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Embolization for pain management, lymphatic interventions at the frontline
The role of embolization in musculoskeletal pain management, treatment of haemorrhoidal bleeding and lymphatic interventions were among the highlights of a special session titled The Embolization Vanguard at the Global Embolization Symposium and Technologies (GEST 2016 US, 5‰ÛÒ8 May, New York, USA) meeting.
Intra-arterial hepatocellular carcinoma treatment at the dawn of systemic therapy
Bruno Sangro, director of the Liver Unit and co-director, of the HPB Oncology Area, Clinca Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain, delivered the European Conference on Interventional Oncology (ECIO) Honorary Lecture on the topic ‰ÛÏIntra-arterial treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at the dawn of systemic therapy‰Û.
Revolutionary new tool can achieve real-time, in vivo visualisation of tissue...
What if physicians could perform an optical biopsy? Further, what if during a cryoablation procedure, an interventional radiologist can actually see what happens during the procedure at a cellular level in real time? A new tool, Cellvizio (Mauna Kea) does just that.
Legal issues, or how to stay out of trouble
Many malpractice lawsuits are filed because of an unexpected, adverse outcome. This underscores the importance of communication between physicians and patients. Informed consent is paramount, and an excellent patient-physician relationship deters litigation because people generally do not sue people they like, write Brian Funaki and Hector Ferral.
Lombard Medical releases early results from the Altura endograft system clinical...
Lombard Medical, has announced the 30-day clinical results from 57 patients that were implanted with the Altura endograft system.
South African health insurer approves reimbursement of SIR-Spheres Y-90 resin microspheres...
Sirtex has announced that Discovery Health, a South African private health insurer, has agreed to reimburse SIR-Spheres Y-90 resin microspheres for the treatment of all forms of inoperable liver tumours.
Merit appointed global distributor for Labyrinth Noah micro guidewire
Merit has announced that it has signed a distribution deal with Piolax Medical Devices of Yokohama, Japan for a product known in Japan as the Labyrinth Noah micro guidewire.
Randomised data favour Y-90 over TACE in patients with unresectable hepatocellular...
The results from a small prospective, randomised single-centre trial, the PREMIERE trial, show that in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, there is a significantly longer time to progression with yttrium-90 (Y-90) radioembolization than with conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE).
Image-guided biopsy in the era of personalised cancer care
While most radiologists probably do not view a biopsy as being the most exciting or technically challenging procedure within our repertoire, it may be time to give the image-guided biopsy a second look, writes Alda Tam.
BTG to acquire Galil Medical
BTG has entered into an agreement to acquire Galil Medical, a provider of cryoablation products for the treatment and palliative care of kidney and other cancers.
SIR releases recommendations for better interventional radiology staffing
Following a 2014 multicentre survey of members aiming to identify any gaps in the status of interventional radiology staffing, the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) has published 11 new recommendations to help centres meet the growing demand for services.
Auris Surgical Robotics agrees to acquire Hansen Medical
Auris Surgical Robotics and Hansen Medical today announced that they have signed a definitive merger agreement under which Auris will acquire Hansen Medical for US$4.00 per share in cash, or a total equity value of approximately US$80 million.
Ethicon agrees to acquire NeuWave Medical
Ethicon has announced a definitive agreement to acquire NeuWave Medical. Financial terms of the transaction, which is expected to close during the second quarter of 2016, have not been disclosed.
A research track record helps physicians assess new technology
Scott Trerotola, Stanley Baum Professor and chief, Vascular and Interventional Radiology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, USA, delivered the Dr Charles T Dotter Lecture at the 2016 Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) annual meeting in Vancouver, Canada. An inventor of both devices and procedures, he speaks to Interventional News about his belief in evidence-based medicine and the triumphs and travails of being a physician inventor.
Minimally invasive treatment could freeze out phantom limb pain
A pioneering technique significantly reduces phantom pain emanating from the site of amputated limbs, according to findings presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology‰Ûªs 2016 Annual Scientific Meeting (2‰ÛÒ7 April, Vancouver, Canada).
Society of Interventional Radiology names Charles E Ray Jr as president
Charles E Ray Jr, an interventional radiologist, and professor and head of the department of radiology at the College of Medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago, assumed the office of president of the Society of Interventional Radiology during the society‰Ûªs Annual Scientific Meeting (2‰ÛÒ7 April, Vancouver, Canada).
Prostatic artery embolization eases nocturia
The interventional radiology procedure for men with enlarged prostates decreases the number of times they wake to urinate in the night, according to research presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology‰Ûªs 2016 Annual Scientific Meeting (2‰ÛÒ7 April, Vancouver, Canada.)
Bariatric arterial embolization emerges as less invasive treatment for morbidly obese...
A safe, new, minimally invasive treatment, developed by interventional radiologists, led to sustained weight loss in severely obese people, according to research presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology‰Ûªs 2016 Annual Scientific Meeting.
Research shows improved sexual desire, function with uterine fibroid embolization
Women who underwent embolization for the treatment of uterine fibroids experienced improved sexual desire and a higher overall quality of life. The research, part of a French multicentre study, presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology‰Ûªs Annual Scientific Meeting, also found the vast majority of women treated with the procedure sustained improvement for more than a year.
BTG to initiate multicentre TARGET study evaluating dosimetry for radioembolisation in...
BTG has announced plans to initiate the TARGET (TheraSphere advanced dosimetry retrospective global study evaluation in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment) study.
How we innovate must change dramatically
In order to fully capitalise on the potential of advances in materials, drugs, biologics, sensing, informatics, guidance, manufacturing processes and marketing, an organised collaborative approach to innovation is required, writes John Kaufman.
BTG announces US Launch of radiopaque embolic bead, LC Bead Lumi
LC Bead Lumi is the first and only, commercially available, radiopaque embolic bead in the USA and has potential to revolutionise the treatment of hypervascular tumours and arteriovenous malformations, a press release from BTG says.
NICE Medtech briefing acknowledges consideration of SIR Y-90 resin microspheres as...
The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued a new Medtech Innovation Briefing stating that National Health Service doctors and commissioners may consider SIR-Spheres Y-90 resin microspheres as an alternative to standard therapy with transarterial chemoembolization or sorafenib in the treatment of patients with inoperable primary liver cancer.
Experience SIR 2016 from anywhere
Select sessions from the SIR 2016 Annual Scientific Meeting will be webcast live from 3‰ÛÒ5 April 2016 on VIRtual SIR 2016.
Merit Medical announces educational opportunities and product roll-outs at SIR
Merit Medical Systems has announced its schedule of activity for the upcoming Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) Meeting, being held in Vancouver, Canada, April 2-7 2016. During the meeting, Merit will present educational opportunities. The company will also showcase several new products, including the HeRO graft, which Merit recently acquired from Cryolife.
Corvocet Biopsy System gets 510(k) clearance
Merit Medical has announced receiving notification of substantial equivalence from the US FDA for the Corvocet Biopsy System, which is intended for use in obtaining core biopsy samples from the liver, kidney, prostate, breast, lung and various other soft tissue tumours.
