Regado Biosciences Announces Allowance in Europe of a Fundamental Patent Broadly Covering Oligonucleotide Modulators to Blood Coagulation Factor Aptamers Sep 18, 2009
REG1 is intended for application in arterial thrombosis applications, initially in Acute Coronary Syndrome patients undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention. REG2, Regado's second product candidate, consists of a subcutaneously administered formulation of RB006 paired with the IV bolus formulation of RB007. (PR Newswire)
Boston Scientific Announces Schedule of Events at TCT Conference Sep 17, 2009
SYNTAX is the first randomized, controlled clinical trial comparing percutaneous coronary intervention using drug-eluting stents to coronary artery bypass graft surgery in patients with left main and/or three-vessel disease. Wednesday, September 23. (PR Newswire)
Oxygen-saturated blood reduces levels of damaged heart tissue following a heart attack Sep 16, 2009
When a large area of the heart is damaged, heart failure is more likely, and catheter-based percutaneous coronary intervention is a procedure that can effectively open blocked arteries in STEMI patients, Dr. Stone said. In the trial, the "supersaturated" oxygen was delivered via catheter directly to the area of the heart muscle affected by the heart attack. (EurekAlert!)
Immediate Intervention For Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes Not Always More Beneficial Sep 15, 2009
D., of the Institut de Cardiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pitie-Sapetriere, Paris, and colleagues from The Angioplasty to Blunt the Rise of Troponin in Acute Coronary Syndromes Randomized for an Immediate or Delayed Intervention (ABOARD) study evaluated data from 352 patients with acute coronary syndromes at 13 high-volume medical centers in France with 24-hour facilities for treatment of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (e. g, balloon angioplasty or stent placement) from... (Science Daily)
Petoskey cardiologist is first to place newest heart valve in Paraguay patient Sep 12, 2009
Last year, he was the first doctor to put a new valve into a human patient in Paraguay in a "percutaneous aortic valve replacement" study. The valve is a nickel-titanium device that is inserted through a guide catheter in the groin; it s led up through the body to the chest, and it pops into place in the heart to replace a faulty valve. (Gaylord Herald Times, MI)
OrbusNeich's Genous(TM) Bio-engineered R stent(TM) is Feasible in Patients Requiring Undeferrable Non-Cardiac Surgery, International Journal of Cardiology Publication Reports Sep 12, 2009
The paper, titled "A new approach to percutaneous coronary revascularization in patients requiring undeferrable non-cardiac surgery," is based on a study of 30 patients who needed coronary revascularization followed by an endovascular or surgical procedure. All of the patients were treated with the Genous stent, and there were no cardiac events reported at 30-days follow-up after surgery. (PR Newswire)
Medical firm plans new facility in Queensbury Sep 4, 2009
Manhattan-based Delcath Systems Inc. said this morning it will establish a manufacturing, distribution, research and development facility in Queensbury as it prepares to produce its Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion System for the delivery of drugs to liver tumors. The system currently is in Phase III tests for the delivery of melphalan to the liver. (Albany Times Union)
Prasugrel in Clinical Practice Sep 3, 2009
On July 10, 2009, after an 18-month review, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the thienopyridine prasugrel for use in patients with unstable angina or myocardial infarction who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The new drug is the latest addition to a class of agents that inhibit the platelet adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor, preventing initial platelet activation and consequent platelet aggregation a mechanism that has represented a major advance in the... (New England Journal of Medicine)
Weighing Benefits and Risks — The FDA’s Review of Prasugrel Sep 3, 2009
It was approved for the reduction of thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina or myocardial infarction) who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The FDA grappled with a number of complex issues during the review process,1 and the application was presented to the Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee on February 3, 2009. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Two-Year SYNTAX Data Show Comparable Safety Outcomes for Complex Patients Treated With TAXUS(R) EXPRESS(R) Stents and Bypass Surgery Sep 2, 2009
and BARCELONA, Spain, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: ) today announced two-year data from its SYNTAX clinical trial comparing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using the TAXUS((R)) Express((R)) Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System to coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The overall results demonstrated no statistically significant difference between PCI and CABG in the composite safety endpoint (all-cause death, stroke and myocardial... (PR Newswire)
