Latest News

FDA Approval for HeartMate(R) SNAP-VE LVAS for Destination Therapy

SPECIAL MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT

Computer Motion Seeks 510(k) for Zeus MicroWrist Robotic Surgical System

CE Mark Approval for Enhanced Version of Conduit for LVAS

FDA Clears Pacemaker With Home Monitoring Technology

Amplatzer Occluder Awarded HDE by FDA

Drug Effective in Congestive Heart Failure Study

Drug Effective in Congestive Heart Failure Study

In the trial of 489 congestive heart failure patients, researchers note that patients who receive the drug nesiritide show improvement after as little as 15 minutes.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=04010207&MITUID=204633

MARCH 29

Ablation Laser Receives FDA Clearance

The laser is used by clinicians with the accompanying Optimaze surgical ablation handpiece to create rapid and precise lesions in the heart during cardiac surgery.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03290207&MITUID=204628

MARCH 25

Boston Scientific Receives IDE for TAXUS IV Trial

TAXUS IV is designed to evaluate Boston Scientific's paclitaxel-eluting stent technology for reducing coronary restenosis, the growth of scar tissue within an artery after angioplasty and stenting.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03250204&MITUID=204633

Study: Insulin May Prevent Thrombosis Leading To Heart Attack And Stroke

Researchers believe insulin has anti-inflammatory properties that link it to the mechanisms that reduce the clotting factors that put heart attack and stroke patients at risk.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03250209&MITUID=204633

MARCH 22

Transgenic Mice Mimic Cardiac Hypertrophy in Humans in Vanderbilt Study

Scientists say they have created a new strain of mouse that exhibits cardiac hypertrophy--an enlargement of the heart similar to that which causes heart failure in millions of Americans each year.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03220206&MITUID=204633

MARCH 21

Vanlev as Effective as ACE-inhibitor in Treatment of Heart Failure in Preliminary Study

Research shows Vanlev and enalapril produce similar treatment outcomes. Specifically, the incidence of death or hospitalization due to worsening heart failure is 31.7 percent with Vanlev and 33.7 percent with enalapril.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03210209&MITUID=204633

MARCH 20

Late Breaking Trials III from ACC

Heartbeat-correcting implant safely improves lives of heart failure patients

http://www.acc.org/media/session_info/late/Acc2002/index.htm

Australian Regulatory Approval Granted to Automated External Defibrillator

The Powerheart AED incorporates Cardiac Science's RHYTHMx technology, which powers its hospital bedside monitor-defibrillator, making the new AED device highly accurate in the detection and treatment of patients suffering dangerous abnormal heart rhythms.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03200206&MITUID=204633

Study Demonstrates Value of Rapid Test for Congestive Heart Failure

Investigators, using a 15-minute Triage BNP Test, conclude that measurement of BNP levels in patients should be considered as a standard of care in the diagnosis and exclusion of congestive heart failure.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03200204&MITUID=204633

Advicor Effective in ADVOCATE Cholesterol Management Study

Advicor consists of niacin (Niaspan) and lovastatin. The trial indicates that patients getting the maximum recommended dose of the drug experience improvement in triglycerides, Lp(a) and HDL, exceeding the performance of Lipitor and Zocor.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03200201&MITUID=204633

Cleveland Clinic Research Shows Orange Juice Lowers Blood Pressure

The study of 24 subjects reveals that orange juice produces on average about a 10mm/Hg (7%) reduction in systolic blood pressure and about a 3.5 mm/Hg (4.6 %) reduction in diastolic blood pressure.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03200209&MITUID=204633

MARCH 19

ACC 2002 - News from the Annual Meeting of the American College of Cardiology

News Conferences

http://www.acc.org/media/session_info/newsconf/ACC2002/2002index.htm

Late Breaking Clinical Trials

http://www.acc.org/media/session_info/late/Acc2002/lbct_monday.htm

Late Breaking Trials II from ACC

Patients who can benefit most from heart-pump implants may be identifiable

http://www.acc.org/media/session_info/late/Acc2002/index.htm

Proven Heart Therapy Used In Only 25 Percent Of Cases

Duke University Medical Center researchers report that only one out of four patients with acute coronary syndromes receives drugs that have been proven to reduce death and heart attacks. The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) recommended that the drugs be used for high-risk patients with acute coronary syndromes.

http://www1.internetwire.com/iwire/iwprj?id=39434&cat=me

Abbott Laboratories to Acquire Cardiovascular Stent Business

The proposed $234.5 million acquisition strengthens Abbott's position in the coronary stent market with Biocompatibles' proprietary coating technology.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03190207&MITUID=204633

