http://www.ptca.org/ Breaking news about stents, angioplasty, the medical device industry, balloons, diagnostic imaging, interventional cardiology, stent thrombosis, restenosis from Angioplasty.Org en-us copyright 2006-8 Venture Digital LLC Tue, 13 May 2008 19:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/images/nav/angio_logo1.gif http://www.ptca.org/ http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/051303_MEDTRONIC.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/051303_MEDTRONIC.html Today at EuroPCR, Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT), released four-year data from the ENDEAVOR II clinical trial that reinforces the long-term safety and durable efficacy of the company’s Endeavor Zotarolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent System for the treatment of coronary artery disease. Wed, 14 May 2008 09:35:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/051302_XIENCE.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/051302_XIENCE.html Two-year outcomes from the SPIRIT III trial, studying the XIENCE(TM) V Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System, were presented today at the EuroPCR 2008 meeting in Barcelona -- and the results showed Abbott's second generation stent to be superior to Boston Scientific's market-leading TAXUS paclitaxel-eluting stent in several important criteria. Tue, 13 May 2008 22:45:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/051301_IVUS.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/051301_IVUS.html Intravascular Ultrasound, or IVUS, is an imaging technology that looks at arteries from the inside out. Invented two decades ago, IVUS recently has been gaining in usage due to safety concerns about stent thrombosis and proper stent placement during angioplasty. Tue, 13 May 2008 19:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0512_01_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/051201_VOLCANO.html Scott Huennekens, President and Chief Executive Officer of Volcano, commented, "Reaching this milestone as quickly as we have is a clear indication of the clinical adoption of IVUS and FFR, and the competitiveness of our product. More and more physicians are using intravascular imaging to measure lesion significance and improve PCI technique. The ease of use and flexibility of our newest systems have been very well received. These new systems are gaining traction with both new IVUS users, as well as those who are looking to replace their legacy IVUS technology." Mon, 12 May 2008 16:40:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0510_RADIAL.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0510_RADIAL.html Following up on his April course, Dr. John T. Coppola, Chairman of Cardiology at St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan, will be presenting a two-day hands-on training course for cardiologists on the clinical, didactic and practical aspects of Transradial Access. The course will be held on June 12-13, 2008 at St. Vincent's Hospital in Greenwich Village, New York. Course Co-Director is Dr. Tak Kwan and special Guest Faculty is world-famous interventionalist, Dr. Shigeru Saito of Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, Japan Sat, 10 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0508_TOSHIBA.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0508_TOSHIBA.html As a testament to the growing demand to improve patient care while reducing healthcare costs, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. has installed the first Aquilion ONE(TM) dynamic volume CT system in the Western U.S. at Nevada Imaging Centers in Las Vegas. "As the only dynamic volume CT system in the world, the Aquilion ONE's ability to image an entire organ and show function means faster, more accurate diagnosis, better patient outcomes and ultimately lower healthcare costs," explained Dr. William W. Orrison, chief of Neuroradiology, Nevada Imaging Centers. Thu, 08 May 2008 12:50:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0508_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0508_VOLCANO.html Volcano Corporation (Nasdaq: VOLC) announced today the first human procedure using the Volcano OCT Imaging catheter. The procedure was performed by Dr. Patrick Serruys at the Thoraxcenter, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Volcano OCT will complement its existing line of IVUS imaging catheters and pressure guidewires used for coronary imaging and lesion assessment. Thu, 08 May 2008 10:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0507_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0507_VOLCANO.html Volcano Corporation (Nasdaq: VOLC), a leading manufacturer and developer of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), functional measurement (FM) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) products designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral vascular disease, today reported results for the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Wed, 07 May 2008 19:30:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0505_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0505_VOLCANO.html SATURN is a 104-week, parallel-group, multicentre, double-blind, Phase IIIb intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging study of approximately 1,300 patients at 170 centres This study by AstraZeneca is designed to measure the impact of CRESTOR(TM)(rosuvastatin) 40 mg and atorvastatin (Lipitor(R)) 80 mg on the progression of atherosclerosis in high risk patients. SATURN will compare the effects of these two statins on the ability to decrease progression or induce regression of atherosclerosis, the main cause of cardiovascular disease, following two years of treatment in patients with coronary artery disease. Mon, 5 May 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0502_RADIAL.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0502_RADIAL.html Cardiologists say operation takes less nursing care, space, recovery time. Norberto Schechtmann, vice chairman of the cardiology department at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, is one of several local cardiologists who uses the radial artery as an alternative way to reach the heart, often to relieve severe angina or chest pains. Patients who are obese or suffer from peripheral artery disease, making groin access too difficult, can benefit the most, he said. (by Susan Jenks, Florida Today -- reprinted by permission Fri, 02 May 2008 19:30:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0501_CARDIUM.