Physicians and medical boards may have to reconsider decades of cardiogenic shock treatment after the highly anticipated IABP-Shock study found no significant benefit in using intra-aortic balloon pump therapy in heart attack patients.
Research & Development
TAVI at ESC 2012: Germans quickly adopt minimally invasive valve replacement
German doctors have adopted transcatheter aortic valve implantation faster than any other country, according to researchers attending the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich.
Analyses of the country’s German Aortic Valve Registry suggest that, although about half of all elderly patients are receiving TAVI therapy, doctors are primarily recommending the procedure for high-risk patients, as advised.
ESC 2012: Renal denervation a “fountain of youth,” researchers say
This year’s European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich, Germany, hosted a fleet of new studies and technologies, but renal denervation hogged the spotlight with no less than 5 research teams presenting evidence of the healing powers of the nerve-deadening procedure.
Teams from Germany, the Czech Republic, France and Australia presented positive findings for renal denervation in treating hypertension better than drugs, improving physical and mental health and reducing stiffness in arteries.
Largest study yet confirms Abbott’s MitraClip in “real world” high-risk patients
Medtronic at ESC: Treating hypertension, shrinking enlarged hearts, and confirming long-term DES
Medical device companies: Who spends the most on R&D?
Across the medical device industry, R&D spending in 2011 increased despite a lethargic economy, job cuts and reorganization mandates by a number of big-name companies.
Study: Robot assisted prostate surgery may lower rates of incontinence, impotence
Robot assisted prostate surgery may lower rates of urinary incontinence and post-surgery impotence when compared with minimally invasive laparoscopy, according to a small Italian study.
The study only comprised 120 patients who were randomized to receive a prostatectomy with either an unnamed robot assistant or with tiny tools manipulated by hand. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon.
MassDevice.com +3 | The top 3 med-tech stories for August 1, 2012
Say hello to MassDevice +3, a bite-sized view of the top three med-tech stories of the day. This feature of MassDevice.com’s coverage highlights our 3 biggest and most influential stories from the day’s news to make sure you’re up to date on the headlines that continue to shape the medical device industry.
If you read nothing else today, make sure you’re still in the know with MassDevice +3.
Report: EKGs no help in preventing heart disease in low-risk patients, U.S. task force finds
Physicians should reconsider using electrocardiography routinely in healthy patients without symptoms of heart problems, according to the latest recommendation from the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force.
The "incremental information" garnered from an EKG, whether testing at rest or during exercise, isn’t likely to produce data that would help a physician better understand a patient’s risk of coronary heart disease, according to the panel.
Heart attack risk soars after knee, hip replacement
Total knee and hip replacement surgeries may temporarily increase a patient’s risk of myocardial infarction during the period immediately after the procedure, researchers said.
The effect was greatest during the 6 weeks following total hip replacement surgery among patients aged 80 and older, who faced a 25.3% increased risk of suffering acute myocardial infarction, according to the study.
The risk was more pronounced in female patients of all ages, for which researchers reported a 21.7% heart attack risk increase compared with 12.8% for male patients.
Prostate cancer: Intuitive Surgical CEO Guthart on testing and “watchful waiting”
Intuitive Surgical (NSDQ:ISRG) president & CEO Gary Guthart doesn’t believe in taking a passive approach to men’s health.