New research shows that Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) pacemakers with enhanced pacing features have the ability to slow the progression of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with bradycardia, or a slow heartbeat.

James A. DeWeese, M.D., a pioneer in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery and a former chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Vascular Surgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center, died Nov. 14, 2013. He was 88.

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced results showing that its investigational fully humanized antibody fragment (Fab) rapidly reversed the anticoagulation effect of dabigatran in healthy male volunteers. These results, presented today during the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013, represent the first clinical data involving the compound, which was discovered and developed by the company (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01955720).

Singulex, Inc., the developer and leading provider of Single Molecule Counting (SMC(tm)) technology for clinical diagnostics and scientific discovery, today announced new data highlighting the Company's ultrasensitive Erenna(r) Immunoassay System in the detection of cardiac troponin-I (cTnI). Two studies utilized the Erenna System to measure previously undetectable levels of cTnI in order to assess cardiovascular disease risk in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and heart failure (HF) patients. The data were presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Dallas, Texas.

The American Heart Association has presented its Research Achievement Award for 2013 to Roberto Bolli, M.D., of the University of Louisville, “for the profound and lasting impact of his extraordinary contributions to cardiovascular research.”

The American Heart Association has awarded its 2013 Population Research Prize to Lewis H. Kuller, M.D., Dr.P.H., of Pittsburgh, “for 40 years of inspired leadership of a worldwide effort to better understand and prevent heart disease and stroke in populations.”

The American Heart Association has presented one of its highest honors, the Eugene Braunwald Academic Mentorship Award, to cardiologist and medical professor Mark Josephson, M.D., of Harvard Medical School.

The American Heart Association’s Council on Clinical Cardiology presented its James B. Herrick Award for outstanding achievement in clinical cardiology to Marc Alan Pfeffer, M.D., Ph.D., of Harvard Medical School “for acclaimed research showing how cardiac muscle damage occurs during a heart attack, a discovery that led to new life-saving treatment.”