While the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is becoming more prevalent in the U.S., a new state-by-state report showed that the financial impact of AF is much larger than resources available to patients with the condition. The report was developed by the AF Stat: A Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation, a partnership with the George Washington University School of Publish Health and Health Services.

There is a lack of sex-specific safety and effectiveness data for high-risk cardiovascular devices before FDA approval and more rigorous FDA requirements for these data before device approval could present an opportunity to improve cardiovascular outcomes, according to a study published online March 1 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

Irbesartan (Avapro, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi-Aventis) did not reduce cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), according to the ACTIVE I trial, published March 9 in the New England Journal of Medicine. Yet, the study authors questioned whether more aggressive blood pressure control would result in more positive outcomes.

Bovie Medical, a manufacturer of electrosurgical products, has announced a settlement to the June 10, 2010, action brought by Salient Surgical Technologies and Medtronic. In the complaint, the plaintiffs alleged that the sale and use of Bovies SEER (Saline Enhanced Electrosurgical Resection) fluid-assisted electrosurgical device infringed on a patent owned by Medtronic and licensed to Salient.

Stroke survivors who have atrial fibrillation (AF) may be at higher risk of developing dementia than stroke survivors who do not have the heart condition, according to a meta-analysis published in the March 8 edition of Neurology.

Researchers have launched the WARFARIN study to determine if genetic testing could improve the safety and effectiveness of warfarin, which could lead to estimated savings to the U.S. healthcare system of approximately $1.1 billion.

A sub-study of the SCD-HeFT trial found no evidence that ICD benefit varies with time from MI to device implantation and that single lead ICD benefit is not restricted to patients with a remote MI (>18 months). The sub-study, published in the March edition of HeartRhythm, also showed that ICD therapy post-MI decreases the chances of sudden cardiac death immediately after a post-infarct period of zero to 40 days.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is beneficial for patients who have a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, a prolonged QRS and less severe symptoms of heart failure, Canadian researchers found during a meta-analysis published in the Feb. 15 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.