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0501_CARDIUM.html "We are very pleased to have Richard Schatz join our scientific advisory board," stated Christopher J. Reinhard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cardium. "Richard is not only a pioneer in the development of vascular stents but has been involved in landmark studies related to new therapies for treating cardiovascular disease. We look forward to benefiting from his expert insights and years of experience in the field of interventional cardiology as we move forward in the development of our lead product candidate, Generx, for the potential treatment of recurrent angina associated with coronary heart disease." Fri, 02 May 2008 13:10:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0429_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0429_VOLCANO.html Volcano Corporation (Nasdaq: VOLC), a leading manufacturer and developer of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), functional measurement(FM) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) products designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral vascular disease, today announced that it will report its operating results for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 on Wednesday, May 7. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0427_SCAI.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0427_SCAI.html The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) today announced a return to the traditional individual meeting formats for both the SCAI Annual Scientific Sessions and i2 Summit in 2009. Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:50:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0422.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0422.html A study published in today's Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) demonstrated that use of Abbott's XIENCE(TM) V Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System in patients with coronary artery disease resulted in a significant 50 percent reduction in vessel renarrowing (in-segment late loss) at eight months, non-inferior rates of target vessel failure (TVF) at nine months, and an observed 42 percent reduction in major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at one year compared to the TAXUS(R) Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:49:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0415_CARDIUM.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0415_CARDIUM.html The study, conducted by a team of interventional cardiologists at the Lund University Hospital, Sweden, evaluated the effect of early and rapid cooling induced by a combination of cold saline infusion along with InnerCool's endovascular Celsius Control(TM) System, before or immediately after reperfusion when coronary blood flow was restored in the heart in a porcine heart attack model. Results from this study demonstrated that rapid cooling (to ‹35 degrees Celsius) prior to reperfusion significantly reduced overall myocardial infarct size (a measure of tissue damage in the heart) and protected the heart from other injury. Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:10:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0401b_TOSHIBA.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0401b_TOSHIBA.html At this year's American College of Cardiology (ACC) annual meeting in Chicago, March 30-April 1, 2008 (Booth # 8001), Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. will be showcasing its Advanced Image Processing (AIP) technology for its Infinix(tm) X-ray product line. With AIP, physicians will be able to better visualize even the smallest interventional devices and provide better patient care to patients undergoing interventional procedures. Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:35:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0401a_TOSHIBA.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0401a_TOSHIBA.html Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. is committed to new CT clinical applications that improve throughput and workflow, while further reducing contrast and radiation dose to patients. At this year's American College of Cardiology annual meeting in Chicago, March 30-April 1, 2008 (Booth # 8001), Toshiba will demonstrate new applications that embody this commitment -- SURECardio(tm) Prospective and Variable Helical Pitch (vHP), which was recently cleared by the FDA. Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:15:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0330_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0330_VOLCANO.html Volcano Corporation, leading manufacturer of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), announced today that it has entered into a non-exclusive, resale agreement covering North America with Royal Philips Electronics. Under this agreement, Philips will resell Volcano-branded s5i IVUS systems and accessories alongside of the Philips Allura Xper FD X-ray systems. Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0331_TOSHIBA.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0331_TOSHIBA.html With its comprehensive applications, the Artida meets the demands of the growing cardiac 4D market. With Artida's real-time, multi-planar reformatting capabilities, physicians can quantify global and regional LV function, including LV ejection fraction, volume and severity of regurgitation. Arbitrary views of the heart not available in 2D imaging are also obtained that can help with surgical planning. Mon, 31 Mar 2008 22:20:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0330_TOSHIBA.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0330_TOSHIBA.html For the first time, physicians can see not only a three-dimensional depiction of an organ, but also the organ's dynamic blood flow and function. Unlike any other CT system, Toshiba's Aquilion ONE can scan one organ -- including the heart, brain and others -- in one rotation because it covers up to 16 cm of anatomy using 320 ultra high resolution 0.5 mm detector elements. This reduces exam time, as well as radiation and contrast dose. With the Aquilion ONE, the organ or area is captured in a single rotation at one moment in time, eliminating the need to reconstruct slices from multiple points in time. Sun, 30 Mar 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0328_TOSHIBA.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0328_TOSHIBA.html Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. has received FDA clearance for two new CT clinical applications that will improve throughput and enhance workflow, while further reducing contrast and radiation dosage. The applications, *SURE*Cardio(TM) Prospective and Variable Helical Pitch (vHP), are available for new Toshiba Aquilion(TM) 32- and 64-slice CT systems. Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:45:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0328_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0328_VOLCANO.html Volcano Corporation (Nasdaq: VOLC), a leading manufacturer and developer of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), functional measurement (FM) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) products designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral vascular disease, announced today the U.S. and European launch of the s5-Revo and s5-FFR (fractional flow reserve) options for the s5i integrated Imaging platform. Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:30:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0327_IVUS.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0327_IVUS.html Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is scheduled to be part of 29 separate sessions at this weekend's annual meeting of cardiologists in Chicago. In addition, IVUS will be used by interventionalists who will be performing 14 live procedures, to be broadcast to the Convention Center at McCormick Place from Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, and other medical centers in California, London, Germany, Japan and Australia. Thu, 27 Mar 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0326_FDA.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0326_FDA.html 16 months after the FDA held hearings about safety issues with drug-eluting stents, the Agency has issued draft guidelines for future approvals. The guidelines include 12 months of initial data, with five years of follow-up. Today's draft guidance has a public comment period of 120 days. Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:10:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0324_TOSHIBA.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0324_TOSHIBA.html Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc., an industry leader in magnetic resonance (MR) technology, reached a significant achievement in installing its 500th VantageTM 1.5T MR system at Jefferson Regional Medical Center (JRMC) in Pine Bluff, Ark. Citing Vantage image quality, patient comfort and Toshiba's gadolinium contrast-free techniques, JRMC will use the Vantage system for a variety of diagnostic procedures including orthopedic, head and abdomen imaging. Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:20:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/031902_COOK.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/031902_COOK.html The FDA has approved initiation of the REFORM clinical trial, officials of Cook Medical announced today. The REFORM trial is designed to evaluate the Formula(TM) Balloon Expandable Stent for the treatment of renal artery stenosis, a narrowing of the renal artery that can result in hypertension, renal atrophy, and kidney failure if left untreated. Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:15:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0319_RADIAL.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0319_RADIAL.html A study of over 30,000 patients that examined every angioplasty done in British Columbia from 1999-2005 was just published online (before print) in the British journal "Heart" and the conclusion carries an important message for the interventional cardiology community: trans-radial access was associated with a halving of transfusion rate and a reduction in 30 day and 1 year mortality. Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:20:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0318_CARDIUM.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0318_CARDIUM.html The Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute is recruiting female patients with recurrent chest pains who are not eligible for surgery to participate in a clinical trial studying an experimental product designed to promote blood vessel growth within the heart muscle. The AWARE trial will study the effects of Generx(TM) (Ad5FGF-4) in women for the potential treatment of myocardial ischemia (insufficient blood flow within the heart muscle) which can cause chest pains (angina) associated with coronary heart disease. Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:30:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/031502_CARDIUM.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/031502_CARDIUM.html Cardium Therapeutics (Amex: CXM), currently in development of several innovative medical therapies, yesterday reported a narrower fourth quarter loss, helped by more than double the revenues in 2007 from the previous year. Sat, 15 Mar 2008 19:45:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/031502_CT.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/031502_CT.html To the relief of many in the cardiology and radiology community, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced late this afternoon that it will not change current coverage for Computed Tomographic Angiography(CTA). Sat, 15 Mar 2008 10:25:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0315_RADIAL.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0315_RADIAL.html Dr. John T. Coppola, Chairman of Cardiology at St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan, will be presenting his annual one-day course for cardiologists and related healthcare professionals, titled, "Complex Interventions via the Transradial Route", on April 2, 2008. The course is free of charge. Sat, 15 Mar 2008 09:20:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0313.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0313_CARDIUM.html Over 25 hospitals across the United States are currently participating in the AWARE clinical study to evaluate the effects 0f Generx(TM) (Ad5FGF-4) in women with recurrent angina who are not candidates for revascularization and who are receiving optimal drug therapy. The AWARE study is a women-only cardiovascular clinical study and reflects a growing awareness that heart disease in women is a major health issue. Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:30:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0312.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0312.html To the relief of many in the cardiology and radiology community, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced late this afternoon that it will not change current coverage for Computed Tomographic Angiography(CTA). Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:30:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0312_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0312_VOLCANO.html Volcano Corporation (Nasdaq: VOLC), a leading provider of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and functional measurement (FM) products designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral vascular disease, will be participating in the Cowen and Company 28th Annual Health Care Conference on Monday, March 17. The presentation by president and CEO, Scott Huennekens, will begin at 3:15 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time (12:15 Pacific Daylight Time). Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:10:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0311_ABBOTT.