September 23, 2008 - New analysis from the largest outpatient study of heart failure patients in the U.S. shows they are receiving inconsistent care, according to the Registry to Improve the Use of Evidence-Based Heart Failure Therapies in the Outpatient Setting (IMPROVE HF), sponsored by Medtronic, Inc.

September 23, 2008 – Italian-based Invatec today said at the annual VIVA (Vascular InterVentional Advances) conference that it has formally launched U.S. operations.

September 23, 2008 - Micrus Endovascular Corp. today launched the Cerecyte and stretch-resistant versions of its DeltaPaq microcoil system for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms.

The DeltaPaq system is designed to achieve 10 to 20 percent greater intra-aneurysmal packing density than conventional microcoils, the company said.

September 23, 2008 – CryoLife Inc. announced yesterday that its Hemostase MPH, used to control bleeding in general, cardiac and vascular surgery, is now distributed in Canada through Sorin Group Canada Inc.
Hemostase MPH is developed using Microporous Polysaccharide Hemospheres technology (MPH), which produces a plant-based powder that reportedly rapidly dehydrates blood, and enhances clotting on contact. The Hemostase MPH product received Health Canada approval in 2002, CE Mark approval in 2003 and FDA pre-market approval in 2006.

September 23, 2008 - Digirad Corp. yesterday announced FDA clearance of its nSPEED reconstruction software, to be used in its imaging systems for SPECT procedures at either half-time and/or half count densities with parallel and non-parallel hole collimators, reportedly resulting in quicker exams, improved image quality and less radiation exposure.

September 23, 2008 – Results of the SADHART (Safety and Efficacy of Sertraline for Depression in Patients with CHF) clinical trial were presented yesterday at the 12th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) in Toronto, presenting evidence of how treatment can improve depression and morbidity in heart failure.

September 22, 2008 - New data on the Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve with the Ascendra transapical delivery system was presented at the 22nd annual meeting of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) in Lisbon, Portugal.

Interim follow-up results from the pre-commercial transapical PARTNER EU registry of 67 transapical patients were presented on Sept. 13 and showed a 30-day survival of 82 percent and a six-month survival of 56 percent. PARTNER EU is a European registry conducted primarily in 2007 that represents Edwards’ early transapical experience.

September 22, 2008 - The American College of Cardiology has certified the LUMEDX Export to CARE Registry solution, part of its integrated cardiovascular imaging and information system, as an ACC-NCDR CARE Registry software vendor.

The Export to CARE Registry solution is the latest in a suite of software applications developed to address the growing need for accessible vascular data, streamlined clinical workflows, and superior data management.

September 22, 2008 - GE Healthcare demonstrated a new diagnostic tool for heart failure called SyncTool by Syntermed on its GE Xeleris 2 workstations at the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, Sept. 10-14, in Boston.

September 19, 2008 – Volcano Corp. will host “The Future of Intravascular Imaging” symposium Tuesday evening, Oct. 14 at the Renaissance Hotel Convention Center, Washington, D.C., in conjunction with Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics' annual meeting.

The symposium will address how IVUS, FFT, VH IVUS, CTO imaging and OCT can improve everyday outcomes. Featured speakers include: Alex Abizaid, M.D., Giulio Guagliumi, M.D., Mort Kern, M.D., Steve Marso, M.D, Gary Mintz, M.D., Gus Pichard, M.D., Matt Price, M.D. and David Williams, M.D.

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