April 5, 2012 — The American College of Cardiology (ACC) released a list of “Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question” in cardiology as part of Choosing Wisely, an initiative of the ABIM Foundation. The list identifies five targeted, evidence-based recommendations that can support physicians in working with their patients to make wise choices about their care.

April 5, 2012 - SK Capital Partners, a U.S. based private investment firm, and IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.) announced that they have closed on their previously announced agreement to create IBA Molecular, a jointly-owned company derived from IBA’s worldwide radiopharmaceutical division. IBA Molecular is a worldwide leader in the manufacturing and distribution of radioactive isotopes used for medical imaging and therapy, with over 50 locations in the United States, Europe and Asia and employs over 1,000 people. The transaction is valued at approximately €180 million ($239 million). SK Capital will own 60 percent of the recapitalized entity and IBA will retain a 40 percent stake.

Incidences of renal complications, specifically acute renal failure (ARF) and new hemodialysis (HD), continue to increase significantly among Medicare beneficiaries (MB) admitted for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This was according to a study presented last week at the American College of Cardiology’s (ACC) 61st Annual Scientific Session.

April 3, 2012 – Abiomed Inc. today announced the successful first human use of the Impella cVAD device, a new, percutaneous Impella ventricular assist device (VAD) that provides peak flow of approximately 4 liters of blood per minute. The Impella cVAD is designed to provide temporary circulatory support and reduce the workload of the heart muscle via a minimally invasive, catheter-based pump that is inserted percutaneously in the cardiac catheterization lab, without the need for surgical intervention.