Structural Heart Disease

Structural heart diseases include any issues preventing normal cardiovascular function due to damage or alteration to the anatomical components of the heart. This is caused by aging, advanced atherosclerosis, calcification, tissue degeneration, congenital heart defects and heart failure. The most commonly treated areas are the heart valves, in particular the mitral and aortic valves. These can be replaced through open heart surgery or using cath lab-based transcatheter valves or repairs to eliminate regurgitation due to faulty valve leaflets. This includes transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Other common procedures include left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion and closing congenital holes in the heart, such as PFO and ASD. A growing area includes transcatheter mitral repair or replacement and transcatheter tricuspid valve repair and replacement.

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JAMA: Aspirin may help lower risk of stroke for patients with PAD

In patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), aspirin use is associated with a statistically non-significant decrease in the combined risk of nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke and cardiovascular (CV) death, but a significant reduction in the risk of nonfatal stroke, according to a meta-analysis in the May 13 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association.

Medicines stops trial on antiplatelet drug cangrelor

The Medicines Company is discontinuing its phase 3 CHAMPION clinical trial program of antiplatelet drug cangrelor in patients undergoing PCI after failing to prove clinical efficacy as a result of safety findings by the independent Interim Analysis Review Committee (IARC).

Physio-Control, Jolife ink deal for chest compression system

Jolife has renewed its exclusive distribution agreement for the Lucas chest compression system with Physio-Control, a provider of external defibrillation and monitoring technology.

Amylin division merge cuts sales force 35%, saves $45M

Amylin Pharmaceuticals has merged existing primary care and specialty sales forces into a single organization to bring a specialty approach to endocrinologists and diabetes-focused primary care physicians.

SCAI: Proton pump inhibitors interfere with Plavix anti-clotting protection

Clopidogrel (Plavix) can be compromised by common drugs for the treatment of heartburn and ulcers resulting in a roughly 50 percent increase in the combined risk of hospitalization for MI, stroke and other serious cardiovascular illnesses, according to a study presented May 6 at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) 32nd annual scientific sessions in Las Vegas.

Senators petition for controlled substance e-prescribing

A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators asked Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius and Attorney General Eric Holder to quickly put federal regulations in place that would allow e-prescribing for controlled substances.

CMS deals setback to warfarin gene testing

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has decided that current evidence does not demonstrate that pharmacogenomic testing to predict warfarin responsiveness improves health outcomes in Medicare beneficiaries, and has suggested that coverage with evidence development (CED) is appropriate.

Bristol-Myers scores strong Q1

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) has released its 2009 fiscal first quarter results, which show strong financial performance and the execution of two key strategic initiatives.

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Around the web

Health Imaging
Use of AI opportunistic screening in CT for cardiovascular disease

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

Health Imaging
New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

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