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Image: The Aurora system on an operating table; Copyright: umg/samer al mhethawi

umg/samer al mhethawi

For the first time: defibrillator with sternum electrode implanted

09.12.2024

A defibrillator with a sternum electrode was implanted for the first time at University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG). The Aurora System provides a gentler alternative to conventional therapies for sudden cardiac arrest, offering new perspectives particularly for specific patient groups.
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Image: Image captured by the 3D photoacoustic scanner; Copyright: Dr Nam Huynh

Dr Nam Huynh

Handheld 3D photoacoustic scanner could improve disease diagnosis

16.10.2024

A research team at University College London (UCL) has developed a new handheld scanner that generates detailed 3D photoacoustic images in just seconds. The device shows potential for clinical use, particularly in diagnosing conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis.
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Image: Close-up of the Optrell mapping catheter; Copyright: umg/hzg, Eva Meyer-Besting

umg/hzg, Eva Meyer-Besting

First time in Germany: use of the new mapping catheter

03.10.2024

The Heart Center of the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) is the first in Germany to use the Optrell mapping catheter - a procedure that makes the treatment of complex cardiac arrhythmias more precise and efficient. The new instrument creates high-resolution “maps” of the heart and makes it easier to identify problematic areas for targeted therapy.
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Image: Image from a simulation of an electric field from the upper body and heart in the chest of a human; Copyright: arterioscope - TU Graz

arterioscope - TU Graz

Early detection: machine learning in cardiovascular diagnostics

27.09.2024

Researchers at Graz University of Technology have developed a method for the early detection of cardiovascular diseases before symptoms occur. Using a machine learning model that analyzes electric fields, potential diseases can be precisely identified. This technology could improve diagnostics and reduce invasive interventions.
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Image: Man holding stretched 3D-printed material with purple gloves; Copyright: Casey Cass/CU Boulder

Casey Cass/CU Boulder

3D printed custom implants for the heart

05.09.2024

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania, have developed an advanced 3D printing method to create materials that support human tissue effectively. This new approach could lead to significant improvements in personalized medical implants and tissue repair.
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Image: Fluorescence image of cells in a culture dish; Copyright: S. Rieck/University Hospital Bonn (UKB)

S. Rieck/University Hospital Bonn (UKB)

Cardiovascular research: Generation of endothelial cells from stem cells

23.08.2024

Researchers at the University of Bonn and the University Hospital Bonn have developed a cost-effective and efficient method to generate functional endothelial cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs).
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Image: Medical staff carry cool box on the aircraft.

Heart transplants: Improved outcomes with "heart-in-a-box" technology

22.08.2024

A recent study from the University of Gothenburg, published in The Lancet, highlights a significant improvement in heart transplant outcomes when donor hearts are preserved using hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion, commonly known as "heart-in-a-box," compared to the traditional method of cold static storage.
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Image: Image of a 3D printed blood vessel; Copyright: Dr Norbert Radasci, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh

Dr Norbert Radasci, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh

3D-printed blood vessels offer new hope for heart bypass surgery

15.08.2024

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have developed 3D-printed blood vessels that mimic the properties of human veins. These artificial vessels could significantly improve the outcomes of heart bypass surgeries by reducing complications such as scarring, pain, and infection.
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Image: A person in a white coat explains the human heart with the help of an anatomical model. The model shows the inner structure of the heart in detail.

From permanent to resorbable: self-dissolving stents as heart implants

02.08.2024

Cardiology is increasingly transitioning from traditional metal stents to self-dissolving stents for the treatment of coronary heart disease. These new magnesium stents have the potential to improve the treatment and outcomes for a large patient population.
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Image: surgical operation in operating room; Copyright: Kindai University

Kindai University

New surgical approach for scimitar syndrome: Double-decker technique

01.08.2024

A team at Kindai University Hospital's Department of Cardiovascular Surgery has achieved a significant advancement in treating the rare congenital heart defect known as Scimitar Syndrome. Led by Senior Professor Genichi Sakaguchi, the team successfully performed a modified version of the "Double-Decker Technique" on a two-year-old patient.
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Image: Johannes Holfeld (r) holds the shock wave device in his hand during a bypass operation; Copyright: University Clinic for Cardiac Surgery/MUI

University Clinic for Cardiac Surgery/MUI

Breakthrough in Cardiac Therapy: Shock Wave Treatment to Revitalize Heart Muscle Cells

26.06.2024

Researchers at the Medical University of Innsbruck have pioneered a shock wave therapy combined with bypass surgery, significantly improving the heart's pumping function by revitalizing dormant heart muscle cells. This therapy, which stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, is set to revolutionize the treatment of chronic heart muscle weakness.
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Image: Two people in white coats look at a monitor displaying data on genetic material; Copyright: Karin Kaiser/MHH