Penumbra to launch Lantern microcatheter, present final results of PRISM trial...
Lantern is a low profile, high flow microcatheter designed to assist in the delivery of diagnostic agents, such as contrast media, and therapeutic devices, such as occlusion coils, to the peripheral vasculature.
Adding immunotherapy to ablation may benefit colorectal cancer patients with liver...
A study has found that radiofrequency ablation to treat liver metastases in patients with colorectal cancer, induces antitumour immune responses in human samples of primary colon tumour.
Mount Sinai Hospital first in US to offer radiopaque bead liver...
The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City, USA has become the first in the country to offer radiopaque bead treatment for liver cancer patients. The minimally invasive treatment using the M1 Lumi Bead loaded with doxorubicin, is now available for patients with inoperable and difficult-to-treat liver cancer.
New oral medications could substantially decrease some liver cancer rates
A study presented at the Symposium on Clinical Oncology (CIO, Hollywood, USA) noted that the hepatitis C virus is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality in the USA. However, the study findings report that treatment regimens have improved in recent years.
Anatomical factors affecting prostatic artery embolization
A study presented at the European Congress of Radiology (2‰ÛÒ6 March, Vienna, Austria) set out to investigate any procedural or anatomical factors that might affect the technical outcome of prostatic artery embolization.
Image-guided interventions in the age of theranostics
"As interventionalists, we have attempted to make the scalpel obsolete by employing technology to treat patients non-operatively. Today, there is revolution occurring‰ÛÓtheranostics,‰Û said Alan Matsumoto, during his delivery of the Charles J Tegtmeyer Lecture at the International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy (ISET, Hollywood, USA) 2016.
Netherlands Healthcare Institute approves reimbursement for radioembolization
The Netherlands Healthcare Institute approved reimbursement with the therapy for patients with colorectal liver metastases who have failed prior treatment, and based its decision on the clinical evidence of the efficacy and safety of SIR-Spheres (Sirtex) Y-90 resin microspheres for treating this patient group, a press release from Sirtex says.
AngioDynamics and Merz North America agree multi-year US distribution relationship
AngioDynamics has signed an agreement with Merz North America, US affiliates of the global Merz Pharma Group. AngioDynamics is to serve as the exclusive distributor of the Asclera polidocanol injection within the US vein market.
SORAMIC study completes palliative cohort enrolment
Jens Ricke, professor of Radiology at the University of Magdeburg, has announced that the palliative cohort of the pan-European SORAMIC study he co-directs with Peter Malfertheiner has reached its enrolment target of 420 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.
Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation results in significant volume reduction for benign thyroid...
Two studies presented at the European Congress of Radiology (2‰ÛÒ6 March, Vienna, Austria) have found that radiofrequency ablation could have a role in the treatment of thyroid nodules.
Studies highlight problems with manufacturer labelling for lightweight protective garments
Two studies presented at The International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy (6‰ÛÒ10 February 2016, Hollywood, USA) found that there was inadequate information from manufacturers about many of their protective garments. This means that informed decisions are hard to make regarding the radiation protection offered by these garments.
Gore Excluder iliac branch endoprosthesis granted FDA approval
The Gore Excluder iliac branch endoprosthesis has become the first off-the-shelf aortic branch to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to a company release.
Interventional radiology treatment for frostbite
A recent presentation shed light on catheter-directed intra-arterial thrombolysis for frostbite. The investigators urged interventional radiologists to become familiar with the current management of frostbite injury and play a role in the multidisciplinary trauma team.
Choosing the right deep vein thrombosis patients for interventional treatment
Attention should be focused on patients with iliofemoral and caval deep vein thrombosis and the balance should always be struck between the risk of bleeding and the long-term risk of post thrombotic syndrome, writes Stephen Black.
Life-threatening bowel ischaemia can often be treated by endovascular means
Acute mesenteric ischaemia can be successfully treated with endovascular therapy such as balloon angioplasty, according to research from the University of Eastern Finland.
SIR-Spheres with chemotherapy can prolong progression-free survival in colorectal cancer of...
The addition of SIR-Spheres (Sirtex) to chemotherapy has been shown to significantly prolong progression-free survival in the liver among patients with non-resectable liver-dominant or liver-only colorectal cancer in the SIRFLOX study.
Risk factors for percutaneous radiological gastrostomy complications
Percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy is a classic interventional radiology procedure. As patient populations and preferences change, and as newer devices and approaches are established, it is essential for interventional radiologists to evolve individual and institutional conventions and adopt data-driven practices that minimise risks on a patient-tailored basis, writes Rahul Sheth.
Boston Scientific receives CE mark for Eluvia drug-eluting stent, begins IMPERIAL...
Boston Scientific has received CE mark for the Eluvia drug-eluting vascular stent, and is to begin commercialisation of the product immediately. The company has also received Investigational Device Exemption to asses the Eluvia vs the Zilver PTX (Cook Medical).
Single agent chemoembolization scores over triple drug version for liver cancer
Research presented in February at the Symposium on Clinical Interventional Oncology (CIO), held in conjunction with International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy (ISET), in Hollywood, USA, provides a clear shot in the arm for chemoembolization that uses doxorubicin and ethiodised oil over the triple-drug version.
First procedure completed using the Hansen Magellan robotic catheter eKit
The device was used as part of a robotic transarterial chemoembolization procedure, which was completed by Ripal Gandhi at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, Miami, USA.
Study challenges use of doxorubicin-eluting beads in hepatocellular carcinoma embolization
The final results from a phase 2 randomised trial, published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology on 1 February, find no benefit from using doxorubicin-eluting beads (LC Bead, BTG) over embolic microspheres that do not elute a drug (Bead Block, BTG).
Interventional radiology in trauma management
The role of interventional radiology in the management of severely traumatised patients began three to four decades ago with the embolization of the internal iliac arteries for massive pelvic bleeding. Over time, interventional radiology has progressively taken on a principal role in management of trauma patients, writes Jaime Tisnado.
Hansen Medical announces US FDA clearance of Magellan robotic catheter eKit
With the Magellan robotic catheter eKit, physicians will now have robotic control of third party microcatheters through the existing Magellan Robotic Catheter 6F architecture. This added ability has the potential to help reduce procedure times and radiation exposure.
First patient treated with LC Bead Lumi radiopaque embolic bead and...
The treatment targeted a hypervascular tumour with the goal of blocking blood flow to achieve tumour necrosis in the liver cancer patient.
Smaller diameters of Biotronik Passeo-18 Lux drug-coated balloon receive CE mark
CE mark approval has been granted to Biotronik for smaller diameters of the Passeo-18 Lux drug-coated balloon (DCB). The new sizes‰ÛÓ2mm and 2.5mm‰ÛÓare designed to facilitate DCB treatment of below-the-knee arteries.
First US patient treated after Zenith Alpha Thoracic endovascular graft receives...
In November, following the US FDA approval of Cook Medical‰Ûªs Zenith Alpha Thoracic endovascular graft, the first patient was treated with the device in the USA.
