Biotronik announced that the first patient has been enrolled in the BioCONTINUE clinical trial (BIOtronik study to assess the CONTINUation of Existing risk of ventricular arrhythmias after CRT-D replacement). BioCONTINUE is the first study to investigate the relevance of defibrillator back-up following first device replacement in a heart failure (HF) patient population with a primary indication for a cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D).

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS) announced that over 2,100 healthcare facilities have agreed to participate in the Bundled Payments for Care initiative to improve care and reduce costs for Medicare. Participants — which include acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, physician group practices, long-term care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities and home health agencies — have transitioned from a preparatory period to a risk-bearing implementation period in which they assumed financial risk for episodes of care.

IMRIS Inc. announced in late July that investment funds managed by Deerfield Management Company L.P. (“Deerfield”) were the prevailing parties in the recently completed sale process for the company’s assets. Deerfield is a healthcare-focused investment firm that manages over $6 billion in assets, and has been the company’s lender, both prior to and following the commencement of the company’s chapter 11 proceedings.