LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., April 10, 2019 — BIOTRONIK today announced the United States (US) commercial launch of the PK Papyrus® covered coronary stent system for use in the emergency treatment of acute coronary perforations.

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) significantly reduced the risk of 90-day mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke compared to medical therapy alone, according to a meta-analysis of 10 randomized trials cited in the 2018 update to American stroke guidelines.

Nursing home residents who were prescribed three or four preventive medications after myocardial infarction (MI) were 26% less likely to die within 90 days than those prescribed only one drug, researchers reported April 9 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

A new pilot study out of Germany suggests a comic-style graphic supplement can improve the informed consent process before coronary angiography by putting patients at ease and helping them understand the procedure.

In a scientific statement published online April 8, the American Heart Association introduced the concept of cardio-oncology rehabilitation—a spin on cardiac rehab that takes into account cancer-specific considerations.

DALLAS, April 9, 2019 — A research scientist from Cincinnati studying how the heart can repair itself and a research scientist from Houston looking into specific genetic causes of stroke each received $1 million awards from the American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization focused on heart and brain health and research.

A study of nearly 900,000 patients with heart failure or cardiogenic shock revealed their race, insurance coverage and ZIP code were associated with their odds of receiving a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

Medtronic has struck a value-based agreement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota in which the medical device company will pay back the insurer if patients using the Guardian Connect continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system fail to keep their blood sugar levels within a specified range.

Dietary risk factors—such as consuming too much sodium or not enough whole grains and fruits—were responsible for 11 million deaths globally in 2017, according to a new analysis in The Lancet.

The actual cost of a heart attack or stroke to society is about double the direct medical costs when lost productivity for patients and caregivers is considered, according to a study published April 6 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.