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.

ASE updates recommendations for assessing right heart function in patients with pulmonary hypertension
The new guidelines were designed to ensure sonographers and other members of the heart team have the information they need to screen patients when appropriate and identify early warnings signs of PH.
Philips pulls endovascular devices from market after safety issues prompt Class I recall
Philips is recalling all sizes of its Tack Endovascular System after 20 patient injuries were reported. Interventional cardiologists are urged to stop using the device immediately.
Teleflex to acquire Biotronik’s vascular intervention business for $791M, split into 2 separate entities
The acquisition helps Teleflex expand its interventional and vascular portfolios. Biotronik, meanwhile, is shifting its focus toward implantable devices and digital healthcare.
Aspartame linked to surging insulin levels, fatty plaques and inflammation
Aspartame, the artificial sweetener commonly found in diet sodas and sugar-free snacks, may do significant harm to a person’s cardiovascular system.
Novartis to acquire drugmaker behind new heart therapy for up to $3.1B
The FDA has already shown great interest in the drug, which is designed to help AFib patients reduce their stroke and systemic embolism risks.

Standard transthoracic imaging planes for comprehensive right heart assessment. Several key views should be included in the standard echocardiographic assessment of the right heart. Image and caption courtesy of the American Society of Echocardiography.

ASE updates recommendations for assessing right heart function in patients with pulmonary hypertension

The new guidelines were designed to ensure sonographers and other members of the heart team have the information they need to screen patients when appropriate and identify early warnings signs of PH.

Philips pulls endovascular devices from market after safety issues prompt Class I recall

Philips is recalling all sizes of its Tack Endovascular System after 20 patient injuries were reported. Interventional cardiologists are urged to stop using the device immediately.

Teleflex to acquire Biotronik’s vascular intervention business for $791M, split into 2 separate entities

The acquisition helps Teleflex expand its interventional and vascular portfolios. Biotronik, meanwhile, is shifting its focus toward implantable devices and digital healthcare.

Aspartame linked to surging insulin levels, fatty plaques and inflammation

Aspartame, the artificial sweetener commonly found in diet sodas and sugar-free snacks, may do significant harm to a person’s cardiovascular system.

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Novartis to acquire drugmaker behind new heart therapy for up to $3.1B

The FDA has already shown great interest in the drug, which is designed to help AFib patients reduce their stroke and systemic embolism risks.

Nearly half of U.S. adults are wrong about aspirin

Cardiologists have warned for years that healthy adults with no family history of CVD should not be taking low-dose aspirin every day—but as the saying goes, old habits die hard.

Cardiologists help highlight ‘severe consequences’ of peripheral artery disease

Many PAD patients do not even know they have the disease until it is too late, leading to unnecessary amputations and increasing the risk of other adverse patient outcomes. Awareness is especially limited among Black and Hispanic adults, experts warn, creating an added sense of urgency when looking to accelerate patient education efforts.

Medical device company raises $36M for emitter-free IVL platform

Boston-based Amplitude Vascular Systems is busy investigating the performance of its Pulse IVL platform in a wide variety of patient populations.