The Pascal transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) system has received its CE mark for the treatment of patients with mitral regurgitation, device manufacturer Edwards Lifesciences announced Feb. 19.

By modifying the appropriate use criteria (AUC) for transthoracic echocardiograms (TTEs) and educating physicians on which tests should be performed in an inpatient versus outpatient setting, researchers at Bridgeport Hospital in Connecticut reduced their inpatient echo order volume by 11.1 percent and boosted the efficiency of their department.

Cardiac MRI (CMR) is rarely performed in conjunction with stress testing of heart patients—nuclear perfusion and echocardiography are far more common imaging aids—but a large new study may begin to turn the tide toward magnets as an eventual first-line diagnostic option.

A new, noninvasive technique for imaging the carotid artery can offer insight into plaque characteristics in real time, leading one researcher to suggest the modality could become as popular as ultrasound.

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) weighed in on the ongoing debate regarding the long-term safety of paclitaxel-coated balloons and stents on Jan. 25, largely agreeing with the FDA’s stance that the benefits of such devices appear to outweigh the risks until more information becomes available.

An analysis of more than 5,000 heavy smokers who underwent CT scans revealed that male smokers experienced a greater burden of coronary artery calcium (CAC) while women tended to have higher volumes of thoracic aorta calcium (TAC). Both measures were associated with increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, researchers reported in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging.

LEIPZIG and MARLBOROUGH, Mass. (January 22, 2019) — Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX) today announced diabetic subanalysis results from the IMPERIAL trial in which patients treated with the ELUVIA™ Drug-Eluting Vascular Stent System demonstrated statistically significant lower rates of target lesion revascularization (TLR) and stent thrombosis when compared to those treated with the Zilver® PTX® Drug-Eluting Peripheral Stent. 

Another smartwatch has received FDA clearance for an electrocardiogram (ECG) feature. But this one—the Study Watch from Alphabet’s health division, Verily—is a “prescription-only device” rather than a product marketed to all consumers.