Final Results of Ischemia Study Released

Assessment of the patients indicates that 18 of 19 patients experience a reduction in angina score. Patients can exercise an average of 23% longer on the treadmill six months after cryotherapy than before receiving the treatment, according to the company.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03190201&MITUID=204633

FDA Approves Clinical Trials of Nirflex Stent

The study will begin in 12 U.S. medical centers in May 2002. The Nirflex coronary and peripheral stent received the CE Mark earlier this month.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03190210&MITUID=204633

New CT Scanner May Help Diagnose Heart Disease in Earlier Stages

Researchers believe advanced, 16-slice, computed tomography (CT) technology can help physicians diagnose heart disease in its earliest stages, without the need for surgery or angiography.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03190204&MITUID=204633

Study: Drug Combination Improves Outcomes for Unstable Angina and Myocardial Infarction

The study results indicate that a combination of Integrilin and Lovenox reduces risk of death or heart attack within 30 days by 44 percent when compared with standard therapy. http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03190202&MITUID=204633

Cholesterol Lowering Drug Drops Risk of Cardiac Events by 22 Percent In Angioplasty Patients

The four-year study follows 1677 patients from 57 centers in 10 countries. Researchers say angioplasty patients can reduce their risk of serious cardiac events by more than 20 percent by taking a cholesterol-lowering drug (Lescol).

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03190205&MITUID=204633

MARCH 18

FDA Clears Philips X-ray System

The new X-ray imaging system enables clinicians to see and work in the smallest vessels of the heart, while reducing X-ray exposure and procedure times for them and their patients, according to Philips.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03180203&MITUID=204633

Study Shows Promise for Right Heart Support System

The ParaFlow System is used during coronary artery bypass procedures in lieu of a heart-lung machine. Studies have shown advantages of performing beating heart surgery as opposed to "still-heart" surgery, which requires the use of a heart-lung machine.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03180204&MITUID=204633

SmartFlow Multiple Lesion Device Introduced at ACC Meeting

The device allows for measurement of stenoses that occur in series, allowing cardiologists to treat more severe blockages within the series first.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03180206&MITUID=204633

MARCH 14

Beta-blockers Boost Survival in Women With Heart Failure

Data from the three heart failure studies using beta-blockers indicate increased survival in women taking the drugs. The MERIT-HF, CIBIS II and COPERNICUS studies show that in women, beta-blockers increase total survival similar to that in men.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03140207&MITUID=204633

Study: Antagonist Inhibits Stent-induced Restenosis

Ambrisentan administered orally significantly reduces the narrowing of the coronary arteries of pigs following angioplasty and coronary stent implantation, based on results of a pre-clinical study.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03140208&MITUID=204633

Novoste Submits IDE for Arterial-venous Dialysis Graft Trial

The BRAVO (Beta Radiation for treatment of Arterial-Venous graft Outflow) trial will investigate the safety and efficacy of the Novoste CORONA System to treat venous outflow stenosis in arterial-venous dialysis.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03140206&MITUID=204633

MARCH 12

Small Vessel Stent System Receives CE Mark

Orbus Medical says the stent has the ability to naturally conform to the curvature of small blood vessels, helping to minimize trauma.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03120203&MITUID=204633

MARCH 11

Fifth AbioCor Recipient Struggles With Lung-related Problems

James Quinn is back on a ventilator after fluid was drained from around his lungs. Quinn was readmitted to the hospital in February 2002 with breathing difficulties and was treated for pneumonia at the time.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03110202&MITUID=204628

MARCH 8

On-X Mitral Valve Receives Premarket Approval

The On-X valve is made from what MCRI said is an advanced form of medical-grade pyrolytic carbon known as On-X carbon.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03080201&MITUID=204628

Survey: Heart Failure Patients Not Receiving Ideal Therapy

The study shows 87 percent of physicians polled say they clearly understand the benefits of beta-blockers as seen in clinical trials--but that this understanding isn't translating into practice.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03080205&MITUID=204633

Surgeons Might Train On Artificial Bodies

Artificial bodies will allow surgeons to train with less risk, avoiding initial training on real patients. MRI scans of an average man and woman serve as the template for the artificial body.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03080206&MITUID=204633

Study: Antibiotic Treatment May Improve Cardiovascular Function

CAD patients with Chlamydia pneumoniae in their blood show a significant improvement in blood flow after five weeks of treatment with azithromycin.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03080208&MITUID=204633

FDA Clears Enclose Anastomic Assist Device

Novare says its device can eliminate the need for partial-occlusion clamping during off-pump bypass surgery.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03080209&MITUID=204633

