April 9, 2011 - The Resolute zotarolimus-eluting stent using a new biocompatible polymer achieved a lower rate of restenosis and in-stent thrombosis compared to the Endeavor stent at 12 months in a U.S. trial. Data from the RESOLUTE U.S. trial was presented this week at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Session in New Orleans.

April 8, 2011 – In the largest randomized, multicenter trial to compare drug-eluting stents (DES) and bare-metal stents (BMS) placed in saphenous vein graft lesions, researchers found that DES led to a lower combined rate of death, heart attack and repeat revascularization. The research findings were presented this week at the American College of Cardiology’s 60th Annual Scientific Session.

The transcatheter MitraClip mitral valve repair system continues to compare favorably with conventional open-heart surgery for treatment of select patients with mitral regurgitation. The findings come from updated research from the EVEREST II study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 60th Annual Scientific Session.

April 8, 2011 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an aneurysm treatment system as a Humanitarian Use Device (HDE). NeuroVasx’s cPAX Aneurysm Treatment System can be used to treat large, giant and wide-neck cerebral aneurysms, which are typically the most difficult to treat. The HDE allows for the treatment of up to 4,000 patients per year in the United States.