Medtronic Inc. announced the first patient enrollment in the WRAP Infection Clinical Trial, which will evaluate the effectiveness of the TYRX Absorbable Antibacterial Envelope in reducing major infections in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) at risk for infection.

The number of IVC filters placed has more than doubled in the last 10 years, and by some estimates, less than half of these retrievable devices are actually removed each year.

There could soon be new hope for those facing one of humanity's biggest health issues, thanks to research from the University of Tennessee Knoxville College of Engineering.

Biotronik announced the first enrollments in its prospective, multi-center, international Reduce-TE Pilot study (Reduction of AF Ablation Induced Thrombo-Embolic Incidence).

Women who have breast cancer on their left side present a particular challenge to radiation oncologists. Studies have shown that the risk of heart disease is higher in this group of women after radiation treatment because it can be difficult to ensure that a sufficient dose of radiation is delivered to the left breast while adequately shielding the heart from exposure. New research shows a woman who holds her breath during radiation pulses can greatly reduce radiation exposure to the heart.

Direct Flow Medical Inc. announced the closing of a new round of financing for the company totaling $32 million.

Supplementing written heart screening guidelines with telephone counseling from specially trained nurses more than doubled the likelihood that adult survivors of childhood cancer received recommended heart checks, according to results from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS). St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators led the research, whose findings appear in the current issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.