http://www.ptca.org/voice/index.html A blog about the medical device industry, drug-eluting stents, balloons, diagnostic imaging, interventional cardiology, stent thrombosis, restenosis from the editor of Angioplasty.Org en-us copyright 2005-2007 Venture Digital LLC Sun, 18 Jan 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/images/voiceintheear.gif http://www.ptca.org/voice/index.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_1117.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_1117.html A warning from the FDA and the results of a new observational study call into question what some cardiologists thought was a settled matter: does taking Plavix with Prilosec, or other Proton Pump Inhibitors, cause increased risk of heart attack and other adverse events? Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:30:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0924.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0924.html Late Breaking News form the TCT 2009. The COGENT Trial resolves the controversy over Proton Pump Inhibitors and Plavix. The result: no interaction was found between the two and it is safe for patients to take their Prilosec with their Plavix! Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:45:00 PDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0922.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0922.html I'm at the TCT in San Francisco, standing outside "The Transradial Angiography and Intervention Seminar" -- because (and a hundred or so cardiologists) can't fit in the room! Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:20:00 PDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0917.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0917.html Next week thousands of interventional cardiologists will gather in San Francisco for the TCT, the largest meeting about angioplasty, stents and related procedures in the world. But what most of these cardiologists don't realize is that they will be coming home -- "home" being where the first coronary angioplasties were done. Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0916_01.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0916_01.html There's a long list of opportunities to learn about the transradial technique (catheter access via the wrist) at this year's TCT meeting in San Francisco, including an entire afternoon symposium (Tuesday, September 22) devoted to transradial. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:25:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0915.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0915.html During the first two days (September 21-22) of this year's TCT, the meeting will be hosting the "DES Summit" -- more than 16 hours of presentations -- over 100 separate short talks on every aspect of drug-eluting stents, from safety to antiplatelet therapy to biodegradable stents to drug-eluting balloons and the use of these devices in patients from stable to STEMI (heart attack). Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:30:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0822.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0822.html This past month has offered an odd bit of reminiscence about an object of ongoing interest: the drug-eluting stent (DES). First a study from Duke was published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes and it detailed the Fall of the drug-eluting stent -- a.k.a. the Fall of 2006, when various studies about increased risk of blood clotting (a.k.a. Late Stent Thrombosis) in drug-eluting stents after six months were presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting (a.k.a. the "DES firestorm"). Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:10:00 PDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0819.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0819.html A false meme has been circulating that the British National Health Service (NHS) denies stents to patients older than 59...and that Obama's health care reform will follow the NHS guidelines. Totally wrong! This lie has been circulated worldwide in an anonymous email and somehow has found its way into articles, op-ed pieces, etc. and is clearly part of an organized campaign to scare elderly citizens into opposing health care reform. Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:45:00 PDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0729.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0729.html Maybe the shortage of technetium, used in nuclear stress tests, will increase the utilization of CT Angiography. Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:30:00 PDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0710.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0710.html After a year-and-a-half of review, amid concerns over potentially serious bleeding complications, the FDA today approved Eli Lilly's blood thinner Prasugrel (it will be marketed in the U.S. as Effient). Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:50:00 PDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0705.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0705.html I recently talked at length with Dr. Giulio Guagliumi of Bergamo, Italy about his extensive work with one of the newest intravascular imaging modalities that looks inside the coronary artery: Optical Coherence Tomography, or OCT. He's been using the light-based technique to examine implanted stents and determine whether or not healing has occurred; that is, whether the stent struts have been covered over by a layer of endothelial cells. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:30:00 PDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0526a.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0526a.html On Saturday May 23, the Texas State Senate passed the Texas Heart Attack Preventive Screening Bill (HR 1290) by a vote of 26-5. This is significant because it mandates insurers in Texas to cover Calcium Scoring, the first legislature to do so. Tue, 26 May 2009 17:30:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0526.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0526.html In my recent interview with Dr. Jennifer Tremmel, Clinical Director of Women's Heart Health at Stanford, we discussed some of the ways in which heart disease manifests itself differently in women than in men, and how treatment for women has been skewed by the historical context. Tue, 26 May 2009 00:05:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0506.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0506.html What the newly released Medco Study of Plavix and Proton Pump Inhibitors means for physicians and patients. Wed, 06 May 2009 16:05:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0504.