Thoratec (NSDQ:THOR) initiated a voluntary "correction" for some shipments of its HeartMate II heart pump over concerns that a portion of its outflow conduit could become detached.
Structural Heart
Piper Jaffray: Abiomed wins reimbursement code | Wall Street Beat
Abiomed (NSDQ:ABMD) is slated to win a reimbursement code for procedures involving its Impella heart pump, according to analysts at Piper Jaffray.
In a summary of recent editorial panel decisions, the American Medical Assn. revealed that the panel approved the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions’ proposal for the reimbursement code, according to theflyonthewall.com.
Recalls: Cardiac Science pulls AEDs and Flight Medical recalls ventilator cables
Cardiac Science’s voluntary field correction for a suite of automated external defibrillators got Class I recall status from the FDA over concerns that a failed component may keep the device from providing life-saving therapy during a heart attack.
The company’s PowerHeart G3 AEDs are mobile devices, often found in hospitals, schools or physicians’ offices, intended to be used by trained personnel to deliver defibrillation therapy to someone suffering sudden cardiac arrest.
Study: Stents no better than pills for some heart patients | MassDevice.com On Call
Updated: March 15, 2012 9:30 a.m.
MASSDEVICE ON CALL — Stable heart disease patients were no better off with a stent with less-costly drug therapy in a recent study comparing the 2 treatments. *
Implanting a stent to prop open blocked arteries represents a more costly alternative that failed to improve outcomes in stable patients, according to researchers from the Stony Brook University Medical Center in New York.
UPDATE: World Heart CFO on layoffs, future plans
A skeleton crew of 6 employees at World Heart Corp. (NSDQ:WHRT) will push ahead with the development of its MiFlow heart pump despite layoffs for 77% of their colleagues, CFO Morgan Brown told MassDevice.com this morning.
World Heart lays off 77% of workforce
World Heart Corp. (NSDQ:WHRT) said it laid off 77% of its workforce in an effort to hoard cash while it explores "various corporate strategic options."
The Salt Lake City-based heart pump maker said the layoffs of 19 full-time workers and 1 part-time employee include its chief technology officer, John Woodard, effective today, according to a regulatory filing. Employees were notified yesterday, according to the filing.
HeartWare gains on Wall Street as losses widen in 2011 | Earnings Roundup
HeartWare International (NSDQ:HTWR) reported strong sales growth amid widening losses for the 4th quarter and 2011, and Wall Street showed some love.
The Framingham, Mass.-based heart pump maker raked in $82.8 million for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011, a 50% bump from $55.2 million in 2010. Losses, however, widened to $55.1 million, or $3.94 per diluted share. Analysts had forecast a loss of $3.17 per diluted share for 2011.
HeartWare gains on Wall Street as losses widen in 2011
HeartWare International (NSDQ:HTWR) reported strong sales growth amid widening losses for the 4th quarter and 2011, and Wall Street showed some love.
The Framingham, Mass.-based heart pump maker raked in $82.8 million for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011, a 50% bump from $55.2 million in 2010. Losses, however, widened to $55.1 million, or $3.94 per diluted share. Analysts had forecast a loss of $3.17 per diluted share for 2011.
Thoratec soars after killing it in Q3 | Earnings Roundup
Thoratec (NSDQ:THOR) shares are up more than 11% today after the heart pump maker put mid-double-digit profit growth numbers on the board for the 4th quarter and full-year 2011.
The Pleasanton, Calif.-based cardiac assist device maker logged profits of $15.3 million, or 25 cents per diluted share, on sales of $109.4 million for the 3 months ended Dec. 31, 2011. That’s a 46.4% bottom-line gain and a top-line boost of 12.1%, compared with profits of $10.5 million, or 17 cents diluted EPS, on sales of $97.6 million during Q4 2010.
The TAVI learning curve and the “valve-on-a-stick” approach
As thoracic surgeons and industry representatives from all over gathered at the 2012 Society of Thoracic Surgeons meeting in Chicago last week, the transcatheter aortic valve implantation research was the belle of the ball.
Thoratec settles Oracle beef | Wall Street Beat
Thoratec Corp. (NSDQ:THOR) said it reached an agreement with one of its major institutional shareholders, Oracle Investment Management, over whether or not the heart pump maker should hire an investment bank to find a buyer.
Greenwich, Conn.-based Oracle, which holds a 5.2% stake in the heart pump maker, recommended that Thoratec retain an investment bank to explore strategic alternatives, including sale to a larger company.