Impella RP Approved, Impella CP Devices Continue Roll-Out

Posted on by Kurt Jensen

Pictured: Impella CP.

Cardiovascular technology has been all over financial news recently as Abiomed's Impella CP roll-out continued to be strong last quarter and their Impella RP (Right Percutaneous) system received FDA approval under a Humanitarian Device Exemption.

The Impella devices, tiny heart pumps introduced via catheter by the femoral artery, allow cardiovascular professionals to support the heart in a minimally invasive way, avoiding open heart surgery in many cases. The devices mark a significant advancement in cardiovascular treatment for patients with extreme surgical risk.

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What Patients SHOULDN’T get TAVR?

Posted on by Kurt Jensen

A new sub-study from the CoreValve U.S. Trial published in February's issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions marks a step closer to a model for deciding what extreme surgical risk patients should NOT undergo Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

While a majority of extreme-risk patients did see significant positive change in disease-specific, general health and quality-of-life metrics following TAVR, a large minority—39 percent of patients—had a poor outcome post-TAVR.

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News Roundup Friday January 16

Posted on by Kurt Jensen

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA—University of Virginia Health System and Bon Secours announced expanded joint clinical programs this week, including new patient care partnerships in cardiovascular services. Their partnership has in the past led to the "introduction of transcatheter mitral valve repair to Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond." The agreement will expand this relationship by developing a shared population health framework.

Takeaways: Healthcare trends are in the news early in 2015 as population health is becoming an all-important buzzword, and the march towards mergers or partnerships, like this one, continues. Stay tuned, we will delve deeper into healthcare trends for 2015 in a blog next week.

The Cardio-Health Diet?

Continue reading News Roundup Friday January 16