March 16, 2012 - Cambridge Heart Inc., a developer of non-invasive diagnostic tests for cardiac disease, announced that its Microvolt T-Wave Alternans (MTWA) test received reimbursement coverage from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW). Effective April 1, 2012, the MTWA Test will be reimbursed for patients who are considered at risk for lethal arrhythmias including, but not limited to, patients with a history of heart attack, cardiomyopathy and Brugada syndrome.

March 13, 2012 — A new study by Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) researchers found significant variation in the use of head computed tomography (CT) exams among doctors within the emergency department (ED).

March 13, 2012 — Asahi Kasei Corp. and Zoll Medical Corp. jointly announced that Asahi Kasei will acquire Zoll for approximately $2.21 billion.

March 12, 2012 — A new study shows that the use of gadobenate dimeglumine, the highest relaxivity gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) available for central nervous system (CNS) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), over a high concentration MRI contrast agent may improve clinicians’ ability to visualize lesions of the brain.

March 9, 2012 - Researchers say venom from the green mamba snake may aid in the preservation of cardiac and renal function following serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and acute decompensated heart failure. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has awarded a $2.5 million grant to Mayo Clinic's Cardiorenal Research Laboratory to conduct the research project “Cardiovascular Peptides and Myocardial Infarction.”

March 9, 2012 — Avinger Inc. announced the enrollment of the first U.S. patient in the CONNECT II global clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of Ocelot. The device is the first chronic total occlusion (CTO) crossing catheter using forward-looking optical coherence tomography (OCT) top treat patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).