Cardiovascular

Baby hearts need rhythm to develop correctly
In an article published last month in the journal Biomaterials the team reported that they have taken an important step toward this goal by determining that the mechanical forces generated by the rhythmic expansion and contraction of cardiac muscle cells play an active role in the initial stage of heart valve formation. MedicalXpress

Blood pressure medications given right after stroke not beneficial, study finds
A major study has found that giving stroke patients medications to lower their blood pressure during the first 48 hours after a stroke does not reduce the likelihood of death or major disability. The study is published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Eurekalert!

Zapping Vein Tops Drugs for Controlling Afib (CME/CE)
Patients who received anti-arrhythmic drugs as first-line therapy had a recurrence rate of 72.1% compared with 54.5% in patients treated with RFA at 2 years. Patients treated with RFA had fewer symptomatic recurrences of Afib and better quality of life. MedPage Today

High potency statins linked to better outcome following a heart attack
A study looking at the data of thousands of patients who suffered heart attacks has suggested treatment with high-potency statins offers a significantly improved chance of survival compared to those taking normal statins. University of Dundee