A retrospective database claims analysis found that adults with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who received rivaroxaban (Xarelto) had a statistically significant 47 percent reduction in intracranial hemorrhage and non-statistically significant 29 percent reduction in ischemic stroke compared with adults who received warfarin.

Practice makes perfect and, for at least one expert interventional cardiologist, the old adage holds true for technical and clinical success rates of PCIs of chronic total occlusions (CTOs).

Findings suggest hospitals that receive more transfers may have poorer outcomes simply based on their patient population.

Patients who underwent minimally invasive mitral valve surgery had a shorter length of stay in the intensive care unit and fewer transfusions compared with those who underwent conventional sternotomy, according to a retrospective database analysis. The procedures had similar rates of mortality, stroke and other complications and total hospital costs.

Patients with acute stroke who were transferred to a hospital participating in a stroke registry in Michigan had significantly higher rates of in-hospital mortality and in-hospital complications compared with those who were not transferred.

A clinical prediction score based on late ischemic and bleeding risk factors may help identify patients who may benefit or have harm from continuing to take dual antiplatelet therapy after undergoing PCI, according to a secondary analysis of a previously published study.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that two facilities have met its standards for performing carotid artery stenting for high-risk patients.

CHICAGO – After nearly 10 years of follow-up, patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy who underwent CABG and received medical therapy had significantly lower rates of death from any cause, death from cardiovascular causes and death from any cause or hospitalization for cardiovascular causes compared with patients who only received medical therapy.