2011 - London Cardiovascular Clinic

Archive for 2011

Renal Denervation. A new treatment in the battle against high blood pressure.

The recent Symplicity HTN-2 study published in the Lancet is very exciting, showing that blood pressure can be lowered with a simple catheter based treatment. This provides hope for the many patients whose high blood pressure is difficult to control on tablets. We have an established renal ablation programme in our clinical and research department and an expertise in assessing and treating patients with high blood pressure. For more information please contact us using the form below or click here. A more detailed explanation can be seen by clicking here. Renal denervation therapy – Summary

Catheter ablation of the kidney in the treatment of high blood pressure

Congratulations Professor Mayet

It has been a pleasure to work with Jamil Mayet over the last decade, and his research endeavors have lead to him being awarded a Professorship at Imperial College, London. I am delighted for him, and it is well deserved. Jamil and I were recently in America presenting some of this research, with a new technique to target which narrowing’s in patients arteries are the cause of their angina. This was one of the biggest stories at the annual TCT cardiology conference 2011. More on this to follow.

Iqbal Malik

Dr Malik: BMJ Masterclass

Dr Malik recently presented a lecture to 400 doctors at a British Medical Journal Masterclass on Cardiovascular Risk Factors. See the movie here….

Movie kindly supplied with permission by BMJ. Upcoming BMJ Cardiology event: – Thursday 23rd February 2012, anyone is interested in learning more or registering for the event please go to http://masterclasses.bmj.com/physicians/cardiology

Car fumes and Heart Disease…

A study published in the BMJ recently looked at the association between air pollution and the risk of heart attacks. This epidemiological study looked at the clinical data with regard to heart attacks and the link with data taken from the national air quality archive. There was a staggering 80,000 heart attacks in the 15 chosen areas within the three years in question. The results showed that higher levels of air polution “seem” to be associated with myocardial infarction. However, the study points to the fact that although there is no increased risk of MI, there may be some sort of trigger effect or “short term displacement”. The nature of this effect is not stated. It is clear that air polution is not good for us, this is not new news but i d bet a lifesytle of smoking, poor diet and inactivity would be much more likely to increase your risk of MI

AC Milan player undergoes PFO closure

Last week saw one of the “bad boys” of Italian football taken ill after a flight returning from an away game. The player involved was Antonio Cassano, 29 year old striker who plays for AC Milan in Italy.

It is reported that he was joking with teammates on the plane, before suddenly developing problems with his vision, speech and movement. After various tests it appears that he under-went PFO closure on the morning of 3rd November. The club’s statement ‘The player will undergo a small surgical cardiological intervention in the coming days and the recovery time will be better defined after the surgery, but it will probably be a few months.’

Different devices for hole closure

The link between PFO and cerebral-vascular events is well known and evidence shows a complete closure can reduce the chances of recurrence of stroke. Here at London Cardiovascular clinic we are experienced in the investigation and treatment of PFO and ASD. Dr Malik, consultant cardiologist is a leading expert in this field.

If you would like to know more please us the “contact us” and we’ll call you back.