Positive clinical data for Paladin System presented at LINC
Contego Medical presented positive post-market registry data for the Paladin carotid post-dilation balloon with Integrated Embolic Protection Technology at the Leipzig Interventional Course (LINC) 2016, in Leipzig, Germany.
Vascular Solutions launches new VSI Radial introducer sheaths
Vascular Solutions has announced the US launch of its enhanced line of VSI Radial introducer sheaths for use in the introduction of guidewires and catheters into veins and arteries.
Treatment results of SIR-Spheres Y-90 resin microspheres similar regardless of patient...
A new analysis of the MORE data on 606 mCRC patients treated with SIR-Spheres’ Y-90 resin microspheres at 11 US medical centres confirms that patient age is not a barrier to appropriate treatment.
Systematic review of registry data suggests stroke or death rate after...
The review, published in the January 2016 issue of the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (EJVES), further concludes that stroke/death rates after carotid stenting often exceed accepted American Heart Association (AHA) thresholds.
BTG receives 510(k) clearance for novel radiopaque embolic bead, LC Bead...
Early research on a simple method to produce radiopaque drug-eluting microspheres that can be incorporated into the current clinical transcatheter arterial chemoembolization workflow has also been reported.
POD packing coil for peripheral embolization launched in USA
Penumbra‰Ûªs POD (Penumbra Occlusion Device) packing coil for the embolization of peripheral vessels and aneurysms adds to its growing peripheral vascular business, which includes the Indigo mechanical thrombectomy system, POD and Ruby embolization coil.
VasoStat haemostasis device gets US FDA nod for pedal and tibial...
Forge Medical has announced receiving 510(k) clearance from the US FDA for expanded indications of the device to include pedal and tibial haemostasis. The VasoStat was previously cleared for radial artery and dialysis access haemostasis.
NuCryo Vascular gets 510(k) clearance for next generation reusable Polarcath peripheral...
NuCryo Vascular has announced receiving 510(k) clearance on the next generation reusable Cryoplasty inflation device. The company has also announced that it will be selling the current and next generation model via a direct sales team.
Live webinar on radial access in interventional radiology
Darren Klass, Vancouver, Canada, is scheduled to lead a live webinar titled ‰ÛÏWhy radial for interventional radiologists‰Û on 11 January 2016 at 1300hrs Eastern Standard Time.
Patients in a negative mood can have poorer outcomes in interventional...
Patients who feel scared, distressed or hostile before undergoing an interventional radiology procedure may experience a poor outcome, according to research presented at the Radiological Society of North American Annual Meeting (RSNA) in Chicago in early December.
PRESERVE study of inferior vena cava filters begins patient enrolment
As of mid-December 2015, researchers have activated the first 10 medical sites and enrolled the first nine patients in a large US study that will determine the safety and effectiveness of inferior vena cava filters.
BTG receives 510k clearance for LC Bead Lumi
BTG has announced that it has received 510k clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration for LC Bead Lumi, the first commercially available radiopaque embolic bead, for the embolization of hypervascular tumours and arteriovenous malformations.
BTG announces positive data from RENEW study of PneumRx coils
BTG has announced the successful outcome of the RENEW study, the pivotal US randomised controlled clinical trial comparing the safety and efficacy of the PneumRx endobronchial coil implant with a medical therapy control group in patients with homogeneous and/or heterogeneous severe emphysema. All primary and secondary endpoints of the study were met.
Hansen accelerates robotic microcatheter development
Hansen has announced that it has accelerated the development of the latest addition to the Magellan Robotic System portfolio, the Magellan 3F robotic microcatheter. The development of this important product line expansion has surpassed key milestones and is moving toward the final stages of the development process.
Researchers use gaming technology to create better X-rays
Researchers have developed software for the Microsoft Kinect gaming console that measures body part thickness and checks for motion, positioning and beam adjustment immediately before X-ray imaging, according to a feasibility study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
3D MRI shows early signs of stroke risk in diabetic patients
People with diabetes may be harbouring advanced vascular disease that could increase their risk of stroke, according to new research being presented next week at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). The findings suggest that arterial imaging with 3D MRI could be useful in helping to determine stroke risk among diabetics.
Gastric artery embolization shows promise in treating obesity
An interventional radiology technique shows promise for helping morbidly obese patients lose weight, according to the preliminary results of a study presented on 1 December 2015 at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Mid-term results of first emborrhoid study show nearly 82% clinical success
The emborrhoid technique used was modelled on the elective transanal Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation which had been shown to be effective in haemorrhoidal disease.
Modern regimens of thrombolysis usually safe
While presenting on the trials and updates in deep vein thrombosis, Stephen Kee told delegates at CIRSE 2015 that there was ‰ÛÏan information overload‰Û when Pubmed was searched for ‰ÛÏdeep vein thrombosis‰Û.
Closure device “safe and significantly reduces” mobilisation time
Paulo Vilares Morgado, Interventional Radiology Unit, University Hospital S Jọo, Porto, Portugal, presented the results of the AGIR (Angio-Seal in Interventional Radiology) trial at CIRSE 2015.
Prospective multicentre study confirms safety and efficacy of percutaneous EVAR
The study confirms previous findings of single-centre studies that the procedure is associated with a high technical success rate when performed by experienced operators.
Stents loaded with radioactive iodine attempt to kill two birds with...
The development of an irradiating stent combines the rapid, effective relief of dysphagia through endoluminal stent placement with the longer-term benefits of irradiation/brachytherapy.
Microvascular plugs investigated in embolization of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations
Miles Conrad, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), Interventional Radiology section and co-director of the UCSF HHT Centre of Excellence, spoke to Interventional News about a new device being investigated to embolize pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs).
Venous interventions achieving greater significance in the interventional world
Venous interventions, particularly stenting, thrombolysis and thrombectomy are achieving ever-greater significance in the interventional world, Gerard O‰ÛªSullivan, Department of Radiology, University Hospital Galway, Ireland, told Interventional News.
“Looming crisis in radiologist numbers” BSIR tells UK Members of Parliament
The British Society of Interventional Radiology (BSIR) took its campaign to improve the numbers of interventional radiologists in the NHS to Westminster, UK, in November, highlighting that this was a critical issue that needed significant Government focus.
Uncomplicated acute type B dissection patients: When TEVAR should be performed
In the future there will be more TEVAR procedures performed as use of the procedure continues to rise and as it becomes available in smaller centres. The evolution of stent graft design is likely to reduce complications, writes Santi Trimarchi, San Donato Milanese, Italy.
Catheter-directed thrombolysis for pulmonary embolism in the paediatric population
Pulmonary embolism in children is a potentially lethal condition and yet is a vastly understudied arena. Autopsy studies show a higher prevalence of pulmonary embolism compared to medical database registries, suggesting that this condition is often clinically under-recognised.
Label drains to prevent errors and improve patient care
There are many gains to be had by instituting a drain labelling system within any hospital. It is surprising that this simple and useful practice has not been naturally adopted with the frequency of errors in patient care related to drains alone. In fact, there may be room for industry involvement, writes Theresa Caridi, Georgetown, USA.
