July/August 2009

Digital Edition

Drug-Eluting Balloons May Breath New Life into Nonstent Angioplasty

The focus on balloon angioplasty largely slipped from the interventional limelight a decade ago after the introduction of stents, but today there is some renewed interest with the advent of new balloon technology.

Remote Monitoring of Implantable Devices is the Future

There has been a growing trend in electrophysiology toward remote, home monitoring of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices, pacemakers and implantable cardiac monitors. These systems were displayed prominently on the show floor and discussed in several sessions in May at Heart Rhythm 2009 in Boston.

Radial Access Offers Many Benefits to PCI

Interventionalists using radial instead of femoral access say it significantly cuts bleeding complications, infection rates, readmissions and aids patient comfort and ambulation.

Controlling Lab Costs With Better Inventory Control

There are many avenues for the improvement of cath lab inventory control to become more efficient with the emphasis being not faster, but smarter, avoiding waste, and without jeopardizing patient safety. Many different methods are now available to assist in managing inventory.

Prehospital ECGs HaveBig Impact on Door-to-Balloon Times

The use of remote, prehospital ECG transmission systems by emergency medical services (EMS) can help quickly identify ST-elevated myocardial infarctions (STEMI) and allow earlier activation of the cath lab prior to the patient’s arrival at the hospital. Users of these systems say earlier diagnosis and cath lab activation is key to significantly reduce door-to-balloon (D2B) times.

Percutaneous VADs Help Failing Hearts Recover

There is growing interest in going beyond using ventricular assist devices (VADs) just for end-stage heart failure and expanding use for therapeutic recovery in patients with cardiogenic shock, stage III heart failure and to increase perfusion during acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Leveraging Technology to Increase Cath Lab Efficiency

In the current economy where hospitals are tightening their belts to help get through tough times, technology can aid in cost cutting by increasing physician and staff efficiency.

Embolic Protection Reduces Complications

When stenting emerged as a minimally- invasive treatment for clogged arteries associated with peripheral artery disease (PAD), medical experts raised concerns that delivery of stents through the vasculature could potentially knock loose plaque built up on the inside of the artery walls.