Orlando, Fla.Targeted postmortem testing to identify genetic mutations associated with sudden unexplained death (SUD) is an effective and less expensive way to determine risk to relatives than comprehensive cardiac testing of first-degree relatives, according to a study presented Sunday at the 2009 American Heart Association scientific sessions. The researchers also called for more health insurance coverage for these tests.

Zoll Medical, a manufacturer of resuscitation devices and software solutions, has reported fiscal 2009 revenues of $385.2 million, a decline of 3 percent compared to fiscal 2008 revenues of $398 million.

Patients who have undergone an aortic valve replacement with either a bioprosthetic (BP) or mechanical valve display the same rates of adverse events, as well as similar survival rates after 13 years, but those who received a BP valve have more incidence of valve failure and reoperation, according to an eight-year study in the Nov. 17 edition of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Cypress Creek Emergency Medical Services (CCEMS) in Houston began a campaign in 2004 to increase sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) survival rates in their region. The EMS team is using hypothermia treatment, a threshold impedance device, an automated chest compression device, ECG upload and wireless communication with the cath lab to improve patient outcomes.

Abbott has completed its acquisition of Evalve, a developer of devices for minimally invasive repair of mitral valves.

A study presented Wednesday at CHEST 2009 in San Diego, the 75th annual scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), found that statins have beneficial effects on patients with systolic heart failure (HF), but those with diastolic HF experienced the opposite effect, including increased dyspnea, fatigue and decreased exercise tolerance.

The Medicines Company has reported a decrease in net losses for its financial results for the third quarter of 2009, due in part to strong sales of its anticoagulant drug Angiomax.

The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey has granted preliminary approval of a settlement in a class action lawsuit involving the prescription drugs Zetia and Vytorin from Merck and Schering-Plough.