Karin Kaiser/MHH

Heart health: New tool developed to investigate telomere length

10.06.2024

A research team from Hannover Medical School (MHH) has developed a new molecular tool to investigate the influence of telomerase on the development of heart muscle cells. This study could have significant implications for the treatment and prevention of heart diseases.
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Image: Man holding the new absorbable stent close to the camera; Copyright: Karin Kaiser/MHH

Karin Kaiser/MHH

Advancements in Cardiac Treatment: MHH's Deployment of Self-Dissolving Stents

31.05.2024

At the forefront of cardiac care, the Department of Cardiology and Angiology at Hannover Medical School (MHH) has introduced a novel treatment method using self-dissolving stents.
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Image: An operating room with a surgery in process; Copyright: Joe Carrotta for NYU Langone Health

Joe Carrotta for NYU Langone Health

Breakthrough transplant surgery: Heart pump and gene-edited pig kidney combined

21.05.2024

NYU Langone Health has achieved a medical milestone with the first-ever combined mechanical heart pump and gene-edited pig kidney transplant surgery.
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Image: Two people in a laboratory setting running tests and scanning qr-codes; Copyright: IGTP

IGTP

Cardiac bioimplants for heart attack treatment

13.05.2024

A recent study highlights the safety and effectiveness of PeriCord bioimplants, derived from umbilical cord stem cells, for regenerating heart tissue post-myocardial infarction.
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Image: Depiction of the bioelectronic mesh in purple and green with red graphene sensors; Copyright: Gao et al., 10.1038/s41467-024-46636-7

Gao et al., 10.1038/s41467-024-46636-7

Bioelectronic mesh for cardiac tissue monitoring

30.04.2024

A team of engineers, led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has developed a cutting-edge bioelectronic mesh system integrated with graphene sensors to monitor both mechanical movement and electrical signals in lab-grown human cardiac tissue.
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Image: A hand holds a mechanical heart valve prosthesis surrounded by a white, stitched textile material; Copyright: Karin Kaiser/MHH

Karin Kaiser/MHH

Cardiac medicine: minimally invasive replacement of any heart valve

19.04.2024

Hannover Medical School (MHH) is presenting a decisive advancement in cardiology: the minimally invasive replacement of the tricuspid valve using a new catheter system, a significant expansion of treatment options for heart valve defects.
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Image: Woman holding a cell phone in her hand in front of her face and speaking into it

AI recognizing heart failure through voice analysis

21.03.2024

In the future, artificial intelligence will monitor patients with advanced heart failure telemedically by the sound of their voice. This will make it possible to detect and treat deterioration at an early stage. The Berlin start-up Noah Labs UG has developed the AI required for this.
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Image: Anatomical model of the human heart on a desk, next to it the hands of a cardiologist can be seen – reBeat cardiac support system; Copyright: Unai82

Unai82

reBEAT: mechanical heart support of the future

06.02.2024

With "reBEAT", the Munich-based start-up AdjuCor has developed a novel system for cardiac support and successfully implemented it together with the Cardiac Surgery Clinic at Hannover Medical School (MHH). It works by providing direct mechanical support without direct blood contact. This makes implantation easier and the system safer.
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Image: A smart bracelet worn on a person’s arm; Copyright: Kaunas University of Technology (KTU)

Kaunas University of Technology (KTU)

Monitoring Atrial Fibrillation with smart bracelet

30.01.2024

Atrial fibrillation, the most prevalent heart rhythm disorder impacting 33 million people worldwide, can have serious consequences if left untreated. To address this pressing issue, researchers have unveiled a technology aimed at identifying and managing individual factors contributing to atrial fibrillation.
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Image: Cardiac catheterization laboratory with a doctor standing in front of the examination table in the middle of the picture; Copyright: HDZ NRW

HDZ NRW

Piccolo: Heart umbrellas with a big impact

19.12.2023

"After the procedure, Jonah was a different child, the improvement was immediate. He turned 180 degrees in the right direction," says his mother Ania. On June 22 of this year, the boy underwent an effective procedure in the cardiac catheterization laboratory at the Heart and Diabetes Center NRW (HDZ NRW) in Bad Oeynhausen when he was just six months old.
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Image: Robotically controlled rotating magnetic field to control the millirobot wirelessly through an aorta and kidney; Copyright: University of Twente

University of Twente

Miniature marvels: wireless millirobots successfully navigate arteries

18.12.2023

For the first time ever, wireless millirobots navigated a narrow blood vessel both along and against arterial flow. Researchers from the University of Twente and Radboudumc inserted the screw-shaped robots in a detached aorta with kidneys where they controlled them using a robotically controlled rotating magnet.
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Image: Cell culture plates in an incubator; Copyright: manjurulhaque

manjurulhaque

Detecting side effects of new drugs on the heart more efficiently

12.12.2023

Scientists at the University Medical Center and the University of Göttingen have developed a novel method to predict the side effects of new drugs and therapeutic approaches on the heart more efficiently.
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Image: Follow-up examination: Professor Duncker checks whether the implanted device is working.; Copyright: Karin Kaiser / MHH

Karin Kaiser / MHH

New device against sudden cardiac death

10.11.2023

Hannover Heart Rhythm Center at MHH implants Germany's first innovative defibrillator with an electrode under the sternum.
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Image: Dr Bastian Schmack (left) and Professor Dr Arjang Ruhparwar demonstrate how the plastic bag of reBEAT encloses the heart; Copyright: Karin Kaiser / MHH

Karin Kaiser / MHH

The most natural form of mechanical cardiac support?

