There has been significant investment in research in the field of cardiovascular disease. The Clinical Services Journal explores some of the latest findings to hit the headlines.
Currently, there are more than 6 million new cases of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the EU and more than 11 m in Europe as a whole, every year. With almost 49 m people living with the disease in the EU, the cost to the EU economies is high at €210 billion a year. CVD remains the leading cause of mortality and a major cause of morbidity in Europe. However, statistics indicate that CVD mortality is now decreasing in nearly all European countries, including those of Central and Eastern Europe, which saw substantial increases until the beginning of the 21st century.1 Significant progress is being achieved in terms of prevention, as well as improving outcomes for patients who are diagnosed with CVD, with new insights into effective treatments and life-saving interventions.
Heart surgery: timing is key
One study recently looked at the importance of the time of heart surgery and the impact this has on outcomes. The study, published in The Lancet,2 combined observational study, randomised trial, tissue analysis and research in mice to investigate the link between time of day of surgery and health outcomes.
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