The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has determined that clinical sites that wish to participate in the newly announced CREST-2 carotid artery stenting (CAS) registry must receive accreditation. Accreditation for Cardiovascular Excellence (ACE) is a designated organization to provide these reviews. The objective of the CREST-2 Registry is to promote the rapid initiation and completion of enrollment in the CREST-2 randomized clinical trial. Patients with severe symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery occlusive disease will be treated with CAS performed by experienced and skilled interventionists.

On Sept. 24, 2014Heart Hospital of Austin became the first facility in Texas to implant a new miniaturized, wireless monitoring sensor to manage heart failure (HF). The CardioMEMS HF System is the first and only FDA-approved heart failure monitoring device that has been proven to significantly reduce hospital admissions when used by physicians to manage heart failure.

In coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), glucose control has shown to be important for survival. One research team, however, has questioned whether a strict or liberal glucose strategy was as effective or superior for improving survival. 

Mechanical and bioprosthetic aortic valve replacements were found to be equally safe and effective for patients aged 50 to 59 years, according to a study published Oct. 1 in JAMA. No difference was seen in stroke or long-term survival rates between the two replacement options.

Women are almost twice as likely as men to die of any cause in hospital after a STEMI-related primary PCI, according to a study published online Sept. 29 in JAMA: Internal Medicine. This disparity occurs in spite of increased awareness of modifiable risks, researchers wrote.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be good for what hurts, but they also could be setting patients up for pulmonary embolism. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk was increased in patients on NSAIDs, according to a study published Sept. 29 in Rheumatology.

The Department of Defense awarded contracts topping $67 million to two companies for airworthy defibrillators under its war-stopper funds.

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) revised its Choosing Wisely list, removing a recommendation that questioned the necessity of coronary interventions that extend beyond revascularization of a culprit lesion.