Fewer than six percent of patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the CoreValve device had strokes within two years of the procedure, according to a recent study. Researchers mentioned the 5.6 percent overall stroke rate was relatively low considering all patients were high-risk and had symptomatic aortic stenosis.

The FDA issued a safety alert on July 13, warning of deaths and severe adverse events associated with the use of SentreHEART's Lariat suture delivery device for left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion and preventing strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation.

A prospective cohort study found stroke survivors who were at least 45 years old had persistent declines in long-term cognitive functioning over a median follow-up period of more than six years. None of the participants had cognitive impairment at baseline.

The FDA approved sacubitril/valsartan, a twice-daily oral medication to treat patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. The drug (Entresto, Novartis) was reviewed under the FDA’s priority review program and was granted a fast track designation.

Older adults who experienced frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) had an increase in incident heart failure and mortality, according to an analysis of a community-based cohort study published online in the July 14 issue of Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) held its annual meeting May 6-9 in San Diego. Here are some highlights from the late-breaking clinical trials.

The Heart Rhythm Society focused on the latest developments in electrophysiology and the management of patients with rhythm disorders and heart failure at its 2015 meeting on May 13-16 in Boston. The event included 12 late-breaking clinical trials.

The FDA cleared a new guide wire from Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. on July 6 for use in the company’s peripheral orbital atherectomy systems.