New Large-Scale, Global Study Provides Additional Information About an Intensified Dose-Regimen of PLAVIX(R) in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients Undergoing Angioplasty Aug 30, 2009
The study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of an intensified clopidogrel regimen (600 mg loading dose day 1 / 150 mg days 2-7 / 75 mg days 8-30) versus the approved PLAVIX dosage (300 mg loading dose day 1 / 75 mg days 2-30) for patients managed with an early invasive strategy with an intent for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The primary end-point (cardiovascular death, heart attack, or stroke at thirty days) for the entire study population (including subpopulations of... (PR Newswire)
Corticosteroid Injections May Be Helpful To Manage Vocal Fold Polyps Without Surgery Aug 21, 2009
"The polyps disappeared in five patients (23 percent) at one month after the percutaneous [through the skin] corticosteroid injection and in 13 (59 percent) after a three-month follow-up period," the authors write ... "In contrast to traditional microlaryngoscopic surgery, percutaneous corticosteroid injection avoids possible scar formation and a second injection can be considered if necessary. In addition, this technique avoids the need for direct microlaryngoscopic instruments and the expense... (Science Daily)
Device May Offer Alternative to Warfarin for Arrhythmia Aug 18, 2009
The study included 463 people who underwent percutaneous implantation of a device, known as the Watchman, to close off the LAA. Their outcomes were compared with those of 244 people who continued long-term treatment with warfarin ... "The efficacy of percutaneous closure of the LAA with this device was non-inferior to that of warfarin therapy," concluded Dr. David R. Holmes, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. (MEDLINEplus)
EVEREST Data Demonstrates Acute Reduction of Mitral Regurgitation Without Procedural Mortality in Patients Treated With the MitraClip(R) Therapy Aug 13, 2009
Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Data published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) indicates that percutaneous valve repair with the MitraClip(R) therapy can reduce acute mitral regurgitation (MR) with sustained freedom from death, surgery or recurrent MR in a substantial proportion of functional and degenerative MR patients ... has developed a proprietary system which enables percutaneous repair of cardiac valves. (PR Newswire)
Renowned vascular surgeon Heitham Hassoun joins Methodist Aug 11, 2009
Internationally acclaimed for his minimally invasive technique, Hassoun s expertise includes repairing aortic aneurysms, carotid stenosis and peripheral arterial disease through small puncture holes rather than incisions, an approach called percutaneous treatment. He comes to Methodist from in Baltimore where had an interest in endovascular training and developed endovascular programs at global affiliates of Johns Hopkins Medicine International. (Houston Business Journal, TX)
Brookline doctor appointed co-director of endovascular surgery at BMC Aug 10, 2009
His clinical expertise is in endovascular and open vascular surgery, open aortic aneurysm repair, endovascular aneurysm repair through a completely percutaneous approach, carotid artery surgery and stenting, diabetic lower extremity management and venous disease. Prior to his appointments at BMC and BUSM, Kalish completed a fellowship in vascular and endovascular surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. (Brookline TAB, MA)
Centra earns two national awards for using information technology to deliver excellent patient care Aug 8, 2009
National accreditation for many of its programs and services, including national recognition with full accreditation with commendation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and accreditation for the Centra Chest Pain Center with percutaneous coronary intervention from the Society of Chest Pain Centers. Patient satisfaction scores that are in the top quartile in the nation. (Chatham Star Tribune, VA)
Balancing Science and Informed Choice in Decisions about Vertebroplasty Aug 6, 2009
Percutaneous vertebroplasty the injection of polymethylmethacrylate directly into the vertebral compression fracture has emerged as a treatment. . (New England Journal of Medicine)
St. Mary's to boost cardiac care services Jul 31, 2009
St. Mary's expects to begin offering angioplasty and other interventional cardiology services this fall through the new percutaneous coronary intervention program. PCI, commonly called angioplasty, was developed in the 1970s to treat plaque build-up in coronary arteries. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Perioperative Safety in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery Jul 30, 2009
