Fewer hospitals now use nesiritide for heart failure due to safety concerns highlighted in 2005, and a study published in the August issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Heart Failure found that hospitals changed the way they use the drug in three distinct patterns. They categorized facilities as “low users,” “fast de-adopters” and “slow de-adopters,” but there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of hospital characteristics.

Atherotech Diagnostics Lab, a leading clinical reference laboratory specializing in cardiometabolic testing and disease management solutions, announces the addition of Gerard Abate, M.D., as the company’s Chief Clinical Officer.

The “July phenomenon” may be a myth when it comes to cardiac electrophysiology (EP) outcomes, according to a study published in the September issue of Heart Rhythm. The study found no association between years of experience and in-hospital complications. 

The Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) unveiled its lineup of clinical trials to be presented at its 2013 scientific sessions. The conference, TCT’s 25th, is scheduled to take place Oct. 28-Nov. 1 in San Francisco.

Marc Cribbs, M.D., has joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham Division of Cardiovascular Disease as director of the new Alabama Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program.

Using an updated definition of post-PCI bleeding, an analysis of more than 1 million PCI procedures found that the rate of bleeding was 5.8 percent, more than double the previously reported rate of 2.4 percent. These findings were published in the September issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Interventions.

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and Nevada Senator Harry Reid announced a five-year, $20.3 million grant awarded to UNLV from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to lead a health research network of 13 universities across the Mountain West. The University of Nevada School of Medicine will partner on the grant.

HeartSine Technologies, the maker of Samaritan public access defibrillators, is voluntarily recalling its 300/300P devices because of a potential drain on batteries that could affect delivery of therapy in people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.