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 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:40:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/images/nav/angio_logo1.gif http://www.ptca.org/ http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0622_SHAPE.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0622_SHAPE.html Today Governor Rick Perry of Texas signed the nation's first preventive cardiovascular screening bill for early detection of coronary artery disease. The legislation, which will take effect on September 1, requires Texas insurers to pay up to $200 for a either a non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan measuring coronary artery calcification, commonly known as a Calcium scoring exam, or ultrasonography for measuring carotid intima-media thickness and plaque. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:58:00 PDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0528_SHAPE.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0528_SHAPE.html Both houses of the Texas Legislature have passed HR 1290 which mandate that Texas insurers must cover simple Calcium Scoring and ultrasound tests for the early detection of coronary artery disease. The leaders of SHAPE (Society for Heart Attack Prevention and Eradication) which count among them some of the leading cardiologists in both the U.S. and Europe now hope that Governor Rick Perry will sign the bill, making Texas the first state to make available what these experts feel is a critically important diagnostic test. Thu, 28 May 2009 07:30:00 EDT 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/news/2009/0525_OCT.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0525_OCT.html This week marks one of the first courses to focus exclusively on the range of innovative intravascular imaging and measurement technologies that have been gaining in use over the past couple of years. "OCT, IVUS, FFR: When, Where, How" will be held on May 28 and 29 in Bergamo, Italy. The course will utilize the newest innovations in Optical Coherence Tomography(OCT), Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS), Virtual Histology (VH) and Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) and how they can be used to optimize percutaneous procedures, such as angioplasty and stenting. Mon, 25 May 2009 00:01:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0519_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0519_VOLCANO.html Volcano Corporation (Nasdaq: VOLC) today highlights its technology leadership position in the emerging field of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) at the EuroPCR conference in Barcelona, Spain. Volcano's wholly owned subsidiary, Axsun, has developed what we believe to be a truly revolutionary new class of ultra-miniaturized external cavity lasers that are expected to power the highest performance OCT systems for intracoronary and other medical imaging segments. Wed, 20 May 2009 19:20:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/radial/interview_jennifer_tremmel.html http://www.ptca.org/radial/interview_jennifer_tremmel.html Dr. Tremmel is Director of Transradial Interventions at Stanford Medical Center and Clinical Director of Women's Heart Health at Stanford Clinic. Within 6 months of learning the radial technique, she was doing 100% radial angioplasties, reducing complications from bleeding to near zero. Wed, 20 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0519_IVUS.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0519_IVUS.html A study, published in the current issue of JACC Interventions, details 120 drug-eluting stent cases as viewed by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in order to examine characteristics that may lead to in-stent restenosis (ISR) or stent thrombosis. The researchers found that in cases of thrombosis, the proximal parts of many of the stents were inadequately expanded. An accompanying editorial suggests greater use of IVUS and more attention to detail can reduce the number of these adverse clinical events. Tue, 19 May 2009 08:30:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0518_MEDTRONIC.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0518_MEDTRONIC.html Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) today announced it will participate in the Piper Jaffray PCR Post-Op Summit on Friday, May 22, 2009, in London. Scott R. Ward Scott Ward, President, CardioVascular Medtronic Scott Ward, president of the CardioVascular business and senior vice president at Medtronic, will speak to the attendees of the conference at 8 a.m. British Summer Time (2 a.m. Central Daylight Time). Mon, 18 May 2009 14:35:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0518_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0518_VOLCANO.html Volcano Corporation (Nasdaq: VOLC) today announced an exclusive worldwide distribution agreement to initiate the formal launch of the Xtract(TM) thrombus aspiration catheter, manufactured by Lumen Biomedical. The Xtract thrombus aspiration catheter is available for immediate sale in the U.S. and Europe. This marks Volcano's entry into what some believe is a $70+ million aspiration market. Mon, 18 May 2009 10:15:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0516_XTENT.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0516_XTENT.html XTENT (Nasdaq: XTNT), maker of an innovative stent that received the European CE Mark just two months ago, is closing its doors after failing to find a partner or buyer, a goal first announced in January. The Company's Board of Directors voted yesterday that "it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to liquidate the Company's assets and to dissolve the Company." The plan is subject to stockholder approval. Sat, 16 May 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0513_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0513_VOLCANO.html Volcano Corporation (Nasdaq: VOLC) said today that it will be participating in the Eighth Annual JMP Securities Research Conference on Monday, May 18. The presentation by John Dahldorf, chief financial officer, will begin at 3:00p.m., Pacific Daylight Time (6:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time). Wed, 13 May 2009 12:35:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0506_PPI.