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0504.html As Volcano's CEO Scott Huennekens writes in an op-ed piece, there's a whole toolbox of devices and techniques that are candidates for "comparative effectiveness" in that they may be able to increase the success of interventional procedures -- or even target patients who need these procedures more accurately. Mon, 04 May 2009 12:45:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0501.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0501.html More than a billion dollars has been allocated to "Comparative Effectiveness Research" in the U.S. Federal government's stimulus package, yet the term continues to be confused with "cost-effectiveness". They are not the same, and in an attempt to clarify the difference, Angioplasty.Org will be posting a number of articles and interviews in the near future about these issues: specifically how they impact the field of interventional cardiology. Fri, 01 May 2009 16:30:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0421.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0421.html Today's Wall Sreet Journal discusses the controversy over the use of CT scans to diagnose and triage treatment for stroke victims. Tue, 21 Apr 2009 05:15:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0418.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0418.html A reader writes in about Plavix and proton pump inhibitors to get the latest info -- there is some, and soon there will be more when the SCAI meets in Las Vegas next month. Sat, 18 Apr 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0406.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0406.html Two polls on web sites for cardiology professionals are gauging the interest and popularity of the transradial (wrist) approach to angioplasty and stenting -- and the results are surprising, considering the low utilization of radial in the U.S. Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0324.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0324.html Today's good news about Abbott's bioabsorbable stent brings the following analogy to mind: scaffolding. Unfortunately scaffolding inside the artery, unlike its building construction counterpart, cannot be removed once its job is done. Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:55:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0311.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0311.html Our video about the live demonstration course in interventional cardiology was shown at last week's CRT 2009 meeting. Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:30:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0310.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0310.html Did the American Heart Association give its support to a Texas bill which would put the SHAPE Task Force recommendations into law regarding Coronary Artery Calcium screening...or not? Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:15:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0217.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0217.html As a rough estimate, it would seem that much of the information about interventional medicine on Medpedia is five years old. If this is any indication of the accuracy of the rest of Medpedia, I would definitely advise patients to go elsewhere. I would not call it Web 2.0 -- rather Web minus 1.25. Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0211.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0211.html Commentary from the Editor's Blog: Can government decide which therapies are effective and cost-effective? For all patients? What about the concept of personalized medicine? Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:25:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0206.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0206.html This week's poll on theheart.org is about the transradial (wrist) approach to catheterization and angioplasty. The question is "Should radial access become the default choice for PCI?" Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:30:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0205.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0205.html Many headlines have been generated by a recent study in JAMA -- headlines proclaiming the high radiation doses from Cardiac CT scans. But the real news is how low some of the doses were, and that much lower radiation levels are achievable by all centers currently doing multislice computed tomography. Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0130.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0130.html Over the past year, the transradial approach, doing angioplasty and inserting coronary stents using the wrist as the access site, has gotten significant attention. Peer-reviewed studies and presentations at meetings have consistently shown decreased bleeding complications, increased patient comfort and safety, and lower cost. Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:50:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0128.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0128.html Here is a link to the joint statement by the American College of Cardiology Foundation, American Heart Association and the American College of Gastroenterology, regarding the safety of Plavix (clopidogrel) when used in conjunction with NSAIDs and the issue of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) such as Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, Nexium, etc. Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:25:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0126.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0126.html Commentary from the Editor's Blog on the FDA announcment today that it is reviewing the safety of Plavix (clopidogrel) when used with Proton Pump Inhibitors. Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:30:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0125.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0125.html Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) recently announced that it is looking for runners from around the world who have benefited from medical technology to participate in the company's 4th Annual Medtronic Global Heroes program. Stent patients are included. The deadline for entry is March 31, 2009. Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:30:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0121.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0121.html In sharp contrast to the current gloomy picture in the healthcare sector, Abbott reported this morning that its 4th quarter 2008 global sales rose 10.1% over 2007, and that the company's XIENCE V drug-eluting stent was a significant contributor to the bottom line. Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:20:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0119.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0119.html So many news reports about the recent FAME study in the New England Journal of Medicine drive home a message that is not exactly correct. The "Stents May Be Overused" headline is misleading. And here's why. Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:20:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0118.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0118.html A reader sends in thanks for my post on Jane Brody's misleading article in the New York Times. Sun, 18 Jan 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0117.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0117.html The leading story about stents this past week has been the publication of the FAME study and how a new St. Jude Medical device that measures blood pressures inside the artery can reduce the number of unnecessary angioplasty and stent procedures. Well...it's not a new device; it's definitely not a new concept; and St. Jude doesn't exactly get the credit for it either, since their chief role was to acquire the company that created the product. But it is an important study! Sat, 17 Jan 2009 19:30:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0115.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0115.html I made a bet with Nico Pijls, and I won! Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:48:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0113.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0113.html How can a mere article in the "newspaper of record" be dangerous? Is the pen mightier than the catheter? Is there such a thing as a "killer journalist"? Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:45:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0101.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2009_0101.html I approached Susan Dentzer's article, "Communicating Medical News - Pitfalls of Health Care Journalism", published in today's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, with great interest. I unfortunately was a bit disappointed, specifically with her criticism of a September 24, 2008 CBS News segment about transradial angioplasty. Thu, 1 Jan 2009 20:40:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2008_1202.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2008_1202.html In the midst of a recession, Volcano Corporation has shown a 19% increase in its stock value over the past six months. Its only competitor in the U.S. market suffered a 55% decrease. Why? Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:20:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2008_1130.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2008_1130.html Two articles in the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine cause a Rashoman effect: is CT angiography useful for diagnosing coronary artery disease or not? Sun, 30 Nov 2008 18:30:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2008_0924.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2008_0924.html CBS Network's "Early Show" does a segment with Dr. Howard Cohen on "the New Angioplasty" -- from the wrist. Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:30:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2008_0726.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2008_0726.html The topic of CT angiograms is discussed by an article in the OC Register and by a panel of imaging experts at the NIH. Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:40:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2008_0712.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2008_0712.html As I sat in my editing room, screening the 120 minutes, I was astounded at the detail and breadth of this man's experience. His stories about his mother's sewing classes (where he learned the technique that would revolutionize vascular surgery!) to his dinner with General Patton in Patton's French chateau during WWII, to his surgery on the Duke of Windsor who, like Arethra Franklin, refused to fly and took a train from NYC to Houston -- I was constantly reminded of what an amazing impact this one human had on the field of medicine. Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:50:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2008_0707.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2008_0707.html An extensive refutation of last week's New York Times article on CT Angiography was posted this morning on Angioplasty.Org, but the coolest part of the article is Dr. Henry Hecht's "CT Tour of the Heart". Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:45:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2008_0629.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2008_0629.html A major article about CT angiograms in this morning's New York Times has some major omissions and takes an inappropriately negative view of an imaging technology that can save lives and money. Significant facts are left out of the article, facts that would refute much of its critique. Sun, 29 Jun 2008 13:45:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2008_0517.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2008_0517.html Tomorrow's New York Times carries a story about a radical new approach to the problems of malpractice suits -- except that it is precisely the solution described in depth two years ago by the current Democratic candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, in the New England Journal of Medicine. Sat, 17 May 2008 22:50:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2008_0515.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2008_0515.html Commentary on the New England Journal critique of Johnson & Johnson's CYPHER stent TV ad campaign, such as it was. Was this really a Direct-To-Consumer effort? Thu, 15 May 2008 10:50:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_1112.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_1112.html The New York Times announces that the drug-eluting stent has been pardoned and taken off Death Row. So what has changed? Mon, 12 Nov 2007 12:50:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_1108.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_1108.html More about the mis-reporting of the recent CorE 64 Study, which demonstrated the accuracy of Multislice CT scans for ruling out coronary artery disease Thu, 8 Nov 2007 11:14:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_1106.