The FDA recently approved two investigational device exemption trials that will examine devices for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Since the beginning of the year, eight facilities have met the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) minimum facility standards for performing carotid artery stenting for high risk patients.

The International Board of Rhythm Heart Examiners (IBRHE) announced on March 22 that three people had received awards for volunteering their time and making significant contributions to the organization.

After reviewing available information, the FDA announced a proposal on March 21 to ban most powdered gloves, including powdered surgeon’s gloves, powdered patient examination gloves and absorbable powder for lubricating surgeon’s gloves. The ban would not apply to powdered radiographic protection gloves or non-powdered surgeon gloves and non-powdered patient examination gloves.

An FDA advisory panel recommended against the approval of the AngelMed Guardian system, an implantable cardiac monitor, designed to detect rapid changes in the heart’s electrical signal caused by a coronary artery occlusion.

An analysis of a quality improvement registry of patients with atrial fibrillation found that a one-point increase in the CHADS2 score or the CHA2DS2-VASc score was associated with an approximately 15 percent greater adjusted odds of being prescribed an oral anticoagulant.

Since 2002, the FDA has received more than 9,000 reports of malfunctions with the INRatio and INRatio2 blood testing devices, the New York Times reports. The devices are used to help manage patients who are taking warfarin. The newspaper said an analysis from the Public Citizen Health Research Group found that injuries associated with the INRatio devices are far higher than similar products. However, the FDA and INRatio’s developer (INRatio) have not publicly announced the apparent malfunction.

Boston Scientific and the Mayo Clinic announced on March 16 that they would continue to share intellectual property to develop medical devices that address unmet clinical needs in fields such as interventional cardiology, heart rhythm management, endoscopy, neuromodulation, urology and pelvic health.