Guidant Halts Drug-eluting Stent Trial

The company says it stopped trials of its drug-eluting stent system utilizing actinomycin-D after clinical trials showed that patients treated with the stents have an unacceptably high target lesion revascularization rate.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03080211&MITUID=204633

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Kawasaki Disease--Pediatric Cardiology

http://www.heartlinx.com/thearts.cfm?artid=313206&specid=2

Onset of Complete Atrioventricular Block 15 Years After Ventricular Septal Defect Surgery--Pediatric Cardiology

http://www.heartlinx.com/thearts.cfm?artid=313211&specid=2

Restrictive Interatrial Communication with Protein-Losing Enteropathy and Coagulopathy in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome After Norwood Palliation--Pediatric Cardiology

http://www.heartlinx.com/thearts.cfm?artid=313212&specid=2

MARCH 7

FDA Panel Recommends Approval for InSync ICD

The InSync ICD system combines cardiac resynchronization therapy and defibrillation therapy in a single device for the treatment of moderate to severe heart failure.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03070202&MITUID=204633

Researchers: Drug May Help Congestive Heart Failure Patients

Patients receiving a new intravenous (IV) drug, nesiritide, require less treatment and experience fewer complications than those undergoing traditional therapies that include use of the standard drug, dobutamine, researchers say.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03070208&MITUID=204633

Study Ties Homocysteine Levels to Type of Stroke

Researchers find that people in the study with elevated blood levels of homocysteine are significantly more represented in the group of patients with a form of stroke called spontaneous cervical artery dissection.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03070203&MITUID=204633

Discontinuing Statins May Cause Dangerous Rebound, Research Shows

In a study of 1,600 records, patients who continued statin use had half the risk of heart attack or death of those who had never used statins. Those who discontinued statins had nearly 3 times the risk as those who had never taken a statin drug.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03070205&MITUID=204633

Study: "Microbleeds" May Be Risk for Stroke Complications

Researchers say they have found a marker that may identify patients who are more likely to have bleeding complications and who may require additional caution when being treated with clot-busting therapy drugs for ischemic stroke.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03070209&MITUID=204633

MARCH 6

Variation in Surgical and Anaesthetic Technique and Associations with Operative Risk in the European Carotid Surgery Trial: Implications for Trials of Ancillary Techniques--European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery

http://www.heartlinx.com/thearts.cfm?artid=311437&specid=2

The Influence of Gender Difference on the Outcomes of Infrainguinal Bypass for Critical Limb Ischaemia in Chinese Patients--European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery

http://www.heartlinx.com/thearts.cfm?artid=311439&specid=2

Aortic Heart Valve Receives FDA Clearance

St. Jude says the SJM Regent aortic heart valve features subtle design modifications to the valve's pyrolytic carbon components, resulting in unprecedented hemodynamic performance.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03060201&MITUID=204633

FDA Panel Recommends Approval for Ventricular Assist Device

Thoratec is seeking approval to expand the intended uses of its HeartMate VE LVAS (left ventricular assist system) to provide long-term support for end-stage heart failure patients who are not eligible for heart transplantation.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03060203&MITUID=204633

MARCH 5

German Company Acquiring Lifestream International

Jostra says the acquisition of LifeStream allows it to bolster its presence in the United States and be more responsive to customers' needs here. Lifestream is a manufacturer of cardiopulmonary products.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03050206&MITUID=204633

Guidant Completes Enrollment of Drug-eluting Stent Trial

Company enrolls more than 1,000 patients in Deliver trial comparing a paclitaxel-coated stent with an uncoated bare-metal control stent. Some studies have shown that the addition of paclitaxel might lower the incidence of restenosis.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03050201&MITUID=204633

Portable Ultrasound Effective In Detecting Carotid Blockages in Study

Researchers screen carotid arteries using the system in a study of 51 patients. The degree of blockage in patients is estimated by measuring the area ratio and the diameter ratio with 89.7% accuracy (area ratio) and 84.3% accuracy (diameter ratio).

