August 4, 2010 — In recent years, concerns have been raised both inside and outside of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about whether the current 510(k) program achieves its goals of making safe and effective devices available to the public while fostering innovation.

August 3, 2010 — Patients have the right to refuse or request the withdrawal of any unwanted medical treatment. In an article published in the online issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, investigators explore the legal and ethical permissibility of carrying out such a request specific to a ventricular assist device (VAD).

August 2, 2010 – Research by an international team of scientists, including a University of California (UC), Davis, nutritionist, provides new evidence that cocoa and other foods rich in a class of nutrients known as flavanols may improve the health of people with coronary artery disease, the nation's leading cause of death.

July 30, 2010 – A drug-eluting coronary bifurcation stent received CE mark this week for clinical use in Europe. The Axxess Biolimus A9-Eluting Coronary Bifurcation Stent System uses a bioabsorbable coating on a self-expanding stent made by Devax.

July 30, 2010 – The first prospective, randomized study evaluating the clinical feasibility of spinal cord stimulation (SCS), or neurostimulation, to improve clinical signs and symptoms of heart failure, began this week.

July 29, 2010 – A new, highly anticipated antiplatelet drug was recommended yesterday for final approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee. The drug may challenge the current standard therapy of clopidogrel.