Concept Medical has announced the enrolment of the first patient in the FUTURE BTK (Randomised controlled trial of first sirolimus-coated balloon versus standard balloon angioplasty in the treatment of below-the-knee artery disease) trial. The index patient was successfully enrolled on 26 August 2020 in Singapore.

Guidelines for reducing the risk of stroke in patients undergoing heart surgery have been detailed in an American Heart Association (AHA) scientific statement, “Considerations for Reduction of Risk of Perioperative Stroke for Adult Patients Undergoing Cardiac and Thoracic Aortic Operations,” published in the journal Circulation.

Representation of women leading heart failure research remains limited, according to a study published in Circulation: Heart Failure, which may create a barrier to greater diversity among clinical trial participants.

The reliable outcomes of Getinge’s Advanta V12 have been reinforced by a new systematic literature review. A group of physicians from around the world joined to compare published studies of covered balloon-expandable (CBE) stents for aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD). “The Advanta V12 device stands out as the only solution with the most real-world, long-term data,” reads a Getinge press release.

A recent systematic review showed that randomised trials comparing different types of peripheral endovascular arterial intervention have a high level of heterogeneity in their antithrombotic regimens. It also revealed an increasing trend for use of dual antiplatelet therapy post intervention with no clear justification.

Just-published six-month results of the IN.PACT AV Access study show that drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty is superior to standard angioplasty for the treatment of stenotic lesions in dysfunctional haemodialysis arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs). Furthermore, it was found to be non-inferior with respect to access circuit-related serious adverse events within 30 days.

A study comparing recommendations from a heart team versus those of an interventional cardiologist for the treatment of patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) has found differing recommendations in up to one-third of cases.

Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement in the setting of trans-tricuspid pacemaker leads without extraction or re-replacement can be performed safely with a low risk of complications, a study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions has found. The study, authored by Jason H Anderson (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA) and colleagues, concludes that transcatheter valve replacement for valve-in-valve or valve-in-ring implantation offers a safe alternative to surgical valve replacement in the setting of pacemaker leads.

Royal Philips has announced the introduction of OmniWire, a solid core pressure wire for coronary artery interventional procedures. With a solid core construction, physicians can more easily manoeuvre the wire in the patient’s circulatory system to measure blood pressure along the vessel and guide the delivery of catheters and stents, Philips said in a press release.

Mental stress and anger may have clinical implications for patients with heart failure according to a study published in the Journal of Cardiac Failure.

Biosensors a developer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative medical devices, announced today the enrolment of the first patient in REFORM—a prospective, randomised, non-inferiority trial to determine the safety and efficacy of the Biolimus A9 drug coated balloon for the treatment of in-stent restenosis: first-in-man trial. This trial is targeting CE-mark approval for the Biolimus A9 drug coated balloon (DCB) and will include 34 sites in Germany, Italy, Ireland, Spain, the UK and South Korea.

In the EffPac trial, designed to compare a drug-coated and an uncoated balloon in the treatment of vascular occlusion in the femoropopliteal region, the drug-coated device proved to be superior. Additionally, the complete review of the study cohort two years after the intervention showed no increased mortality with the drug-coated balloon.