Medtronic plc announced the first patients enrolled in the Evolut R FORWARD Clinical Study to evaluate performance outcomes using the CoreValve Evolut R System in everyday clinical practice.

Recent results from the Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stenting Trial (CREST) are evidence that stenting will continue to remain competitive with surgical treatment, said an analyst with research and consulting firm GlobalData. CREST data has shown patients with severe carotid artery stenosis suffered similar rates of adverse events in both stenting and endarterectomy procedures.

Brain imaging may accurately identify patients likely to benefit from stroke clot removal instead of relying on the time since symptoms began as an indicator of treatment eligibility. The hypothesis was derived from research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2016.

Nexstim Plc announced that the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), an independent committee of experts monitoring the Phase III stroke therapy NICHE trial, has reviewed the interim analysis data. The DSMB notes that the pre-specified stopping criteria for futility have been met and therefore the trial will not meet its primary endpoint. However, the DSMB further notes that they acknowledge that the treatments and enrolment have been completed. They recommend that the study team and subjects remain blinded and data collection be completed.

Cardiac stem cells could be an effective treatment for a common but difficult-to-treat type of heart failure, a new study from the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute shows.