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.

$Performing CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) improves the accuracy of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and helps limit unneeded invasive coronary angiography (ICA), according to a new study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. Heartflow$
AI-based CAD assessments dramatically improve vascular surgery outcomes
PAD patients evaluated with HeartFlow's noninvasive FFR_CTAnalysis technology prior to surgery experienced much better outcomes, including a 63% lower risk of all-cause mortality after five years.
FDA announces new recall of delivery catheters after patient’s death
The recall includes specific lots of five different medical devices used to treat stroke and other neurovascular diseases.
Dual-action thrombectomy device could give cardiologists a new tool for treating acute PE
The new device is believed to be the first of its kind, using both aspiration and mechanical clot disruption to remove blood clots.
TAVR linked to lower stroke risk than SAVR in patients with AS and cardiogenic shock
TAVR is also associated with a lower risk of acute kidney injury in this patient population. In-hospital mortality rates, however, are similar between the two treatment options.
PAD patients face greater risk of death, complications after a heart attack
PAD and CLI patients who show signs of coronary heart disease may benefit from early treatment, according to a new study of nearly 4 million hospitalizations.

The variable fluorescence attenuation of blood has been a hindrance to near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) measurements in cardiovascular imaging. Fortunately, researchers have devised an innovative correction method in which the guidewire (GW) is coated with the fluorescent agent (ICG) and used as a reference standard in each frame, leading to a much higher accuracy. Credit: Rauschendorfer et al., doi 10.1117/1.JBO.28.4.046001

New technique improves accuracy of near-infrared fluorescence imaging

NIRF imaging could help interventional cardiologists personalize care in the cath lab, but a key engineering issue needed to be solved first.

April 17, 2023

Eric Secemsky, MD, FACC, FAHA, FSCAI, FSVM, director of vascular intervention at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, presented the results of a real-world evidence study of data for over 1 million U.S. Medicare patients to evaluate trends in the use of, and outcomes associated with, intravascular imaging during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). #IVUS

Intravascular imaging-guided PCI boosts outcomes, but utilization remains low

Eric Secemsky, MD, told Cardiovascular Business that a lack of training is one of the biggest factors limiting the use of intravascular imaging-guided PCI among interventional cardiologists.

April 6, 2023

Driven by its strategic goal to advance equity in the U.S. healthcare innovation sector, the American Medical Association (AMA) recently announced an initiative that supports leading industry stakeholders in committing to equitable health innovation opportunities targeted to improving health outcomes in historically marginalized communities. #Healthdisparities

New minimally invasive CLTI treatment helps save patients from amputation

The study’s primary endpoint, amputation-free survival after six months, was seen in 66.1% of CLTI patients who underwent transcatheter arterialization.

March 31, 2023

Blood thinner recalled due to potential cancer risk

The recall, announced by the FDA, includes multiple lots of dabigatran etexilate capsules.

March 23, 2023

Why women with peripheral artery disease are underdiagnosed, have worse outcomes

Using the World Health Organization’s model for analyzing gender-related healthcare needs, the authors of a new analysis aimed to explore disparities in PAD outcomes.

March 21, 2023

Shockwave L6 Peripheral IVL Catheter Shockwave Medical

Shockwave Medical launches new IVL catheter for challenging lesions in US

After its initial release was limited to certain customers, the new-look catheter is now available in four different sizes throughout the United States.

March 14, 2023

Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, director of Mount Sinai Heart and general director of the Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research.

High dosage of blood thinners lowers 30-day morbidity for hospitalized COVID-19 patients

For patients who were hospitalized, but not yet in the ICU, those randomly assigned a higher-dose of anticoagulants had lower 30-day mortality risk than those on a lower dose.

March 10, 2023

a patient talks with her doctor, both are women of color

Cardiologists warn Biden administration that new policies could put PAD patients at risk

SCAI and the Association of Black Cardiologists have joined forces to share a simple message: PAD patients would be negatively impacted by new CMS proposals.

March 8, 2023

Vascular & Endovascular

AI-based CAD assessments dramatically improve vascular surgery outcomes

FDA announces new recall of delivery catheters after patient’s death

Dual-action thrombectomy device could give cardiologists a new tool for treating acute PE

TAVR linked to lower stroke risk than SAVR in patients with AS and cardiogenic shock

PAD patients face greater risk of death, complications after a heart attack