Vascular & Endovascular

This channel includes news on non-coronary vascular disease and therapies. These include peripheral artery disease (PAD), abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysm (AAA and TAA), aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism (PE), critical limb ischemia (CLI), carotid artery and stroke interventions, venous interventions, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and interventional radiology therapies. The focus on most of these therapies is minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures performed in a cath lab.

Cardiologist heart

New AFib guidelines include higher recommendations for catheter ablation, LAAO

Cardiologists, electrophysiologists, surgeons and patient representatives all worked together on the updated guidelines, which were published in both the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and Circulation.

Medtronic Penditure Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Exclusion System

Medtronic debuts new FDA-cleared LAA exclusion device

Medtronic acquired the technology behind the new device back in August.

Bayer ends blood thinner trial early due to lack of efficacy

The Independent Data Monitoring Committee recommended Bayer stop the trial due to the drug's poor performance compared to apixaban. 

FDA announces Class I recall of nearly 2,000 catheter kits

Medical facilities and distributors have been advised to immediately discontinue the use of these devices due to a significant labeling issue. 

private equity corporatization business consolidation

Private equity-backed pharmaceutical company acquires stroke drug from Bayer

The drug, nimodipine, is a second-generation calcium channel blocker designed to prevent and treat cerebral vasospasm following an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Example of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) shown as part of the multimodality imaging capability on the Fujifilm CVIS.

IVUS-guided PCI boosts 2-year survival, reduces need for bypass surgery

IVUS was especially effective when treating patients with a complex coronary anatomy, researchers found. 

Toku's AI-powered CLAiR technology

FDA grants breakthrough device designation to AI-powered, retinal imaging-based CVD assessments

CLAiR offers physicians another way to evaluate a patient’s cardiovascular health: non-invasive retinal images captured during routine eye exams.

Regularly eating avocados is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a new study.

Portfolio diet—which focuses on plant-based, cholesterol-lowering foods—reduces risk of heart disease and stroke

While it is not as well-known as some other heart-healthy diets, the portfolio diet is linked to key cardiovascular benefits. "We need to get the word out," one dietitian said. 

Around the web

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

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