Stroke

Cardiovascular departments are playing a role in stroke interventions at numerous health systems, working as part of the stroke care team with neurologists, radiology and the emergency department. Stroke first has be be classified as ischemic or hemorrhagic. These have very different care pathways. Ischemic strokes are increasingly being treated with neurological-interventional therapy that includes catheter based mechanical thrombectomy to remove the clot. This is a more aggressive treatment compared to traditional IV administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) thrombolytic therapy to dissolve the clot. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) brain bleeds can also be treated in some cases stent flow diverters and embolization coils.

FDA clears intravascular device billed as ‘world’s smallest camera’ as physicians share new data
The new device, which provides users with real-time images in full color, is now approved by the FDA to be used in the peripheral vasculature. Meanwhile, first-in-human data published in Stroke explored its potential in the cerebral vasculature.
FDA clears new large-bore catheter for challenging stroke cases
The newly cleared device was built to provide support, trackability and stability during the treatment of time-sensitive stroke patients.
Medtronic to acquire medtech company Scientia Vascular for $550M
Scientia Vascular, a Salt Lake City-based medtech company focused on developing new vascular devices, was founded in 2007 and has more than 300 employees.
Johnson & Johnson launches 3 new stroke devices
These devices were developed to help clinicians reach and remove distal clots associated with significant pain and swelling. If left untreated, such clots can lead to medical emergencies and even death.
GLP-1 drugs and healthy habits work together to boost heart health, Harvard study confirms
When patients on GLP-1 therapy also make healthy lifestyle choices—getting enough sleep and exercising, for example—the benefits are significantly greater.

Selection of stent images captured with the MicroAngioscope from Vena Medical. Images courtesy of Kan et al. and Stroke.

FDA clears intravascular device billed as ‘world’s smallest camera’ as physicians share new data

The new device, which provides users with real-time images in full color, is now approved by the FDA to be used in the peripheral vasculature. Meanwhile, first-in-human data published in Stroke explored its potential in the cerebral vasculature.

Toro Neurovascular Toro 88 Superbore Catheter

FDA clears new large-bore catheter for challenging stroke cases

The newly cleared device was built to provide support, trackability and stability during the treatment of time-sensitive stroke patients.

Medtronic to acquire medtech company Scientia Vascular for $550M

Scientia Vascular, a Salt Lake City-based medtech company focused on developing new vascular devices, was founded in 2007 and has more than 300 employees.

Cereglide 57 image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson MedTech.

Johnson & Johnson launches 3 new stroke devices

These devices were developed to help clinicians reach and remove distal clots associated with significant pain and swelling. If left untreated, such clots can lead to medical emergencies and even death.

GLP-1 drugs and healthy habits work together to boost heart health, Harvard study confirms

When patients on GLP-1 therapy also make healthy lifestyle choices—getting enough sleep and exercising, for example—the benefits are significantly greater.

Vascular imaging at heart of $71M fraud scheme—DOJ announces prison sentences

The years-long scheme involved sending kickbacks to physicians who ordered unnecessary transcranial doppler exams. Two conspirators have now been sentenced to prison and ordered to pay substantial fines.

A majority of medical devices involved in Class I recalls were never required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to undergo premarket or postmarket clinical testing, according to new research published in Annals of Internal Medicine.[1]

PFO closure after thromboembolism linked to strong 20-year outcomes

Recurrent strokes and TIAs were rare, though bleeding events among women did stand out as a trend to watch going forward.

Women of all ages face rising risks of heart disease and stroke—but cardiologists see a path forward

Cardiovascular disease is already the No. 1 killer among women—and new projections from the American Heart Association suggest things are going to get much worse. There are certain things that clinicians and patients can do, however, to help reverse this trend and save countless lives.