The interventional cardiology team led by Ehtisham Mahmud, MD, FACC, at UC San Diego Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center (SCVC) has successfully completed the first two robotically-assisted coronary angioplasty/stent procedures in California. Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) now have access to this new technology that puts the precision of a robot in the hands of interventional cardiologists during procedures to open clogged heart arteries.

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai joins a top-flight network of 25 regional stroke centers announced by the National Institute of Health that will focus on prevention, treatment, and recovery from stroke. As part of the NIH Stroke Trials Network (NIHStrokeNet), the medical school will receive a 5-year, $1.3 million grant to build a collaborative research infrastructure for a regional coordinating stroke center.

People who develop shingles between the ages of 18 and 40 may be at increased risk for a stroke, MI or a transient ischemia attack in later years, a study published online Jan. 2 in Neurology found.

Using a blood conservation strategy in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) reduced the need for blood transfusions without increasing mortality or morbidity, according to a study published in the January issue of Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) announces the appointment of Craig Thompson, M.D., as senior vice president and chief medical officer, Interventional Cardiology, effective immediately.  Dr. Thompson, a global leader in complex cardiac interventions, will play a key role in driving the development of innovative medical solutions within the Boston Scientific Interventional Cardiology business.

Is the Holter monitor heading toward obsolescence? One study that compared a lightweight patch to Holter monitors for detecting arrhythmias declared the patch the victor and suggested the newer technology will oust this standard approach.

Physicians or others who want to weigh in on a draft protocol to assess safety outcomes in atrial fibrillation patients newly treated with dabigatran or warfarin have until Jan. 13 to submit comments.

Abbott Laboratories agreed to pay more than $5 million in a settlement over an alleged kickback scheme involving its carotid, biliary and peripheral vascular products.