MASSDEVICE ON CALL — Massachusetts medtech giant Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) awarded a $3.4 million 3-year grant to support cardiac research at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute.
The funds will go toward advancing innovation in minimally invasive therapies to "open challenging blocked coronary arteries previously thought untreatable," according to a press release.
"Restoring blood flow to a totally occluded vessel may provide symptom relief and improve quality of life, ventricular function and survival," Boston Scientific executive vice president & global chief medical officer Keith Dawkins said in prepared remarks. "Boston Scientific is committed to transforming lives through innovative medical solutions and is pleased to support Saint Luke’s work on this important study which will provide physicians with a greater understanding of the benefits of treating chronic total occlusions."
Researchers are examining so-called "hybrid" therapies, integrating different techniques and non-traditional routes to treat chronic total occlusions and open arteries. Hybrid procedures rely heavily on physician experience and more medical testing is needed to fill gaps in clinical knowledge, according to the hospital.
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