Two studies published Aug. 28 in Lancet Neurology provide long-term data showing that for patients with carotid stenosis, endarterectomy could be a better option than balloon angioplasty with or without stenting (endovascular treatment). Surgery reduces the risk of both short-term and long-term stroke, and reduces the risk of repeat stenosiswhich itself reduces the risk of stroke.

A new rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS Final FY 2010 Rule) focused on improving stroke patient care in hospitals. Beginning in 2010, hospitals submitting Medicare claims for stroke must let CMS know if they participate in a database registry for stroke care.

Cardiovascular Systems, a developer of interventional treatment systems for vascular disease, has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Asahi Intecc, based in Aichi, Japan, to market its peripheral guidewire line in the United States.

Micrus Endovascular and Flexible Stenting Solutions have reached an agreement to jointly develop a flow-diversion technology for neurovascular indications.

Cardiologists who perform endovascular interventions have many imaging techniques and devices available to plan and execute treatment, according to Reid et al in the Journal of Endovascular Therapy.The researchers noted that IT advances have enabled fast acquisition and processing of the large amounts of digital data essential to capture the dynamic information from fast-flowing blood at high resolution. And functional imaging is increasingly playing a larger role in helping to predict vascular disease stability or the need for intervention.

Embrella Cardiovascular, a developer of embolic protection devices for use during coronary procedures, has closed its series B financing round, raising a total of $6.7 million in new capital.

Royal Philips Electronics has reached an agreement to acquire the assets of InnerCool Therapies, a therapeutic hypothermia company, which involves the management of a patient's body temperature.

Long-term survival for patients undergoing open surgical or endovascular repair of intact abdominal aortic aneurysms has improved in recent decades, according to a study published July 6 in Circulation.