August 29, 2011 — An observational study demonstrates the percutaneous catheter-based MitraClip treatment improves symptoms and promotes reverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) who do not respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The results were presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) meeting in Paris.

August 29, 2011— The echocardiographic response (reduction of left ventricular end-systolic volume), evaluated at six months follow-up, proved a better predictor of long-term mortality than clinical status improvement in a large population of cardiac resychronization therapy (CRT) patients. Therefore, assessment of occurrence of left ventricular reverse remodeling at mid-term follow-up may be an adequate surrogate endpoint in heart failure patients treated with CRT.

August 29, 2011 — Recent data suggest post-operative outcomes of severe heart failure patients bridged short-term ventricular assist devices (VADs) to urgent heart transplantation are significantly worse than in patients bridged with conventional support. The data comes from the Spanish National Heart Transplant Registry.

August 29, 2011 — The Guidelines on Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) are the first document produced by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) to address all aspects of peripheral atherosclerotic disease, excepting the aorta. The document does include disease of extracranial carotid and vertebral, mesenteric, renal, upper and lower extremity arteries. It is the result of close collaboration between physicians from many different areas of expertise: cardiology, neurology, radiology, vascular surgery, and vascular medicine.

August 25, 2011 – ­ The Munich biotech company apceth started its first Phase I/II clinical study on somatic cell therapy for advanced peripheral arterial occlusive disease (pAOD) after angioplasty. The aim is to investigate the tolerability and efficacy of somatic cell therapeutics developed by apceth for the treatment of pAOD. The study is designed as an open, randomized, monocenter study with two parallel patient groups and is being conducted in cooperation with the Isar-Medizinzentrum in Munich. The first patients have already been treated. A total of 30 patients are to be recruited into the study by March 2012. The initial results of the study are expected by mid-2012.