Press Releases

The American Heart Association awarded its 2014 Population Research Prize to Vasan R. Ramachandran, M.D., of Boston University School of Medicine, “for brilliantly seizing upon opportunities to translate cutting-edge bench science into an epidemiological context, thereby making fundamental contributions to identifying systemic markers for cardiovascular risk, both here and in developing countries.”

The American Heart Association’s Council on Clinical Cardiology presented its highest honor, the James B. Herrick Award for Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Cardiology, to Kanu Chatterjee, M.B., of the University of Iowa, “in grateful recognition of his distinguished and productive career benefitting physicians and their patients worldwide.”

The American Heart Association awarded its Clinical Research Prize for 2014 to Judith S. Hochman, M.D., of NYU Langone Medical Center “for exceptional leadership of landmark clinical trials profoundly impacting formulation of national practice guidelines for the management of ischemic heart disease.”

The American Heart Association yesterday presented its Chairman’s Award for excellence in volunteer service to Jennifer H. Mieres, M.D., of Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, Hempstead, N.Y., and the North Shore-LIJ Health System, Lake Success, N.Y.

The American Heart Association presented one of its highest honors, the Eugene Braunwald Academic Mentorship Award, to time-honored medical epidemiologist Jeremiah Stamler, M.D., of Northwestern University in Chicago.

The American Heart Association today awarded its Basic Research Prize for 2014 to Ande Terzic, M.D., Ph.D., of the Mayo Clinic “for pioneering applications of emerging technologies to advance the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disorders.” Terzic received the prize during opening ceremonies of the AHA’s Scientific Sessions 2014 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Association President Elliott Antman of Boston presented the prize, a citation and $5,000 honorarium, recognizing outstanding achievement in basic cardiovascular science.

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., WellPoint and HealthCore, announced today that the companies are commencing a research project to identify and address unmet medical needs across populations of mutual interest.

Medtronic, Inc. today revealed the results of a new study which found that atrial fibrillation (AF) and bradycardia-two common heart rhythm disorders-occurred at higher than expected, and clinically significant, rates in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis.

The Journal of the American College of Cardiology collection continues to grow with the launch of JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, which will feature original research and review articles regarding cardiac rhythm disorders. David J. Wilber, MD, FACC, will serve as Editor-in-Chief of the new journal, which will begin publishing in March 2015 on a bimonthly basis.

The American College of Cardiology is partnering with 1776, the global incubator and investment fund, as an association partner in addition to supporting 1776's Challenge Cup - a global competition spanning 16 cities in 11 countries to identify the most promising health startups solving some of the health care industry's biggest challenges.

Sunnyvale, CA. -- Silk Road Medical, Inc. announced the 30 day outcomes from the ROADSTER IDE Study at the VIVA 2014 Vascular Interventional Advances Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. The trial studied the treatment of carotid artery stenosis with a new device and hybrid procedure combining the best elements of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS).

Dr. Ankur Kalra, MD, the chief cardiovascular fellow at the Minneapolis Heart Institute, will present today at the Tenth Annual Cardiovascular Young Investigators' Forum behind held in Chicago, Illinois on November 6-9, 2014. Dr. Kalra's presentation, titled "Doppler Tissue Imaging Predicts Progressive Heart Failure Prognosis in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy," is the product of a study conducted using the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation's extensive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) database, which was compiled in large part by MHIF Research Cardiologist Dr. Barry Maron.

Medtronic today announced Japanese regulatory approval and launch of the Evera MRI(TM) SureScan® implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) System for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans positioned on any region of the body. Reimbursement also was approved by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW). The Medtronic Evera MRI ICD is currently limited to investigational use in the United States.

Cardinal Health today announced that its MynxGrip® Vascular Closure Device recently received Food and Drug Administration approval for use to close femoral veins. The MynxGrip device is now indicated for use to seal 5F, 6F and 7F femoral arterial and femoral venous access sites.

Covidien plc (NYSE: COV) today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance for the HawkOne™ directional atherectomy system. The latest addition to Covidien’s directional atherectomy portfolio, the HawkOne system provides physicians with an enhanced cutting mechanism to more effectively treat the widest variety of plaque in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. today announced that it has received CE (Conformité Européenne) Mark for its Stealth 360º Orbital Atherectomy System (OAS). Stealth 360 is a percutaneous OAS that is indicated to treat patients who suffer from peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Optimizing the treatment of coronary artery disease with a new foundation for future stent innovations, Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) today announced CE (Conformité Européene) mark and international launch of the Resolute Onyx Drug-Eluting Stent (DES). The first live patient implant of the Resolute Onyx DES occurred recently during the XII International Course of Endovascular and Myocardial Therapy in Madrid, Spain. The Resolute Onyx Drug-Eluting Stent is not approved in the United States.

October 30, 2014 - GreatCall, Inc., the leader in creating mobile health and safety solutions for active aging, is bringing the ability to affordably track heart health anywhere, anytime to its Touch3 smartphone as a pilot program. The AliveCor® Heart Monitor is now available as a Touch3 accessory, enabling those with suspected or diagnosed heart conditions as well as those at risk of heart conditions to fully participate in their own cardiac health.

Victorian Hospitals will be better equipped to measure the quality of care for their cardiac patients, under a new project that collects and compares data on coronary angioplasty practice.

Each year, some 2,000 babies are born in the U.S. with a genetic heart condition, known as long QT syndrome. If not diagnosed in time, babies with long QT syndrome can die from a sudden arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat.

The National Institutes of Health has launched a clinical trial to assess the effects of aspirin and cholesterol-lowering drugs, or statins, on preventing cardiovascular disease in people with long-term HIV infections. This group, which includes people on antiretroviral therapy (ART) as well as "elite controllers" who can limit the virus without ART, have a higher risk of developing heart disease and stroke compared to the general population. The study is funded by NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).