Is the transradial approach just another access or a new patient-centric...
Radial access has quickly become my default arterial access after receiving patient feedback. In the last three years, I have adopted it as the default access in most transarterial procedures, writes Marcelo Guimaraes, Charleston, USA.
Ghana to create interventional radiology society
The Ghana Society of Interventional Radiology (GSIR) was launched on 18 November in Accra. Its aims are to encourage and advance the science and art of interventional radiology in Ghana, writes Benjamin Dabo Sarkodie, founder and president of the society.
New research raises further radiation dose concerns for patients and operators...
Two papers presented at the British Society of Interventional Radiology annual meeting (BSIR, 4‰ÛÒ6 November, Glasgow, UK) highlighted that prostate artery embolization is a technically demanding procedure that is associated with prolonged radiation exposure to the patient and operator.
Never too late to get an inferior vena cava filter out
Interventional News spoke to Kush Desai, Robert Ryu, and Robert Lewandowskion the key findings from their recent paper, and about how to deal with ‰ÛÏthe greatest challenge‰Û of retrieving embedded filters‰ÛÓthe fibrin cap.
Interventional oncologists tread new ground with focal control
As interventional oncologists embrace their growing clinical role and claim their place on multidisciplinary oncological teams, focal therapy is becoming an important part of their practice, according to Afshin Gangi, Strasbourg, France.
Boston Scientific to acquire CeloNova’s interventional radiology business
The transaction, consisting of an upfront payment of US$70 million and additional payments contingent on regulatory and sales milestones, will expand Boston Scientific‰Ûªs interventional oncology portfolio with drug-eluting microspheres and spherical embolics.
Toshiba announces an evolution of its UK mobile CT fleet
Toshiba announces the launch of the largest and most advanced commercially available mobile CT scanner in the UK. The new mobile imaging innovation already serves 12 CT imaging centres in the UK, travelling 3,500 miles per week from site-to-site.
World’s first clinical procedure using the Magellan Robotic Microcatheter Driver performed...
Hansen has announced the completion of the world’s first clinical procedure using the Magellan Robotic Microcatheter Driver as part of the clinical study, "Embolization procedures in peripheral vasculature‰Û.
Endocare launches right angle V-Probe variable ice cryoprobe
Based on the success of its V-Probe variable ice cryoprobe which is used for prostate cryoablation procedures, Endocare has introduced a right angle version of the product. This modification allows the cryoprobe to be used in CT scanners and other limited access areas.
Endologix and TriVascular announce merger
Endologix and TriVascular announced on 26 October that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Endologix and TriVascular will combine in a stock and cash transaction. The transaction is valued at US$9.10 per TriVascular share, or a total of approximately US$211 million, based on Endologix‰Ûªs closing stock price of US$13.81 per share on 23 October 2015.
A trend towards resorbable microspheres
Jafar Golzarian, a professor of interventional radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA, founded EmboMedics in 2012 and serves as its chief medical officer. He tells Interventional News about the factors driving an interest in resorbable embolics.
Drug-eluting beads loaded with anti-angiogenic agents for chemoembolization
While emphasising the interesting findings from their laboratory for interventional radiologists, Olivier Jordan and Katrin Fuchs write that laboratory benches not only give birth to inventions with a potential for translation into clinics, but also contribute to unbiased characterisation of products already in clinical use.
Lung ablation of metastases likely to become a first-line therapy for...
The criteria for first-line therapy are an effective treatment that reproducibly delivers the required endpoint within the limits of acceptable toxicity, and crucially better than any of the other therapeutic options, writes Alice Gillams.
Assessing tumour response after embolization in cancer
Assessment of tumour response with imaging-based tumour-specific response criteria is a crucial step to identify the value of a new therapy and to help clinicians to predict the prognosis of an individual patient, writes Christoph Zech.
Splenic trauma: Know the limits of embolization
Management of blunt splenic trauma has substantially evolved during the past two decades. Hicham T Abada reviews the literature and outlines the limits of splenic embolization.
Is a critical care interventional radiologist around the corner?
Multi-organ trauma, respiratory arrest, severe hypotension, and sepsis are management dilemmas that are confronted regularly in the interventional suite. It is imperative that the interventional radiology team be prepared for these challenges, write Deepak Sudheendra and Joshua Adams.
New potential radiopaque materials for radioembolization presented
Bob Abraham, ABK Biomedical, Halifax, Canada, presented computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of novel radiopaque yttrium-strontium-gallium‰ÛÒsilicate oxide glass microspheres at CIRSE.
Merit and Sumitomo Bakelite sign distribution deal for steerable microcatheter
Merit has announced that it has signed an exclusive worldwide distribution agreement (excluding Japan) with Sumitomo Bakelite to distribute a steerable microcatheter under the proposed trademark of Swiftninja.
Study from Spain reports mid-term outcomes with biodegradable biliary stent
It is safe and effective to place biodegradable biliary stents to treat benign biliary strictures. This treatment compares favourably with standard techniques in terms of patients‰Ûª quality of life and avoids the need for repeated invasive procedures, found a study recently presented at the CIRSE conference in Lisbon, Portugal.
Riccardo Lencioni Joins Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in USA
Riccardo Lencioni joined Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, USA, as director of Interventional Oncology Research from the University of Pisa in Italy, where he was a professor at the School of Medicine. Lencioni is an accomplished interventional oncologist, particularly well-known for his influential work on liver cancer.
BTG and MIRADA collaborate to develop dosimetry software solutions to optimise...
BTG and Mirada, a medical imaging software company, have announced an important collaboration to develop dosimetry software solutions to optimise radioembolization therapy with TheraSphere.
Perfusion angiography could help make essential decisions in critical limb ischaemia...
Jim Reekers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, delivering the Josef Roesch honorary lecture at CIRSE 2015, urged delegates to look at new definitions for critical limb ischaemia and pointed to the potential of perfusion angiography in predicting the outcome of endovascular intervention. ‰ÛÏLook past the re-opening of vessels alone,‰Û he said.
CaVenT study five-year outcome data show “continued and increased benefit” for...
The five-year outcome data after catheter-directed thrombolysis for upper femoral and/or iliac vein thrombosis, as determined from the randomised, controlled trial, the CaVenT study, were presented at the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) meeting (26‰ÛÒ30 September, Lisbon, Portugal).
Using virtual reality to improve endovascular aneurysm repair
Gilles Soulez, MontrÌ©al, Canada, delivered the Andreas Gruentzig lecture at the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe‰Ûªs annual meeting (26‰ÛÒ30 September, Lisbon, Portugal). ‰ÛÏWe need to change the way we look at abdominal aortic aneurysms,‰Û he urged.
Galil Medical launches new family of cryoablation needles
Galil Medical has announced the launch of its latest product offerings, the Icepearl 2.1 CX and Iceforce 2.1 CX cryoablation needles.
