Abbott announced on Feb. 2 that it acquired Kalila Medical, a privately held company that develops medical devices to treat atrial fibrillation and other heart rhythm disorders. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Patients enrolled in a major clinical trial who underwent transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TF-TAVR) in late 2011/early 2012 had significant declines in 1- and 2-year all-cause mortality compared with those who had the procedure performed earlier.

The American Heart Association (AHA) and the Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF) announced on Jan. 27 that they had awarded nearly $800,000 in grants to seven research projects in six states.

Medtronic will present data on its Micra Transcatheter Pacing System to an FDA advisory committee on Feb. 18. The Micra, a miniature leadless pacemaker, is not yet FDA-approved.

Following up with patients at their homes soon after cardiac surgery and providing them with individualized care may help patients improve their health—and help hospitals save money at the same time.

Sandeep Jauhar, MD, a cardiologist with North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, wrote an op-ed in the New York Times recommending electrocardiogram screening for some college athletes. In the U.S. athletics, electrocardiogram screening is generally reserved only for professional athletes.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) elected Joseph E. Bavaria, MD, as president on Jan. 25 during its annual meeting in Phoenix, Ariz.

St. Jude Medical announced on Jan. 22 that the FDA had classified a previous voluntary recall of the company's Optisure dual coil defibrillation leads as a Class 1 device recall.