The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency gave thumbs up to apixaban (Eliquis, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer) for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) and one or more risk factors for stroke.​

MR enterography offers a potentially attractive, radiation-free alternative to CT imaging of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease and chronic ulcerative colitis. The exam is feasible in patient nine years old and older, according to an assessment of its image quality, patient tolerance and performance published in the September issue of American Journal of Roentgenology.

St. Jude Medical has announced a realignment of its product divisions into two new operating units: the implantable electronic systems division and the cardiovascular and ablation technologies division. The company also will centralize several support functions, including IT, human resources, legal, business development and marketing functions.

Experts from the U.S. and Europe released recommendations for the practical management of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) patients Aug. 28 at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich, launching the first international collaboration on a consensus statement on CRT in heart failure.

Patients admitted with atrial fibrillation on weekends had lower odds of undergoing a cardioversion procedure and greater odds of dying, according to a study published July 15 in the American Journal of Cardiology.

St. Jude Medical has reported a slight drop in sales and a slight increase in net earnings for the 2012 second quarter, which ended June 30, compared with the previous years second quarter.

 The FDA has issued a complete response letter for the New Drug Application for the direct factor Xa inhibitor apixaban (Eliquis, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer) for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular AF.

Despite two society's concerns, Aetna will launch a nationwide Cardiac Rhythm Implant Pre-Authorization program for certain cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) procedures. The program kicked off June 15; however, the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) said they are worried the program may result in delays in clinical care.