Medtronic has reported that its second quarter net earnings in the fiscal year 2010, which ended Oct. 30, more than double compared to the previous year-ago quarter.

With atrial fibrillation (AF) as the most widespread cardiac arrhythmia affecting patients, many new clinical trials are testing additional, more effective methods than the frequently prescribed drugs to treat AF, according to research published this month by the Millennium Research Group (MRG).

Two men have been arrested for conspiracy in connection with an elaborate scheme that involved the stealing and selling of diabetic supplies from an Everett, Wash.-based pharmacy, according to the U.S. Attorney General's Office.

A multicenter study from Japan found that performing a microvolt T-wave alternans test on patients with left ventricular dysfunction accurately predicts whether patients have a risk for sudden cardiac death.

Orlando, Fla.The use of statins to reduce LDL-C is more effective with the subsequent addition of extended-release niacin (Niaspan; Abbott), which lowers LDL plus increases HDL, compared with the subsequent administration of ezetimibe (Zetia; Merck) in reducing the progression of atherosclerosis, according to the ARBITER 6-HALTS trial presented Monday at the American Heart Association (AHA) conference.

Between 1999 and 2006, the prevalence of U.S. adults with high levels of LDL cholesterol decreased by about one-third, according to a study published Nov. 18 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. However, a high percentage of adults still are not being screened or treated for high cholesterol levels.

Orlando, Fla.European researchers found that a trans-nasal cooling approach that lowers body temperature while cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is performed can be used effectively in the pre-hospital setting and appears to improve outcomes, based on the PRINCE study presented at the 2009 American Heart Association conference.

Orlando, Fla.The new, reversible antiplatelet drug cangrelor was not superior over clopidogrel in reducing the composite of death, MI or ischemic revascularization 48 hours after PCI, nor did the investigative drug prove superior over placebo for combined endpoint of MI, all-cause mortality and revascularization. Yet, the drug may have some benefits for stent thrombosis. Two randomized, controlled trials demonstrated these results, which were presented Sunday at the American Heart Association late breaking clinical trials session.