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Neuroform EZ Stent System helps neurosurgeons to treat brain aneurysms

A new device to treat brain aneurysms with stents improves access to the blood vessels allowing endovascular neurosurgeons to offer the minimally invasive technique to patients with complex cases. Dr. Demetrius Lopes, an endovascular neurosurgeon at Rush University Medical Center, was the first in the U.S. to use the new delivery system, called the Neuroform EZ Stent System.

19 Jan 2011

Common genetic risk factor for heart failure in Caucasians also linked to kidney function

Nearly five million Americans live with heart failure, with as many as 700,000 new cases diagnosed each year. In addition to lifestyle factors, scientists have shown that heart failure has a strong heritable component, but identifying the responsible genes has been a major challenge. Now, new research has identified a common genetic risk factor for heart failure in Caucasians that is also linked to kidney function.

19 Jan 2011

Magnetic maneuverable capsule safe and well-tolerated in the stomach

A study from researchers in Germany showed that magnetic maneuvering of a modified capsule endoscope in the stomach of healthy volunteers under clinical conditions is safe, well-tolerated, and technically feasible. Maneuverability of the capsule within the stomach was excellent and visualization of the gastric mucosa, the inner lining of the stomach, was satisfactory in the majority of subjects.

19 Jan 2011

More studies needed to evaluate harm or benefit of mechanical CPR

Pushing on the chest to simulate the heart's rhythmic pumping action is an essential part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation after cardiac arrest. In recent decades, manufacturers have developed several mechanical devices that claim to perform CPR more effectively than human efforts alone.

19 Jan 2011

UMMS begins MBL-HCV1 Phase 2 trial to prevent hepatitis C virus infection in liver transplant patients

Following a successful Phase 1 study for safety, researchers at MassBiologics of the University of Massachusetts Medical School today announced the beginning of a Phase 2 clinical trial testing the ability of a human monoclonal antibody they developed to prevent hepatitis C virus infection of a donor liver in transplant patients.

19 Jan 2011

Study shows new cardio-pulmonary resuscitation technique increases long-term survival of patients

A study led by Dr. Tom P. Aufderheide, professor of emergency medicine at The Medical College of Wisconsin, shows an alternative method of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation increases long-term survival of patients.

19 Jan 2011

Severe asthma in early childhood may lead to premature loss of lung function during adolescence: Study

Severe asthma in early childhood may lead to premature loss of lung function during adolescence and more serious disease during adulthood, researchers at Emory University School of Medicine report. Early identification and treatment of children with severe asthma is important to help stem asthma progression.

19 Jan 2011

Study highlights utility of CDS for diagnosing major depression

In the last 2010 issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, a new scale for measuring depression in cardiac patients is presented. The Cardiac Depression Scale was initially developed specifically for cardiac patients. Its purpose is to allow measurement over the continuum between low-level depressive symptomatology and major depression.

19 Jan 2011

Heart failure patients admitted to general wards fare poorly: Study

The latest research shows that patients with heart failure are twice as likely to die if they are admitted to a general hospital ward rather than one specializing in cardiology. Heart failure kills nearly a quarter of a million people in England and Wales every year and about 900,000 people in the UK have the condition that means the heart is weakened and cannot pump blood efficiently. Symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness and swollen ankles, and it can lead to premature death.

18 Jan 2011

Australians urged to vaccinate babies and care givers against whooping cough

The number of cases of the deadly whooping cough in the Hume region in Victoria, including Wodonga, last year increased fivefold from those diagnosed in 2008. A total 67 cases were reported in Albury last year but across the Greater Southern region there were more than 1,000 cases. The outbreak reached its peak in September. In the last three years 1,416 West Australians contracted the disease, three of whom died.

18 Jan 2011

Z-Medica develops new version of QuikClot Combat Gauze

Z-Medica Corporation, a medical device company developing innovative hemostatic agents, today announced that it has developed QuikClot Combat Gauze LE, a new version of its QuikClot Combat Gauze dressing specially designed and packaged for use by law enforcement and first responders.

From Medica Corporation 18 Jan 2011

Siemens Financial Services expands healthcare finance platform

Siemens Financial Services, Inc., the U.S. unit of Siemens' Financial Services division, recently announced an expansion of its healthcare financing team and product capabilities. In addition to equipment financing, SFS Inc. now offers healthcare providers project, construction and permanent real estate financing, as well as asset-based and cash flow-based term loans.

18 Jan 2011

Medical mistakes, doctor ratings gain state-level attention

In Wisconsin, the issue of access to reports on medical mistakes is part of a bill being considered in the state legislature. In Minnesota, physicians are seeking a delay to the plan to provide ratings based on cost and quality.

18 Jan 2011

Emerus obtains $30 million growth capital from Austin Ventures

Emerus Hospital Partners, LLC, a system of Texas-based specialty hospitals, is set to expand the company's operations. Emerus Hospital Partners has obtained growth capital of $30 million from Austin Ventures, one of the nation's leading venture and growth capital firms. The capital will be used to support the company's aggressive expansion plan as well as mergers and acquisitions.

18 Jan 2011

Healthcare Information Xchange of New York completes implementation of InterSystems HealthShare HIE platform

InterSystems Corporation, the global leader in software for connected health care, today announced that the Healthcare Information Xchange of New York (HIXNY) has completed implementation of InterSystems HealthShare™ as its core health information exchange (HIE) platform.

18 Jan 2011

HAP to provide medical billing services to Lenox Hill Radiology

Healthcare Administrative Partners (HAP), an industry-leading medical billing company, announced today that it has signed a contract to provide medical billing services to Lenox Hill Radiology. Lenox Hill Radiology is a radiologist-owned and operated imaging center located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Radiology billing is one of HAP's primary healthcare specialties; the company serves a broad range of hospital-based practices and imaging centers.

18 Jan 2011

NCI sponsors fourth REOLYSIN clinical trial in pancreatic cancer

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. announced today that the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), which is part of the National Institutes of Health, has agreed to sponsor a 2-Arm randomized Phase II study of carboplatin, paclitaxel plus REOLYSIN® versus carboplatin and paclitaxel alone in the first line treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic pancreatic cancer.

18 Jan 2011

Cadence launches OFIRMEV pain medication in the U.S.

Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the launch of OFIRMEV™ (acetaminophen) injection, the first and only intravenous (IV) formulation of acetaminophen to be approved in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved OFIRMEV in November 2010 for the management of mild to moderate pain, the management of moderate to severe pain with adjunctive opioid analgesics, and the reduction of fever.

18 Jan 2011

Heart failure patients admitted to general wards twice as likely to die

Heart failure patients admitted to general wards are twice as likely to die as those admitted to cardiology wards, shows a national audit of the treatment of the condition, published online in the journal Heart.

18 Jan 2011

CHF: Over 5 million children will lose insurance coverage under new health care policy

Children's Health Fund (CHF) today urged lawmakers to vote against the repeal of health care reform legislation, which would jeopardize the long-term health of millions of children across the nation. CHF estimates that more than 5 million children would lose the promise of insurance coverage under the new health care policy, if a full repeal is successful.

18 Jan 2011