New data presented as a late-breaking clinical trial at the Heart Rhythm Society's 2014 Annual Scientific Sessions show that an advanced pacing feature exclusive to Medtronic, Inc. pacemakers significantly delays the progression of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with bradycardia (slow heart beat). Results from the MINERVA (MINimizERight Ventricular pacing to prevent Atrial fibrillation and heart failure) Study found that the Reactive ATP® algorithm reduced the development of persistent AF by a 58 percent relative reduction compared to standard pacemakers (p<0.001). 

Patients using the Boston Scientific Corporation LATITUDE™ Remote Patient Management system with wireless telemetry demonstrated significantly lower mortality and fewer hospitalizations than patients with LATITUDE-compatible devices who were not followed on the system, according to results from the PREDICt-RM study (Patient RElated Determinants of ICD RemoteMonitoring Utilization and Outcomes). The results were presented today at Heart Rhythm 2014, the Heart Rhythm Society's 35th Annual Scientific Sessions in San Francisco.

Keep it simple, … Well, you know the rest. Physicians now can apply that advice to defibrillator testing of cardiac devices during implantation, based on results from the SIMPLE trial presented May 8 at the Heart Rhythm Society’s scientific session in San Francisco. The practice was found to be safe but unnecessary.

The FDA approved the antiplatelet drug vorapaxar to reduce the risk of an MI, stroke or cardiovascular death in patients with a prior MI or peripheral artery disease.

The FDA issued a Class I recall on test strips used to measure a patient’s international normalized ratio (INR) due to reports that ranges found through its product differed significantly from results in tests performed in a laboratory.

The FDA approved a pacemaker system that allows the patient to undergo MR imaging scans with a limited exclusion zone.

BIOTRONIK, a leading manufacturer of vascular intervention devices, has expanded its line of reinforced introducer sheaths. Following up on the success of the 4F compatible Fortress Introducer Sheath, the expansion maintains the flexibility and stability of the 4F model, and is now available in 5F and 6F. 

Revised guidelines for the prevention of future stroke for survivors of a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) align with other guidelines and provide additional sections based on new insights on risk factors.