When it comes to managing severe carotid disease accompanied by coronary artery disease, staged carotid artery stenting and open heart surgery (OHS) yielded significantly better outcomes the first year after treatment compared with combined carotid endarterectomy and OHS (CEA-OHS) and staged CEA-OHS, according to a study published in the Aug. 6 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

The Accreditation for Cardiovascular Excellence (ACE) announced this week that updated standards for cardiac intervention procedures have been published and are now available for download on the ACE website. ACE updated its Cath/PCI standards to align with the recently published clinical competency document for PCI which includes information on physician training, clinical competency criteria and the updated expert consensus document published in 2012.

The University of Vermont College of Medicine has announced that cardiologist and Professor of Medicine David Schneider, M.D., has been appointed director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI). The director of cardiology in the department of medicine and medical director of cardiology at Fletcher Allen Health Care, Schneider will succeed CVRI founding director Burton Sobel, M.D., who passed away in spring 2013.

Through the kindness of Richard M. and Yvonne Hamlin, Summa Health System announced today the largest philanthropic gift in its organization’s history – a $4 million contribution for the creation of a hybrid cardiovascular operating room at Summa Akron City Hospital. In honor of the benefactors, Summa’s Center of Excellence building at 95 Arch Street in Akron will be renamed The Richard M. and Yvonne Hamlin Pavilion. The facility is home to numerous cardiopulmonary patient services as well as medical and surgical physician offices.

To improve clinical staff safety during interventional procedures and help monitor radiation dose, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. has partnered with Unfors RaySafe, Inc. to offer a new dose monitoring and management tool for Infinix™-i cardiovascular X-ray systems. The Unfors RaySafe i2 displays real-time dose exposure information, helping to make exams safer for all clinical staff.

Zoll Medical is expanding its cardiovascular portfolio by acquiring assets from the maker of a cardiopulmonary life support system.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after CABG improved long-term survival in a community-based study, supporting American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology Foundation guidelines recommending CR for this group of patients.

Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance and CE Mark approval for the Guidezilla™ Guide Extension Catheter and has launched the device in the U.S. and Europe.