A composite end point of 30-day major adverse outcomes (including death; venous thromboembolism; percutaneous, endoscopic, or operative reintervention; and failure to be discharged from the hospital) was evaluated among patients undergoing first-time bariatric surgery. Results There were 4776 patients who had a first-time bariatric procedure (mean age, 44. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Financial impact of reducing door-to-balloon time in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a single hospital experience Jul 27, 2009
We collected financial data for 52 consecutive ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing emergency percutaneous intervention from October 1, 2004-August 31, 2005 and compared this group to 80 consecutive STEMI patients from September 1, 2005-June 26, 2006 after protocol implementation. Results. (BioMed Central)
Hearing over St. John heart procedures draws about 50 people Jul 26, 2009
St. John wants permission to perform elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), commonly known as angioplasty. The procedure involves inserting a balloon into a blocked artery using a catheter. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Minimally Invasive Treatment Relieves Rotator Cuff Pain Jul 22, 2009
Ultrasound-guided percutaneous (through the skin) therapy represents an effective and inexpensive alternative to surgery that is less stressful for the patient ... For the study, Dr. Sconfienza, senior author Giovanni Serafini, M.D., from the radiology unit at Santa Corona Hospital in Pietra Ligure, Italy, and colleagues used ultrasound-guided percutaneous therapy to treat 235 shoulders in 133 women and 86 men (mean age 42) with calcific tendonitis. (Newsmax)
Spinal surgery for Tarkanian on hold Jul 16, 2009
Available for nationwide release this August, the FS3 MIS Spinal System offers cannulated wire guided Minimally Invasive Surgery implants and instrumentation to accommodate a range of patient pathologies through a percutaneous or open approach. Intuitive design allows for fast, reliable, and reproducible access and implantation with minimal exposure and tissue dissection. (Fresno Bee -- Sports)
Improving Treatment Of Patients With Heart Attack Jul 15, 2009
ScienceDaily (July 14, 2009) When faced with patients suffering a heart attack, doctors have two choices: inject them with medication to dissolve the blood clot (fibrinolytic therapy) or insert a small balloon to open the blocked artery (primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)). Guidelines for treating heart attacks are generally based on clinical trials that do not take "real-life" conditions into account. (Science Daily)
Daiichi Sankyo and Lilly Receive U.S. FDA Approval for Effient(TM) Jul 11, 2009
PARSIPPANY, N.J. and INDIANAPOLIS, July 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: ) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Effient(TM) (prasugrel) tablets for the reduction of thrombotic cardiovascular events (including stent thrombosis) in patients with acute coronary syndromes who are managed with an artery-opening procedure known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) ... This press release contains certain... (PR Newswire)
New Way To Fix Leaking Mitral Heart Valves Safe In Initial Testing, Study Shows Jul 6, 2009
In a small study that focused on feasibility and safety, researchers observed improvements in mitral regurgitation in patients successfully treated with a reversible implant called the Percutaneous Transvenous Mitral Annuloplasty (PTMA) system ... 23, 2007) Three new studies evaluate a rapidly advancing field within interventional cardiology: percutaneous procedures to repair and replace defective heart valves ... Percutaneous valve procedures, which are. (Science Daily)
Bypass Surgery Has Long-term Benefits For Children With Kawasaki Disease, Study Suggests Jul 5, 2009
Furthermore, less invasive procedures, such as percutaneous coronary intervention (which routes a catheter through a blood vessel to the site of the blockage), are often attempted prior to surgery. However, long-term benefits are not known. (Science Daily)
Nonsurgical Treatment May Ease Rotator Cuff Injury Jul 2, 2009
The patients were randomly assigned to receive ultrasound-guided percutaneous (through the skin) therapy (219 patients) or to a control group that didn't receive treatment (68 patients). Follow-up was conducted after one month, three months, one year, five years and 10 years. (MEDLINEplus)
Four Out Of 106 Heart Replacement Valves From Pig Hearts Failed, Study Finds Jul 1, 2009
23, 2007) Three new studies evaluate a rapidly advancing field within interventional cardiology: percutaneous procedures to repair and replace defective heart valves. Percutaneous valve procedures, which are. (Science Daily)
Rotator cuff treatment provides immediate tendonitis relief Jun 30, 2009
Ultrasound-guided percutaneous (through the skin) therapy represents an effective and inexpensive alternative to surgery that is less stressful for the patient ... For the study, Dr. Sconfienza, senior author Giovanni Serafini, M.D., from the radiology unit at Santa Corona Hospital in Pietra Ligure, Italy, and colleagues used ultrasound-guided percutaneous therapy to treat 235 shoulders in 133 women and 86 men (mean age 42) with calcific tendonitis ... "Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendonitis:... (EurekAlert!)
