Advancing its interventional coronary portfolio with breakthrough engineering concepts in device design and technology, Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT) unveiled the preclinical outcomes of its novel Drug-Filled Stent (DFS) at the 64th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology (ACC). The preclinical data showed controlled and efficacious drug elution into the arterial wall without a polymer carrier, while reducing diameter stenosis and achieving complete stent coverage quickly without inflammation. Based on these results, Medtronic plans to initiate a clinical trial in the coming months.

Advancing its interventional coronary portfolio with breakthrough engineering concepts in device design and technology, Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT) unveiled the preclinical outcomes of its novel Drug-Filled Stent (DFS) at the 64th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology (ACC). The preclinical data showed controlled and efficacious drug elution into the arterial wall without a polymer carrier, while reducing diameter stenosis and achieving complete stent coverage quickly without inflammation. Based on these results, Medtronic plans to initiate a clinical trial in the coming months.

High-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis had similar outcomes at five years in both arms of the PARTNER I trial, a finding that the presenter at the American College of Cardiology scientific session called a win for the intervention.

So it wasn’t a fluke. Two-year results from the CoreValve pivotal trial for high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis reaffirmed that the transcatheter aortic valve replacement device is superior to standard surgery. The results were presented March 15 at the American College of Cardiology scientific session.

Jeffrey Cavendish, MD, of Kaiser Permanente in San Diego, shared his impressions of the first day of the American College of Cardiology’s (ACC) scientific session with Cardiovascular Business. His highlights touch on three Ps: prevention, PROMISE and PEGASUS.

Over the long term, therapy that combined ticagrelor and aspirin appeared to maintain a lower rate of recurrent MI, cardiovascular death or stroke in patients with prior MI. Rates of major bleeding, however were higher with the P2Y12 receptor inhibitor over the three-year follow-up.

Medtronic plc today announced the start of its Resolute Onyx Clinical Program in the United States, which will evaluate the Resolute Onyx drug-eluting stent (DES) in patients who have coronary artery disease.  Included in the first phase of the study are patients with small vessels that would require a 2.0 mm stent, which until now, often were untreatable with a DES. Core sizes of the stent will be studied separately.

Secondary analysis of data from the TITRe2 trial found restrictive transfusion thresholds following cardiac surgery not superior to liberal thresholds when evaluating morbidity and cost at three months.