April 12, 2013 — Research by UC Davis physicians has found that women with a severe arterial condition that restricts circulation to arms and legs are at greater risk than men of experiencing a heart attack or stroke yet are less likely to have a history of heart disease or diabetes — common risk factors for major cardiovascular events.

March 2013

Study shows that blocking an inflammation pathway prevents cardiac fibrosis

March 21, 2013 — New research from UC Davis published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that blocking an enzyme that promotes inflammation can prevent the tissue damage following a heart attack that often leads to heart failure.

UC Davis research advances efforts to prevent dangerous blood clots

March 20, 2013 — New research from the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, published in the Journal of Surgical Research, may help clinicians determine which patients are at highest risk for post-surgical blood clots in the legs or lungs.

UC Davis study calls for research on the efficacy and safety of vena cava filters

March 19, 2013 — An evaluation of practice patterns in California hospitals showed a large variation in the use of metal devices called inferior vena cava filters, or VCFs, despite little evidence of their safety and effectiveness. Led by UC Davis physicians, the study demonstrated that patients in larger, urban and private hospitals with more than 400 beds were most likely to be treated with one of the metal devices, which are placed intravenously to prevent pulmonary embolism.

Researchers discover key biochemical step to heart failure, new therapies on horizon

March 12, 2013 — Some 5.8 million Americans suffer from heart failure, a currently incurable disease. But scientists at Temple University School of Medicine's Center for Translational Medicine and UC Davis Health System have discovered a key biochemical step underlying the condition that could aid the development of new drugs to treat and possibly prevent it.

February 2013

Sacramento leaders come together as champions of women's heart health

February 26, 2013 — Crystal Ching has no family history of heart disease. She is under 50. Her cholesterol is low. She maintains a healthy weight. Yet she has heart disease.

Pharmacologist to test new therapy for protecting diabetics from heart failure

February 15, 2013 — A UC Davis pharmacologist has been awarded a two-year, $95,000 Innovation Award from the American Diabetes Association to find out if blocking the pancreatic hormone amylin can reduce diabetic heart failure.

Experimental gene therapy treatment for duchenne muscular dystrophy offers hope for youngster

February 7, 2013 — Jacob Rutt is a bright 11-year-old who likes to draw detailed maps in his spare time. But the budding geographer has a hard time with physical skills most children take for granted ― running and climbing trees are beyond him, and even walking can be difficult. He was diagnosed with a form of muscular dystrophy known as Duchenne when he was two years old.

January 2013

A quilt for life

January 30, 2013 — Quilts are often given to celebrate a life change such as a marriage or the birth of a baby. Marilyn Jackson’s latest quilt celebrates much more: a life saved. On January 30, she presented UC Davis cardiothoracic surgeon David Cooke with a quilt she made for his 3½ year old daughter, Audrey.

December 2012

UC Davis study shows that treadmill testing can predict heart disease in women

December 3, 2012 — Although there is a widespread belief among physicians that the exercise treadmill test (ETT) is not reliable in evaluating the heart health of women, UC Davis researchers have found that the test can accurately predict coronary artery disease in women over the age of 65. They also found that two specific electrocardiogram (EKG) indicators of heart stress during an ETT further enhanced its predictive power.

November 2012

General thoracic surgeons emerge as leading providers of complex, noncardiac thoracic surgery

November 28, 2012 — A UC Davis study has found that general thoracic surgeons, especially those at academic health centers, perform the vast majority of complex noncardiac operations, including surgeries of the esophagus and lungs. The authors said their results, published in the October issue of The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, support the designation of general thoracic surgery as a distinct specialty, which will benefit patients when selecting surgeons for specific procedures.

UC Davis researcher recognized as distinguished scientist by the American Heart Association

November 20, 2012 — Donald Bers, the Joseph Silva Endowed Chair for Cardiovascular Research and chair of the Department of Pharmacology at UC Davis, was recognized as a Distinguished Scientist at the American Heart Association's 2012 Scientific Sessions, which were held in Los Angeles Nov. 3-7.

