Medtronic Inc. (NYSE:MDT) said results from the Improve HF study demonstrate that select guideline-based outpatient heart failure measures can increase patient survival and might be useful for improving patient quality of care.
The Improve HF (The Registry to Improve the Use of Evidence-Based Heart Failure Therapies in the Outpatient Setting) study is the largest U.S.-based outpatient heart failure clinical study. The results of the study were published in the journal Circulation.
The Medtronic-funded study’s fundings showed that most of the Class IA heart failure therapies measured, including implantable defibrillator therapy and cardiac resynchronization therapy, were linked to a lower risk of mortality, the company said.
Compliance with the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) process measure in eligible patients was associated with 38 percent lower odds of mortality over two years, and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) process measure compliance was associated with 36 percent lower odds of mortality, according to Medtronic.
Here’s a roundup of recent clinical trial and scientific study news:
- Biotronik touts 6-month results for Pantera Lux paclitaxel-releasing balloon
Six-month results from the PEPPER (Paclitaxel REleasing Balloon in Patients PresEnting with In-Stent Restenosis) study demonstrate a very low number of revascularizations and no cardiac deaths, according to Biotronik. The results were presented on April 3 at the ACC conference by Professor Christoph Hehrlein, MD, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany and clinical coordinating investigator of the study. The PEPPER study is a prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized, European, first-in-man clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of the Pantera Lux Paclitaxel Releasing Balloon in 81 patients.
Read more - Medtronic touts results from Resolute drug-eluting stent
Medtronic presented one-year results from the Resolute US study and two-year results from the Resolute All Comers study. The company says the studies are key components of the Resolute drug-eluting stent clinical program, which has enrolled more than 5,000 patients across a combination of randomized controlled and single-arm trials conducted around the world. The Resolute US results were published by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) while the All Corners study results made it to The Lancet.
Read more - Orexo touts first clinical trial in OX51
Orexo AB (STO:ORX) announced the positive outcome following completion of the initial pharmacokinetic trial in the OX51 project. The project is aimed at developing a sublingual dosage form tailored to treat acute intensive pain episodes in relation to care-related diagnostic or therapeutic procedures for patients whom are not receiving sufficient pain relief.
Read more - Naviscan touts PET-guided biopsy study results
The Breast Journal recently published original prospective data confirming the technical validity of image-guided needle biopsy of suspicious breast cancer lesions using Positron Emission Mammography (PEM)-guidance. The study, which used the Naviscan high-resolution breast PET scanner, otherwise known as a PEM scanner, marks the first time PET imaging alone has been able to target regions in the breast with abnormal FDG uptake and guide the extraction for histopathologic analysis.
Read more - Entellus: Study shows benefits of sinus drainage
Results published in the January/February, 2011 issue of International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology demonstrate that patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) who receive treatment with balloon sinus dilation can experience significant improvement in work productivity. Prior to treatment, patients reported a 38 percent loss in productivity due to sinusitis symptoms that resulted in absenteeism and reduced on-the-job effectiveness. Twelve months after balloon dilation of the sinus drainage pathways using FinESS Sinus Treatment, patients reported a reduction of absenteeism and lost work productivity of 73 to 76 percent.
Read more - Cynosure touts Cellulaze study
Cynosure Inc. (NSDQ:CYNO) announced the presentation of two new studies involving its Cellulaze workstation. The two studies are being presented at the 31st Annual Scientific Conference of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS).
Read more - Study shows Gamma Knife radiosurgery for patients with multiple brain tumors is best for sparing healthy tissue
The volume of normal brain tissue exposed to radiation during treatment for multiple metastases appears to depend on which stereotactic radiosurgery system is employed, according to a recent study in the Journal of Neurosurgery. Comparing treatment plans developed for use by three different treatment systems for a single patient (already previously treated with Leksell Gamma Knife), researchers found that Gamma Knife plans would result in "much smaller normal brain volumes receiving any particular dose" than the two other systems’ plans.
Read more - IntraPace announces first commercial ‘abiliti’ system patients
IntraPace Inc., announced that the first commercial patients in Europe have successfully received the abiliti system as a treatment for obesity. The patients were treated at the Clinica La Luz in Madrid, Spain, and Stadtkrankenhaus Schwabach, Germany.
Read more - PhotoMedex touts new data
PhotoMedex Inc. (NSDQ:PHMD) announced the implications of the preliminary findings of a current clinical trial being performed by John Y.M. Koo, M.D., professor and vice chairman, department of dermatology, University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Koo’s experimental treatment protocol could change the lives of millions of people suffering from moderate to severe psoriasis. The study, which utilizes the XTRAC Velocity 700 laser from PhotoMedex in combination with clobetasol spray (Clobex) and calcitriol (Vectical), is showing new signs of hope for patients. The results to date were presented by Dr. Koo during the 20th Annual Meeting of the Photomedicine Society.
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