April 19, 2016 — Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc.’s Aquilion Lightning computed tomography (CT) system was U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared with a more powerful 50 kw generator. The approval means providers can now image a wider range of patients with a low cost of ownership with a reliable, premium-component, entry-level CT system that maximizes their equipment investment.

Lowering cholesterol with statins significantly reduced adverse cardiovascular events in people with average cholesterol and blood pressure levels who were considered to be at intermediate risk for heart disease, according to a new study.

April 20, 2016 — A competition that used technology to encourage and track physical activity was effective at helping participants lose weight and exercise more in both developed and developing countries, according to a new study. Data were presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 65th Annual Scientific Session, April 2-4 in Chicago.

April 20, 2016 — Boston Scientific Corp. announced a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Class 1 recall of the Fetch 2 Aspiration Catheter because the catheter shaft may break at various points along the device, before or during procedures. If breakage occurs while the device is in a patient, pieces of the catheter may block blood supply to the heart or blood vessels. This could result in the need for additional medical procedures, patient injury, or death.

In the first large randomized trial to directly compare two approaches to preventing atrial fibrillation following heart surgery, controlling heart rate and controlling heart rhythm performed equally well.

TAVR, Sapien 3, ACC.16

The continuation of positive clinical trial data for transcatheter aortic valve repair (TAVR), showing it is equal to or better than surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) was the key news from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2016 meeting in April. The continued positive news also made many experts at ACC begin to question the long-term future of SAVR.

In one of the largest trials ever conducted of heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction, the investigational drug aliskiren failed to show superiority over full-dose treatment with the existing “gold standard” therapy angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor enalapril.

St. Jude Medical Inc. announced expansion of its EnSite Precision cardiac mapping system limited market release in Europe.

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