significant improvement in patient quality of life. These are the first one-year outcomes ever presented for a multicenter clinical study of a polymer heart valve worldwide. Results were presented today at New York Valves 2025, the annual conference organized by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), and concurrently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). Key one-year results from the trial showed: No valve-related mortality or reinterventions >50% reduction in mean gradient (9.7 mmHg to 4.5 mmHg) and >90% increase in effective orifice area (0.9 cm² to 1.5 cm²), the highest reported in similar surgical mitral valve studies 24-point improvement in KCCQ score (57.5 to 81.9) and 65% increase in Six-Minute Walk Test distance (298.1 m to 494.8 m), indicating significant improvement in quality of life The prospective, multicenter trial enrolled 67 patients aged 19 to 67 across eight sites in India, with an average age of 42. Notably, 64% were women, and of these, nearly half were of childbearing age, a significantly larger percentage than typically seen in clinical studies. Seventy-three percent of patients had rheumatic heart disease. "It is exciting to see the positive clinical outcomes associated with this novel polymer valve," said Isaac George, M.D., Surgical Director of the Heart Valve Center at Columbia University. "This new type of valve sets out to reimagine how a device can address clinical needs that are underserved by current valve solutions." "I am proud to be the principal investigator in India for this groundbreaking trial and represent the highly esteemed clinical investigators who participated in the study," said Kaushal Pandey, M.D., Principal Investigator of the TRIA Mitral Valve India Clinical Trial and Cardiac Surgeon at P.D. Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai. "The TRIA Mitral Valve provides hope for Indian patients—including younger patients and many women of childbearing age—for whom current valve options often fall short." Foldax's vision for its novel polymer heart valves is to address the limitations of tissue and mechanical options by making its valves durable, with the future goal of avoiding a requirement for lifelong anticoagulation. TRIA valves incorporate a proprietary polymer—LifePolymer™ —formulated to be calcium-resistant, biostable and biocompatible. The novel polymer material enables TRIA valves to be robotically produced, which is designed to increase manufacturing efficiency and maximize product quality and precision. "These results validate our strategy of taking heart valve therapy to a new level by bringing innovation to a platform of products that will help patients globally," said Ken Charhut, CEO of Foldax. The Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) publication can be viewed at: *The TRIA Mitral Valve is approved for use in India by CDSCO. The TRIA Mitral Valve is for investigational use only and is not available for commercial sale in the U.S. About Foldax Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Foldax is reinventing every aspect of the heart valve—from material to design to manufacturing—to develop surgical and transcatheter valves with the potential to last a lifetime, addressing limitations of tissue and mechanical valves. Foldax investors include Angel Physicians Fund, Biostar Capital, Caltech, Glenview Capital, Kairos Ventures, Memorial Care Innovation Fund and Sayan Bioventures. For more information on the TRIA Mitral Valve and Foldax's commitment to revolutionizing heart valve care, visit View source version on Contacts MEDIA CONTACT: Michelle McAdam, Chronic Communications, (310) 902-1274
Business Wire
25-06-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Cardiosense Announces Publication of SEISMIC-HF I Study Results in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Heart Failure
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cardiosense, a medical AI company transforming the management of cardiovascular disease, today announced the publication of results from its SEISMIC-HF I study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Heart Failure (JACC: Heart Failure). The study demonstrates the ability of Cardiosense's novel machine learning (ML) algorithm to noninvasively estimate pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The prospective, multi-center SEISMIC-HF I study enabled the development and evaluation of Cardiosense's ML algorithm in 310 patients with HFrEF undergoing right heart catheterization (RHC). The study population enrolled a diverse set of participants with demographics and clinical characteristics reflective of the broader population with HFrEF to ensure ML models generalize across all patients. Patients enrolled in the study wore the CardioTag device–a multi-modal sensor that captures seismocardiogram (SCG), electrocardiogram (ECG), and photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals–on their sternum during the RHC procedure used to provide gold standard assessment of an individual's PCWP. Key findings from the 15-site study show that the device: Estimated absolute PCWP values with accuracy on par with implantable hemodynamic sensors, suggesting that Cardiosense's noninvasive, AI-enabled technology has the potential to increase access to hemodynamic-guided care. Demonstrated a consistent performance across sex, race, ethnicity, and body mass index. Additional analysis available in the full manuscript, titled 'Noninvasive Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure Estimation in Heart Failure Patients With the Use of Wearable Sensing and AI,' available now in JACC: Heart F ailure. "Heart