|
Conference News
ECR: Imaging makes strides in stroke management—modality questions remain
Studies showing that pre-treatment CT scans can improve a patient's prognosis have been widely accepted; however, questions remain on which modality to use, according to data presented at the 2009 European Congress of Radiology (ECR) this week in Vienna, Austria.
SIR: Ankle brachial index IDs heart risk missed by Framingham score
The use of common screening tests like the ankle brachial index (ABI), along with traditional risk scoring systems, such as the Framingham Risk Score (FRS), could prevent thousands of MIs in individuals who were not originally thought to be at high risk, according to findings presented at the 2009 meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) in San Diego this week.
Industry News
GE, Siemens pledge to fight imaging pre-authorization plan
GE and Siemens intend to lobby Congress to block President Barack Obama's plan to require diagnostic imaging pre-authorization for Medicare beneficiaries.
Commentary: It’s time to increase your vascular revenue
Today, most hospitals and healthcare systems consider a cardiovascular program to be their heart program. A recent industry survey asked healthcare leaders, “In your opinion, which service line today has the greatest potential to produce strong revenue growth within the next three years?” Not surprisingly, cardiology (i.e., heart disease) topped the list at 15 percent, while vascular received only 2 percent of votes.1
New subspecialty to focus on advanced heart failure, transplantation
The new medical subspecialty of Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology could provide technically advanced yet cost-effective care for patients with heart failure, according to a perspective article in the March issue of the Journal of Cardiac Failure.
Acusphere embarks on more cost-cutting measures, including layoffs
Acusphere plans to substantially reduce costs while it continues its regulatory discussions with the FDA for its lead product candidate, Imagify (Perflubutane Polymer Microspheres) for injectable suspension, including cutting jobs and consolidating operations.
Financial News
Top eight diabetes drugs made $5B over the past year
In recent years the diabetes drug market and insulin market has shown remarkable growth, according to a report from Research & Markets, a Dublin, Ireland-based market research firm.
Clinical Studies
SCCT publishes guidelines for CCTA interpretation, reporting
The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) has issued guidelines for the interpretation and reporting of coronary CT angiography (CCTA), which will be published in the March/April issue of the Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography.
AJC: Common heart meds no benefit to older patients with diastolic heart failure
People over 80 years of age suffering from a certain type of heart failure do not appear to benefit from most commonly prescribed heart medications, according to a study published in the March 15 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology.
ASE publishes recommendations for echo-guided interventions
Physicians will be able to move away from pure surgical approaches and utilize less invasive techniques for the treatment of structural heart disease with the help of cardiovascular ultrasound technology, according to a new guideline document in the March issue of the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography (JASE).
Health Affairs: California P4P stimulates changes in medical practice
A large group of California physicians given financial incentives to improve the quality of medical care have begun to embrace an array of changes important to advancing quality, according to a study published in the March/April issue in Health Affairs.
New Products
Abbott unveils Voyager coronary dilation catheter
Abbott has launched its Voyager NC coronary dilatation catheter, a next-generation balloon dilatation catheter with high-pressure capability to treat patients with coronary artery disease.
Regulatory News
Ranbaxy nets FDA approval for generic heart drug
Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited has received approval from the FDA for its abbreviated new drug application to market and manufacture Ramipril 5-mg and 10-mg capsules .
FDA to evaluate Takeda diabetes drug CV risk on 2008 guidance
Takeda Global Research and Development Center, a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical, was informed that although its alogliptin new drug application (NDA) was filed prior to issuance of the FDA's December 2008 guidance on new type 2 diabetes treatments, the FDA will apply the guidelines when reviewing the alogliptin NDA.
Biosenors nets CE Mark for smaller diameter DES
Biosensors International Group has received CE Mark approval for a 2.25-mm diameter version of its BioMatrix drug-eluting stent (DES) system, further expanding the currently available range of 2.5-mm to 4.0-mm stent diameters.
FDA approves PMA for SyntheMed pediatric cardiac surgery device
SyntheMed has gained pre-market approval (PMA) from the FDA for its Repel-CV Adhesion Barrier for use in pediatric cardiac surgery patients.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Bristol-Myers buys a-fib drug from Tokyo firms for $40M
Bristol-Myers Squibb has signed an agreement with Nissan Chemical Industries and Teijin Pharma Limited for the development and commercialization of a selective inhibitor for the maintenance of normal sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation, currently in phase I development in Japan.
Executive Announcements
Former GE exec becomes Abiomed VP
Abiomed, a heart recovery products company, has appointed Michael Howley as vice president and general manager of global sales and marketing.
Sanofi looks outside healthcare for new CFO
Sanofi-Aventis has appointed Jérôme Contamine as executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO), effective March 16.
|
