Heart Disease News and Research

Latest Heart Disease News and Research

CyberKnife radiosurgery studies for breast cancer treatment to be presented at ASTRO Meeting

Accuray Incorporated, a global leader in the field of radiosurgery, announced today studies underway at two leading academic institutions using CyberKnife radiosurgery in breast cancer treatment. These two studies, from the University of Texas Southwestern and Fox Chase Cancer Center, will be presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) in San Diego from October 31 to November 4.

1 Nov 2010

FDA new approvals, antibiotic and neurological drugs

Two new drugs have gained approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – one is an antibiotic from Forest Labs and the other a first-time treatment for a neurological disorder developed by Avanir Pharmaceuticals. Another waiting for approval is Biodel's fast-acting insulin Linjeta. On the other hand seven new drugs got rejected including a diabetes drug from Amylin Pharmaceuticals and weight-loss drugs from Arena Pharmaceuticals and Vivus, respectively.

31 Oct 2010

Summit discusses value, cost-effectiveness of America's investment in wellness and prevention

America's historic investment in wellness and prevention mandated under the Affordable Care Act may not always save money – but it will be worth it.

30 Oct 2010

Health Canada approves PRADAX for preventing stroke in AF patients

Health Canada, the Canadian health authority, has approved PRADAX™ (dabigatran etexilate), Boehringer Ingelheim's novel, oral direct thrombin inhibitor for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in whom anticoagulation is appropriate, marking the second approval of this new oral anticoagulant following the recent marketing authorisation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

30 Oct 2010

Value of medical innovation far outstrips its cost, says Lilly CEO

In a speech to the Dallas Friday Group today, John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., chairman, president and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company, said that the value of medical innovation – particularly innovative medicines – far outstrips its cost. Lechleiter marshaled data showing that medical innovation over the past century dramatically extended life spans, improved quality of life, and boosted productivity.

30 Oct 2010

Brigham and Women's, and UI Hospitals and Clinics begin certification for SynCardia artificial heart implantation

SynCardia Systems, Inc. announced today that Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, and University of Iowa (UI) Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa, have begun certification to implant the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart. Brigham and Women's will complete Phase I of certification on Nov. 1 & 2, and UI Hospitals and Clinics completed Phase I on Oct. 21 & 22.

30 Oct 2010

Experts at XXXIII World Congress present new clinical challenges about thrombotic disorders

Pharmaceutical Strategic Initiatives announced today that some of the leading experts in the field of thrombosis and anticoagulation provided their perspective and assessment of new clinical challenges at a recent symposium held at the XXXIII World Congress of the International Society of Hematology held in Jerusalem, Israel on October 12, 2010.

30 Oct 2010

HDL and Virginia governor announce $4.2 million investment for expanding operations

Health Diagnostic Laboratory (HDL, Inc.) and Governor Bob McDonnell have announced an investment of $4.2 million in HDL, Inc. operations, resulting in the creation of 213 new jobs in the City of Richmond. HDL, Inc., located in the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park, will expand its clinical laboratory, diagnostics and clinical trial services, as well as its physician/patient consulting.

30 Oct 2010

Study finds SBRT therapy delays pancreatic cancer progression

For pancreatic cancer patients unable to undergo surgery the only known cure for this form of cancer a highly targeted cancer radiation therapy may help slow cancer progression and lessen disease symptoms, according to researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

30 Oct 2010

New NRNB center helps clinicians to study network biology

A new center called the National Resource for Network Biology (NRNB), based at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, will help clinicians analyze an ever-growing wealth of complex biological data and apply that knowledge to real problems and diseases.

30 Oct 2010

Anthem reaches long-term agreement with Hartford and Windham hospitals

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Hartford Healthcare Corporation announced today they have reached a long-term agreement on the continuation of their participating contracts for Hartford Hospital and Windham Community Memorial Hospital. As a result, the hospitals will continue as participating hospitals in Anthem's networks without interruption. Covered services provided by the hospitals to Anthem members will continue on an in-network basis.

30 Oct 2010

Memorial Healthcare System to implement ExactCost Cardiovascular Service Line

ExactCost, Inc., a technology company that provides activity-based costing and performance management software solutions for the healthcare industry, today announced that Memorial Healthcare System, headquartered in Hollywood, Florida, has signed a multi-year license agreement to implement the ExactCost® Cardiovascular Service Line.

30 Oct 2010

FDA classifies Medtronic's Octopus Nuvo Tissue Stabilizer recall as Class I

Medtronic, Inc. today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified the company's previous action related to the Octopus® Nuvo Tissue Stabilizer as a Class I recall. FDA classifies a recall as Class I when the agency believes that there is a reasonable probability that use of the recalled product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. On Sept. 14, 2010, Medtronic proactively and voluntarily recalled the device from the market due to the potential that a component of the device could fracture during use.

30 Oct 2010

UB endocrinologist receives Junior Faculty Award to study effects of low testosterone in young men with type 2 diabetes

An endocrinologist in the University at Buffalo's School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences has received a three-year $400,000 Junior Faculty Award from the American Diabetes Society to study the effects of low testosterone levels in young men with type 2 diabetes.

30 Oct 2010

APP receives FDA marketing approval for Metoprolol Tartrate Injection

APP Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fresenius Kabi Pharmaceuticals Holding, Inc., announced today that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market Metoprolol Tartrate Injection, USP, and expects to launch the medication soon.

30 Oct 2010

FDA approves NUEDEXTA capsules for pseudobulbar affect

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved NUEDEXTA (dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate) capsules, as the first treatment for pseudobulbar affect.

30 Oct 2010

Merck reports $342 million net income for 2010 third quarter

Merck & Co., Inc. today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2010. The company reported non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) earnings per share (EPS) for the third quarter of $0.85, which excludes purchase accounting adjustments, restructuring costs, merger-related expenses and a $950 million legal reserve.

29 Oct 2010

Coherex achieves two milestones in structural heart disease field

In honor of World Stroke Day (October 29, 2010), Coherex Medical, Inc. today announced it has achieved two milestones that further strengthen its position as an emerging medical device company in the field of structural heart disease.

29 Oct 2010

Shire announces results of Vyvanse Phase 2 signal finding study for Major Depressive Disorder

Shire plc the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced results from a Phase 2 signal finding study of Vyvanse(R) [lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (or SPD489)] in patients who have had residual symptoms of depression following treatment with LEXAPRO(escitlopram) for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

29 Oct 2010

ZyGEM announces advancement in microfluidics platform for DNA testing

ZyGEM Corp. Ltd., today announced several developments supporting the advancement of its integrated microfluidics platform designed to dramatically decrease the time, complexity and cost of conducting DNA testing. These include presentations at two key scientific meetings, as well as the issuance of a new patent relating to separation technology that supports and further strengthens ZyGEM's intellectual property portfolio.

29 Oct 2010