26.10.2023

On the road to gentler mechanical cardiac support, the cardiac surgery clinics of Hannover Medical School (MHH) and the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne (UK) have briefly implanted a novel, groundbreaking circulatory support system in the first five people with advanced heart failure in the world.
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Image: Professor Duncker stands in front of a screen and shows the new electrodeless pacemaker; Copyright: Karin Kaiser / MHH

Karin Kaiser / MHH

Cardiology: novel pacemaker without electrodes

25.10.2023

The Department of Cardiology and Angiology at Hannover Medical School (MHH) is one of the first hospitals in Germany to offer implantation of the new innovative AVEIR VR pacemaker.
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Image: The patch with sensors, electronics and battery; Copyright: Fraunhofer IZM / Volker Mai

Fraunhofer IZM / Volker Mai

ECG with a patch: APPLAUSE European collaborative project successfully completed

17.10.2023

Researchers from Fraunhofer IZM, together with 31 partners from industry and research, have developed a stretchable and wireless patch that can be used to make it possible to conduct diagnostically relevant cardiac monitoring in everyday life.
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Image: A patient on the examination table. Three people in white coats stand next to it and look at an ultrasound image on the screen; Copyright: Karin Kaiser / MHH

Karin Kaiser / MHH

Heart failure: new approaches for treatment shortly before or after birth

06.10.2023

Researchers at MHH want to study the altered lipid metabolism in patients with pregnancy cardiomyopathy (PPCM) and find new biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy.
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Image: The MinION device connected to a computer. The screen shows data from the evaluation; Copyright: Oxford Nanopore

Oxford Nanopore

Nanopore sequencing and DNA barcoding method gives hope of personalised medicine

03.10.2023

With the ability to map dozens of biomarkers at once, a new method could transform testing for conditions including heart disease and cancer.
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Image: Woman and man in white coats stand in front of an emergency clinic and pose for the camera; Copyright: Axel Kirchhof | UKE

Axel Kirchhof | UKE

Modifiable risk factors responsible for half of cardiovascular diseases

07.09.2023

Scientists of the Global Cardiovascular Risk Consortium have proven that the five classic cardiovascular risk factors overweight, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and diabetes mellitus are directly connected to more than half of all cardiovascular diseases worldwide.
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Image: artificial isolated heart on white background; Copyright: ozaiachin

ozaiachin

When the heart loses its nerves

01.09.2023

How do nerves and blood vessels interact in the aging heart? Recent research results from the Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration and the Cardio-Pulmonary Institute at Goethe University Frankfurt shed new light on aging processes in the heart.
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Image: Diagram of a color coordinate representation of the heart chambers; Copyright: Dr. Axel Loewe, KIT

Dr. Axel Loewe, KIT

Machine learning: artificial neural networks localize extrasystoles

03.08.2023

Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) use machine learning for the non-invasive localization of ventricular extrasystoles. This may facilitate and improve future diagnosis and therapy.
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Image: Woman with brown hair in black blazer and white top, Bruna Gigante, poses for the camera; Copyright: European Society of Cardiology

European Society of Cardiology

AI and precision medicine may discover risk of cardiovascular disease

31.07.2023

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, among others, have now found that artificial intelligence seems to play a role in identifying the risk of cardiovascular disease.
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Image: The superior cervical ganglion of a mouse: Here, neurons that control the heart muscle are in close proximity to those that control the pineal gland; Copyright: Karin Ziegler / TUM

Karin Ziegler / TUM

Cardiac disease: new technique shows cause of sleep disturbance

27.07.2023

In a paper published in the journal Science, a team at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) shows that heart diseases affect the production of the sleep hormone melatonin in the pineal gland.
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Image: Left: Chest radiograph Right: Visualization of the grounds for the AI's judgment; Copyright: Daiju Ueda, OMU

Daiju Ueda, OMU

AI classifies cardiac functions, heart disease

14.07.2023

Osaka Metropolitan University scientists have unveiled an innovative use of AI that classifies cardiac functions and pinpoints valvular heart disease with unprecedented accuracy, demonstrating continued progress in merging the fields of medicine and technology to advance patient care.
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Image: Nurse in mask with cardiac patient at doctor's appointment shows heart chart on tablet in modern clinic; Copyright: DC_Studio