New And Efficient Breast Biopsy Technique Developed Jun 26, 2009
(May 31, 2005) Ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsies are a safe and effective alternative to endoscopic biopsies for obtaining samples in the pancreas, a new study. . (Science Daily)
Routine Early Angioplasty after Fibrinolysis for Acute Myocardial Infarction Jun 25, 2009
Background Patients with a myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation who present to hospitals that do not have the capability of performing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) often cannot undergo timely primary PCI and therefore receive fibrinolysis. The role and optimal timing of routine PCI after fibrinolysis have not been established. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Routine Angioplasty after Fibrinolysis — How Early Should “Early” Be? Jun 25, 2009
Complete reperfusion can be achieved with either fibrinolysis or primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but with primary PCI the success rate is higher than 90%, whereas current fibrinolytic therapy leads to full reperfusion in only 50 to 55% of recipients. Primary PCI, therefore, looks like the most appropriate reperfusion tool, but there are substantial logistic restrictions associated with it. (New England Journal of Medicine)
New Heart Valve Repair System Tested for Safety Jun 25, 2009
In the new study, researchers tested a reversible implant called the Percutaneous Transvenous Mitral Annuloplasty (PTMA) system, which is installed via a catheter. In the heart, the mitral valve controls the flow of blood from the left atrium into the left ventricle (from the upper left chamber into the lower left chamber). (MEDLINEplus)
Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes and Coronary Artery Disease Jun 16, 2009
Randomization was stratified according to the choice of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) as the more appropriate intervention. Results At 5 years, rates of survival did not differ significantly between the revascularization group (88. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Business briefs Jun 6, 2009
The expanded capabilities of Florida Hospital Flagler's new Catheterization Lab will include Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, a type of treatment for patients experiencing inadequate blood flow to the heart or a heart attack. Watson notches sharp sales increase. (Daytona Beach News Journal -- Business)
Opening Arteries with Drug-Coated Stents OK over 70 Jun 5, 2009
"The elderly constitute an expanding population segment, and since the risk of coronary artery disease increases with age, the number of elderly patients seeking treatment is on the rise. Advanced age alone should not be taken as a contraindication to percutaneous intervention using paclitaxel-eluting stents in elderly patients," lead author Dr. Daniel E. Forman, director of cardiac rehabilitation and the exercise testing laboratory at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said in a news... (MEDLINEplus)
Video: Data on More Than 15 Novartis Oncology Compounds at ASCO Highlight Progress Toward Targeted Therapies for Diverse Tumor Types May 28, 2009
The trial, conducted in Taiwan by Dr Li-Tzong Chen from the National Health Research Institute, included 36 advanced HCC patients who progressed after various systemic therapies or who were no longer candidates for local therapies, including surgery, percutaneous ablation or transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. Of the 31 patients evaluable in the trial, 16 received everolimus (known as RAD001 in this study) daily. (PR Newswire)
Study Calls For 'As Soon As Possible' Treatment Standard For Heart Attack Patients May 26, 2009
This is called primary percutaneous coronary intervention, or more simply balloon angioplasty ... "Rather than accepting the 90 minute door-to-balloon time benchmark, our data support calls for an 'as soon as possible' standard for patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Such an approach, using necessary safeguards against inappropriate treatment, offers the potential for notable mortality reduction," they conclude. (Science Daily)
With Heart Attacks, Fast Treatment Matters May 22, 2009
Balloon angioplasty, or primary percutaneous intervention, is used to open blocked coronary arteries ... "Rather than accepting the 90-minute door-to-balloon time benchmark, our data support calls for an 'as soon as possible' standard for patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention," they wrote. (MEDLINEplus)
Early Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibition in Acute Coronary Syndromes May 21, 2009
The primary efficacy end point was a composite of death, myocardial infarction, recurrent ischemia requiring urgent revascularization, or the occurrence of a thrombotic complication during percutaneous coronary intervention that required bolus therapy opposite to the initial study-group assignment ("thrombotic bailout") at 96 hours. The key secondary end point was a composite of death or myocardial infarction within the first 30 days. (New England Journal of Medicine)
SYNTAX substudy shows positive outcomes for left main patients treated with TAXUS(R) Express(2)(R) Stent System May 20, 2009
