Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) announced the results of a five-year retrospective study on Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs) with Pressure Activated Safety Valve (PASV®) Technology, indicating a significant reduction in rates of both occlusion (closure) and infection. The study, conducted by Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) in Nashville, TN was presented at the Association for Vascular Access (AVA) Annual Conference in Savannah, GA.

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This study aimed to assess the real cost-effectiveness of DES using prospectively collected outcome data from consecutive patients in the immediate pre-DES era.

A prospective database on all percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) performed by one operator in the two years prior to DES introduction (July 2000–June 2002) was used in which 12-month follow-up was complete in 96%. In 490 patients, 510 PCI were undertaken on 650 lesions (298 ‘high risk’) using 686 stents.

Published in the Heart, Lung and Circulation 

Keywords: Stent; Drug-eluting; Coronary intervention; Restenosis; Cost-effectiveness

The primary objective of the CaRESS Phase I trial is to determine the sample size needed to reliably test the hypothesis that carotid stenting systems with distal embolic protection (CAS) is equivalent to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in the treatment of symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery disease in a broad-risk population. A total of 397 patients were treated at 14 clinical centers.

Pubmed abstract

Source: American Heart Associacion 

The Arizona Heart Institute and Arizona Heart Hospital offering video podcasts site for Cardiovascular Education.

http://www.cvmd.org/

Background. The transradial approach to coronary interventions has been accepted as a safe and effective alternative to the femoral approach due to fewer access site complications and improved patient comfort. In the present study we aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of transradial procedure in the elderly.

Methods. Authors analyzed 850 patients who underwent transradial coronary angiography and/or angioplasty.

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Published in The Journal of Invasive Cardiology – Volume 17 – Issue 12 (Dec. 2005) – December 2005 – Pages: 651 – 654

A proxy advisory firm is recommending Guidant Corp. shareholders reject Johnson & Johnson’s latest buyout proposal, a move that comes as J&J weighs whether to sweeten its offer for the medical device maker once again to trump Guidant’s favored suitor of the moment, Boston Scientific Corp.

The Massachusetts company owes its current front-runner status in part to Abbott Laboratories Inc., a third-party player whose offer of cash and other assistance to help Boston Scientific go after Guidant is fueling speculation that the new allies could themselves become merger partners someday.

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This is the third set of guidelines produced by the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society and the British Cardiac Society.

Published in the Heart 2005;91(suppl_6):vi1-vi27

Keywords: percutaneous coronary intervention; guidelines; training; standards

This study was designed to assess the feasibility and safety of a Remote Navigation System (RNS, NaviCath, Haifa, Israel) in which the angioplasty guidewire, the balloon, and the stent are navigated via a computerized system.

Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Volume 47, Issue 2  , 17 January 2006, Pages 296-300

Abbreviations and Acronyms: LAD, left anterior descending coronary artery; LCX, left circumflex artery; MACE, major adverse coronary events; PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention; RCA, right coronary artery; RNS, Remote Navigation System; TFT, total fluoroscopy time

Abbott Laboratories Inc.’s pivotal role in Boston Scientific Corp.’s $80-per-share offer to buy Guidant Corp. signals its determination to be a player in medical devices, regardless of how the bidding match ends, analysts said on Wednesday.

While many Wall Street analysts say Boston Scientific now has the upper hand over Johnson & Johnson with its current bid for Guidant, some believe Abbott’s participation — providing some of the funding for the bid — suggests Abbott could move in to buy Boston Scientific if it ultimately loses.

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The success of angioplasty depends on a balance between two conflicting objectives: maximization of artery lumen patency and minimization of mechanical damage. A finite element model for the patient-specific prediction of angioplasty is proposed as a potential tool to assist clinicians. This paper describes the general methodology and the algorithm that computes device/artery friction work during balloon insertion and deployment. The potential of the model is demonstrated with examples that include artery model reconstruction and prediction of friction on the arterial wall during balloon insertion and deployment.

Published in the Studies in Health Technology and Informatics

Keywords: Finite elements, model, angioplasty, multi-body contact, friction

MIV Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCBB:MIVT) (FWB:MIV), a leading developer of next-generation biocompatible coatings and advanced drug delivery systems, announced today the availability of a corporate video presentation outlining the Company’s leadership in the field of innovative, organic biocompatible stent coatings based on a proprietary HAp platform technology.

“MIVT is developing a novel hydroxyapatite-based technology to create ultra-thin coatings for passive and drug-eluting applications for vascular stents, which are used to prop open clogged or narrowed arteries and restore healthy blood flow, and other medical devices,” said Mr. Lindsay.

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Interventional cardiologist Dr Ganesh Kumar of Hiranandani Hospital teamed up with Rafael Beyar and other eminent international members, including Tal Wenderow, Doron Lindner, and Rona Shofti in Israel to develop and test the world’s first robotic equipment for angioplasty that allows remote manipulation of Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI).

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Some of multimedia movies about health procedures such as: stent implantation, cardiac chateterization, angioplasty, thrombolytics “Clot Buster”, atherectomy, coronary artery bypass surgery.

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Duravest, Inc. (OTC BB:DUVT, XETRA:DUV) is a publicly traded holding company that initiates strategic investments in leading edge medical technologies. Its subsidiary, Estracure, Inc. is currently developing a next-generation coronary stent based on proprietary estrogen-based technologies which may minimize restenosis and potentially prevent progression of coronary lesions. Based on the results of a multi-center Phase II “proof-of-concept” trial in humans and ongoing pig trials, Phase II/III trials with the proprietary 17-beta-estradiol, stent and polymer combination are being currently planned for patient accrual later this year. Duravest also has a controlling interest in Bio-Magnetic Therapy Systems, Inc. (BMTS), a leading German-US medical technology firm dedicated to the safe, non-invasive treatment of osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and orthopedic injuries. Its proprietary, patented devices are already used clinically in Germany while further expansion is planned for European, Asian and U.S. markets.

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