DC_Studio

Coronary heart disease: recommendations for imaging diagnostics

11.07.2023

An interdisciplinary team of clinicians and scientists has published a consensus paper recommending appropriate quantitative imaging techniques for coronary artery stenosis and atherosclerosis related treatment and procedural planning.
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Image: Portrait of a smiling senior woman shopping in the supermarket with a trolley; Copyright: lucigerma

lucigerma

Atrial fibrillation: supermarket trolleys set to help diagnosis

29.06.2023

It could be the shopping trip that saves your life: supermarket trolleys are helping to diagnose atrial fibrillation which can then be treated to prevent disabling or fatal strokes.
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Image: Dr. Matthias Gietzelt (left) and Professor Bavendiek in a cardiology examination room; Copyright: Karin Kaiser / MHH

Karin Kaiser / MHH

Cardiovascular diseases: individual risk assessment with ACRIBiS

08.06.2023

MHH Cardiology participates in a nationwide project to improve risk assessment thanks to structured and standardized data.
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Image: Elderly woman at home with heart pain holding her chest; Copyright: tommyandone

tommyandone

Heart failure: AI identifies five subtypes

01.06.2023

Five subtypes of heart failure that could potentially be used to predict future risk for individual patients have been identified in a new study led by UCL (University College London) researchers.
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Image: A silver medical device with a large display on a table in a physician's office; Copyright: NIMBLE Diagnostics SL

NIMBLE Diagnostics SL

Imaging: monitoring cardiovascular stents with microwaves

30.05.2023

A cardiovascular stent may fail after implantation. Patients with arteriosclerosis then must undergo angiography again. The condition of the stent is examined or a new stent is placed during this procedure. Barcelona-based company NIMBLE Diagnostics is now working on an easier method to monitor stents after implantation.
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Image: PhD student Maja Struczynska with the model of a single fibrinogen molecule; Copyright: Jens Meyer/Uni Jena

Jens Meyer/Uni Jena

Specially coated titanium reduces risk of clots on prostheses

26.05.2023

An international research team led by the german University of Jena has now developed a promising approach to significantly reducing blood clotting on the heart valve material titanium.
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Image: A round, red button and a round, black sensor with a white M on the palm of a hand; Copyright: Knopka LLC/Movesense Ltd

Knopka LLC/Movesense Ltd

Knopka LLC and Movesense Ltd: International cooperation forged at MEDICA

23.05.2023

Sometimes, it just about being in the right place at the right time: At MEDICA 2022, Knopka LLC from Ukraine and Movesense Ltd from Finland crossed paths. They immediately started a project together in a hospital in Lviv, Ukraine, that is now, roughly six months later, completed already.
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Image: OR monitor that shows heart rate and other vital parameters, behind it an OR team; Copyright: bilanol

bilanol

OptoCarDi: searching for new diagnostic options to assess the heart muscle

16.05.2023

The preparations for the OptoCarDi project at the EAH Jena and the Jena University Hospital (UKJ) are in full swing. Starting in June 2023, a research team led by Prof. Iwan Schie (Biomedical Engineering), Prof. Robert Brunner (Miniaturized Optical Sensor Systems) and the cardiologists Prof. Sven Möbius-Winkler and Prof. Christian Schulze will develop an optical catheter prototype.
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Image: Modern ECG machine in the hospital emergency room for diagnosis of a heart attack; Copyright: nd3000

nd3000

Atrial fibrillation: Targeted drug therapy approach discovered for the first time

04.05.2023

When the heart gets out of rhythm, characteristic processes occur in the heart muscle cells. Among other things, the currents of electrically charged particles (ions) change. In chronic atrial fibrillation, one of these currents is reduced.
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Image: Several reaction vessels with tissue samples; Copyright: DZHK

DZHK

Collaborative and sustainable - the DZHK's clinical research platform

26.04.2023

At the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), clinical study data and samples belong not to individual clinics but to a superordinate structure - the DZHK. The basis for this is the collaborative clinical research platform launched ten years ago, which makes data and samples from all DZHK studies uniformly recordable.
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Image: An incubator crib in a paediatric intensive care unit in a university hospital; Copyright: DC_Studio

Mint_Images

Bedside portable MRI: use in pediatric ECMO patients

13.04.2023

The neonatology team at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) has conducted the world's first study of children receiving ECMO therapy using the mobile magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The procedure, known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), involves oxygenating the blood outside the body.
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Image: A woman with dark hair, dark glasses and a white coat stands in front of a door frame in a laboratory and smiles at the camera; Copyright: Daniel Delang / TUM

Daniel Delang / TUM

Mini-heart in a Petri dish: organoid emulates development of the human heart

11.04.2023

The team working with Alessandra Moretti, Professor of Regenerative Medicine in Cardiovascular Disease, has developed a method for making a sort of "mini-heart" using pluripotent stem cells.
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Image: Group picture of the representatives of Nimble Diagnostics (thirteen persons); Copyright: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC)

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC)

Stent implants: Nimble Diagnostics closes financing round of one million euros

10.04.2023

NIMBLE Diagnostics, a spin-off of the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), the UPC and the University of Barcelona (UB), has successfully closed a funding round led by Grow Ventures, together with Namarel Ventures and the Inveniam Group, that has secured more than one million euros.
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Image: Illustration of a mitral valve prolapse compared to a healthy valve; Copyright: DZHK - Michael Fausser

DZHK - Michael Fausser

Mitral valve repair: surgery or interventional treatment?

