David Tulloch. The patients who died, in June and July last year, were all transferring from Southland. Following the deaths, the board moved to a full-time interventional cardiology service. It meant hiring two additional interventional cardiologists; one started in January, and another last month. Locum cover had also supported the service since last July. Chief medical officer David Tulloch said the board did not know whether the three patients could have survived if a full-time service had been available in Dunedin. ''We do not know, with certainty, if outcomes would have been different for these individual patients had they been treated in Dunedin.'' Certainly, the quicker that patients undergo procedures the better, and the travel time to Christchurch is not ideal for supporting good outcomes.'' Transferring patients to Christchurch from areas other than Dunedin took too long. The delay involved was ''not optimal to support good patient outcomes [even with helicopters] and this is why we have now moved to full cover'', Dr Tulloch said in a written statement. A timeline of events provided to the Otago Daily Times shows cardiologists wrote to chief executive Carole Heatly in September 2012 about safety concerns. ''An incident occurred where there was no … Continue reading →

San Francisco, California (PRWEB) May 07, 2014 The global market for interventional cardiology devices is expected to reach USD 26.06 billion by 2020, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc. Growing global geriatric population base and the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases are expected to drive market demand over the next six years. Growing demand for minimally invasive procedures owing to shorter hospital stays and faster patient recovery times associated with them is also expected to enhance device demand. The introduction of technologically advanced products such as bio-absorbable stents exhibiting higher efficacies in terms of curbing re-stenosis prevalence is expected to be a key opportunity for market participants. The report Interventional Cardiology Devices Market Analysis By Product (Catheters, PTCA Guidewires, Stents, Balloon Inflation Devices, PTCA Balloons) And Segment Forecasts To 2020, is available now to Grand View Research customers at http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/interventional-cardiology-devices-market-analysis. Inquiry before buying at http://www.grandviewresearch.com/inquiry/354. Stents dominated the overall market in 2013, with revenue estimated at USD 10.31 billion. High price and usage rates associated with these products and the introduction of new products enabled with technological advancements, are some of the factors attributing to its large share. Further key findings from the study suggest: Request free … Continue reading →

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 7-May-2014 Contact: Alissa Gutteridge agutteridge@dnamedcomms.co.uk 44-788-005-2940 World Heart Federation Melbourne (07 May, 2014) Two new studies presented at the World Heart Federation's World Congress of Cardiology (WCC) today show the importance of collecting comprehensive patient information nationally and providing timely access to health services in tackling one of the world's most neglected and easily prevented diseases in children, rheumatic heart disease (RHD). RHD, a chronic heart condition caused by acute rheumatic fever (ARF), is the most common acquired heart disease amongst children in developing countries and affects over 15 million people.i RHD is not only a neglected disease, it is also easily prevented and controlled; acute rheumatic fever can mostly be avoided by treating acute throat infections caused by group A streptococcus (GAS) with a simple, short course of antibiotics.i For those who have had rheumatic fever, monthly injections of long-acting penicillin can prevent recurrent attacks of rheumatic fever which can lead to further heart valve damage. On the same day a unique new handbook to support the development of RHD control programmes is launched, new research puts a spotlight on the steps two countries are taking to better manage RHD and improve the lives of thousands … Continue reading →