Using rosiglitazone (Avandia) in combination with standard diabetes treatments (metformin or a sulfonylurea) to lower blood glucose in type 2 diabetics does not increase the risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease or death. However, the RECORD study confirmed that using Avandia more than doubles the risk of heart failure, and increases the risk of fractures, mainly in women, according to an online published account June 5 in Lancet, and simultaneously presented at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) meeting in New Orleans.

Merck has said that the preliminary results for its pivotal Phase III study of rolofylline (MK-7418), its investigational medicine for the treatment of acute heart failure, did not meet the primary or secondary efficacy endpoints in patients with heart failure.

Leadless pacing in heart failure patients with ultrasound-mediated stimulation energy is feasible, according to a study published in the June issue of HeartRhythm.

Abiomed, a provider of heart support technologies, has reported fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 revenue of $19.6 million, which is up 12 percent compared to revenue of $17.5 million for the 2008 fourth fiscal quarter.

Drug repacking company AS Medication Solutions has issued a voluntary, consumer-level recall of all tablets of Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories' brand of Digoxin, USP, 0.25 mg distributed prior to March 31 and set to expire before August 2011.

The Carillon Mitral Contour System safely treated leaky mitral valves even in patients with moderate-to-severe heart failure, and was effective in reducing the backward flow of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium, according to a late-breaking clinical trial presented May 7 at the 32nd annual scientific sessions for the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) in Las Vegas.

Larger waist circumference is associated with increased risk of heart failure in middle-aged and older populations of men and women, according to a study published online in the April 7 Rapid Access Report of Circulation: Heart Failure.

Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories has notified healthcare professionals of a consumer-level recall of batches of Digoxin because they may differ in size and could have more or less of the active ingredient used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms.