Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) today announced new data supporting the clinical and economic value of its cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices for the treatment of heart failure, including a significant reduction in all-cause 30-day readmissions after heart failure hospitalizations. Additionally, heart failure patients who benefited early from CRT lived longer and consumed fewer hospital resources than patients who did not experience early benefit from the therapy. These new data were featured in separate presentations at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014 in Chicago.

According to a study published Nov. 19 in JAMA, patients whose STEMI occurred in hospital had poorer outcomes than those whose STEMI occurred beyond the hospital doors.

Two new real-world data analyses presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2014 independently demonstrate that routine treatment with Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate) was associated with fewer major bleeds and strokes compared to warfarin. The results of both studies, which involved over 60,000 atrial fibrillation (AF) patients in the US, demonstrate that the safety and effectiveness profile of Pradaxa treatment seen during the RE-LY clinical trial can be achieved in broad patient populations receiving routine clinical care for stroke prevention. One analysis was conducted by the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, using commercial US health insurance databases, and the second analysis was conducted by the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, using the US Department of Defense Military Health System database. In the US, the licensed doses for dabigatran etexilate are 150mg twice daily and 75mg* twice daily to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced interim findings from an analysis of two health insurance databases showing that in routine care, non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients treated with Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate mesylate) had fewer strokes and fewer major bleeding events compared to patients treated with warfarin. The data were described in a poster presentation at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2014.

Obesity is a known risk factor for atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm disorder.

Communication among patients, providers and caregivers about risks for stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation needs an assist. Research presented Nov. 17 at the American Heart Association scientific sessions in Chicago found that when polled, few atrial fibrillation patients understood their stroke risks and some physicians missed opportunities to educate them.

Patients with atrial fibrillation who often are over-anticoagulated on warfarin and receive antiplatelet therapy may be at increased risk of developing dementia, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association scientific session in Chicago on Nov. 16.

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.