Terumo invests in Quirem Medical
Terumo and Quirem Medical, a commercial stage Dutch medical technology company that focuses on radioembolization, have announced that Terumo has made an equity investment in Quirem Medical.
Live from CIRSE 2015: BTG announces positive safety and efficacy data...
The company also announced compelling health economic data for TheraSphere at the meeting.
Live from CIRSE 2015: Twelve-month results from the MAJESTIC trial showed...
On the back of these results, Stephan MÌ_ller-HÌ_lsbeck announced the commencement of an international multicentre randomised controlled trial that will compare the Eluvia drug-eluting vascular stent system (Boston Scientific) with Zilver PTX, the drug-eluting stent system from Cook Medical. The principal investigators will be MÌ_ller-HÌ_lsbeck (Flensburg, Germany) and William Gray (New York, USA).
30 years of CIRSE: Celebrations galore
The 2015 annual meeting of the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) in September in Lisbon, Portugal, marks 30 years since a key meeting in Austria in 1985, in which a merger of two societies led to the birth of CIRSE.
How to avoid complications with prostate artery embolization
In order to avoid major complications with prostate artery embolization, it is vital to look for collaterals to arteries of the surrounding organs to the prostate, writes Jọo Pisco.
“I felt indestructible” The invisible impact of radiation
A video featuring renowned American cardiovascular surgeon Edward Diethrich draws attention to the dangers of working with radiation, as it follows his journey in which he discovers that he has a brain tumour.
CIRSE launches Europe-wide registry to study irinotecan-loaded LifePearl microspheres
A new European‰Ûwide observational study to prospectively gather data on patients treated with irinotecan‰Ûloaded microspheres has been launched by the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE). The CIRSE Registry for LifePearl microspheres (CIREL) will begin early in 2016.
Mentoring needed to draw more women into IR
‰ÛÏThere are strong, visible, women thought leaders in interventional radiology, but a closer look at the numbers is revealing. There are too few women in interventional radiology,‰Û Meridith Englander, Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Albany Medical Center, New York, USA, tells Interventional News.
Both glass and resin radioembolics efficacious, but higher overall survival with...
Results from a retrospective study show that while both glass- and resin-based Y-90 microspheres have demonstrated efficacy as treatment options for unresectable primary hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic metastatic disease, there is a difference seen in survival between patients treated with the different radioembolics.
IR insertion of chest ports costs nearly half as much as...
Research published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology in June suggests that hospital costs to place a chest port were significantly lower in the interventional radiology suite than in the operating room. Patients who were treated by radiology and surgery did not show a significantly different rate of complications and/or infections.
Hyprevention gets CE mark approval for Y-strut device for internal fixation...
Y-strut is designed to be implanted using a minimally invasive procedure by orthopaedic surgeons or interventional radiologists.
Surefire gets FDA nod for Precision direct-to-tumour embolization device
The infusion technology‰Ûªs unique expandable tip increases drug delivery into the tumour while protecting healthy tissue.
Acceptable six-month safety and patency with Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold below...
Seven (47%) of the limbs were treated for critical limb ischaemia and eight (53%) for severe claudication.
SIR calls for abstracts to be submitted for 2016 annual meeting
The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) is accepting scientific abstracts covering all areas of vascular and nonvascular interventional radiology for its 41st Annual Scientific Meeting, which will be held 2‰ÛÒ7 April, 2016, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Online scientific abstract submission is open until 6 October.
SEATTLE II trial shows Ekos system beneficial in treatment of acute...
The trial‰Ûªs results were published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions and show no intracranial haemorrhage and no death among massive pulmonary embolism patients.
First low dose CT lung cancer screening gets US FDA clearance
GE Healthcare‰Ûªs low dose computed tomography lung cancer screening option is the first to be cleared by the US FDA. Early detection with low dose CT can improve prognosis and treatment and reduce mortality rates for patients with a high risk of lung cancer.
Patient selection is key for SIRT with first-line chemotherapy
Ricky Sharma, professor and honorary consultant of Clinical Oncology at the University of Oxford and Oxford University Hospitals Trust tells Interventional News: ‰ÛÏWe need to know more about patient selection for radioembolization.
Hansen announces growing series of Magellan robotic prostatic artery embolization procedures
Hansen has announced the completion of the 30th Robotic Prostatic Artery Embolization procedure for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia at Inova Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia.
Sorry, I don’t speak IR
Two recently published papers in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (JVIR) reveal that patient materials in interventional radiology available online are way above the understanding of most patients.
Penumbra to distribute InspireMD’s CGuard embolic prevention system
InspireMD has announced that it has entered into a partnership with Penumbra to distribute its carotid CGuard EPS through their direct commercialisation team.
New CPT code established for Gynesonics‰Ûª Sonata system
The Sonata system from Gynesonics provides a uterus preserving, incision-free treatment option to women suffering from symptomatic uterine fibroids, including those associated with heavy menstrual bleeding.
Health Canada approves Varithena for patients with varicose veins
BTG has announced that Health Canada has issued a notice of compliance approving Varithena (polidocanol injectable foam) for the treatment of incompetent great saphenous veins, accessory saphenous veins, and visible varicosities of the great saphenous vein system, above and below the knee.
Merit’s QuadraSpheres get new indication of Hepatoma in USA
Merit Medical has announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the US FDA expanding indication for QuadraSphere microspheres to include the embolization of hepatoma.
Latest update to TASC II published
The Journal of Endovascular Therapy (JEVT) has announced the publication of the latest update of the Inter-Society Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease (TASC II), an internationally recognised set of guidelines for the management of patients with peripheral arterial disease.
Cook Medical issues global recall of Beacon Tip Angiographic Catheter products
Cook Medical has initiated a lot-specific voluntary recall of 2,239 lots of Beacon Tip Angiographic Catheters. Globally, 95,167 devices are subject to this recall.
3D printing helps doctors rehearse complex paediatric brain interventions
Two-month old successfully treated for vein of Galen formation using interventional radiology technique after simulation on 3D printed model.
Gastric balloon for obesity treatment gains FDA nod
The US FDA has approved the Reshape Integrated Dual Balloon System (ReShape). The system is a temporary weight-loss system of gastric balloons that are placed in a minimally invasive manner to occupy space in the stomach. They should be removed after six months.
Hourglass over-the-wire peripheral embolization plug obtains CE mark
Emba Medical has announced receiving the European CE mark for the Hourglass peripheral embolization plug making the device the first over-the-wire embolic device cleared for EU commercial release.
Guerbet bids to acquire Mallinckrodt‰Ûªs contrast media and delivery systems business
Guerbet has announced entering into a definitive agreement under which it will acquire Mallinckrodt‰Ûªs contrast media and delivery systems business in its entirety for approximately US$270 million. With this acquisition, Guerbet aims to create a new global leader in medical imaging.
Metactive secures US$224,000 NIH grant for further studies of new embolization...
The grant proceeds will be used to continue the development of a novel, over-the-wire, called Blockstent microcatheter embolic device, for the occlusion of peripheral arteries and veins.
