SAN FRANCISCO­—Prehospital fibrinolysis in STEMI patients who present shortly after symptom onset and who cannot undergo PCI within the first hour appears to be as effective as primary PCI, based on STREAM results presented March 10 at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) scientific session. The results are likely to influence practice, according to panelists who commented on the findings.

SAN FRANCISCO—A stent with a biodegradable coating delivered statistically comparable performance at one year to a drug-releasing stent, researchers reported at a late-breaking clinical trial March 10 at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) scientific session. However, questions from panelists clarified the need for longer-term data to demonstrate the superiority of biolimus-eluting (Xience, Abbott Vascular) compared with everolimus-eluting (Promus, Boston Scientific) stents.

SAN FRANCISCO—Both 2D echocardiography and 3D are essential for intraprocedural guidance for percutaneous mitral valve repair with MitraClip, Geoffrey A. Rose, MD, of Sanger Clinic in Charlotte, N.C., shared during an educational session March 9 at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) scientific session.

One in 14 patients who underwent PCI did not receive aspirin 24 hours before the procedure, according to a scientific poster scheduled to be presented March 11 at the American College of Cardiology scientific session in San Francisco. Patients who did not receive aspirin had higher in-hospital mortality and stroke rates.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—FDA researchers Andrew A. Farb, MD, and Dorothy B. Abel presented an overview about the potential for an FDA Early Feasibility Study pilot program in the U.S., recognizing a need for a cultural shift within the agency. However, evaluating the FDA guidance, they also recognized the challenges to the device evaluation strategy.

In November 2009, Cardiovascular Business asked if the much-anticipated FREEDOM trial would “set us free” by better informing decisions to treat high-risk diabetics with multivessel disease using either PCI or CABG.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Special care should be directed to female patients presenting to the cath lab with symptomatic premature coronary artery disease (CAD), as young females have high rates of comorbidities and their long-term procedural outcomes are poor compared with younger males.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Sanjit Jolly, MD, lead investigator of the RIVAL trial, presented a case during the Cardiovascular Research Technologies (CRT) annual meeting Feb. 24 that radial access should be the preferred approach when operators treat female patients. However, a large randomized trial is assessing that exact question.