Johnson & Johnson has reported an increase in sales and net earnings for the first quarter of 2010, which was bolstered by its diabetes care unit.

After California legislators mandated that the state make data pertaining to CABG procedures and its mortality rates public, researchers at the University of California, Davis have found that despite similar case-mixes, mortality rates have decreased and access to care has not depleted, according to results of a study published in the current issue of the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

After the FDA issued black box warnings for clopidogrel (Plavix) in March because evidence showed that some patients may not be able to properly metabolize the drug, researchers at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill began to develop a clinical trial that will further develop reasons for patient resistance and test other forms of treatment.

Medtronic has completed the purchase of Invatec, along with two of its affiliates, Fogazzi and Hamburg, Germany-based Krauth Cardiovascular, for up to $500 million.

Siemens Healthcare has launched its Artis zee Cockpit, a workplace technology for the radiology and cardiology interventional suites that can be used in combination with other angiography systems within the Artis zee portfolio.

After undergoing a drug-eluting stent (DES) procedure, one in six patients delay filling clopidogrel prescriptions on the day of discharge. According to Researchers from the Denver VA Medical Center in Denver, not filling these prescriptions increase the rates of adverse events including death and MI, according to a study published in the April 20 edition of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

Vascular Solutions has reported higher net revenue and income in its financial results for the 2010 first quarter that ended March 31.

Hospital quality is not up to par for high-risk procedures and costs continue to rise, according a recent Leapfrog Hospital Survey, which garnered responses from 1,244 hospitals across 48 U.S. states.