Choosing horses for courses: Using liquid agents to embolize endoleaks
Robert Morgan, vascular interventional radiologist, St Georges Hospital, London, UK, tells Interventional News why he uses liquid embolic agents, such as ethylene vinyl oxide copolymer (EVOH-based) liquid agents, of which Onyx (Medtronic) is an example, for endoleak embolization.
Could combretastatin A4 be an alternative to sirolimus and paclitaxel in...
Preclinical research published online ahead of print in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (JVIR) in July shows that combretastatin A4 is a stronger inhibitor of the smooth muscle cell cycle than sirolimus or paclitaxel. Thus, it may represent an alternative coating for drug-eluting stents and balloons in atherosclerotic luminal stenosis, the investigators write.
Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm is safe and helps patients...
In order to evaluate long-term outcomes of the durability of EVAR, researchers examined US Medicare data from 2001‰ÛÒ2008 involving nearly 80,000 patients who had undergone elective repair of AAA. Half of the patients had open procedures, and half had EVAR.
Carestream’s new radiography and fluoroscopy systems available for order worldwide
Carestream Health entered the radiography/fluoroscopy market with two systems that deliver high-quality, cost-effective imaging: the Carestream DRX-Excel Plus.
Cook Group president Kem Hawkins retires, Pete Yonkman dons mantle
Kem Hawkins, president of Cook Group Incorporated, retired on July 1 after 34 years with the Cook organisation. Hawkins will remain on the board of directors for Cook Group. Pete Yonkman, current president of Cook Medical, has been chosen as Hawkins‰Ûª successor as president of Cook Group.
CIRSE publishes practice guidelines for uterine artery embolization
Hans van Overhagen and Jim A Reekers , the authors, urge that every symptomatic patient with uterine myomas should be offered embolization as alternative treatment to hysterectomy/myomectomy. "UAE should be incorporated in the (national) gynaecological guidelines," they report.
SIR-Spheres Y-90 resin microspheres and chemotherapy extends progression-free survival of metastatic...
Adding SIR-Spheres Y-90 resin microspheres to first-line chemotherapy for patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer in the liver (mCRC) further extends progression-free survival in that organ.
Experts point to size threshold below which drug-eluting embolics lose optimum...
While there is a trend towards using smaller sized particles to obtain better results with embolization, experts at the Global Embolization Symposium and Technologies (GEST EU) agreed that there appeared to be a lower size limit, <100åµm, below which drug-eluting beads did not have an effective embolic effect.
Hansen to showcase Magellan Robotic System at GEST 2015
The company will showcase the Magellan 6F robotic catheter being used by interventional radiologists in embolization procedures, and will conduct Magellan Robotic System demonstrations at exhibit booth #5.
Terumo launches the Misago RX self-expanding peripheral stent to US market
Terumo Interventional Systems had introduced the Misago RX self-expanding peripheral stent to the US market at the 2015 Society for Vascular Surgery Annual Meeting (SVS; 17‰ÛÒ20 June, Chicago, USA).
The new version of syngo.via supports treatment decision-making in oncology
The new version of syngo.via supports the treating physician in making decisions regarding treatment in oncology through a comprehensive portfolio of applications across imaging systems, treatments, and disciplines.
AngioDynamics re-entering embolization market
AngioDynamics has announced a worldwide licensing agreement with privately-held EmboMedics of Minneapolis, USA, which develops injectable and resorbable microspheres. Embolization is the fastest growing segment in interventional radiology, and this newly formed strategic relationship will allow AngioDynamics to leverage the talent and knowledge of its sales team to re-enter the approximately US$150 million addressable global embolic market.
Delcath announces acceptance of abstracts for presentation at CIRSE
Delcath has announced that abstracts summarising the data from two European studies of treatment with the Delcath Hepatic Chemosat Delivery System will be presented at the upcoming Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) annual meeting (to be held in Lisbon, Portugal, 26‰ÛÒ30 September).
First patient in Singapore treated with TheraSphere
BTG has announced the treatment of the first patient in Singapore with TheraSphere, a treatment for primary liver cancer and metastatic colorectal cancer, specifically engineered to deliver powerful doses of radiation to the tumour while minimising exposure to normal tissue in a procedure called radioembolization.
Medtronic initiates US launch of Fortrex PTA balloon
Fortrex utilises a high pressure balloon to break up the blockages and open the vessels to help maintain arteriovenous access in the peripheral vascular system.
Niche applications of irreversible electroporation
Having performed over 400 irreversible electroporation treatments at the University of Miami, USA, Govindarajan Narayanan believes that certain niche applications of the technology have demonstrated tremendous value and hold a lot of promise for patients.
Predicting embolization success in upper and lower GI haemorrhage
The ability to achieve bleeding control in critically ill patients seems to depend chiefly on early intervention and severity of the underlying disease, such as coagulation disorders, writes Romaric Loffroy, Dijon, France.
Percutaneous osteosynthesis in bone cancer patients
Percutaneous osteosynthesis consists of inserting screws into bone structures through a skin incision of less than 10mm. It is now performed percutaneously by interventional radiologists due to the development of cannulated screws inserted coaxially over a guide pin, and due to the level of accuracy possible with CT- or flat panel-guidance, writes Fr̩d̩ric Deschamps.
Interventional radiology solutions for hydatic disease
Hydatid disease (cystic Echinococcus) caused by Echinococcus granulosus is an endemic disease and a significant public health problem in many parts of the world.
BEAT Obesity 30-day safety data presented at SIR
BEAT Obesity is a physician-sponsored investigational device exemption single-arm prospective clinical trial for five to 15 morbidly obese patients using used (off-label) is 300‰ÛÒ500ë_m Embosphere microspheres (Merit Medical).
Cone-beam CT allows quicker lung ablation than CT
A study from Institut Bergoni̬ (Bordeaux, France), in collaboration with UniversitÌÊ Campus Bio-Medico di Roma (Rome, Italy), has found that cone-beam CT is faster than CT.
Mobile app to identify indwelling filters and complications
Researchers from Stanford University have created a mobile application to allow rapid identification of all inferior vena cava filter types and related complications.
New imaging technology significantly reduces radiation exposure during uterine artery embolization
These findings have particular relevance for the many women undergoing uterine artery embolization who are of child-bearing age, as well as for the interventional radiology staff present in the room during the procedure.
Aneurysm Coiling Efficiency (ACE) registry shows positive results for Ruby coil...
The Aneurysm Coiling Efficiency registry offers an opportunity to study the demographics and long-term outcomes of a cohort of patients with embolization of the peripheral vasculature using Ruby coils (Penumbra).
Wirion embolic protection device receives US FDA clearance for carotid indication
This clearance is in addition to obtaining the CE mark to market in Europe and AMAR approval to market the device in Israel.
France to launch prostatic artery embolization registry
Interventional radiologists and urologists in France are teaming up to set up a multidisciplinary registry to collect data on prostatic artery embolization for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Down your 7-pill cocktail, reduce DNA damage from ionising radiation
Premedication with an oral antioxidant cocktail before medical imaging exams could significantly reduce DNA injury from the ionising radiation dose, finds new research presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology‰Ûªs annual scientific meeting in Atlanta, USA.