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03050205&MITUID=204633

MARCH 4

Arrow to Sell Drug Infusion Pump Business and Continue to Pursue Cardiac Assistance

The company says it wants to focus on other opportunities in critical care and cardiac assistance. Arrow won't name the buyer for its drug infusion pump business or list the purchase price until the deal closes.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03040209&MITUID=204633

GE Heart Monitors in Space

The company's systems are being used to monitor the cardiac health of the astronauts partaking in the fourth Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission that was launched early Friday morning.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03040203&MITUID=204633

New Medtronic ICD Wins FDA OK

The new ICD, which has received the CE Mark to be marketed throughout the European Union, offers faster charge times for increased patient safety and improved longevity for less frequent replacement.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03040206&MITUID=204633

Internet Use in Families With Children Requiring Cardiac Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease--Pediatrics

http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/abstract/109/3/419

The impact of body mass index onshort- and long-term outcomes inpatients undergoing coronary revascularization: insights from the bypass angioplasty revascularization investigation (BARI)--Journal of the American College of Cardiology

http://www.heartlinx.com/thearts.cfm?artid=310037&specid=2

Decreased incidence of postoperative stroke following off-pump coronary artery bypass--Journal of the American College of Cardiology

http://www.heartlinx.com/thearts.cfm?artid=310052&specid=2

MARCH 1

Women more likely than men to die after heart surgery--British Medical Journal

http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/324/7336/504/a

Computer Motion, Karl Storz to Develop New Products

The agreement specifies terms for Karl Storz to license speech and voice recognition technology from Computer Motion. The companies will co-market the products that are produced through the agreement.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03010207&MITUID=204633

Medtronic Introduces New Coronary Stent System

The 2.75 mm S660 stent system, which recently received pre-market approval from the FDA and the CE Mark, incorporates six-crown architecture, a metal-to-artery ratio and strut thickness optimized for use in small vessels.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03010209&MITUID=204633

Plavix Gets FDA Nod for New Indication

The FDA decision means Plavix can be used to further reduce the acute and long-term risk of future heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death in acute coronary syndrome patients.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03010210&MITUID=204633

Proinsulin Might Predict Heart Disease Risk

Proinsulin is one of several molecules involved in the formation of insulin in the body that appears to impair blood clotting.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=03010208&MITUID=204633

Acute type A dissection: conservative methods provide consistently low mortality--The Annals of Thoracic Surgery

http://ats.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/73/3/707

Factors influencing intensive care unit length of stay after surgery for acute aortic dissection type A--The Annals of Thoracic Surgery

http://ats.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/73/3/714

Are stentless valves hemodynamically superior to stented valves? A prospective randomized trial--The Annals of Thoracic Surgery

http://ats.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/73/3/767

Cardioplegic arrest with L-arginine improves myocardial protection: results of a prospective randomized clinical trial--The Annals of Thoracic Surgery

http://ats.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/73/3/837

Midterm results of surgical treatment of systemic ventricular outflow obstruction in Fontan patients--The Annals of Thoracic Surgery

http://ats.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/73/3/855

The importance of intraoperative angiographic findings for predicting long-term patency in coronary artery bypass operations--The Annals of Thoracic Surgery

http://ats.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/73/3/813

Paravalvular leak and other events in silzone-coated mechanical heart valves: a report from AVERT--The Annals of Thoracic Surgery

http://ats.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/73/3/785 FEBRUARY 28

Baxter Will Acquire Fusion for $157 Million

Baxter will pay for the company with its own stock at a price of $10 a share at the closing of the transaction, provided the Fusion shareholders and regulatory authorities approve the transaction.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=02280206&MITUID=204633

CE Mark Awarded to Guidant Pacing Lead

The Easytrak 2 lead's design allows the physician to position the pacing electrodes in a vein on the left side of the heart using an over-the-wire technique similar to the system used in angioplasty procedures.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=02280205&MITUID=204633

Blocking Cardiac Protein May Help Heart Function

To conduct the study, the doctor takes cells from the hearts of nine end-stage patients who were about to undergo heart transplantations. He injects single strand DNA into the cultured cells.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=02280208&MITUID=204633

FEBRUARY 27

CryoCath Earns CE Mark for Freezor Xtra

Freezor Xtra is designed to deliver maximum cooling power to a larger tip, which facilitates the creation of larger lesions to treat atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and ventricular tachycardia.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=02270207&MITUID=204628

Study: Gene Therapy May Treat Angina

During the study, researchers infuse an inactive virus (called Ad5) containing the human FGF4 gene, which can stimulate collateral blood vessel development, into the blood vessels supplying the hearts of angina patients.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=02270201&MITUID=204633

Urgent Coronary Bypass Surgery for Failed Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the Stent Era: Is Backup Still Necessary?--American Heart Journal

http://www.heartlinx.com/thearts.cfm?artid=306450&specid=2

The Role of Hospital Volume in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Is More Always Better?--Journal of American College of Cardiology

http://www.heartlinx.com/thearts.cfm?artid=306447&specid=2

FEBRUARY 26

Skin Cholesterol Test Chosen for Heart Disease Diagnostic Trial

Cholesterol 1,2,3 generates a color-change reaction in a drop of liquid on the palm of the hand to measure cholesterol in three minutes. It has been shown in clinical trials to provide new information about heart disease risk.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=02260209&MITUID=204633

