The National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Cancer Institute (NCI) has awarded a five-year research project grant (R01) to identify harmonized reconstruction parameters for each currently-produced positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) scanner for use in clinical trials. The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s (SNMMI) Clinical Trials Network (CTN) will serve as an administrative coordinating body for the Image Reconstruction Harmonization Grant, which was awarded in August to the Universities of Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

October 3, 2012 — Sharp Memorial Hospital was the first on the West Coast to participate in Medtronic's SYMPLICITY HTN-3 clinical trial in March, and is currently the leading trial site in Southern California, to test an experimental medical device that aims to lower high blood pressure by using radio frequency energy to disrupt hyperactive nerves that contribute to the condition.

October 2, 2012 — AstraZeneca has announced the results from a sub-analysis of PLATO that evaluated the effects of age on clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Results of the analysis suggest the overall findings from the PLATO study of a greater reduction in thrombotic cardiovascular (CV) events with Brilinta (ticagrelor) tablets plus aspirin compared to clopidogrel plus aspirin were consistent regardless of age.

October 2, 2012 — A novel blood thinner recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Pradaxa (dabigatran), has been rapidly adopted into clinical practice, yet thus far has had little impact on improving treatment rates for atrial fibrillation.