Siemens working with Southmead Hospital to enhance imaging facilities
With the hospital‰Ûªs new å£430m Brunel building offering pioneering treatment within state-of-the-art facilities, Siemens technology is increasing the speed of patient assessment and enabling elevated levels of patient throughput.
Philips launches on-demand ultrasound service in the UK
Philips has announced the launch of Ultrasound on Demand in the UK, an on-demand ultrasound solution which will go live on 1 June 2015.
Learn the language of oncology
The World Conference on Interventional Oncology (WCIO) is developing an online interventional oncology curriculum called IO University. Michael Soulen, immediate past chair of the...
Positive 30-day results of pivotal, multicentre trial show Wirion embolic filter...
The positive 30-day results from 120 patients out of a planned 240 patient cohort at high risk for endarterectomy, who underwent carotid artery stenting using the Wirion embolic protection device (Allium Medical), were published in EuroIntervention and presented at EuroPCR 2015 (19‰ÛÒ22 May, Paris, France).
SIRFLOX trial results to be presented at ASCO
The SIRFLOX trial results will be presented by Peter Gibbs, co-principal investigator of the SIRFLOX trial, in the oral abstract session on gastrointestinal (colorectal) cancer at the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago, USA, on Saturday, 30 May 2015.
Hansen announces world’s first clinical procedure with new Magellan 10F robotic...
Hansen has announced the completion of the world’s first clinical procedure with the Magellan 10F robotic catheter. Interventional radiologist Gerard Goh performed the procedure at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. He used the 10F catheter during a robot-assisted placement of an inferior vena cava filter.
Precision infusion system for embolization procedures gets CE mark approval
Surefire Medical has announced that the company‰Ûªs new Precision targeted delivery infusion system, for direct-to-tumour embolization procedures, has received the CE mark from European regulators. Surefire infusion systems are today used primarily in treating inoperable liver cancers, although clinical trials are under way for additional medical conditions.
Quirem Medical receives CE mark for radioembolic Quiremspheres
Quiremspheres, that were developed by the University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht, The Netherlands, to be used in a new treatment for liver cancer, have received the European CE mark for quality and safety. The treatment is being marketed by Quirem Medical, a spin-off company of the UMC Utrecht.
EndoShape selected to present at Cavendish Global Health Impact Forum
EndoShape has announced that it has been selected to present at the Cavendish Global Health Impact Forum taking place 10‰ÛÒ14 May in La Jolla, USA.
Philips launches 3D navigation system to enhance minimally invasive treatment of...
VesselNavigator has been designed for use in conjunction with Philips‰Ûª interventional X-ray systems to guide catheters during treatment of vascular disease.
Yasuaki Arai gets standing ovation after ECIO Honorary Lecture
Yasuaki Arai, director of the National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, and current president of the Japanese Society of Interventional Radiology (JSIR), delivered the Honorary Lecture at the European Conference of Interventional Oncology (ECIO) in Nice, France, yesterday. He spoke on the topic ‰ÛÏBeyond the evidence‰ÛÓthe true goal of interventional oncology‰Û and received a standing ovation for his presentation.
Teleflex to present at the 6th European Conference of Interventional Oncology
Teleflex will showcase a wide array of products for minimally invasive interventional applications at the 6th European Conference of Interventional Oncology (ECIO) in Nice, France, from 22‰ÛÒ25 April 2015.
New imaging technology significantly reduces radiation exposure during uterine artery embolization
A new study reveals that a new angiographic imaging platform (AlluraClarity, Philips Healthcare) maintains similar procedure time as a current C-arm imaging platform (Allura, Philips), yet with substantially reduced radiation exposure for uterine artery embolization procedures.
Portal vein embolization with Histoacryl using ipsilateral approach safe
Portal vein embolization using Histoacryl (B.Braun), a tissue seal adhesive, from an ipsilateral approach is a safe and effective technique to prepare for liver surgery, new research reveals.
Terumo announces CE mark approvals for Lifepearl and Hydropearl microspheres
Terumo has announced that on 16 March 2015 it received CE mark for LifePearl, a new drug-eluting microsphere for chemoembolization and HydroPearl, a new microsphere for more predictable bland embolization.
BTG begins sale of DC Bead and Bead Block directly to...
BTG began selling its drug-eluting bead and embolization products, DC Bead and Bead Block, directly to customers in 11 European countries on 1 April 2015.
Medtronic announces SPYRAL HTN global clinical trial programme for renal denervation
The programme will begin with two studies designed to address the confounding factors from the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial, including medication, patient population and procedural variability, to ensure the clinical potential of the therapy.
MR CLEAN and the changing landscape of intra-arterial stroke therapy
David Sacks analyses the results of the MR CLEAN study and finds that with three other randomised intra-arterial stroke trials presenting positive results for the intra-arterial arm, the treatment landscape is poised for change.
On large bore access sheaths and the limits of transpedal interventions
It is natural to focus on the positive aspects of transpedal access and its value in infrainguinal revascularisation. However, we should not shy away from considering the limitations of this approach in order to obtain the best results for our patients, writes Jihad A Mustapha.
Periprocedural results of carotid stenting need improvement
During the periprocedural phase, correct technique, operator experience, accurate lesion and patient selection and the adequate use of an embolic protection device are essential factors to improve results.
Radiology day units could transform modern practice
Despite the fact that interventional radiology procedures are minimally invasive and offer a quicker recovery time, in the majority of interventional radiology departments, patients still need to occupy a hospital bed even for elective procedures.
Revolutionary focused ultrasound still needs to address limitations
Alessandro Napoli writes that therapeutic ultrasound still has some technological hurdles that need to be overcome, despite his success with the treatment over the past five years.
The challenges of measuring response in interventional oncology
An overview of three treatments: ablation, chemoembolization and selective interval radiation therapy, should clarify the challenges of determining tumour response in interventional oncology, write Maxime Ronot and Val̩rie Vilgrain.
Forge Medical announces commercialisation agreement for VasoStat haemostasis device
Forge Medical, manufacturer of the VasoStat haemostasis device that is used for radial artery and dialysis access haemostasis, announced that the company has entered into a national commercialisation agreement for the device with National Medical Sales.
Ablation likely to play major role in treating breast cancer metastases
A study from France presented at the European Congress of Radiology (ECR, 4‰ÛÒ8 March, Vienna, Austria) has found that percutaneous thermal ablation is safe and effective for local control of metastatic breast cancer.
Transradial access ‰ÛÏsafe and well-tolerated‰Û in typical IR patient population
A single-centre review of the safety and feasibility of using the transradial approach for peripheral and visceral interventions after the first 1,000 procedures finds that this access has extremely low complication rates.
Bioresorbable stents safe and effective for benign biliary strictures
Preliminary data from a multicentre study carried out in Europe and Argentina show that percutaneous bioresorbable biliary stent placement is feasible in a large majority of cases, and that it represents a safe and effective novel treatment of benign biliary strictures.
