December 27, 2007 - Several new studies on genetics and stem cell research, along with studies that continue to debate the use of stents to clear coronary artery blockages are among the top research advances in heart disease and stroke for 2007, said Daniel W. Jones, M.D., president of the American Heart Association.

December 27, 2007 - XTENT Inc. announced that it has submitted its application to the designated European Notified Body for CE Mark approval of its Custom NX DES System, while it continues U.S. pivotal trial discussions with the FDA.

XTENT’s CE Mark application includes the XTENT design dossier and the drug formulation submission from Biosensors International Group. XTENT plans to begin European sales of the Custom NX system in the second half of 2008 through partnerships with leading regional distributors, following CE Mark approval.

December 26, 2007 - Medtronic Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement to settle lawsuits relating to its Marquis line of implanted cardiac defibrillators that were the subject of a field action announced Feb. 11, 2005, under which it will settle 2,682 cases for $95.6 million plus $18.5 million in attorneys’ fees.

December 26, 2007 - Boston Scientific Corp. announced its TAXUS Liberte paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system has received European CE Mark approval for use in patients with diabetes.

December 27, 2007 - Cardica Inc. announced that leading cardiac surgeons from The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano and Centennial Medical Center in Nashville will webcast a live off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedure as well as a for approximately 75-minute live webcast will be available on http://www.or-live.com/ on Thursday, Jan.17, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

December 27, 2007 - GE Healthcare announced today that it has entered into an agreement with DRAXIMAGE, a division of DRAXIS Health Inc. of Montreal, Canada, to become the exclusive distributor of DRAXIMAGE Sestamibi upon its approval by the FDA and the expiration of the primary innovator patent.

An abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for DRAXIMAGE Sestamibi was submitted by DRAXIMAGE to the FDA in February 2007, and is currently under review.

December 21, 2007 - Edwards Lifesciences Corp. (Edwards) has completed its acquisition of certain assets of the CardioVations Division of Ethicon, Inc., a product line that is expected to give Edwards surgical partners new avenues to optimize patient outcomes.

The CardioVations product line includes the PORT-ACCESS products for performing minimally invasive cardiac valve procedures. The line is expected to generate sales of more than $20 million in 2008. It is not expected to have an impact on earnings in 2008 and will be accretive thereafter.

Microsoft Corp. recently launched HealthVault, a software and services platform aimed at helping people better manage their health information.

December 26, 2007 - The loss of more than 50 percent of the North American Mo-99 supply is now having an impact on the ability of physicians to perform diagnostic cardiac nuclear medicine studies which depend on a reliable daily supply of isotope Technetium (Tc-99m).

Polymer Technology Systems Inc. (PTS) announced the availability of a new PTS Panels Test Strip to test important risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

This new test strip provides readings for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and glucose with just one drop of blood. No fasting is required and the test is CLIA-waived and FDA cleared. The test is performed on a CardioChek PA.

December 2008

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