FEBRUARY 25

Companies Will Develop Cardiac Cell Imaging Device

The collaborative research between two companies will focus on optimizing techniques and instrumentation for using Apomate, an investigational in vivo nuclear medicine imaging agent that targets cells undergoing apoptosis or necrosis.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=02250204&MITUID=204633

FEBRUARY 22

Companies Join to Market Defibrillator Program

Companies will offer a nationally consistent, comprehensive workplace defibrillation program aimed at protecting employees and visitors from sudden cardiac arrest, the leading cause of death in the United States.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=02220208&MITUID=204633

FEBRUARY 21

Boston Scientific Submits Amended IDE for Stent

The amended application incorporates a number of changes including a modified clinical trial protocol. The trial, which will be known as TAXUS IV, will be the fourth in a series of studies.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=02210201&MITUID=204633

Cardiac Drug Fails in Trial

The drug, designed to improve postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing cardiac surgery, fails to meet the primary endpoint in a Phase II study.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=02210209&MITUID=204633

FEBRUARY 20

Experimental Heart Surgery Drug Fails to meet Expectations

Drug developer AVANT Immunotherapeutics said on Wednesday that its experimental heart drug failed to prove effective in clinical trials. The company said a clinical trial of 564 patients showed the drug to have no clinically important differences from placebo in the number of patients who experienced myocardial infarction, death, required prolonged intubation or prolonged intra-arterial balloon pump therapy.

The mid-stage, or Phase II, trial tested patients undergoing high risk cardiac surgery. AVANT said it did not intend to devote any further resources to developing the treatment.

http://www.avantimmune.com/

Third AbioCor Recipient Dies

Harrison received the device on September 26, 2001. As with all patients in the AbioCor clinical study, Harrison was given less than a 70 percent chance of surviving 30 days before he received the device.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=02200201&MITUID=204633

Portable ECG Monitor Earns FDA Approval

The ecg@home is a palm sized medical device that monitors the heart from a patient!=s thumbs, which are placed on the two built-in electrodes. The ecg@home runs on 2 AAA alkaline batteries and can record and store a quick single-lead ECG.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=02200206&MITUID=204633

FEBRUARY 15

Guidant Introduces New Heart Stabilizer System

The Axius Vacuum 2 Stabilizers are designed to stabilize the area of the heart where the blocked vessel is located and allow grafting of that vessel without stopping the heart.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=02150201&MITUID=204628

Ventricular Assist System OKd for Phase II Trial

The TandemHeart, which has the CE Mark to be marketed throughout the European Union, is designed to provide critical circulatory support for acute heart failure.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=02150208&MITUID=204628

Health Canada Approves World Heart Trial

Health Canada has authorized WorldHeart to provide five units of the device to the McGill University Health Centre's Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal for investigational testing.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=02150203&MITUID=204628

FEBRUARY 13

Guidant Introduces New Stabilizer Systems for Off-Pump

Guidant Corporation (Indianapolis, IN) unveiled its next generation AXIUS Vacuum 2 Stabilizers for performing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

http://www.guidant.com/webapp/emarketing/news/news.jsp?date=0213&year=2002

Inflammatory Response After Open Heart Surgery-- Circulation

http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/105/6/685

Guidant to Incorporate Sensor in Graft System

Remon's interactive sensor technology, which will be placed in the Ancure Endograft System, will allow physicians to monitor the pressure within the excluded abdominal aortic aneurysm.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=02130208&MITUID=204633

BioGlue Earns Another CE Mark

With the new CE Mark, BioGlue can be used for soft tissue repair including cardiac, genitourinary, dural, esophageal, gastrointestinal and colorectal tissues as well as other abdominal soft tissues.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=02130201&MITUID=204633

Robot Helps Stroke Survivors Regain Control

Stroke victims recover some use of their arms with robot-assisted physical therapy. The MIT-Manus, designed to stand on a table, exercises limbs much like a physical or occupational therapist would.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=02130202&MITUID=204633

FEBRUARY 12

FDA OKs 15 More Subjects for Novacor Trial

The Novacor is an electromechanically driven pump that provides circulatory support by taking over part or all of the workload of the left ventricle.

http://www.medicaldata.com/mit/detail.asp?art=02120202&MITUID=204628

FEBRUARY 5

Changing profile of patients undergoing redo-coronary artery surgery -- European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery

http://ejcts.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/21/2/205