July 12, 2013 — Micell Technologies Inc. received CE mark approval for its MiStent sirolimus-eluting absorbable polymer coronary stent system. The MiStent SES is unique in providing local drug delivery both during and after the period of polymer absorption, thereby eliminating long-term polymer exposure, a potential cause of delayed healing and late adverse events.

In a move that would significantly boost its capabilities in the fast-growing market for advanced electrophysiology procedures, Boston Scientific Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bard EP, the electrophysiology (EP) business of C.R. Bard, for $275 million in cash. The company expects to close the transaction in the second half of 2013, subject to customary closing conditions.

Aspirin has been widely used for more than 50 years as a common, inexpensive blood thinner for patients with heart disease and stroke, but doctors have little understanding of how it works and why some people benefit and others do not.

Abiomed’s Impella percutaneous left ventricular assist device (pLVAD) was recently deployed at Baylor Medical Center in McKinney, Texas, to treat country music singer Randy Travis.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of death in high school-aged athletes. To determine if SCD can be prevented with a heart screening, The Christ Hospital Health Network (Cincinnati, Ohio), The University of Mississippi Medical Center and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center partnered with USRowing and Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc. to conduct The Athlete Heart Research Study. Initial participants included volunteer high school rowers with more than two years of continuous practice who competed in the USRowing Youth National Championships, June 7 – 9, 2013 in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Clinical Study JAMA Percutaneous Coronary Interventions Angiography

In a clinical study that included nearly 6 million Medicare Advantage and Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries from 12 states, rates of angiography and percutaneous coronary interventions were significantly lower among Medicare Advantage beneficiaries and geographic variation in procedure rates was substantial for both payment type. The study was published in the July 10 issue of JAMA.

 

Researchers have announced the results of a five-year study that shows early fetal echocardiography provides reliable prenatal diagnosis of major congenital heart disease (CHD). First trimester screening looks very promising for detection of heart problems and increases the need for scheduling early and detailed cardiac evaluations.

 

Epsilon Imaging Inc. announced a clinical study demonstrating EchoInsight for Cardio Oncology to be a high quality, efficient application for comprehensive assessment of left ventricle (LV) function. The study, presented at the ASE 2013 Scientific Sessions in Minneapolis, Minn., further indicated EchoInsight for Cardio Oncology facilitates monitoring of patients at risk for cardiotoxicity. EchoInsight for Cardio Oncology is a vendor neutral application designed to assist clinicians in improving confidence and workflow of study interpretation and reporting when monitoring oncology patients.

Researchers have announced the results of a retrospective five-year study, which shows that echocardiography can be useful in identifying new strategies for combating the growth failure in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). The high mortality and morbidity rate for these high-risk infants with congenital cardiac anomalies has been difficult to change, but this is a promising step for medical intervention.

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