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 single-use, fully disposable endovascular robotic system
The new Liberty System allows users to remotely deliver and manipulate guidewires and catheters during peripheral endovascular procedures.
New York cardiologist headed to prison—DOJ says he paid for referrals, performed unneeded procedures
"Today’s sentence sends a deterrent message to doctors and the healthcare industry," according to a DOJ statement. "If you abuse patient trust for profit, you will face justice."
Abbott’s dissolving stent picks up a key approval
It's another big victory for Abbott's bioresorbable stent for BTK PAD.
FDA announces new recall of self-expanding stents due to risk of ‘serious harm’
The Class I recall includes more than 26,000 vascular stents from Boston Scientific. These devices have been linked to a risk of potential resistance when the stent delivery system is being withdrawn.
Cardiovascular device approvals continue to lead the FDA's Breakthrough Device Program
Cardiology is number one in FDA Breakthrough Device designations at 218, the highest number out of all other clinical categories. This includes 16 new devices cleared in the past year.

Bootleg cannabis pens found to contain vitamin E, pesticides

Tests commissioned by NBC News have revealed that vitamin E—the suspected culprit behind some 800-plus reported cases of vaping-related lung illness—is present in many THC cartridges sold on the black market, alongside other toxicities like pesticides and myclobutanil.

Exposure to secondhand smoke in childhood increases lifetime risk of AFib

An analysis of the long-running Framingham Heart Study has revealed that exposure to secondhand smoke in childhood increases a person’s lifetime risk of atrial fibrillation.

Therapeutic shoe improves stroke survivors’ gait, symmetry

A therapeutic shoe designed to improve stroke survivors’ gait and symmetry was successful in a small-scale trial of six patients, according to a study published in the Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation.

Zantac pulled from global markets amid investigation

Drugmaker Novartis is halting the distribution of generic Zantac, or ranitidine, while the drug is investigated for NDMA, a probable human carcinogen.

‘Alarming’ number of heart infections can be traced back to opioid epidemic

The opioid crisis is to blame for an “alarming” number of cases of infective endocarditis, according to the American Heart Association.

Study finds aspirin beneficial for some without established CVD

A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine Sept. 17 suggests daily aspirin could result in a net benefit for some people without established CVD, further muddying the debate over whether aspirin is an effective preventive tool for those without heart disease.

FDA warns of probable carcinogens in Zantac, other heartburn drugs

The FDA announced Sept. 13 it identified low levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA, in popular heartburn drugs including Zantac.

Study adds to pool of evidence that paclitaxel-coated devices are safe

Contrary to a recent FDA advisory that acknowledged a late mortality signal with paclitaxel-coated and -eluting devices, a study published in the Journal of Endovascular Therapy found such stents safe in the long-term for treating femoropopliteal lesions in people with peripheral artery disease.

Vascular & Endovascular

FDA clears single-use, fully disposable endovascular robotic system

New York cardiologist headed to prison—DOJ says he paid for referrals, performed unneeded procedures

Abbott’s dissolving stent picks up a key approval

FDA announces new recall of self-expanding stents due to risk of ‘serious harm’

Cardiovascular device approvals continue to lead the FDA's Breakthrough Device Program