SYNTAX-LE MANS is a substudy of the landmark SYNTAX trial, the first randomized, controlled clinical trial to compare percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using the TAXUS Stent to coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in patients with left main disease and/or significant narrowing of all three coronary arteries (three-vessel disease). The substudy data were presented by A. Pieter Kappetein, M.D., Ph. (PR Newswire)
Boston Scientific Welcomes Launch of Syntax Score Website May 19, 2009
The SYNTAX Score was developed in connection with the SYNTAX trial, the first randomized, controlled clinical trial to compare percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using the TAXUS(R) Express2(R) Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System to coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in patients with left main disease and/or significant narrowing of all three coronary arteries (three-vessel disease). These complex patients are traditionally treated with CABG and have been excluded from most... (PR Newswire)
Abbott Announces EuroPCR 2009 Activities May 18, 2009
Prostar XL: Physicians can learn about the Prostar XL Percutaneous Vascular Surgical System vessel closure device, which now has CE Mark for use following minimally invasive procedures that allow large access sites up to 24F in the femoral artery in the upper thigh. The Prostar XL currently is the only vessel closure device with this indication in the European Union. (PR Newswire)
Microwave Technique Successful In Treatment Of Liver Tumors, Surgeon Shows May 15, 2009
Someone with cirrhosis of the liver can t be operated on in a conventional way to remove a tumour, but we can place a microwave probe in by keyhole or percutaneous (through the skin) methods and can destroy these tumours. Because of the pioneering research done at the University Hospitals Leicester, the microwave generator is being used as far afield as Hong Kong, Singapore, the USA and Australia. (Science Daily)
Heart Device: Novel Patent Foramen Ovale Closure System Safe And Effective, Study Suggests May 15, 2009
8, 2005) Navarre University Hospital has introduced a novel technique for the treatment of congenital heart defects and involving the percutaneous closure of the patent foramen ovale (PFO) with monitoring. (Nov. (Science Daily)
Neovasc Announces Positive Preliminary Clinical Results for its Reducer Product in Refractory Angina Patients May 14, 2009
This data suggests that the Reducer may offer a viable long-term treatment option for refractory angina patients who have failed other therapies. We look forward to sharing the full results from this study in a peer-reviewed scientific forum in the coming months. (Canada Newswire)
Worldwide success in treatment of liver tumors May 13, 2009
The importance of this application of microwave technology is immense, as Mr Lloyd explained: "The technique will have a significant effect on liver cancers, because we are operating on people who have been declared inoperable. Someone with cirrhosis of the liver can't be operated on in a conventional way to remove a tumour, but we can place a microwave probe in by keyhole or percutaneous (through the skin) methods and can destroy these tumours.". Because of the pioneering research done at the... (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Why Females Do Not Fare As Well As Men In Undergoing Angioplasty For Heart Attacks May 12, 2009
In addition, women are less likely to develop brisk blood flow through the treated artery after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). As a result, women face twice the likelihood of procedural failure and an increased risk of death, according to the studies. (Science Daily)
Racial Disparity Seen in Angioplasty Outcomes May 12, 2009
That's the finding of a study that included 1,410 patients, average age 57, who had a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedure at Cook County Hospital in Chicago and were followed for an average of 1. 7 years. (MEDLINEplus)
MALPRACTICE SUIT LEVELED AT JRMC May 10, 2009
Percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy feeding was developed in 1980; it has become the preferred method among American doctors of delivering nutrition to those who cannot eat but have a functional gastrointestinal tract, according to a Virginia Commonwealth University publication. Conner was fed through a PEG tube. (Pine Bluff Commercial, AR)
Discharge Time After Angioplasty Varies May 9, 2009
THURSDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- While some heart patients can safely go home after having elective angioplasty (also known as percutaneous coronary intervention, or PCI), others may have to stay in hospital for longer periods of time, says an expert consensus statement released Thursday. The statement, published by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), notes that changes in reimbursement have put pressure on U.S. hospitals to make elective PCI a same-day... (MEDLINEplus)
More evidence for the benefit of exercise in cardiovascular disease -- and even in heart failure May 9, 2009
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with balloon angioplasty and stent is now the gold standard of care in most types of acute coronary events (heart attack). But its role in stable coronary disease such as angina is less clear, and in such cases regular physical exercise training has been shown to improve work capacity, cardiac function, and event-free one-year survival. (EurekAlert!)
