The Hidden Peril: Microplastics and the Threat to Our Health

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👉🏼 Here in case you missed Tuesday’s edition: Heart Strains in the Under-40s

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🌐 Healthcare | News

Study Links Microplastics in Arteries to Increased Cardiovascular Risks

A groundbreaking study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has raised alarms about the potential health risks of microplastics. Researchers in Italy found measurable concentrations of polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride in the arterial plaques of over half of 257 patients undergoing surgery for cardiovascular disease. Alarmingly, these patients had a 4.5 times greater risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, over the next three years. While the study does not definitively prove that microplastics cause these events, experts like Phil Landrigan and Eric Topol have described the findings as a "game changer" and "deeply concerning," respectively. The study highlights the widespread presence of microplastics in our environment and the urgent need for further research into their potential impacts on human health, including links to neurological conditions. While banning single-use plastics and changing behaviors may face hurdles, experts stress the importance of distinguishing between essential and unnecessary plastics and call for regulatory action and reduced plastic use in healthcare systems as evidence accumulates. Read More

Breakthrough Implantable Device for Pulmonary Hypertension Unveiled

Aria CV, a medical device company based in Minnesota, has achieved a significant milestone by successfully implanting its novel Gen 2 Aria CV Pulmonary Hypertension System in a patient for the first time. This implantable device is designed to mimic the function of healthy vessels, improving blood flow to the lungs and reducing the strain on the heart in patients with pulmonary hypertension. The procedure was performed by Dr. Ashwin Ravichandran and Dr. Scott Hittinger at Ascension St. Vincent Cardiovascular Research Institute in Indianapolis, as part of the ASPIRE PH trial. Dan Gladney, Aria CV's CEO, expressed enthusiasm for the device's potential to be "lifesaving and life changing for thousands of patients with pulmonary hypertension." Read More

💰  Healthcare | Startups

Elektra Health Secures $3.3M to Expand Digital Menopause Care Platform

Elektra Health, a telemedicine platform focused on menopause education and support, has raised $3.3 million in new funding led by UPMC Enterprises. The funds will be used to expand Elektra's digital care delivery platform across payers, self-insured employers, and new markets. With 50 million women navigating menopause in the US and limited specialized training for OB/GYNs, Elektra aims to bridge this care gap through telemedicine and personalized support from health experts. Alessandra Henderson, Elektra's co-founder and CEO, highlighted the company's three core pillars – education, care, and community – as the foundation for helping women understand and manage menopause symptoms, optimizing their long-term health and wellness. Read More

Limbic Secures $14M to Advance AI-Powered Mental Health Triage and Support

Limbic, a startup focused on AI-powered mental health triage and support tools, has raised $14 million in a Series A funding round led by Khosla Ventures. The funds will be used to make Limbic's clinical mental health AI available to U.S. providers, aiming to alleviate the national shortage of mental health professionals. Limbic offers AI-powered self-referrals, therapy companions, and other tools designed to improve clinical efficiency and patient engagement. Studies sponsored by Limbic suggest that their tools can shorten assessment times and increase referral rates among underrepresented groups. Limbic's CEO, Ross Harper, emphasizes their focus on clinical, evidence-based solutions, differentiating them from wellness apps. Investor Adina Tecklu of Khosla Ventures sees Limbic addressing issues faced by both patients and providers in the mental health space. Read More

BrainCheck Raises $15M to Expand Rapid Cognitive Assessments Amid Alzheimer's Crisis

BrainCheck, a cognitive health assessment company founded by Stanford neuroscientist David Eagleman, has secured $15 million in Series B funding led by Next Coast Ventures, S3 Ventures, and UPMC Enterprises. The company's rapid cognitive tests and care plans aim to address the pressing need for early detection of mild cognitive impairment, often a precursor to dementia or Alzheimer's disease. With 92% of mild cognitive impairment cases remaining undiagnosed, according to a recent study, BrainCheck's assessments offer a sensitive and specific metric for age-related cognitive decline. The funding will fuel the commercialization, clinical research, and integration of BrainCheck's tools with electronic health records (EHRs) across healthcare systems and payers. As Alzheimer's is projected to cost the U.S. $321 billion this year, early intervention through BrainCheck's rapid assessments could significantly impact patient outcomes and healthcare costs. Read More

