Progress for Medtronic & Abbott | Same-day discharge after ablation | Self-expanding TAVR after 5 years | PFA startup's new data

Two of the world's leading medtech companies have been collaborating to improve patient access to CGM technology. It now looks like Medtronic and Abbott could be close to gaining FDA clearance and moving forward to the next phase of their partnership.

Same-day discharge won't always be a great fit after cardiac ablation, of course, but it has been associated with considerable patient satisfaction as well as improved efficiency and substantial cost savings. The Heart Rhythm Society and American College of Cardiology have shared a new scientific statement on the subject. 

Michael Reardon, MD, detailed five-year data out of ACC.25 that found Medtronic's Evolut TAVR platform performs as well as SAVR—and even better in some ways. 

Field Medical, founded in 2022 by Steven Mickelsen, MD, is set to make a significant splash at the Heart Rhythm Society's annual meeting in San Diego. The company also just raised $40 million in financing.

The devices are being recalled and discontinued after the FDA shared a series of concerns. This is a Class I recall, meaning using this system could result in serious injuries or death.

Reviewing data from more than 6,000 patients, researchers found little evidence of the "obesity paradox" observed elsewhere. Underweight TAVR patients, however, may face some significant long-term risks.

“MRI images provide a better view of the anatomy of the heart and the instruments used for treatment, but also of the changes made to the treated cardiac tissue,” one cardiologist explained. “Unlike X-ray images, the entire area surrounding the heart can be seen, including the blood vessels and valves."

The world is in the throes of an AFib pandemic, one that could potentially get worse in the years ahead due to population growth, economic hardships and rigid resource limitations. According to the Heart Rhythm Society, one way to effectively combat this issue is the development of more AFib Centers of Excellence.

Cardiology still ranks No. 4 overall, trailing just orthopedics, radiology and plastic surgery.

Older heart failure patients with no immediate family are especially vulnerable. Additional interventions may be necessary to reach these patients and provide the best care possible.

Raj Makkar, MD, Cedars-Sinai, explains the late-breaking data from the Align-AR trial on the first 500 patients treated for aortic regurgitation using the Jena Valve TAVR device.

AI is making patient financial advisors of hospital administrators who used to work in revenue cycle management. 

Researchers in China analyzed data from the general population, finding similar detection rates for the disease among high-risk individuals and others.