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 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.
GE Healthcare launching new AI software for handheld ultrasound system
The company's new AI offering, a product of its 2023 acquisition of Caption Health, will make its debut at ACC.24 in Atlanta.
New study provides ‘substantial evidence’ paclitaxel-coated devices are safe when treating lower-limb PAD
Research published in 2018 caused many in the cardiology community to shy away from using these devices, and the FDA even issued warnings about their safety. However, new data suggest paclitaxel-coated balloons and stents are safe.
Microplastics in carotid plaques increase risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes
Polyethylene was present in 58.4% of patients, and polyvinyl chloride was present in 12.1%. The presence of either one was associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke or death.

Healthcare M&A, mergers and acquisitions business deal.

Abbott completes $850M acquisition of Minnesota-based Cardiovascular Systems

The deal represents a significant addition to Abbott’s cardiovascular portfolio.

April 28, 2023

Private equity-backed cardiology group partners with additional healthcare investment firm.

Florida-based network of outpatient vascular centers partners with 2 private equity investment firms

American Vascular Associates believes the new investments from Petra Capital Partners and Canopy Capital Partners should help it keep up with the rising demand of outpatient treatment options.

April 27, 2023

Medtronic’s Endurant stent graft system for EVAR linked to strong 10-year outcomes

Researchers examined 10-year follow-up data from approximately 400 EVAR patients, sharing their findings at the 2023 Charing Cross Symposium in London.

April 27, 2023

HeartFlow announces US launch of AI-powered solution for evaluating coronary arteries

The AI-powered tool gained FDA clearance back in October 2022.

April 18, 2023

The variable fluorescence attenuation of blood has been a hindrance to near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) measurements in cardiovascular imaging. Fortunately, researchers have devised an innovative correction method in which the guidewire (GW) is coated with the fluorescent agent (ICG) and used as a reference standard in each frame, leading to a much higher accuracy. Credit: Rauschendorfer et al., doi 10.1117/1.JBO.28.4.046001

New technique improves accuracy of near-infrared fluorescence imaging

NIRF imaging could help interventional cardiologists personalize care in the cath lab, but a key engineering issue needed to be solved first.

April 17, 2023

Eric Secemsky, MD, FACC, FAHA, FSCAI, FSVM, director of vascular intervention at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, presented the results of a real-world evidence study of data for over 1 million U.S. Medicare patients to evaluate trends in the use of, and outcomes associated with, intravascular imaging during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). #IVUS

Intravascular imaging-guided PCI boosts outcomes, but utilization remains low

Eric Secemsky, MD, told Cardiovascular Business that a lack of training is one of the biggest factors limiting the use of intravascular imaging-guided PCI among interventional cardiologists.

April 6, 2023

Driven by its strategic goal to advance equity in the U.S. healthcare innovation sector, the American Medical Association (AMA) recently announced an initiative that supports leading industry stakeholders in committing to equitable health innovation opportunities targeted to improving health outcomes in historically marginalized communities. #Healthdisparities

New minimally invasive CLTI treatment helps save patients from amputation

The study’s primary endpoint, amputation-free survival after six months, was seen in 66.1% of CLTI patients who underwent transcatheter arterialization.

March 31, 2023

Blood thinner recalled due to potential cancer risk

The recall, announced by the FDA, includes multiple lots of dabigatran etexilate capsules.

March 23, 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 grants anticoagulant its orphan drug designation for treating patients with implanted devices

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

GE Healthcare launching new AI software for handheld ultrasound system

New study provides ‘substantial evidence’ paclitaxel-coated devices are safe when treating lower-limb PAD

Microplastics in carotid plaques increase risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes

Around the web