WASHINGTON The Food and Drug Administration has named a prominent Duke University cardiologist to its No. 2 leadership position, tasked with overseeing drugs, medical devices and tobacco products. Dr. Robert Califf currently serves as a vice chancellor at Duke where his work has focused on best practices for clinical trials, particularly those studying heart drugs. In 2006, Califf helped oversee a partnership between Duke and the FDA to develop new tools for spotting dangerous cardiovascular side effects of drugs and devices. He has also served as an outside adviser to the FDA. In 2007, he was part of a committee that concluded the agency was at risk of failing in its public health mission due to inadequate staffing and funding. Califf will begin work as deputy commissioner in late February. Go here to read the rest: FDA taps Duke expert in cardiology, research for deputy commissioner position … Continue reading →

'Top Number' alone in blood pressure reading better indicator than previously thought IMAGE:This infographic compliments the paper. view more Credit: Cardiosmart/The American College of Cardiology WASHINGTON (Jan. 26, 2015) -- Younger adults with elevated systolic blood pressure -- the top number in the blood pressure reading -- have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease than those with normal blood pressure, according to a large long-term study of younger adults published online today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The risk was higher for women. High systolic blood pressure with normal or near normal diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) is known as isolated systolic hypertension. "Until now, physicians have not considered isolated systolic hypertension to be bad, but this study shows higher risk," said the study's lead author Yuichiro Yano, MD, of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. "By identifying risks in younger populations, they can be made aware of the need to maintain cardiovascular health as they age." Researchers followed nearly 30,000 young and middle-aged adults for more than 30 years. Isolated systolic blood pressure is defined as a systolic blood pressure 140 mm … Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kevin Fitzpatrick has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer of the American College of Cardiology, a move that signals the college's commitment to seeking new and innovative ways to support members and improve heart health. "This new position will help the ACC continue its role as a leader in cardiology and among medical societies by exploring new ways to improve cardiovascular care and new ways to address the challenges in medicine," said ACC Chief Executive Officer Shal Jacobovitz. "The ACC has been a leader in establishing the National Cardiovascular Data Registry, which provides a network for collecting and accessing clinical data that supports the delivery of quality medical care and the development of important new research. Kevin is forward thinking and the right leader to help the ACC continue its growth and innovation." The establishment of the chief innovation officer represents an investment in the continuation, and acceleration, of the ACC's growth. Fitzpatrick's duties will include leading the ACC's team of Innovation Ambassadors in partnering with 1776, a global incubator and investment fund, to identify healthcare startups solving the biggest challenges facing health care today. "I am proud and humbled to … Continue reading →