Milu Health Secures $4.8M Seed Funding to Expand AI-Driven Healthcare Cost Savings Platform

Milu Health, a health tech company leveraging AI to reduce healthcare costs for employees and employers, has announced a $4.8 million seed funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz's Bio + Health fund. The company has also partnered with over a dozen employers to expand employee access to its platform. Milu's platform integrates with electronic health records (EHRs) to proactively notify and support patients in finding fairly priced doctors, accessing affordable medications, fighting incorrect medical bills, and routing employer benefits. By leveraging EHR data from over 40,000 provider groups and health systems, Milu can generate personalized cost-saving notifications for patients well in advance. The funding will be used to further develop Milu's technology platform and expand its operations. Co-founder Sasha Gribov highlighted the platform's ability to guide patients through the complex healthcare system, while co-founder Gautam Kumar emphasized Milu's mission to reduce healthcare costs throughout the entire patient journey. Read More

 🚀 Healthtech Investors

Madeline Darcy: Championing a Broader Vision for Women's Health Investments

Madeline Darcy, founder and managing partner of Kaya Ventures, is advocating for a more comprehensive approach to women's health investments. While acknowledging the progress made in areas like infertility and menopause, Darcy believes the investor community still has a limited understanding of women's health. She defines it as any condition that disproportionately affects women or impacts them differently, including Alzheimer's, heart disease, osteoporosis, and aging-related issues. Darcy emphasizes that women's health extends beyond medical conditions, encompassing caregiving roles, end-of-life decisions, and financial management later in life. With her diverse background and experiences, Darcy brings a unique perspective, challenging the notion that certain areas are already saturated with investments. She believes there are still significant opportunities to address the evolving needs of women across their lifespan, from young mothers to great-grandparents. Read More

🧠 Healthcare | AI | Tech

PreemptiveAI Unveils Groundbreaking Biomedical AI for Health Prediction

PreemptiveAI, a Seattle-based AI research and development company, has emerged from stealth mode with a revolutionary foundation model for health prediction and monitoring. Backed by $6.4 million in funding, the company has developed a groundbreaking AI model that leverages advanced signal processing to interpret biomedical signals from smartphones and wearable devices, offering unprecedented insights into human physiology. Led by a team of multidisciplinary founders with expertise in AI health, wearable sensing technology, and machine learning, PreemptiveAI has achieved scientific breakthroughs in extending the capabilities of photoplethysmography (PPG) signals, commonly used for measuring vital signs, to provide a deep window into the body's physiological state. This innovative approach facilitates early disease detection and has far-reaching implications for patient care, precision medicine, and drug development. PreemptiveAI has formed a strategic partnership with Duke University to enhance the model's predictive capabilities, particularly in predicting hospital readmissions and identifying rising health risks. Dr. Lana Wahid of Duke University, now the Medical Director of Duke's Early Phase Research Unit, praises PreemptiveAI for its potential to significantly improve healthcare outcomes and efficiency. Read More

🗣️ Healthcare | Events | Conferences | March

March 11-15: 2024 HIMSS Global Health Conference (Orlando, FL)

March 11-12: Fierce BD&L Summit for Life Sciences (San Francisco, CA)

March 12-15: Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA) Executive Conference (Amelia Island, FL)

March 12-14: AHIP 2024 Medicare, Medicaid, Duals & Commercial Markets Forum (Baltimore, MD)

March 18-20: Fierce Trial Master File Summit (Savannah, GA)

March 21: STAT 2024 Breakthrough Summit East (NYC & virtual)

March 25-28: American College of Healthcare Executives Congress on Healthcare Leadership (Chicago, IL)

That’s all for this week.
The Pulse Disruption Team

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