Vascular & Endovascular

This channel includes news on non-coronary vascular disease and therapies. These include peripheral artery disease (PAD), abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysm (AAA and TAA), aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism (PE), critical limb ischemia (CLI), carotid artery and stroke interventions, venous interventions, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and interventional radiology therapies. The focus on most of these therapies is minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures performed in a cath lab.

FDA clears new catheter for peripheral blood clots
The new-look catheter came out of a medical device incubator started by entrepreneur Eitan Konstantino, PhD, who has years of experience in the vascular space.
Boston Scientific recalls premixed embolic agent after two deaths
There have been a total of 11 incidents so far, including seven injuries and two deaths. Boston Scientific said the agent can still be used if operators follow specific instructions during lower GI bleed embolization procedures.
Anemia may help explain why women are more likely to die during heart bypass surgery
Finding new ways to avoid intraoperative anemia could go a long way toward improving outcomes for female CABG patients. The full analysis, based on more than 1.4 million patients, was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
FDA grants anticoagulant its orphan drug designation for treating patients with implanted devices
The anticoagulant was originally developed for patients with end-stage renal disease and atrial fibrillation.
FDA announces new recall of neurovascular catheters built by Johnson & Johnson subsidiary
The recall is due to ongoing concerns about the devices breaking. Three patients have been injured as a result of this issue.

Antithrombotic therapy after TAVR: Comparing warfarin to DAPT, SAPT

A new retrospective study from the Mayo Clinic focused on patients with no other need for anticoagulation.

June 6, 2023

Nearing a ‘breaking point’: Cardiologists support legislation designed to mitigate Medicare cuts to office-based services

These latest cuts could be a "breaking point" for physicians, according to a new letter to lawmakers.

June 2, 2023

The long legal saga of Richard Paulus, a Kentucky cardiologist accused of performing unnecessary cardiac procedures, appears to still be going strong in 2022 and might be reviewed by the Supreme Court. The New York state radiologist is facing 36 misdemeanor counts for secret sexual recording without consent, according to a story in the Boston Herald.

Cardiologist ordered to pay $2.6M after foreign material left in patient’s femoral artery

The patient's leg remains disfigured years after the incident.

June 1, 2023

The EnCompass Technologies F2 embolic filter device is designed to limit the risk of stroke and other severe brain injuries during TAVR.

Interventional cardiologists perform world’s first TAVR with new embolic protection device

The device, designed with improved filtration and stability in mind, is now being investigated as part of a new pilot study.

June 1, 2023

Regularly eating avocados is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a new study.

Plant-based diets—both vegetarian and vegan—linked to lower cholesterol levels, reduced risk of blocked arteries

A new systematic review and meta-analysis of 30 RCTs highlighted numerous benefits associated with vegetarian and vegan diets. Combining a plant-based diet with statin therapy, one researcher noted, could result "in an even larger beneficial effect.”

May 25, 2023

The new analysis, based on data from 1.6 million patients, found that a medical marijuana prescription for chronic pain may increase a person's overall arrhythmia risk. Medical marijuana

Marijuana use linked to much higher risk of peripheral artery disease

New research presented at SCAI Scientific Sessions 2023 suggests that marijuana users should understand the early warning signs of PAD, including feelings of pain and coldness in the leg.

May 18, 2023

American Heart Association and Joint Commission launch new Comprehensive Heart Attack Center certification.

Number of stroke deaths worldwide could reach nearly 5 million by 2030

The worldwide stroke rate has been decreasing over time, but the population is aging and growing at such a rapid rate that stroke-related mortality is still expected to rise.

May 17, 2023

FDA grants fast track designation to Bayer’s new drug for preventing stroke in AFib patients

The new drug, asundexian, is currently the subject of two multicenter Phase III studies—the OCEANIC-AF trial and OCEANIC-STROKE trial—focused on its safety and efficacy.

May 16, 2023

Around the web

Health Imaging

New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

Radiology Business

What does radiology have to do with climate change?

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

Vascular & Endovascular

FDA clears new catheter for peripheral blood clots

Boston Scientific recalls premixed embolic agent after two deaths

Anemia may help explain why women are more likely to die during heart bypass surgery

FDA grants anticoagulant its orphan drug designation for treating patients with implanted devices

FDA announces new recall of neurovascular catheters built by Johnson & Johnson subsidiary

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