Interventional Cardiology

This cardiac subspecialty uses minimally invasive, catheter-based technologies in a cath lab to diagnose and treat coronary artery disease (CAD). The main focus in on percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) to revascularize patients with CAD that is causing blockages resulting in ischemia or myocardial infarction. PCI mainly consists of angioplasty and implanting stents. Interventional cardiology has greatly expanded in scope over recent years to include a number of transcatheter structural heart interventions.

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JAMA: Researchers home in on gene variant for Plavix responsiveness

Using a novel technique and a group of people with stable genetic variability, researchers have confirmed that about one-third of the general population may carry a gene variant that plays a major role in determining the bodys response to clopidogrel (Plavix), according to a study in the Aug. 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Cardiovascular Systems trims losses in Q4, FY09

Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. (CSI), a developer of interventional treatment systems for vascular disease, has reported less net losses for its financial results in the fourth quarter and fiscal year, which ended June 30.

EHJ: Primary PCI, pre-hospital lysis have similar 5-year mortality outcomes

Primary PCI and a policy of pre-hospital lysis followed by transfer to an interventional center have similar mortality rates at five years, which is consistent with the 30-day outcomes, according to the CAPTIM trial in the July issue of the European Heart Journal.

JACC: Left main PCI, particularly with DES, has good long-term outcomes

Stenting unprotected left main coronary artery disease (CAD) is feasible, offering a good long-term outcome, and using drug-eluting stents (DES) improves outcomes, according to the LE MANS Registry in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

JACC: Prasugrel works equally well in those taking GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors

Prasugrel (Effient) significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndromes after PCI regardless of whether or not a glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitor is used, according to an analysis of the TRITONTIMI 38 trial in the Aug. 18 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

AGA Medical to pay $57M to Medtronic over patent dispute

A U.S. district court jury in San Francisco has awarded Medtronic $57 million in past damages, finding that AGA Medical's manufacture, sale and use of its Amplatzer Occluder and vascular plug product lines infringed claims of two U.S. patents owned by Medtronic.

Strong Angiomax sales highlight Medicines Q2

A double-digit gain in Angiomax sales marked a profitable fiscal 2009 second quarter for the Medicines Company, although net income took a downturn for the period.

JACC: PCI guide catheters--size does matter, but smaller is better

Compared with 6-F guides, PCIs performed with 7- and 8-F guides were associated with more contrast medium use, renal complications, bleeding, vascular access site complications and greater need for post-procedure transfusion. PCIs performed with 8-F guides were also associated with increased nephropathy requiring dialysis, in-hospital major adverse cardiac events, and mortality, according to a study in the July issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

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