failure management remains one of our most significant clinical challenges and most promising opportunities to directly impact patient outcomes," said Liviu Klein, MD, MS, Section Chief of Advanced Heart Failure, Mechanical Circulatory Support, Pulmonary Hypertension, and Heart Transplant at UCSF, lead author on the study and lead clinical advisor for Cardiosense. "We know that hemodynamic-guided care reduces hospital readmissions and mortality, yet routine cardiac pressure measurements remain inaccessible due to cost and risk. SEISMIC-HF I is a critical advancement toward the quest for noninvasive technology delivering on the promise of fast, safe, and accessible pressure-guided heart failure management.' Initial results from Cardiosense's SEISMIC-HF I study were presented as Late-Breaking Science at the American Heart Association's 2024 Scientific Sessions. 'This analysis marks a real milestone in our journey to revolutionize heart failure management with our proprietary AI technology that leverages noninvasive sensor data to deliver critical information on cardiac function,' said Omer Inan, PhD, Cardiosense Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer. 'The results are a culmination of more than a decade of research and a testament to the cross-disciplinary collaboration from our team of medical and clinical experts, data scientists, and engineers.' For the latest news and information, follow Cardiosense on X and LinkedIn, or visit: About Cardiosense Cardiosense is a leading medical AI company redefining how we detect, monitor, and manage cardiac disease. Built on over a decade of clinical and scientific research, the company is developing novel wearable sensors and machine learning algorithms that translate raw physiological signals into clinically actionable parameters to detect early signs of cardiac disease, guide personalized therapy, and improve patient outcomes. The CardioTag device is an investigational device limited by federal law to investigational use. The CardioTag device is not available for commercial distribution. PCWP Analysis Software is an investigational device limited by federal law to investigational use. PCWP Analysis Software is not available for commercial distribution.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Happy Heart Syndrome: When extreme joy breaks your heart
We all know the phrase 'died of a broken heart' — it's that poetic-sounding (but very real) heart condition triggered by deep sadness or grief. But here's something wild: did you know your heart can also get too happy and totally freak out? Yes. Turns out, your heart doesn't always know the difference between good shock and bad shock. Welcome to the bizarre, fascinating world of Happy Heart Syndrome — a legit medical condition where overwhelming joy can literally break your heart. No joke. Wait, you can have a heart attack from happiness? Basically, yes. Happy Heart Syndrome is the lesser-known cousin of what doctors call Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy, or 'broken heart syndrome.' You might've heard about that — where intense emotional pain (like losing someone you love) temporarily stuns your heart and mimics a heart attack. Your heart even changes shape, ballooning out weirdly on scans — kind of like a Japanese octopus trap (that's actually where 'Takotsubo' gets its name). But here's the plot twist: the same thing can happen when you're too happy, excited, or surprised. Think surprise birthday parties, winning a lottery, seeing someone after decades, or even scoring your dream job. It's your body's version of 'Wait, what just happened?!' A unique case A unique case of happy heart syndrome was published in JACC journal where an individual developed conditions after a birthday celebration. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Type 2? Nutritionists recommend this tea daily High glucose try this Learn More Undo "A 48-year-old female with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, history of stage III gastric cancer with no history of cardiac diseases presented with acute chest pain, headache, and nausea. Cardiac assessments showed elevated troponin-hs-TnT (786, trending to 853), BNP of 977, and EKG findings resembling a lateral wall STEMI. Coronary angiography revealed mild non-obstructive two-vessel disease. Subsequent left ventriculography indicated mid-anterior and mid-inferior wall akinesia with an EF of 35%, consistent with TTS. Guidelinedirected therapy led to rapid recovery and two days later, follow-up EF via transthoracic Echo was 60%," the report says. "Our report highlights a rare cause of cardiomyopathy after a birthday celebration, emphasizing HHS. While TTS is traditionally linked to negative stressors, positive events can also trigger it, leading to HHS." What's going on inside? So here's what's happening: your body gets flooded with adrenaline, the famous 'fight or flight' hormone. It doesn't care if the trigger is a bear charging at you or your friends throwing you a surprise wedding proposal. Adrenaline kicks in anyway. And when there's too much of it, your heart gets overwhelmed, and the muscle (especially in the left ventricle) stops working properly for a while. The result? Chest pain. Breathlessness. Panic. It feels just like a heart attack. And unless doctors do tests to spot the telltale 'takotsubo' heart shape, they might even treat it like one. Good news: it's usually reversible. But that doesn't make it any less terrifying in the moment. How common is this? Not super common, but also not unheard of. Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in general makes up about 1–2% of cases that look like heart attacks. Of those, only a small number are triggered by 'happy' events — but the number is likely underreported, since most people (and even some doctors) don't realize joy can be a trigger. So who's most likely to get it? Happy heart syndrome is a rare type of TTS characterized by a higher prevalence of male patients and atypical, nonapical ballooning compared with patients with negative emotional stressors, says a study published in July 2022 in the journal JACC: Heart Failure. If you've got a history of anxiety, depression, or even just a really sensitive emotional response system, your heart might be more reactive. Your brain-to-heart connection is just extra intense. And if you've already got a weak heart or underlying cardiovascular issues, a sudden emotional jolt — even a good one — could trigger a response. Can you prevent a happy heart meltdown? Look, you don't want to not be happy. Life's meant to be celebrated! But if you know you're someone who gets overwhelmed easily, or if your heart's been through the wringer already, just be mindful. Here's what you can do: Stress-proof your system. Deep breathing, meditation, or even regular walks can help keep your adrenaline responses in check. Know your heart health. Get regular checkups, especially if you're a woman over 50 or have mental health issues like anxiety. Don't ignore symptoms. Even if you just got the best news of your life, if your chest tightens or you can't catch your breath, go to the ER. Let the pros sort it out. Why your heart reacts to both joy and grief It's kind of poetic, right? The same organ that symbolizes love and feeling can get too emotional. From an evolutionary standpoint, your body is wired to respond to extremes — it's a survival thing. But in today's world, that adrenaline rush comes from a text message or a phone call, not a charging tiger. And our poor hearts? Still acting like we're fighting for our lives. When that emotional surge becomes too strong, your heart muscles panic, twist, and balloon out. It's like your heart short-circuits from feeling too much. So... should you be worried? Not really. Unless you have pre-existing risk factors, the odds of Happy Heart Syndrome hitting you are low. But knowing it exists is important — especially if you or someone you love experiences strange symptoms after a major high. More importantly, this whole thing is a reminder that emotional health is physical health. You can't separate your mind from your body. They're tangled up in every heartbeat. Just keep listening to your body. And remember — whether it's grief or giddy excitement — emotions are powerful. They move us. They change us. And sometimes, they knock the wind right out of our hearts. So next time something amazing happens, smile wide, breathe deeply, and maybe sit down before you scream with joy. Your heart will thank you. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
India.com
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Aamir Khan Raises Concern Over THIS Problem In India At WAVES Summit 2025
Mumbai: On the second day of the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES), superstar Aamir Khan participated in a panel discussion titled "Studios of the Future: Putting India on World Studio Map" at JACC in Mumbai. In the panel discussion, Aamir expressed his disappointment at the lack of theatres in India when compared to the population of the nation. The 'Lagaan' actor compared the number of theatres in India with the US and China. With the help of estimated data, the actor highlighted the problem of movie screens in the nation. "I have always believed that we have very few theatres for the size of the country and the number of people living in India. In India, we have around 10,000 screens. In the US, which is one-third of our population, they have 40,000 screens, and China has 90,000 screens compared to our 10,000. And even in this 10,000, half are in the South and half in the rest of the country. So, for a Hindi film, you have a maximum of 5,000 screens," said Aamir Khan. The actor further underlines the fact that the biggest hits of the Indian cinema have a theatrical footfall of only 2 per cent of the entire population. "Our biggest hits over the years, no matter what language, have had a theatrical footfall of three crore people. That's only 2 per cent of our entire population. Only 2% of our population in a country that is recognised as a film-loving country watches our biggest hits in theatres." The 'Lagaan' actor calls for investing in the theatres in several districts and towns of India. "I think that one of the biggest issues that we faced over the decades is that we just don't have enough screens, and according to me, that is what we should be investing in. My belief is that we need to have a lot more theatres in India and theatres of different kinds. There are districts and vast areas in the country that don't have a single theatre," said Aamir. The 'Lagaan' actor believes India has huge potential in entertainment, but it can only be utilised if it has more theatrical screens in India. "India has huge potential, but that can only be realised when you have more screens across the country. If you don't, then people won't watch the films, I can only hear about it," added Aamir. WAVES 2025 will witness participation from over 90 countries, with more than 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, 300+ companies, and 350+ startups. The summit will feature 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout sessions, and 32 masterclasses spanning diverse sectors including broadcasting, infotainment, AVGC-XR, films, and digital media.
