People older than 51 years of age who lose their jobs have a significantly higher risk of suffering acute MI (AMI) after that event, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in Annals of Internal Medicine.

The FDA has approved the HeartWare Ventricular Assist System to support heart function and blood flow in patients with end-stage heart failure who are awaiting a heart transplant.

The European Commission has approved the oral anticoagulant rivaroxaban for the treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE) and the prevention of recurrent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and PE in adults.

Long-term hospital costs after transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke are considerable, but they are mainly incurred during the first year after the event. A recent U.K. study published in the November issue of Stroke also found that event severity and experiencing subsequent stroke and coronary events after the index event accounted for much of the increase in costs.

Proper treatment of stable ischemic heart disease requires an individualized approach developed in consultation with the patient, but is often best managed through appropriate lifestyle changes and drug therapy, according to Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Patients with Stable Ischemic Heart Disease, released Nov. 19 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and endorsed by several other societies.

HeartSine has notified customers that certain Samaritan 300/300P public access defibrillator (PAD) devices have been found to intermittently turn on and off, which may eventually deplete the battery. Thus, the company is issuing a Class I recall of the devices.

St. Jude Medical has received European CE Mark approval for its 23 mm Portico transcatheter aortic heart valve and transfemoral delivery system, which is designed for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are considered to be inoperable or high risk for conventional open-heart valve replacement surgery.

The risk of developing cardiac complications was higher in older women who received trastuzumab as adjuvant treatment for early stage breast cancer than was shown in clinical trials, and use of this therapy in older women is growing, according to a recent study. The results underline the importance of studying the cardiotoxic side effects of biological therapies as more agents enter clinical practice, the lead author told Cardiovascular Business.