News

cardiologists heart doctors

The J-Valve System is associated with positive 10-year outcomes for patients with severe AR, according to new research out of China. It also performs well in patients with severe AS.

heart drugs with stethoscope

An experimental oral PCSK9 inhibitor is associated with LDL-C reductions that could prove to be a game-changer for patient care. 

SCAI has shared a new call to action as an observance of American Heart Month. The group is asking Congress to pass new pieces of legislation that could improve care for PAD patients and get important medical devices in the hands of interventional cardiologists.

Cerepak Detachable Coil Systems

Several detachable coil systems are being recalled due to a higher-than-expected failure to detach rate. Customers should not use them going forward.

the words "FDA recall" on a board

New Jersey-based Zydus Pharmaceuticals has recalled nearly 23,000 bottles of its icosapent ethyl capsules due to leakage issues that may have weakened their effectiveness. 

heart surgery surgeons

Survival rates are high for both men and women presenting with BAV disease, according to a new analysis of nearly 28,000 SAVR patients.

Open surgical bypass is the gold standard, but endovascular therapies may provide value for high-risk patients with long femoropopliteal lesions.

The cardiologist at the head of an influential CDC panel sees serious problems with modern vaccine policies. While many experts seem to disagree, one organization has jumped to his defense. 

The Harmony pulmonary valve was among the devices involved with the FDA Breakthrough Device Designation program that gained more rapid market clearance. The FDA graph shows cardiovascular devices leading the types of devices involved in the program.

The FDA said cardiovascular devices make up the largest number of technologies accepted into the Breakthrough Devices Program, and several are on the list of the first 50 in the program to gain market clearance.

A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed at Intermountain Healthcare. Image from Intermountain Healthcare

Brijeshwar Maini, MD, structural heart cardiologist, national and Florida medical director of cardiology, Tenant Health, explains what hospitals need to build a structural heart program and develop a heart-team care collaboration approach.

This latest shortage involves dobutamine, an injectable medication often prescribed for advanced heart failure and cardiogenic shock. It is also a central component of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE), a test used to evaluate patients with severe aortic stenosis.

The shortage could lead to significant issues for cardiologists. The American College of Cardiology provided some words of wisdom on the ongoing issue.  

Fat attenuation index (FAI) CT imaging of coronary artery fat can show inflammation and can help pin-point vulnerable plaques, or show the reversal of inflammation due to drug therapies. The technology is being developed by the vendor Caristo, which has European CE mark and the company is seeking FDA clearance. #SCCT #SCCT2022

Ron Blankstein, MD, Brigham and Women's Hospital, explains recent advances in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) technology. 

Around the web

Tim Szczykutowicz, PhD, associate professor radiology, University of Wisconsin Madison, explains the new technology developments in GE HealthCare's  FDA 510(k)-pending photon-counting CT scanner.