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0506_PPI.html Most stent patients are required to take the antiplatelet drug clopidogrel (Plavix) for at least a year to prevent blood clots inside the stent. A new study, presented today at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) 32nd Annual Scientific Sessions, showed that the beneficial effects of Plavix are compromised by common drugs, used for the treatment of heartburn and ulcers: the combined risk of hospitalization for heart attack, stroke and other serious cardiovascular illnesses was increased by 50%. Wed, 06 May 2009 14:30:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0506_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0506_VOLCANO.html Volcano Corporation (Nasdaq: VOLC) said today that it will be participating In the Bank of America and Merrill Lynch 2009 Health Care Conference on Thursday, May 14. The presentation by Scott Huennekens, president and chief executive officer, will begin at 11:20 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time (8:20 a.m., Pacific Daylight Time). Wed, 06 May 2009 14:10:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0505_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0505_VOLCANO.html Volcano Corp. (VOLC) reports a greater loss over the same period in 2008, due mainly to lower margins and the strength of the dollar. However, revenue of intravascular ultrasound and functional measurement products grew 24%. Tue, 05 May 2009 20:30:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0427_MEDTRONIC_TALENT.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0427_MEDTRONIC_TALENT.html Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT), today reported the start of THRIVE, the company's U.S. post-market clinical study of its Talent Thoracic Stent Graft for the endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:30:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0427_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0427_VOLCANO.html Volcano Corporation (Nasdaq: VOLC), a leader in the development, manufacturing and sales of products for the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral artery disease, today announced that it will report its operating results for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 on Tuesday, May 5. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:55:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/041701_RADIAL.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/041701_RADIAL.html U.S. cardiologists who practice the radial approach have identified lack of training opportunities as a major roadblock to its proliferation. Yet at this year's ACC.09, one of the largest cardiology conferences in the U.S., exposure to studies involving the transradial approach was limited to six poster presentations and one 15-minute oral presentation. Fri, 17 Apr 2009 23:56:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/041702_RADIAL.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/041702_RADIAL.html A summary of all studies concerning transradial access that were presented during the American College of Cardiology 58th Annual Scientific Session held March 29-31, 2009. The take-away message from these studies was that the radial approach is comparable in success rate to the femoral with significantly lower complications. Radial access also makes possible same-day discharge of patients after stenting. Fri, 17 Apr 2009 23:55:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0408.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0408.html A new study, published online before print in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions, concludes that "Patients treated with ZES [Medtronic's Endeavor Zotarolimus Eluting Stent] were less likely to develop sidebranch occlusion during stent placement than patients treated with PES [Boston Scientific's Taxus Express Paclitaxel Eluting Stent]. Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:07:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0403_MEDTRONIC.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0403_MEDTRONIC.html Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) announced earlier this week that it has begun the international launch of its Driver Sprint RX Coronary Stent System, which received the CE Mark in February 2009. The company plans to have its bare-metal stent on a rapid exchange platform commercially available in more than 100 countries worldwide. Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:50:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0330_MEDTRONIC.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0330_MEDTRONIC.html Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT), today announced approval of its Endeavor drug-eluting coronary stent system by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), clearing the way for the highly anticipated launch of the product in the world's second largest market for advanced medical technology. Medtronic plans to launch the Endeavor drug-eluting stent (DES) immediately following the authorization of reimbursement which is expected on May 1, making the Endeavor DES commercially available in every major market in the world. Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:40:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0329_ABBOTT.