The most read stories from across Cardiovascular News in January 2022 include controversy surrounding coronary revascularisation guidelines, developments in robotic-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a warning over the increasing healthcare burden caused by aortic stenosis in the UK, and a historic, first-of-its-kind pig to human heart transplant.
AATS and STS opt not to endorse joint coronary revascularisation guidelines
The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) and The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) opted not to endorse new joint guidelines for coronary artery revascularisation, issued in late 2021 by three major cardiology bodies, citing that the guidelines do not reflect their interpretation of the best treatment for patients with ischaemic heart disease.
Robocath completes European study of robot-assisted PCI
Robocath announced the conclusion of its R-Evolution clinical study in Europe, which was aimed at assessing the safety and efficacy of the R-One robotic assistance platform for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures.
Evolut PRO TAVI valve gains approval in China
Medtronic announced that the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved the CoreValve Evolut PRO transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) system for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis (AS) for symptomatic patients in China who are at high or extreme risk for open heart surgery.
First patient enrolled in TRANSFORM II study of sirolimus-coated balloon
The first patient was enrolled in the TRANSFORM II randomised controlled trial assessing the Magic Touch sirolimus-coated balloon (Concept Medical) versus a drug-eluting stent in the native coronary vessels.
Burden of aortic stenosis likely to challenge UK treatment capacity, researchers warn
Researchers warned that the number of people suffering from aortic valve stenosis in the UK could place an increasing burden on the country’s capacity to treat the disease in coming years.
Pioneering pig to human heart transplant heralded as a breakthrough
A 57-year-old patient with terminal heart disease received a successful transplant of a genetically-modified pig heart, in a first-of-its kind procedure conducted by University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) faculty at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC, Baltimore, USA).
Cardiovascular Systems announces development of IVL technology for coronary and peripheral arterial disease
Cardiovascular Systems announced that it has made significant progress towards the commercialisation of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) systems for the treatment of calcific coronary and peripheral arterial disease.
TAVI associated with reduced odds of in-hospital mortality for bicuspid valve patients
A propensity score-matched analysis of the early outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in bicuspid aortic valve stenosis patients compared with surgical valve replacement has found that TAVI was associated with reduced odds of in-hospital mortality.
Impella gains a trio of regulatory approvals
Regulators in three countries granted approvals to Impella surgical products. In the USA, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted an Early Feasibility Study (EFS) Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) to Impella BTR (Bridge-to-Recovery).
Guidelines recognise potential role for earlier endovascular treatment of uncomplicated type B aortic dissection
New clinical practice guidelines were released, and are intended to act as “guard rails” to determine the treatment options and best practices for managing patients with type B aortic dissection.