31.03.2023

A leaking mitral valve can be repaired surgically or with catheter-based techniques. A so-called mitral valve prolapse is particularly common, in which part of the valve protrudes (prolapses) into the left atrium. The American PRIMARY study investigates which method is most suitable for repairing mitral valves in patients with degenerative mitral valve insufficiency who are at low surgical risk.
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Image: Elderly female patient, nurse with a stethoscope listening to the heartbeat during a health consultation.; Copyright: YuriArcursPeopleimages

YuriArcursPeopleimages

Shining light on aging hearts

30.03.2023

Light therapy has demonstrated its usefulness in treating a variety of diseases. But can it delay the occurrence of age-related disease? The answer may be yes, according to a study in mice published in February in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
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Image: Results of an echocardiography ultrasound are displayed on a tablet; Copyright: envato/photovs

envato/photovs

Wearable belt: monitoring heart failure with sensors

14.03.2023

Usually, the solutions for monitoring heart failure are implantable and thus come with the risks of surgery. A research project has now developed a noninvasive solution based on sensor technology integrated into a wearable belt.
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Image: An operation on the heart. Open heart surgery; Copyright: photovs

photovs

New ablation technology found safe, effective for atrial fibrillation

13.03.2023

A new ablation technology known as pulsed field ablation was successful at eliminating episodes of abnormal heart rhythms for 12 months in up to two-thirds of patients, according to a study.
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Image: A man in a white shirt is having a heart attack; Copyright: Rawpixel

Rawpixel

Bracelet sensor assesses troponin levels to aid heart attack diagnosis

13.03.2023

An experimental wrist-worn device was found to predict troponin-I and obstructed arteries with 90% accuracy in five minutes, according to research.
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Image: Coronary artery disease surgery using off-pump technique Operation in the operating room; Copyright: photovs

photovs

Complex coronary artery disease: Stenting with close look inside blood vessel improves outcomes

10.03.2023

Patients with complex coronary artery disease who underwent a stenting procedure guided by intravascular imaging were nearly 40% less likely to die of heart disease, have a heart attack caused by a new blockage in the treated artery or need a repeat stenting procedure in the treated artery, compared with similar patients.
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Image: Close up of professional doctor hands operating on a patient during open heart surgery in operating room; Copyright: bilanol

bilanol

Minimally invasive mitral valve repair reduces hospitalizations and deaths

08.03.2023

In patients with heart failure and a poorly functioning heart valve, a minimally invasive procedure using a clip to repair the valve was safe, cut the rate of hospitalizations for heart failure by 47% and reduced deaths from any cause by almost 30% after five years of follow-up.
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Image: A man in a blue coat, Araz Rawshani, poses for the camera.; Copyright: University of Gothenburg

University of Gothenburg

AI supports doctors’ hard decisions on cardiac arrest

21.02.2023

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have developed three such systems of decision support for cardiac arrest that may, in the future, make a major difference to doctors’ work.
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Image: Woman with ruptured blood vessel in eye, closeup; Copyright: amenic181

amenic181

AI finds twisting of eye vessels could cause high blood pressure and heart disease

16.02.2023

Research led by scientists at St George’s, University of London has discovered 119 areas in the genome that help to determine the size and shape of blood vessels at the back of the eye, and that an increase in ‘twisting’ of the arteries could cause high blood pressure and heart disease.
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Bild: Close-up of a laboratory technician, he tests a sample using a spectrometer in the laboratory, fills the sample into the cuvette; Copyright: kwanruanp

kwanruanp

DZHK establishes two central biobanks - cooperation partners welcome

16.01.2023

The German Center for Cardiovascular Research is centralizing its biospecimens collections, which are currently stored at 60 sites. Therefore, it is looking for two biobanks as scientific cooperation partners. Applications are now open to all German biobanks.
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Image: The photomontage shows PD Dr. Mark Kühnel (left) and Christopher Werlein at a multi-end microscope with a tissue section of the heart vessels remodeled by COVID19; Copyright: Karin Kaiser/Abb.

Karin Kaiser/Abb.

