The use of CT angiogram and CT perfusion increased considerably among patients with acute ischemic stroke between 2006 and 2010, a study published online Feb. 25 in Stroke found.

Cordis Corporation announced today that it has received European CE Mark for its RENLANE™ Renal Denervation System for the treatment of patients with resistant hypertension and has completed the first successful cases in Europe. The RENLANE™ System consists of a unique, helical shaped, irrigated, multi-electrode ablation catheter with a multi-channel radiofrequency (RF) ablation system.

In the presence of Quebec Premier, Pauline Marois, ministers Nicolas Marceau, Jean-François Lisée and Élaine Zakaïb, Montreal Mayor, Denis Coderre, and the representatives of international pharmaceutical companies, Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, Director of the Research Centre of the Montreal Heart Institute (MHI), announced today the launch of ARTERIA, a research program aimed at developing ground-breaking treatments for cardiovascular diseases, the number one cause of death worldwide.

Brenda Keene had a history of heart disease in her family, but she still didn't anticipate all the health problems she would face. After battling first breast cancer and then coronary artery disease beginning in her late 20s, she has made it her mission to fight for her health and encourage others to do the same.

OrbusNeich today announced that patient enrollment has been initiated in Japan in the pivotal clinical trial of the COMBO Dual Therapy Stent(tm) (COMBO Stent) employing a single Japan-U.S. protocol conducted as a Global Clinical Trial "proof-of-concept" under the framework of the joint Japan-U.S. Harmonization-By-Doing [HBD] initiative. The first patient was enrolled at Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, Japan, by Dr. Shigeru Saito, M.D., the vice director of the hospital and co-principal investigator of the study.

Bloomberg News reported that Boehringer Ingelheim provided the FDA with one analysis showing a lower rate of fatal bleeding events in patients treated with dabigatran (Pradaxa) than was found in a second analysis that the company chose not to share.

Moderate or severe coronary calcification is common in patients with non-ST elevated acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) and STEMI, according to a study published online Feb. 19 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The study also found the degree of calcification predictive of stent thrombosis and ischemic target lesion revascularization.

The FDA is recalling guidewires used in catheter procedures because the coating may flake off. The agency warned that use of the guidewire could have serious adverse consequences.