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 These devices have been linked to a risk of potential resistance when the stent delivery system is being withdrawn.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.

'Delicate' hemostasis puts newborns at heightened risk for thrombosis

A Russian study that analyzed the process of blood coagulation in humans at different life stages has found hemostasis in newborn babies is particularly delicate—something that, paired with other common risks, can boost an infant’s risk of thrombosis early in life.

Florida medic fired after failing to treat stroke victim who later died

A Hillsborough County Fire Rescue paramedic has been fired and three others suspended without pay after a 10-week investigation concluded they failed to adequately care for a stroke patient who later died, the Tampa Bay Times reported this week.

TPT shows promise as stroke treatment, doubles movement recovery

Targeted plasticity therapy (TPT)—a novel approach to stroke treatment that involves stimulating the vagus nerve to accelerate plasticity in the brain—can double stroke patients’ rates of upper limb recovery, according to research published in Stroke. Paired with traditional motor-skill rehabilitation, it’s twice as effective as standard therapy.

How one stem cell study is rewriting the way scientists look at blood vessels

Stem cells in the embryo, previously thought to mature into only red blood or immune system cells, have another function, according to new research out of University College London. They can differentiate into endothelial cells, too, and could help in the growth of blood vessels in developing fetuses.

Eluvia vascular stent approved by FDA following IMPERIAL

The Eluvia drug-eluting vascular stent system has been approved by the FDA, device maker Boston Scientific announced Sept. 24—just two days after results from the IMPERIAL trial were presented at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics 2018 meeting.

Taller height identified as risk factor for development of varicose veins

Height—and the genes that influence it—are important predictors for the development of varicose veins, according to a study out of Stanford University.

38% of AFib patients feel ‘trapped’ between risks of stroke, anticoagulants

Atrial fibrillation patients are acutely aware of their five-fold increased risk of stroke, new research from StopAfib.org suggests—and 38 percent report feeling “trapped” between their fear of having a stroke and the major bleeding risks associated with anticoagulants.

Early compression therapy improves prognosis for deep vein thrombosis

Patients who suffer from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) see a “clear benefit” from initiating preventive compression therapy shortly after their diagnosis, as opposed to later stages of treatment, according to a study published this week in the journal Blood.

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