Call for nominations: Knoepfler Lab seeking "Stem Cell Person of the Year"

November 16, 2012 — Borrowing a thematic page from Time magazine and its annual tradition of identifying an individual or idea that has influenced the events during the year, UC Davis stem cell researcher Paul Knoepfler is seeking nominees for what he's dubbed the "Stem Cell Person of the Year" award.

October 2012

High blood pressure damages the brain in early middle age

October 31, 2012 — Uncontrolled high blood pressure damages the brain's structure and function as early as young middle age, and even the brains of middle-aged people who clinically would not be considered to have hypertension have evidence of silent structural brain damage, a study led by researchers at UC Davis has found. [en español] [中文 Chinese]

Controlling depression is associated with improved health for heart-failure patients

October 30, 2012 — Controlling depression in patients with heart failure can improve health status, social functioning and quality of life, according to a new study by psychiatrists and cardiologists at the UC Davis and Duke University schools of medicine. [en español]

September 2012

UC Davis researcher receives $1.3 million to develop biopacemaker from stem cells

September 12, 2012 — Deborah K. Lieu, a stem cell scientist in cardiovascular medicine at UC Davis Health System, has received a $1.3 million research grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to develop stem cells that could serve as a biological alternative to the electronic pacemakers that people now use to regulate heart rhythm.

UC Davis physician recognized for bringing lifesaving heart surgery to Russian children

September 11, 2012 — UC Davis cardiac surgeon Nilas Young will receive the 2012 World of Children Health Award for his international humanitarian efforts to improve pediatric heart care. The award is given each year to a leader in health, medicine or science who has made significant contributions to improving the lives of children. [Russian]

August 2012

2012 Northern California Premium Sake Fest slated for October

August 31, 2012 — Sake aficionados may taste the best offerings from Japan's leading sake makers, as well as Japanese beer, shochu (a distilled equivalent of sake), sushi and other specially prepared foods from local Japanese restaurants, at the 2012 Northern California Premium Sake Fest, Wednesday Oct. 10 at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel.

Chemical widely used in antibacterial hand soaps may impair muscle function

August 13, 2012 — Triclosan, an antibacterial chemical widely used in hand soaps and other personal-care products, hinders muscle contractions at a cellular level, slows swimming in fish and reduces muscular strength in mice, according to researchers at the University of California, Davis, and the University of Colorado.

UC Davis Children's Hospital gains international recognition for lifesaving program

August 10, 2012 — UC Davis Children's Hospital has received the Excellence in Life Support Award from the international Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) for its Extracorporeal Life Support Program. The program provides lifesaving support for failing organ systems in infants, children and in some cases, adults.

July 2012

When I Grow Up event to encourage children with heart conditions to dream about their futures

July 30, 2012 — When I Grow Up, an event that encourages children with heart conditions to dream about jobs they may have when they become adults, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 4 at the UC Davis MIND Institute on UC Davis' Sacramento campus, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. About 150 children and their families are expected to attend.

UC Davis stem cell researchers awarded $53 million

July 26, 2012 — UC Davis Health System researchers who are working to speed therapies to patients suffering from critical limb ischemia, osteoporosis and Huntington's disease received approval today for three separate research grants from the state's stem cell agency totaling more than $53 million. [en español]

$14 million to UC Davis for stem cell research in vascular disease

July 26, 2012 — UC Davis Health System researchers working to speed therapies to patients suffering from critical limb ischemia (CLI) received approval today for a $14.1 million grant from the state's stem cell agency, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).

Precautions urged during heat wave

July 10, 2012 — Soaring temperatures can be extremely dangerous, particularly for seniors or for anyone who works or exercises outdoors. UC Davis physicians offer several suggestions to prevent heat stroke and severe dehydration, which can lead to hospitalization and even death on scorching summer days.

UC Davis study finds that above-normal weight alone does not increase the short-term risk of death

July 6, 2012 — An evaluation of national data by UC Davis researchers has found that extra weight is not necessarily linked with a higher risk of death.

Follow us

UC Davis Vascular Center news releases

April 2013