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.

The Millipede 088 Access Catheter. Image courtesy of Perfuze. FDA clearance.

Regulatory Roundup: FDA clears 2 new solutions, declines to approve omecamtiv mecarbil for HFrEF

Read our monthly recap of FDA-related news items from the world of cardiovascular medicine.

March 1, 2023

The World Health Organization has published a new guideline recommending against the use of artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose to lose weight or reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases.

The new study, led by a team of Cleveland Clinic specialists, was published in Nature Medicine.

February 28, 2023

The ACC released a new guideline asking interventional cardiologists to use intravascular imaging to improve outcomes in percutanous coronary intervention (PCI). Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a catheter-based imaging technology that allows physicians to visualize blood vessels from the inside out. Image courtesy of Philips.

ACC urges all interventional cardiologists to use intravascular imaging during PCI

New recommendations from the American College of Cardiology detail how intravascular imaging can help clinicians before, during and after PCI procedures.

February 16, 2023

How CAD, PCI affect TAVR outcomes among men and women

According to new research published in the American Journal of Cardiology, complex CAD appears to affect long-term TAVR outcomes much more for women than it does for men.

February 14, 2023

4 key takeaways from ISC 2023: AFib detection, improved stroke survival and more

Leading stroke specialists from all over the world gathered in Dallas for the 2023 International Stroke Conference. Catch up on some of the biggest stories that came out of the three-day event.

February 13, 2023

Abbott to acquire vascular disease specialists for $890M

Minnesota-based Cardiovascular Systems Inc. is perhaps best known for its atherectomy devices designed to treat PAD and CAD.

February 9, 2023

A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed at Intermountain Healthcare. Image from Intermountain Healthcare. Sex differences in TAVR one-year mortality.

TAVR and PAD: What cardiologists need to know

TAVR patients presenting with peripheral artery disease face significantly higher in-hospital risks, according to a new study published in Current Problems in Cardiology.

February 6, 2023

A heart attack is caused when one of the coronary arteries becomes blocked with a clot.

A key step forward: Researchers ID the genes responsible for CAD

The team hopes its findings can lead to significant progress in the war against fatty plaques.

February 2, 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

Around the web