St. Jude Medical Inc. announced the U.S. clearance and launch of the company’s new PressureWire X Guidewire fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement system. The latest generation of the PressureWire Guidewire system is designed to offer improved shapeability and better shape retention aimed at reducing vessel trauma, with the accuracy and simplicity physicians expect when treating patients during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), especially those with complex anatomies.

Interventional labs now have an imaging system that provides clinicians flexibility to perform a wide array of procedures with the launch of Toshiba’s Infinix-i Sky +*. The ceiling-mounted system features a double sliding C-arm and 12 x 16-inch flat panel, offering clinicians the potential to increase coverage, speed and patient access.

GE Healthcare announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a label change for the ultrasound contrast agent Optison (Perflutren protein-Type A Microspheres Injectable Suspension, USP). The FDA removed the contraindications for use in patients with cardiac shunts and for administration by intra-arterial injection. Both contraindications have been revised and moved to the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS section (5.3 : Systemic Embolization) of the Full Prescribing Information.