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_1106.html A medical breakthrough and a 30's sci-fi flick. Tue, 6 Nov 2007 09:48:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0903.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0903.html Drug-eluting stent news out of the European Congress of Cardiology places the device back in favor. Will England follow? Mon, 3 Sep 2007 15:38:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0608.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0608.html Last week Consumer Reports posted their recommendations on angioplasty and CT angiograms, as part of their CR Medical Guide web site. So many mistakes; so little time. Fri, 8 Jun 2007 19:14:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0419.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0419.html The New England Journal of Medicine bars high profile interventional cardiologist, Dr. Martin Leon, from reviewing articles for five years due to his alleged breaking of the embargo on the COURAGE trial. Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:26:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0407.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0407.html Gina Kolata's article in tomorrow's New York Times is a welcome addition to the many flawed articles that have hit the popular press in the past two weeks since the results of the COURAGE trial were announced. Sat, 7 Apr 2007 18:36:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0319.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0319.html The classic 1966 movie makes another appearance in CNNMoney. Mon, 19 Mar 2007 17:25:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0307.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0307.html Will the FDA announce DES label changes today. Read Burt's picks for the winners. Wed, 07 Mar 2007 06:02:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0305.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0305.html Cheney, Waxman and Waksman -- a confluence of events involving thrombosis in the nation's capitol Mon, 05 Mar 2007 11:53:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0302.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0302.html An invitation to a typical evening gala in Washington. Fri, 02 Mar 2007 12:37:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0228.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0228.html For 30 years surgeons and interventional cardiologists have been debating the issue of open heart bypass surgery vs. angioplasty and stents. Now a front page story In the New York Times reports that, given the recent concerns over drug-eluting stent problems, in some patients bypass surgery may be a better solution than stents for treating the problem of coronary artery disease. Wed, 28 Feb 2007 18:45:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0215.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0215.html Prime-time TV gets it wrong again when it comes to the best treatment for heart attack. Thu, 15 Feb 2007 12:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0112.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0112.html Two-thirds of all stents are placed incorrectly. Can IVUS be the answer? Fri, 12 Jan 2007 19:55:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0103.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0103.html A report from Canada dramatizes the big advance made possible by balloons and stents in the treatment of heart attacks. Wed, 03 Jan 2007 08:39:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0102.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2007_0102.html A Swiss report in today's JACC brings up another potential problem for drug-eluting stents. Tue, 02 Jan 2007 13:56:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1228.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1228.html The second commentary on the FDA stent safety panel. Thu, 28 Dec 2006 22:30:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1212.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1212.html The first of several commentaries about last week's FDA panel on late stent thrombosis Tue, 12 Dec 2006 14:45:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1130.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1130.html There's a crack at the FDA and patients are falling through it. There's a problem (compliance) and a solution (education). But who will assume responsibility? Whose job is it anyway? Thu, 30 Nov 2006 15:44:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1121.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1121.html This morning's inaccurate and alarmist MSNBC article by Robert Bazell tries to scare everyone. Tue, 21 Nov 2006 14:45:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1116.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1116.html Last month we ran a feature about Conor Medsystems and suggested that Cordis might be interested. It was. Thu, 16 Nov 2006 22:06 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1027.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1027.html Intercontinental cardiologists: mano a mano at the TCT. Fri, 27 Oct 2006 17:19:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1023.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1023.html The Firestorm over drug-eluting stents strikes the TCT Mon, 23 Oct 2006 11:15:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1018.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1018.html Abbott and Boston Scientific seem to be sharing the same locker room these days. Wed, 18 Oct 2006 10:10:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1013.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1013.html BusinessWeek profiles the upcoming TCT meeting -- and I got left out of the action Fri, 13 Oct 2006 14:06:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1003.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1003.html Three polls show trends in thinking among interventional cardiologists -- and the trends are inching away from the love affair with the first generation of drug-eluting stents. Tue, 03 Oct 2006 00:21:18 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1001.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_1001.html The Stent Blog is relaunched after an extended hiatus and the FDA ponders whether to recall the word "recall". Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:18:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0401.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0401.html Noted: The passing of film director Richard Fleischer who made "Fantastic Voyage" in 1966 -- and its connections to angioplasty Sat, 01 Apr 2006 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0319.