CeloNova BioSciences has announced interim results from the randomised Trial of COBRA PzF Stenting to REDUCE Duration of Triple Therapy (COBRA-REDUCE), the first randomised 14-day dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) study of high bleeding risk patients (HBR), during a late-breaking clinical science session at TCT Connect 2020 (14–18 October, virtual).

One-year clinical outcomes from the global EXPAND study, reporting on the use of the third generation MitraClip (Abbott) NTR and XTR systems, show that the device achieves improvements in mitral regurgitation compared to previous Mitraclip generations, which are maintained at one-year. The results were presented during a late breaking clinical science session at TCT Connect 202 (14–18 October) by Saibal Kar (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA).

An interim analysis of the Restore EF Study, presented at TCT Connect 2020 (14–18 October, virtual), demonstrates the use of contemporary best practices, including attempting a more complete revascularisation with Impella-supported high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), is associated with significant improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), heart failure symptoms, and anginal symptoms at follow-up. The analysis was presented by Mitul Patel, MD, an interventional cardiologist at UC San Diego Health, San Diego, USA.

Medtronic has today announced plans to launch a randomised, head-to-head study comparing two transcatheter aortic valve implant (TAVI) devices in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (ssAS). The SMall Annuli Randomized To Evolut or Sapien (SMART) post-market trial will compare valve safety and performance of the self-expanding Medtronic Evolut PRO and PRO+TAVR Systems against the balloon-expandable SAPIEN 3 and SAPIEN 3 Ultra Transcatheter Heart Valves manufactured by Edwards Lifesciences.

A recent randomised controlled trial (RCT)—the CIPIC Rehab study—found that three-months’ community-based cardiac rehabilitation improves walking distance in patients with intermittent claudication. It was also found to improve physical activity level, diet, and health-related quality of life. These results were presented by Maj Siercke (University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark) during ESVS Month (29 September–29 October), the digital replacement for this year’s European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) annual meeting.

Javier Escaned (Hospital Universitario Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain) discusses the increased interest in coronary microcirculation and non-obstructive coronary artery disease

Butterfly Network and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) have announced a collaboration on a clinical trial to use ultrasound technology for at-home scanning.

Patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery are at a higher risk of cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) up to 10 years after the procedure, a study published in Circulation has found. The authors of the study, Umberto Benedetto (Bristol Heart Institute, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK) et al, suggest that the findings highlight the need to revisit the notion that postoperative AF is a transient, benign complication, and that patients with postoperative AF should be considered for stricter surveillance and heart rhythm monitoring.

AngelMed has announced the first implant of the next-generation AngelMed Guardian system as part of the ALERTS-Continued Access Study. The AngelMed Guardian is an implantable, patient alerting system designed to warn patients to seek medical attention for acute coronary syndromes (ACSs).

Vascular surgeons are being encouraged to take consideration of a set of talking points about the risks and benefits of paclitaxel-equipped devices—which has developed by a multispecialty panel of medical societies—in discussions with their patients

Medtronic has announced that it has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for new one-month of dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) labelling with an expanded indication for high bleeding risk (HBR) patients implanted with the Resolute Onyx drug-eluting stent (DES). The Resolute Onyx DES is the first-and-only DES in the USA that has been proven safe and effective utilising a one-month regimen of DAPT—the combination of aspirin and an anticoagulant—following a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients at high bleeding risk.

Cardiac Dimensions has closed a US$17.5 million series C financing round which will be used to accelerate commercial sales of its Carillon mitral contour system in Europe and allow for expansion into other geographies such as Australia.