MedBlog

Commotio cordis: NFL player’s collapse spotlights rare heart phenomenon

Commotio cordis is the rarest form of cardiac arrest – when a healthy heart is stopped by a blow to the chest in between heartbeats. Mark Link, M.D., the country's foremost expert on commotio cordis, explains how athletes can protect themselves from the risk.

Mark Link, M.D.

February 8, 2023

Heart restart: Public defibrillators can save lives

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are available in many public places in Texas. Dr. Wu shares how they can save lives in an emergency.

Richard Wu, M.D.

January 2, 2023

Advances in cardiac imaging open big window into the heart

UT Southwestern's Kartik Agusala, M.D., explains how advanced heart imaging, such as cardiac CT and MRI, benefit patients.

Kartik Agusala, M.D.

March 29, 2022

10 practical, daily tips to improve heart health

Reducing heart disease risk doesn’t require drastic changes. Rina Mauricio, M.D., shares realistic ways to build heart-healthy habits.

Rina Mauricio, M.D.

February 2, 2022

AED primer: How to use the portable heart-shocking device to save a life

Knowing how to use an automated external defibrillator, or AED, might save the life of someone having a heart attack.

Mark Link, M.D.

December 7, 2021

Stereotactic radiation offers new hope for high-risk heart patients

UT Southwestern is the only center in North Texas offering cardiac radioablation, a novel therapy that uses focused stereotactic radiation to assist in cardiac ablation for high-risk patients.

James Daniels, M.D. / Richard Wu, M.D. / Robert Timmerman, M.D.

July 28, 2021

Cardiac MRI for COVID-19 return-to-play is not ready for prime time

With many major college football conferences returning to play, researchers are studying whether cardiac MRI can help student-athletes safely get back in the game after COVID-19 infection. But MRI might not be the best tool for the job. Learn why.

October 15, 2020

Medication as effective as stents, bypass for treating blocked arteries, major study shows

A landmark study has confirmed that, in certain patients with chest pain and abnormal stress tests, drug therapy can be just as effective as bypass or stents to prevent heart attack. In this MedBlog, James De Lemos, M.D., discusses how the findings can help patients save time and money, plus reduce unnecessary risks.

James de Lemos, M.D.

February 5, 2020

Heart of the Matter: A Two-Sided Tale

Desperately ill heart patient Davy Hobson came to UT Southwestern for treatment on – of all days, Valentine’s Day – seemingly short on options. But his odds increased considerably when UTSW specialists took a creative approach to save his life while they awaited a heart for transplant.

Mark Drazner, M.D.

January 17, 2017

Davy’s story: Getting creative to save a heart failure patient

Davy came to us with two medical devices implanted in his heart. With his life on the line, we gave him two more to save him.

Mark Drazner, M.D.

October 10, 2016