In an examination of the appropriateness of the widespread use of PCIs, researchers found that of more than 500,000 PCIs, nearly all for acute indications were classified as appropriate, whereas only about half of PCIs performed for non-acute indications could be classified as appropriate, according to a study published July 6 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The FDA has approved Xarelto (rivaroxaban, Janssen Pharmaceuticals), a once-daily, oral anticoagulant for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis which may lead to a pulmonary embolism in patients undergoing knee or hip replacement surgery.

Angioplasty has emerged as a safe treatment for chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiencya possible cause of the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS)and earned internet acclaim within the MS community, but the verdict is still out on whether its actually effective. While the Society for Interventional Radiology (SIR) has acknowledged the promise of the procedure promise for MS patients, it also has issued a call for more research.

The FDA sent a warning letter to Abiomed, dated June 10, concerning marketing practices of its Impella Recover LP 2.5 percutaneous cardiac support system, which the agency said is in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Despite the decreasing demand for CABG, 301 new cardiac surgery programs were opened at U.S. hospitals between 1993 and 2004, according to a study published online June 23 in Health Affairs. While travel time to the nearest cardiac surgery programs remained static, the researchers said that the duplication of services increased.

Lisa Madigan, Illinois attorney general (AG), has sued Heart Check America, citing the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, adding to the series of crackdowns on the screening CT chain.

Treating unprotected left main coronary artery disease with drug-eluting stents (DES) is safe and effective, even for low-risk patients, researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles found in a study published June 22 in Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions. Elective unprotected left main PCI with DES in patients with normal left ventricular function could one day replace CABG as the standard of care; however, more trials comparing PCI and CABG will be necessary.

Successfully completing thrombus aspiration (TA) during primary PCI in STEMI patients is limited by the inability to reach and/or cross the infarct-related lesion. Researchers found that the presence of marked proximal tortuosity of the infarct-related artery, a calcified lesion and bifurcation lesions were independent predictors of failed TA. However, they noted that unsuccessful TA did not affect one-year mortality, according to a study published in this month's JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.