How COVID-19 permanently damages the heart

12.01.2023

An interdisciplinary research team from MHH has used innovative molecular methods and a high-resolution microscopy technique to show how the ongoing inflammation in COVID-19 attacks the heart tissue.
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Image: A man in a blue shirt, Prof. Dan Yamin, writes a formula on a board; Copyright: Tel Aviv University

Tel Aviv University

Monitoring heart measures using smartwatches shows that Corona booster vaccine is safe

11.01.2023

The first study of its kind that used smartwatches to monitor the physiological data of close to 5,000 Israelis for two years found that: Monitoring heart measures using smartwatches shows that the Corona booster vaccine is safe and there is no evidence of unusual adverse events.
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Image: Screen with signs to explain the product

Listening for arrhythmias – Cardiokol ltd

17.11.2022

Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke – especially in people older than 65. The Israel company Cardiokol offers software applications that enable mass tele-screening for AF. At MEDICA 2022, we met Co-Founder Eli Attar for a video interview. He explained to us how the solution of the company works.
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Image: An elderly person is fitted with a modern hearing aid; Copyright: halfpoint

halfpoint

Novel sensor system with AI-driven biomarkers for patients with heart failure

07.10.2022

UNISONO aims to develop a novel system combining an ear-worn sensor with speech recognition.
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Image: Two hands with gloves are sticking a wearable to a patient's chest; Copyright: MediBioSense

MediBioSense

MediBioSense: Real-time patient monitoring

01.09.2022

Medical wearables become more and more sophisticated. By now, they are not only able to record vital signs. With the Vital Connect Patch, MediBioSense is offering a wearable that can be used for real-time monitoring of patients.
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Image: surgical team of three people around a cardiac surgeon in an operating room looking at an echocardiogram on a screen; Copyright: westend 61

westend61

Is it a heart attack or something else? How artificial intelligence can support diagnostics

22.07.2022

Chest pain, shortness of breath, a brief loss of consciousness – warning signs that suggest a heart attack. But it might also be Takotsubo syndrome, also known as stress cardiomyopathy or broken heart syndrome with symptoms that resemble a heart attack. Yet it is of utmost importance to differentiate between the two conditions to initiate the right treatment.
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Image: Surgeon is inserting a heart catheter into a patient’s body; Copyright: PantherMedia/fly_wish

Single-use catheter reprocessing in electrophysiology

01.03.2022

Catheter ablation is a way to treat irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmias, like atrial fibrillation. Although catheters are classified as single-use or disposable devices, the complex instruments can be reused multiple times thanks to extensive reprocessing.
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Image: two people looking at an ECG; Copyright: PantherMedia/photographee.eu

PantherMedia/photographee.eu

Diagnostics as a service: stroke prevention with the dpv-ritmo system

01.03.2022

Atrial Fibrillation is the most common type of persistent heart arrhythmia, affecting around half a million Germans alone. People with atrial fibrillation have a greater risk for ischemic stroke, making early and effective treatment critical to prevent serious complications. Unfortunately, many patients don’t even know they have atrial Fibrillation.
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Image: Preview picture of video

Affair of the heart: MRI – Detecting coronary heart disease hazard patterns

03.02.2022

The University Hospital Düsseldorf is researching a new method of heart imaging in the MRI: It can detect the early formation of coronary heart disease and show associated lesions before they cause any symptoms. A contrast agent containing fluorine atoms is used for this. We learn more about this method in the video interview with Prof. Ulrich Flögel and Dr. Florian Bönner.
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Image: A sensor with an attached cable in a man’s hand; Copyright: TU Hamburg/Institut Smart Sensors

TU Hamburg/Institut Smart Sensors

Ballistocardiography: Cardiac monitoring of astronauts

24.01.2022

It is an exciting time for space exploration: Will there be more space stations, lunar outposts, or Mars missions in the future? No matter where they are in space, lack of gravity causes astronauts to lose muscle mass during their missions. Even the fittest among them lose heart muscle. An experiment on the International Space Station (ISS) plans to detect whether sensors show heart changes.
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Image: Preview picture of video

Mysterious patterns – Infrared thermography for sports medicine performance diagnostics

07.01.2022

Using a high-resolution infrared camera, sports scientists from the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have discovered how blood flow in the human skin changes during exercise. They now want to exactly quantify these changes with machine vision and thus gain knowledge for performance diagnostics and beyond.
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Image: Man with a bare upper-body is showing an implanted cardiac support system; Copyright: PantherMedia/NikD51

PantherMedia/NikD51

Donor organs: Solving the shortage with technology

03.01.2022

Patients waiting for a donor organ must have a lot of patience and a bit of luck. Aging and a rise in chronic disease prevalence means the need for donor organs is much greater than the number that is available. To help those who need organ transplants, scientists must create new technologies.
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Image: a woman on an OR table; Copyright: PantherMedia/ArturVerkhovetskiy

PantherMedia/ArturVerkhovetskiy

Identifying risks before surgery - with simple means

08.10.2021

Risks during surgery, especially cardiological risks, are still very high in the Western world. However, conventional methods for measuring such risks before surgery are costly or even not always meaningful. And increasing economization in hospitals also makes it more difficult for staff to find time for a comprehensive pre-op analysis.
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Image: A man in a blue shirt is sitting at his desks and performs stretching exercises; Copyright: PantherMedia/Andriy Pipov

PantherMedia/Andriy Pipov

Everyday physical activity: out of shape thanks to the Corona pandemic?