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0311_ABBOTT.html Abbott announced today that it has received CE Mark (Conformite Europeene) approval for a 2.25 mm version of its XIENCE(TM) V Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System, offering physicians a smaller stent based upon the proven efficacy, positive safety results and excellent deliverability of XIENCE V. Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0311_CARDIUM.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0311_CARDIUM.html Cardium Therapeutics announced positive findings from its preclinical study being conducted by researchers at Emory University, which demonstrated highly efficient uptake of DNA-based vectors within acutely ischemic myocardium (heart muscle lacking sufficient blood flow as a result of blockage of the coronary arteries). Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:15:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0306_TAMS.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0306_TAMS.html KLAS recently named Toshiba's AquilionTM 64, XarioTM and Vantage 1.5T MR "Best in KLAS" in its Top 20 Year-End Report for 2007. This recognition for leadership in working with customers to maintain satisfaction, gives Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. the top ratings in the CT, MR and ultrasound categories. Thu, 06 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0305.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0305.html Next week the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is scheduled to announce a decision on coverage for Computed Tomographic Angiography, commonly called Cardiac CT or CT Angiography (CTA). This memo, if enacted, would represent a wholesale cut back in the utilization of coronary CT nationwide -- including its use in emergency situations. Wed, 05 Mar 2008 19:00:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0227_MEDTRONIC.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0227_MEDTRONIC.html Today Medtronic, Inc. announced the first human use of its new investigational bifurcation stent. The new stent employs an innovative Y-shaped design to match the anatomy of lesions that form at the junctions of coronary arteries. Dr. Robert Whitbourn, associate professor and director of the Cardiovascular Research Centre at St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne, performed the first clinical implant of the new device on Feb. 25 as an investigator in the trial, dubbed the BRANCH study. Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:25:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0226_TOSHIBA.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0226_TOSHIBA.html Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. announced today that Girish T. Hagan has been named vice president of Marketing. Hagan will head Toshiba's business units including CT, MR, Ultrasound, X-ray and X-ray Vascular, as well as handle strategic marketing for Toshiba and its products in the medical imaging industry. The company adds that Hagan's expertise will build on Toshiba's strength in customer loyalty and technology innovation. Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:30:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0225.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0225.html A surprising 25 percent of people who have survived a heart attack do not fill prescriptions for drugs that could prevent another one, Canadian researchers said Monday. They said people who filled none of their prescriptions had an 80 percent higher chance of dying a year after their heart attacks compared with those who filled all of them. Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0222_HEART_ATTACK_SIGNS.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0222_HEART_ATTACK_SIGNS.html Only about 1 in 4 Americans know the warning signs of a heart attack and what to do first, according to a new government report from the Centers for Disease Control -- a decline in knowledge since the last survey in 2001. Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:30:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0222.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0222.html Makers of medical devices ranging from diagnostic tests to defibrillators stand to reap big benefits from U.S. health care system reforms backed by the leading Democratic presidential contenders Obama and Clinton. While some health care companies fear Democrats' plans to extend the reach of government's regulatory hand, that risk is offset for device makers by the prospect of a Democratic president broadening the market by extending insurance coverage to many of the 47 million individuals now without it. Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:25:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0217.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0217.html Last week two catheterization suites at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City were taken over by cardiologists Dr. Howard Cohen and Dr. Kirk Garratt in order to teach visiting cardiologists how to perform angioplasty in a different way -- from the wrist. Sun, 17 Feb 2008 18:40:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0215_BSX.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0215_BSX.html A patent judgment against Boston Scientific Corp. has jumped to $501 million after a judge tacked on an additional $69 million in interest. U.S. District Judge John Ward ruled Thursday to expand the damages award -- decided by a federal jury in Marshall, Texas -- to cover interest on royalties dating to the medical device maker's 2004 U.S. launch of drug-coated heart stents. Fri, 15 Feb 2008 22:00:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0213.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0213.html Balloons coated with a common cancer drug can help keep blood flowing in clogged leg arteries better than plain angioplasty balloons, German researchers reported Wednesday. These so-called drug eluting balloons have been seen as an alternative to drug-coated stents -- little mesh tubes often used to hold an artery open after angioplasty. Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:15:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0213_TERUMO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0213_TERUMO.html Terumo Interventional Systems' proven Glidecath Hydrophilic Coated catheter product line makes way for the Yashiro tip shape; a new, three-dimensional U-shape tip for optimal entry to the celiac trunk. Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0212_TERUMO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0212_TERUMO.html With its unique double angle to facilitate the selection of vessels that lie at, or originate at, difficult to access angles and take-offs, the Bolia curve is among the new additions to the Terumo Glidewire Hydrophilic Coated Guidewire product line. Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0212_VOLC.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0212_VOLC.html "This growth in our IVUS business occurred despite a sluggish global PCI market. We believe the ease of use and integration provided by our s5 family of consoles, along with a growing volume of data demonstrating the value of IVUS in stenting procedures, is driving our increased market presence in the IVUS arena," he added. "We are encouraged by what appear to be recent favorable trends in stenting procedures and believe this will further the growth of our IVUS offerings," he continued. Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:52:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0211_BSX.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0211_BSX.html The PROENCY registry is the first to observe different 'Olimus'-eluting coronary stents. It will collect real-life clinical outcome data for Boston Scientific's PROMUS(TM) Everolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent and compare them with data from Johnson & Johnson's Cypher(R) Sirolimus-Eluting Stent and Medtronic's Endeavor(R) Zotarolimus-Eluting Stent in patients in routine clinical practice. Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:30:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0207_VACUUM.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0207_VACUUM.html New research suggests that more people survive major heart attacks with fewer problems if doctors use a mini-vacuum to clear out an artery blockage instead of pushing it aside to restore blood flow. Fri, 08 Feb 2008 13:10:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0207_VOLC.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0207_VOLC.html These two new product offerings now enable rotational IVUS and FFR to operate on the same integrated Volcano s5 Imaging System as Volcano's previous line of phased array IVUS catheters and functionality. For the first time, physicians can choose among three powerful diagnostic tools -- all on the same integrated IVUS platform. Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0206_CVT.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0206_CVT.html CV Therapeutics, Inc. and Medlogics Device Corporation announced today that the companies have entered into an agreement under which Medlogics has licensed CV Therapeutics' proprietary biopolymer stent coating technology to develop a drug eluting stent. Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:50:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0205_PLAVIX.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0205_PLAVIX.html A study appearing in tomorrow's Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports a two-fold increase in death and heart attack in the 90 days after heart patients completed their prescribed course of medical therapy with clopidogrel (Plavix). The study suggests there may be a rebound effect with clopidogrel that may have major implications for acute coronary syndrome and stent patients. A study author also makes recommendations for what patients should do. Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:00:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0205_BSX.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0205_BSX.html Costs from Boston Scientific Corp.'s $27 billion acquisition of Guidant Corp. continue to erode the company's bottom line, but Boston Scientific sees signs of turnarounds in drug-eluting stent and pacemaker -- defibrillator markets. Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0201_MEDTRONIC.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0201_MEDTRONIC.html Following the unanimous recommendation of its advisory panel in October, the FDA today approved Medtronic's Endeavor(R) Zotarolimus Drug-Eluting Stent System, making it the third DES available in the U.S. and the first approval in almost four years. Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:10:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0201_NICE.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0201_NICE.html The draft guidance recommends the use of drug-eluting stents (DES) for those patients who are at higher risk of needing further stents if a conventional bare-metal stent (BMS) were used instead. These patients have a coronary artery less than 3mm in diameter, or the segment of the artery to be treated is longer than 15mm. The draft guidance also states that drug eluting stents should only be used if the price difference between it and a bare metal stent is no more than £300. Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:10:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0128_TAMS.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0128_TAMS.html With this clearance, Toshiba is on schedule to make the system commercially available in the first quarter of 2008. The open-bore of the Vantage Titan is 18 percent larger than other 1.5T systems on the market, featuring a large 71-centimeter patient aperture. Mon, 28 Jan 2008 23:10:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0117_TERUMO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0117_TERUMO.html Working with GHX and its Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system, Terumo Interventional Systems is looking to deliver providers what they want - when they want it. Through this e-commerce platform's unique, streamlined process, hospitals are now easily able to place orders, generate receipts, and change and track orders with Terumo. Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0116_TERUMO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2008/0116_TERUMO.html The Nobori(TM) stent system is a truly new generation drug eluting stent (DES) with a bioresorbable polymer, offering best in class clinical results, excellent deliverability and strong patient safety profile. The company intends to launch the product shortly and to expand to more than 20 countries during the first quarter of fiscal year 08. Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:49:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2007/1210_VOLC.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2007/1210_VOLC.html Volcano Corporation, a provider of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and functional measurement (FM) products designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of vascular and structural heart disease, said today that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire CardioSpectra, Inc., a privately-held company developing innovative Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) technology. CardioSpectra's unique OCT imaging system is expected to complement Volcano's existing product offerings and will further enhance Volcano's position as an imaging technology leader in the field of interventional medicine. Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:00:00 EST