April 22, 2009 – There has been a lot of debate as to what the meaning of “meaningful use” is in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and the definition will be discussed at the April 28-29 meeting of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics Executive Sub-Committee.

April 22, 2009 – In response to the article “Association of Physician Certification and Outcomes Among Patients Receiving an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator,” published in the April 22 issue of the JAMA, the Heart Rhythm Society reiterates its position on the positive correlation between electrophysiology certification and improved outcomes following ICD implantation.

April 21, 2009 - The Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus has successfully completed the first two implants of Sunshine Heart's C-Pulse Heart Assist System under a 20-patient clinical trial approved by the FDA. Benjamin Sun, M.D., chief, division of cardiothoracic surgery and director, cardiac transplantation and mechanical support implanted the C-Pulse systems.

April 20, 2009 - Symphony Medical Inc. said last week its Algisyl-LVR biopolymer was used on a human for the first time, successfully treating a 50-year-old male who was suffering from chronic heart failure.

April 20, 2009 - Boston Scientific recently disclosed the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld the District Court’s decision that Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) Bx Velocity and Cypher stents infringe Boston’s patent.

April 20, 2009 - The University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) has installed North America's first dual axis rotational cardiac X-ray for clinical use, allowing physicians to more clearly locate and diagnose blockage in the heart's arteries. The equipment cuts radiation exposure by 33 percent, reduces X-ray time by a similar amount and offers other benefits.