July 1, 2010 – Two medical companies say they will work with physicians to further investigate ways to manage genetic issues in antiplatelet therapy, after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released a warning about the efficacy of the antiplatelet drug clopidogrel (Plavix) on patients with certain genetic make-ups.

July 1, 2010 – Clinical results have shown the Rheos System is successful in lowering blood pressure, CVRx Inc. announced this week at the European Society of Hypertension Meeting. The system is the first device designed to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and is a future treatment option for the millions of people who cannot control their blood pressure with medications.

June 29, 2010 – A newly formed committee of experts has begun to tackle the issue of reducing radiation in computed tomography (CT). The panel was launched by Siemens Healthcare as a part of the Siemens Radiation Reduction Alliance (SIERRA).

June 28, 2010 – There is a growing consensus that radiologists must ensure that patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) receive the minimum radiation dose possible to produce a medical benefit, according to an article in the June 23 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

June 28, 2010 – AGA Medical has been denied the right to appeal a decision in a United Kingdom patent case concerning structural heart occluders.

June 24, 2010 – The first cohort of patients was fully enrolled this week in a clinical study of a new drug meant to prevent restenosis in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Specifically, PVS-10200, developed by Pervasis Therapeutics, is supposed to keep PAD patients who undergo an angioplasty and stent procedure in the superficial femoral artery from developing restenosis.