22.09.2021

Social distancing, working from home, limited social activities: the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted many people to become more inactive, sedentary, and therefore more susceptible to ailments. Simple fitness programs and regular exercises can help counteract the negative effects of inertness. And paradoxical as it may sound, the pandemic also gives us the chance to get moving again.
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Image: Scientist with pipette in laboratory ; Copyright: PantherMedia/alexraths

PantherMedia/lucadp

Genetic test better than blood test for cardiovascular diseases

31.08.2021

Determining an individual’s blood group based on genetic tests instead of merely traditional blood tests can provide a better picture of the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
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Image: Emergency cardiology. ecg with supraventricular arrhythmias and brief atrial fibrillation ; Copyright: PantherMedia/Olga355

PantherMedia/Olga355

Screening for atrial fibrillation could reduce risk of stroke

30.08.2021

Screening for atrial fibrillation in 75- and 76-year-olds could reduce the risk of stroke, severe bleeding and death, according to a study at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden that has been published.
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Image: Blood vessels and nerve tracts of a mouse; Copyright: Helmholtz Zentrum München

SWIR Imaging: The Power of Multi-Color Real-Time Technology

02.08.2021

Image-guided surgery is based on medical imaging. However, past imaging technologies performed while the patient is awake cannot deliver a complete view that facilitates a visual differentiation of structures such as blood vessels and nerve tracts. In a study, scientists developed a non-invasive imaging modality that enables multiplexing, deep tissue penetration, and real-time resolution.
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Image: A surgeon points at a screen that shows a roughly round shape; Copyright: PantherMedia/pitchayanank.hotmail.com

Medical imaging: obtaining an accurate view of blood vessels for surgery

02.08.2021

Surgical intervention is often inevitable when blood vessels become narrowed, blocked, or damaged. Surgeons use stents and medical balloons to open and widen the arteries, suck out the obstructing clots and use a catheter to examine the vessels. Intraoperative cardiovascular imaging is an essential tool to guide the catheters and instruments during the minimally invasive procedures.
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Image: a cardiac catheter robot in an OR; Copyright: Universitätsklinikum Freiburg 2021

Universitätsklinikum Freiburg 2021

Bringing stents precisely to their destination with cardiac catheter robots

02.08.2021

Robots in the operating theatre are no longer a rarity in certain medical fields - they support and relieve doctors and sometimes they can make operations more efficient and easier with artificial intelligence (AI). However, they are rarely found in the operating theatre during cardiological interventions.
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Image: X-ray image of a blood vessel with a catheter and a balloon; Copyright: PantherMedia/pitchayanank.hotmail.com

A look into the cardiovascular system: Possibilities of medical imaging

02.08.2021

A high degree of precision is required for operations involving the cardiovascular system. This is based on medical imaging. In practice, however, these still face a number of challenges that can impair image quality. The further development of imaging techniques represents a forward-looking field of research in order to be able to improve surgical treatment.
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Image: an electronic patch; Copyright: Nature Biomedical Engineering

Nature Biomedical Engineering

Soft skin patch could provide early warning for strokes, heart attacks

23.07.2021

Engineers at the University of California San Diego developed a soft and stretchy ultrasound patch that can be worn on the skin to monitor blood flow through major arteries and veins deep inside a person's body.
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Image: A technical band aid; Copyright: Williamson Adams

Williamson Adams

Detecting atrial fibrillation early with mobile rhythm patch

08.04.2021

According to a study, a mobile rhythm patch can help detect and prevent strokes. In this interview with MEDICA, co-study leader Prof. Rolf Wachter explains how the mobile rhythm patch works and which insights the study results provide for the future.
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Image: Physician looking at the print-out of an ECG curve next to a patient; Copyright: PantherMedia/voenkor

PantherMedia/voenkor

FDA: Breakthrough Device Designation to ECG analysis platform

07.04.2021

Tempus, a leader in artificial intelligence and precision medicine, announces that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the company Breakthrough Device Designation for its ECG Analysis Platform.
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Digital twin heart – Computer model for an optimized therapy success

15.03.2021

Heart surgery is difficult even for experienced surgeons and therapeutical success is not always certain. Physicians need to rely on their experience when choosing and planning the correct intervention. A computer model could help them in the future: The digital twin heart could be fed with patient data and then simulate whether an intervention will be successful.
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Image: A surgeon is inserting a catheter into a blood vessel of a patient; Copyright: PantherMedia/chanawit

PantherMedia/chanawit

Atrial fibrillation: better outcomes with diamonds

15.12.2020

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots and trigger strokes. To correct the condition, physicians use medication or surgical intervention by means of catheter ablation. This surgical method on the beating heart is a standard and safe procedure but there is always room for improvement.
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mHealth for cardiology – CardioSecur helps from a distance

