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.

The Abbott Esprit BTK everolimus-eluting biosorbable scaffold system for below the knee peripheral artery disease on display at TCT 2024. Photo by Dave FornellTCTn 2024 DF

Bioresorbable BTK stent superior to ballon angioplasty at 2 years

Late-breaking data from the LIFE-BTK clinical trial showed that the Esprit BTK bioresorbable scaffold system offered better two-year outcomes than balloon angioplasty in severe peripheral artery disease (PAD) below the knee.

Shockwave Javelin Peripheral IVL Catheter

Shockwave Medical’s IVL technology delivers more positive outcomes for PAD patients

Multiple late-breaking presentations at VIVA 2024 in Las Vegas focused on the benefits of treating peripheral artery disease with the company's intravascular lithotripsy portfolio.

Standing desks gained popularity in recent years, especially once the COVID-19 pandemic had more and more people working from home, but they may not necessarily make that much of a difference.

Standing desks fail to lower blood pressure or minimize heart risks—they may even do damage

Sitting too long can be bad for the heart, but standing desks do not appear to make a difference.

The Shockwave Medical M5+ new peripheral intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) catheter cuts procedures times in half and was showed for the first time at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2022 meeting. It is designed to break up calcium in heavily calcified arteries to avoid the need for vessel trauma caused by high pressure angioplasty.

IVL vs. RA for chronic total occlusion PCI: Key data cardiologists should know

Patient outcomes for these two treatments are similar, but choosing IVL may help improve clinical workflows. 

Americans know very little about vascular health, prompting surgeons to speak out

Many Americans have never heard of peripheral artery disease or other common vascular conditions. In fact, a vast majority are not sure what vascular surgeons do.

Surgeons Operating On Patient

Compensation jumps 6% for heart surgeons, hits all-time high for vascular surgeons

While production is relatively unchanged compared to the previous year, compensation is up significantly for cardiovascular surgeons in the United States. 

CVRx banner

New Category I CPT codes announced for treating heart failure with implantable Barostim device

Baroreflex activation therapy with the Barostim device from CVRx has received new CPT codes from the American Medical Association. The codes go into effect in January 2026.

FDA announces recall of Boston Scientific's Obsidio Conformable Embolic

Boston Scientific updates instructions for recalled embolic agent linked to multiple deaths

The premixed embolic agent is designed to embolize hypervascular tumors and occlude blood flow in a patient's peripheral blood vessels. It was recalled in April due to safety concerns.