A randomized trial of patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery for advanced atrial fibrillation found that additional ganglionic plexus ablation was associated with significantly more periprocedural major bleeding, sinus node dysfunction and pacemaker implantation. Patients in the ganglionic plexus ablation group also did not have improvements in rhythm outcomes.

Patients with systolic heart failure who received a novel technology using the SonR hemodynamic sensor were more likely to respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) compared with those who used echocardiographic optimization, according to a prospective trial. Patients in the SonR group also had a statistically significant, 35 percent reduction in heart failure-related hospitalizations.

Patients who received moderate anesthesia while undergoing percutaneous transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) had a shorter length of stay in the hospital and lower 30-day mortality compared with patients who received general anesthesia, according to an observational registry analysis.

An analysis of patients who received warfarin found the presence of atrial fibrillation significantly increased the risk of dementia. Patients with atrial fibrillation had a significantly higher rate of total dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia compared with patients who had thromboembolism or mechanical heart valves.

DUBLIN and SAN FRANCISCO - May 5, 2016 - Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) today announced clinical results highlighting the strong safety and performance profile of the miniaturized Micra® Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS) at Heart Rhythm 2016, the Heart Rhythm Society's 37th Annual Scientific Sessions in San Francisco.

Patients at risk for contrast-induced acute kidney injury while undergoing coronary angiography had a 15.5 percent relative reduction in contrast media volume when using the Avert system (Osprey Medical), according to a prospective, multicenter, randomized trial. 

A quality improvement project led to a 40 percent, risk-adjusted decrease in bleeding rates following PCIs during a 21-month period. The initiative also decreased costs by approximately $1 million.

Cook Medical voluntarily recalled all lots of catheters with its Beacon Tip technology. The recall includes 4,146,309 catheters that are used in angiographic, diagnostic and interventional procedures.