Benefits Of Anti-clotting Medications Reduced By Common Heartburn Drugs May 8, 2009
(May 14, 2007) Pretreatment with double-dose anticlotting medication just before percutaneous coronary intervention cuts the combined risk of heart attack and cardiac death by half, according to a new. (Apr. (Science Daily)
Sadra Medical raises $30M May 8, 2009
Campbell-based Sadra focuses on an aortic valve replacement procedure called percutaneous aortic valve replacement during which a valve prosthesis can be positioned in a patient s heart by means of a catheter navigated through the patient s arteries. Sadra s product is a technology it calls the Lotus Valve System, a fully repositionable prosthesis for the procedure. (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
Irregular Heartbeat during Angioplasty Could Raise Death Risk May 7, 2009
The study focused on patients who had heartbeat abnormalities called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation when they underwent what is formally called a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) -- such as angioplasty with or without stent placement -- for heart attack. Patients who experienced these cardiac arrhythmias during the procedure had about triple the odds of dying within 90 days as those whose hearts beat normally, the researchers found. (MEDLINEplus)
Paclitaxel-Eluting Stents versus Bare-Metal Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction May 7, 2009
Background There is no consensus regarding the safety and efficacy of drug-eluting stents, as compared with bare-metal stents, in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who are undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods We randomly assigned, in a 3:1 ratio, 3006 patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction to receive paclitaxel-eluting stents (2257 patients) or otherwise identical bare-metal stents (749 patients). (New England Journal of Medicine)
Fractional Flow Reserve for Guiding PCI May 7, 2009
gov] ), which compared an angiography-only strategy with routine measurement of fractional flow reserve (FFR) in addition to angiography in patients with multivessel disease who were undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The authors report a lower 1-year rate of adverse events with angiography guided by FFR measurement. (New England Journal of Medicine)
ECMC stroke center on line May 5, 2009
Last month, ECMC announced it had received the Society of Chest Pain Centers national accreditation as a chest pain center with a percutaneous cardiac intervention (PCI) designation, just the fifth such hospital statewide to achieve the designation. In a prepared release, ECMC CEO Jody Lomeo said the designations improve on services already in place at the hospital. (Buffalo Business First, NY)
ASA Plus Clopidogrel Reduces Heart Attack Risk In Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome, Study Suggests Apr 29, 2009
28, 2009) In order to better prevent blood clots, clopidogrel can be prescribed to patients with acute ischaemia of the heart muscle, in addition to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) has now investigated whether the combination of clopidogrel and ASA actually has a higher benefit for patients than ASA alone. (Science Daily)
Different treatment options in chronic coronary artery disease Apr 28, 2009
In the current edition of Deutsches rzteblatt International, an interdisciplinary team of authors consisting of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons provides answers to the question of when a bypass operation (ACB) and when percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is effective (Dtsch Arztebl Int 2009; 106(15): 253-61). Martin Russ, Jochen Cremer and coauthors show that ACB and PCI are of equivalent value and can be placed in a complementary treatment plan. (EurekAlert!)
New Ultrasound-guided Biopsy Method Allows Improved Diagnosis Of Endometrial Disease Apr 20, 2009
(May 31, 2005) Ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsies are a safe and effective alternative to endoscopic biopsies for obtaining samples in the pancreas, a new study. (Nov. (Science Daily)
Simbionix and Johnson & Johnson LLC Announce Distribution Agreement at Russia and the CIS Countries Apr 16, 2009
Simbionix products provide medical experts with hands-on training in a comprehensive array of MIS procedures, including; GI Endoscopy, Endourology, percutaneous access, advanced laparoscopic procedures and Endovascular procedures. Visit. (PR Newswire)
Accurate Assessment Of Heart Disease Leads To Earlier, More Aggressive Therapy Apr 10, 2009
10, 2009) In a study comparing the ability of various medical techniques to accurately determine the extent of heart disease and stratify patients according to disease severity, researchers found that myocardial perfusion testing with gated single photon emission computed tomography (gated SPECT) was a more accurate predictor of prognosis in chronic ischemic heart disease (IHD) a painful condition caused by a temporary reduction of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. For the study, published in the... (Science Daily)