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0329_ABBOTT.html Long-term data presented today from Abbott's SPIRIT II clinical trial demonstrated that the clinical advantages of the XIENCE V Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System continued to increase between two and three years compared to the TAXUS Express2 Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System / TAXUS Liberte Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System (TAXUS). Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:30:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0329_MEDTRONIC.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0329_MEDTRONIC.html The results of ZEST, a large scale randomized multi-center trial of all comers were presented this morning to the i2 Summit at ACC.09 by Dr. Seung-Jung Park of Asan Medical Center in South Korea. The goal of the trial was to evaluate paclitaxel- and sirolimus-eluting stents compared with zotarolimus-eluting stents in patients with coronary artery disease. Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:50:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0329_GENOUS.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0329_GENOUS.html Cardiologists anticipating positive results from a small head-to-head study comparing the novel Genous 'pro-healing' stent to a third generation bare metal chromium-cobalt stent were disappointed yesterday by less than favorable data from the 100-patient GENIUS-STEMI study. The MACE rate was 24% for the Genous vs. 10% for the bare metal stent. TLR was 14% vs. 4%. Not only were these rates very high, but they were far different from data that has been presented in the initial clinical trials for the Genous, as well as a very large 5,000-patient observational study, called the e-Healing Registry. Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0329_SCCT.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0329_SCCT.html The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT), the leading international professional society devoted to cardiovascular computed tomography (CT), is now accepting submissions for the third annual Young Investigator Awards. Sponsored by Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc., the unrestricted educational grant will be awarded to two residents or fellows in either radiology or cardiology for their patient care research in the categories of technical and clinical advancement of cardiovascular CT. The deadline for submissions is April 6, 2009 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0328_MEDTRONIC.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0328_MEDTRONIC.html Two-year results for more than 2,000 patients in the international, E-Five study of Medtronic's Endeavor Zotarolimus-eluting Stent show that the stent was associated with a low rate of both overall (0.7 percent) and very late stent thrombosis (VLAST) at 0.1 percent. Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:20:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0328_SYNTAX.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0328_SYNTAX.html For many patients with triple-vessel or left main disease, drug-eluting stents provide similar outcomes to bypass surgery -- and for less money, according to data from the SYNTAX trial, presented this morning to the i2 Summit at the American College of Cardiology's 58th annual scientific session. Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:50:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0327_MEDTRONIC.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0327_MEDTRONIC.html Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT), today announced highlights of clinical data presentations scheduled for the 2009 American College of Cardiology (ACC) meeting that feature the company's cardiovascular innovations, including the Endeavor Drug-Eluting Stent (DES) and the Export Aspiration Catheter. ACC.09 takes place in Orlando March 28-31 at the Orange County Convention Center. Fri, 27 Mar 2009 22:00:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0327_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0327_VOLCANO.html Joe Burnett, Vice President of Marketing at Volcano commented, "Three years ago, you could flip through the ACC program and see a couple of presentations on intravascular assessment using IVUS or FFR. This year, there are more than 50 presentations, case reviews and abstracts focused on FFR, IVUS, OCT, Forward-Looking IVUS, and VH(R) IVUS plaque composition. Word is getting out that more precise guidance during PCI is important, and the sheer number of talks focused on higher resolution tools, highlight the increased demand for access to these technologies. Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:50:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0326_BSX.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0326_BSX.html Boston Scientific Corporation today announced the schedule of the Company's major events and news announcements at the 58th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology / i2 Summit, which runs from March 28-31 in Orlando, Florida. Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:40:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0326_CORDIS.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0326_CORDIS.html As cardiologists are arriving in Orlando for the beginning of this weekend's 58th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology, just a few hours away, Cordis Corporation will be celebrating its 50th anniversary as a manufacturer of innovative medical devices. Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:40:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0326_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0326_VOLCANO.html The upcoming American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Sessions, being held in Orlando, Florida from March 28-31 is featuring more than 50 presentations, case reviews and abstracts focused on intravascular imaging and functional measurement modalities, such as Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR), Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), as well as newer technologies, like Forward-Looking IVUS and VH plaque composition. Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:40:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0324_ABSORB.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0324_ABSORB.html Following recent publication of the two-year results of the ABSORB clinical trial of its novel bioabsorbable drug-eluting stent, Abbott Vascular today announced the start of the next phase of the trial, set to enroll 80 additional patients. Article contains an exclusive video of Dr. Charles Simonton, Chief Medical Officer for Abbott Vascular. Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:20:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0320_XTENT.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0320_XTENT.html Hopefully, for the innovative stent manufactured by XTENT, Inc. (Nasdaq: XTNT), yesterday's European approval has not come too late. On Thursday, the company announced that it has received CE Mark approval for its CUSTOM NX drug-eluting stent (DES) System. Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:50:00 EDT http://www.ptca.org/imaging/james_min.html http://www.ptca.org/imaging/james_min.html The "Advances in Imaging" interview series presents discussions with researchers and leading specialists in the field of coronary imaging. This current discussion is with Dr. James K. Min, Director of Cardiac CT labs at Weill-Cornell Medical College at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital about the role of CT vis-a-vis nuclear stress testing, radiation dosage from Cardiac CT and more. Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:10:00 GMT http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0228.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0228.html Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) announced this week that it is acquiring two privately held companies that have been in the forefront of development for transcatheter aortic valves. The move, estimated at slightly more than $1 billion, positions Medtronic to move forward with future development and clinical trials of these non-surgical approaches to aortic valve replacement, a field currently occupied by Edwards LifeSciences. Sat, 28 Feb 2009 23:15:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0220_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0220_VOLCANO.html Volcano Corporation (Nasdaq: VOLC) will hold its 2009 Analyst Day on Wednesday, February 25, at the NASDAQ MarketSite in New York City. The webcast will begin at 10 a.m., Eastern Standard Time (7 a.m., Pacific Standard Time) and conclude at 2 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (11 a.m., Pacific Standard Time). Fri, 20 Feb 2009 10:30:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0217_MEDTRONIC.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0217_MEDTRONIC.html The company reported third quarter revenue of $3.494 billion, a three percent increase over third quarter revenue reported in fiscal year 2008 or a six percent increase after adjusting for an unfavorable $110 million foreign exchange impact. Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:55:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0217_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0217_VOLCANO.html Volcano Corporation (Nasdaq: VOLC), a leader in the development, manufacturing and sales of products for the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral artery disease, today reported that revenues for the full year 2008 increased 31 percent over full year 2007 and that revenues for the fourth quarter of 2008 increased 23 percent over revenues in the fourth quarter of 2007. Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:10:00 EST 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/news/2009/0212_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0212_VOLCANO.html Volcano Corporation (Nasdaq: VOLC), a leader in the development, manufacturing and sales of products for the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral artery disease, said today that it will be participating in the Roth Capital Partners 21st Annual Growth Stock Conference on Wednesday, February 18. Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:45:00 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/news/2009/0206_VOLCANO.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0206_VOLCANO.html Volcano Corporation (Nasdaq: VOLC), a leader in the development, manufacturing and sales of products for the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral artery disease, today announced that it will report is operating results for the fourth quarter and all of fiscal 2008 on Tuesday, February 17. Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:20:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0204.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0204.html Physicians are able to perform CT scans of the heart with minimal radiation exposure, according to a study published in today's Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). However, this new study shows wide variation in centers and calls for increased education and training to achieve optimum results. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:40:00 EST http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0203_BSX.html http://www.ptca.org/news/2009/0203_BSX.html The PLATINUM clinical program will enroll 1,728 patients at 160 sites worldwide. The trial will compare the PROMUS(tm) Element(tm) Everolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent to the PROMUS Everolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent. The Company plans to develop additional variations of the Element Stent platform, including next generations of a bare-metal stent and a paclitaxel-eluting TAXUS(r) Element Stent. Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:45:00 EST