20.11.2020

Bringing the technology to the patient and not the other way around – that is the idea behind CardioSecur. The physician can connect the mobile ECG system to his smartphone and thus have it with him always and everywhere. We asked MD and Founder Felix Brand how this works, to what extent patients also benefit from it and why the technology is particularly useful in corona times.
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Medical products made of collagen - Biocompatible, elastic, stable

19.03.2020

Regenerative medicine often relies on implants and materials that support healing in our body. Collagen has a special significance here. It is compatible to the body and offers an excellent environment for the growing of new cells. In our video, we took a look on where collagen and collagen products for medicine come from.
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Image: A device with a large monitor and different control panels in a darkened laboratory; Copyright: Fraunhofer IPA – PAMB

Fraunhofer IPA – PAMB

Cardiovascular diseases: using AI to navigate the catheter

09.03.2020

Treatment of a heart attack or stroke caused by vascular occlusion must be prompt to prevent further damage to vital tissue. Unfortunately, the actual treatment is often preceded by a lengthy catheter-based procedure where the cardiologist manually guides the catheter to the affected vessel. AI might perform this task in the future.
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Image: Colorful cubes with heart symbols are floating over a smartphone; Copyright: panthermedia.net/thodonal

Cardiology: digital solutions support those coping with chronic illness

03.02.2020

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. Acute events such as heart attacks and strokes stand out in this setting. Chronic heart diseases can also be a debilitating condition for many patients. If cardiology uses digital methods and tools, it can reach more affected people.
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Image: Heart symbols are floating over a smartphone in the hand of a physician; Copyright: panthermedia.net/thodonal

Digital cardiology: analyzing data beat by beat

03.02.2020

Chronic cardiovascular diseases are a growing burden worldwide. Most of them are diseases of civilization that spread, where lifestyle is improving or where it is good already. But the healthcare systems are not growing equally to keep up with this development. We can make up for this by making cardiological care smarter with eHealth and mHealth.
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Image: Blood sample labelled

panthermedia.net/olanstock

Cardiac diagnostics – prompt and personalized

08.11.2019

If physicians suspect an acute myocardial infarction, they first order an ECG. This test is very established and allows cardiologists to quickly diagnose acute heart attacks – though the test does not detect less common heart attack symptoms. So far, those patients had to wait up to twelve hours before a heart attack could be accurately diagnosed or ruled out. But things are about the change.
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Image: Two screens with picture of the circulatory system in a catheter laboratory; Copyright: panthermedia.net/sudok1

MEDICA TECH FORUM: light-based imaging technique OCT

04.11.2019

Since its inception, MEDICA TECH FORUM has focused on the implementation of innovations and new technologies into clinical practice. 2019 marks the tenth year of the Forum. In honor of its anniversary, we will brighten things up a bit, as one of the focal points will highlight how optical coherence tomography (OCT) uses light to produce images.
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Image: Man with mouthguard and laboratory glasses holding Petri dish up; Copyright: panthermedia.net/kasto

panthermedia.net/kasto

Cardiac Tissue Engineering: a heart out of the Petri dish

23.09.2019

For patients waiting for donor organs, every day can mean the difference between life and death. Making things even more complicated is the fact that not every organ is a compatible match with the patient. It would mean enormous progress if we could grow organs from the patient's own cells in the lab. That's why patients with heart disease place big hope in tissue engineering.
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Image: Wrist with smartwatch, which measures the pulse rate; Copyright: panthermedia.net / Lev Dolgachov

panthermedia.net / Lev Dolgachov

mHealth: Atrial fibrillation detection – App supports heart health

08.05.2019

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of persistent cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm). Researchers estimate that 1.8 million Germans are presently affected by this disease. The condition is difficult to diagnose, frequently goes undetected and may result in a stroke. A new smartwatch medical app is designed to help patients detect atrial fibrillation before it’s too late.
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RAS-Q - Mobile blood gas exchange for COPD patients

23.04.2019

According to WHO, about 251 million people worldwide had Chronic Obstructive Pumonary Disease in 2016. COPD denotes not a single, but several diseases that are caused by smoking and air pollution, among others. Patients at a later disease stage often need ventilation and are thus bound to the location of their devices.
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Image: Man on a treatment table under a radiation therapy device; Copyright: panthermedia.net/adriaticphoto

panthermedia.net/adriaticphoto

Cardiac arrhythmia: treatment in the linear accelerator

08.04.2019

Cardiac arrhythmia is a group of conditions where nerve cells trigger uncontrolled contractions of the heart muscle. They are treated with either medicine or catheter ablation of the tissue. In an interdisciplinary collaboration, cardiologists and radiotherapists took a different approach and used high-precision radiation therapy to treat a patient for whom the other options proved unfeasible.
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