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0319.html The ACC and AHA have now issued public health alerts to clopidogrel (Plavix) and aspirin patients across the country who may have "misinterpreted" the news stories about the CHARISMA trial. But who misinterpreted whom? Sun, 19 Mar 2006 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0313.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0313.html Yesterday's CHARISMA study has generated a lot of headlines warning people not to take Plavix and aspirin together -- but it's a different story for stent patients Mon, 13 Mar 2006 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0128.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0128.html Why reporting (or failure to report) adverse events is bad: bad for patient safety and ultimately bad for the device company. A plea to manufacturers to step up to the plate. Sat, 28 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0125.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0125.html Deconstructing Guidant -- Boston Scientific and Abbott each wed Guidant and Johnson & Johnson is left looking for love Wed, 25 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0123.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0123.html Another look at Abbott's history with Boston Scientific. And a question: Can corporations have personal bonds? Mon, 23 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0117.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0117.html Boston Scientific ups the ante significantly for acquiring Guidant. Will Johnson & Johnson respond? Tue, 17 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0115.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0115.html A look at the competition between Johnson & Johnson and Boston Scientific, past, present and future Sun, 15 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0113.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0113.html Explanation of why I felt compelled to create the TimeLine Fri, 13 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0113_timeline.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0113_timeline.html Chronology of Johnson & Johnson's and Boston Scientific's bids for Guidant Fri, 13 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0111.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0111.html Guidant's Board votes for Johnson & Johnson's acquisition offer and, by going with the guys from Joisey, breaks up many hoped-for luncheon dates and picnics in Minnesota and California Wed, 11 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0110.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0110.html Financial dealings between Boston Scientific and Abbott are not new; Abbott used to own 20% of Boston Tue, 10 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0109.html http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2006_0109.html If the deal goes through, Abbott will buy Guidant's endovascular business to ease FTC approval. But what about carotid stents? Mon, 09 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/index.html#20051129 http://www.ptca.org/voice/index.html#20051129 Boston Scientific reruns a press release from last month Tue, 29 Nov 2005 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/index.html#20051126 http://www.ptca.org/voice/index.html#20051126 Boston Scientific claims that numbers from the FDA's adverse event database show Taxus has advantages over the competing Cypher stent. Is this claim valid? Sat, 26 Nov 2005 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/index.html#20051125 http://www.ptca.org/voice/index.html#20051125 After a short break, the Stent Blog has returned with a subscription option and an RSS feed Fri, 25 Nov 2005 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2005_10.html#20051029 http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2005_10.html#20051029 Which drug-eluting stent is better and safer: Cypher or Taxus? And how do the medical device companies spin the results of clinical trials? Sat, 29 Oct 2005 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2005_10.html#20051028 http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2005_10.html#20051028 Andreas Gruentzig invented the live demonstration course. Gary Roubin of Lenox Hill Heart & Vascular Institute of NY worked with Gruentzig -- in this video clip, Dr. Roubin, who will be conducting his own live demonstration course in November, discusses not only the role of this educational tool, but his thoughts on how Gruentzig might view today's developments (stents, etc.) in the field he started Fri, 28 Oct 2005 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2005_10.html#20051027 http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2005_10.html#20051027 Twenty years ago Andreas Gruentzig, the inventor of coronary angioplasty, died in a plane crash, ending an era in interventional cardiology. He never made the appointment he had set up with Richard Schatz, MD who was eager to show him his new invention: the stent! Thu, 27 Oct 2005 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2005_10.html#20051024 http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2005_10.html#20051024 Cardiac surgeon Mehmet Oz and the nursing staff from Columbia Presbyterian held a press conference at the TCT on the topic of "The Critical Role of the Nurse in Patient Education" -- a discussion I found to be one of the most important. Mon, 24 Oct 2005 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2005_10.html#20051015 http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2005_10.html#20051015 Burt is off to the TCT for a week of fun, free meals, frenetic clinical trials. He'll be reporting on the meeting when he returns, but here's his take on what the TCT is all about. Sat, 15 Oct 2005 21:18:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2005_10.html#20051009 http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2005_10.html#20051009 Angioplasty.Org appeared in the New York Times "Week in Review" today, but a photo in the article from the movie "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" got me to thinking about the duality inherent in the current state of medical devices. Sun, 09 Oct 2005 00:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2005_10.html#20051007 http://www.ptca.org/voice/archives/2005_10.html#20051007 A discussion of the Rapid Exchange balloon delivery system that will probably figure into the FTC approval of Johnson & Johnson's purchase of Guidant and how this may affect the fortunes of Abbott and Medtronic. Fri, 07 Oct 2005 00:00:00 EDT