An analysis of eight surgical subspecialties at Johns Hopkins hospital found that more than 80 percent of the variability in 30-day readmissions was due to individual patient factors. The overall readmission rate was 13.2 percent, including 9.6 percent of patients who underwent cardiac surgery.

Cook Medical recalled more than 38,000 of its angiographic catheters in the U.S. after receiving reports that the catheter tip may split or separate from the catheter. Of the 26 reports, 14 resulted in adverse events.

After five years, patients undergoing PCI had better safety and efficacy outcomes if they received an everolimus-eluting stent (EES) compared with a paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES), according to a long-term analysis of a clinical trial. The results, which were published online in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions on July 22, confirmed previous findings at one and two years follow-up.

Following the release of two websites ranking the best and worst surgeons in the U.S., the American College of Surgeons (ACS) responded by questioning their usefulness.

Prices for PCIs differ significantly in various parts of the U.S., according to a report released on July 16 from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Within the same metropolitan area, costs varied by as much as 532 percent.

For more than a decade, endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has been the most popular technique to repair abdominal aortic aneurysms, even as questions were raised about its long-term efficacy. Some patients, however, may not benefit from the frequent imaging, according to a study published online in JAMA Surgery on July 8.

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) held its annual meeting May 6-9 in San Diego. Here are some highlights from the late-breaking clinical trials.

The FDA cleared a new guide wire from Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. on July 6 for use in the company’s peripheral orbital atherectomy systems.