Waste not, want some: Developing world needs older iterations of medical...
Can the industry be persuaded to provide previous-generation products that would otherwise be incinerated, to people in the developing world who cannot otherwise afford them? Mathew Cherian, asks.
Preliminary results of SIRFLOX show study did not achieve primary endpoint
In the first-line treatment of non-resectable metastatic colorectal cancer, the preliminary analysis of the SIRFLOX study results does not show a statistically significant improvement in overall progression-free survival ie, at any site. However, the study does show a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival in the liver.
New Zilver PTX thumbwheel stent delivery system receives CE mark
The system is now available in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Spain and Italy, and provides deployment for what Cook Medical says is the world‰Ûªs first and only approved drug-eluting stent for the superficial femoral artery.
Bracco launches EmpowerCTA+ and next generation contrast-enhanced delivery systems in CT...
Bracco Imaging, through its business unit Bracco Injeneering SA, has announced the availability of its EmpowerCTA+, an advanced engineering contrast injection system that puts the radiologic technologist in control in the computed tomography suite.
Preliminary data suggest VenaTech convertible filter is a safe and effective...
Early data from a multicentre, single-arm study that set out to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a novel approach to inferior vena cava filtration using the VenaTech convertible filter (B Braun Interventional Systems) suggest that the use of this device yields favourable results.
SARAH study completes enrolment
The study of yttrium-90 resin microspheres versus sorafenib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma has enrolled more than 400 patients, with results expected in late 2016.
Live from SIR 2015: 3D printing offers innovative method to deliver...
Interventional radiologists use 3-D printers to develop personalised medical devices that can deliver antibiotics and chemotherapy in targeted manner.
Live from SIR 2015: Medikidz and BTG launch resource to help...
Medikidz has published the ‰ÛÏMedikidz Explain Primary Liver Cancer‰Û comic book to help children understand and cope with the realities of life during what is often a very challenging time.
Live from SIR 2015: Image-guided treatment shown to break the migraine...
88% of patients report using less pain-relief medicine after intranasal sphenopalatine ganglion blocks.
Live from SIR 2015: Prostate artery embolization improves symptoms, regardless of...
According to research presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology‰Ûªs (SIR‰Ûªs) annual scientific meeting, clinicians were able to use prostate artery embolization to improve patient symptoms, regardless of the size of benign prostatic hyperplasia before the treatment, researchers found in a retrospective study.
Live from SIR 2015: Interventional radiology treatment relieves chronic plantar fasciitis
Research from the Society of Interventional Radiology‰Ûªs annual scientific meeting shows image-guided, ultrasonic technology may hold key to conquering a difficult condition.
UK clinical trial to investigate focused ultrasound for treatment of cancer...
Researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust are investigating whether ultrasound therapy can relieve pain in patients whose cancers have spread to the bone.
Penumbra to launch POD embolization anchoring device
Penumbra has announced that its newest vascular embolization device, POD, will debut at the Society of Interventional Radiology 2015 annual scientific meeting in Atlanta, USA.
Updated overall survival data from HEAT study announced
Analysis of a 285-patient subgroup treated with ThermoDox plus radiofrequency ablation shows a statistically significant 59% improvement in overall survival when compared to patients who were treated with optimised radiofrequency ablation alone.
CorPath robotic-assisted peripheral vascular intervention trial enrols first patient
Study launched to evaluate the effectiveness of CorPath robotic assistance in performing balloon angioplasty for symptomatic peripheral arterial disease.
Gore REDUCE clinical study completes enrolment
The study includes 65 investigational sites in the USA, Canada, UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland that enrolled a combined 664 subjects.
Early embolization results encouraging for small volume prostatic hyperplasia
A study that set out to assess the safety and efficacy of prostate artery embolization in small volume benign prostatic hyperplasia (<50cc) revealed that the procedure appears to offer positive clinical benefits for patients out to six months.
Preliminary results of RETREAT renal denervation study go against the grain
Horst Sievert, CardioVascular Center, Frankfurt, Germany reported ‰ÛÏinteresting, but inconclusive observations‰Û from a small cohort of patients enrolled in the RETREAT (Renal denervation with ultrasound after failed radiofrequency denervation) study.
US FDA clears Enroute transcarotid neuroprotection system
The system is for use during carotid artery stenting procedures and is the first one designed to access the carotid arteries through an incision in the neck, instead of the groin.
Arteriovenous anastomosis creation brings blood pressure down
The ROX CONTROL HTN, an international randomised controlled trial, published online ahead of print in The Lancet in late January, has demonstrated that creation of a central arteriovenous anastomosis in patients was associated with significantly reduced blood pressure and hypertensive complications at six months. The study was funded by Rox Medical.
Gore receives Health Canada approval for Viabahn endoprosthesis innovations
Longer and lower profile options now available in Canada to treat more patient anatomies.
Medtronic reports US launch and first uses of IN.PACT Admiral drug-coated...
US hospitals this week began using the IN.PACT Admiral drug-coated balloon (Medtronic plc) to treat patients with peripheral arterial disease in the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries.
New programme helps gauge blood flow during flow diverter treatment of...
A new computer programme allows interventionalists to assess blood flow in real-time while they are using flow-diverter devices to treat intracranial aneurysms, suggests a pilot study being presented at the 27th annual International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy (ISET, 31 January‰ÛÒ5 February, Hollywood, USA).
Intratumoural injections of bacteria result in oncolysis of solid tumours, first-in-man...
Results from a phase I study using an attenuated strain of Clostridium novyi (C novyi-NT) show that bacterial spores can be delivered using existing imaging technologies and devices to demonstrate clinical evidence of germination and confirms the capability of inducing oncolysis in human neoplastic tissues.
FOXFIRE and FOXFIRE Global studies complete patient enrolment
Sirtex has announced the completion of patient enrolment in FOXFIRE and FOXFIRE Global, two large multicentre studies that added liver-directed radiation therapy with SIR-Spheres Y-90 resin microspheres to a current standard of care chemotherapy regimen in the first-line treatment of more than 560 patients recently diagnosed with inoperable metastatic colorectal cancer.
ILLUMENATE FIH demonstrates importance of vessel preparation with Stellarex drug-coated balloon
The primary patency at 12 months was 89.5% in the pre-dilation plus drug-coated balloon group and 77.5% in the direct drug-coated balloon group.
InspireMD receives CE mark for CGuard RX and announces six-month CARENET...
InspireMD says that the RX delivery system, designed for use with the CGuard MicroNet, will enable clinicians to place the CGuard technology using an easy-to-use, and familiar, delivery system.
First procedure with Magellan Robotic System in Australia announced
Hansen has announced the completion of the first clinical procedure with the Magellan robotic system in Australia.
Positive one-year results of TOBA clinical trial presented
Data presented at the Leipzig Interventional Course 2015 (LINC, 27‰ÛÒ30 January, Leipzig, Germany) demonstrate significant improvement in dissection repair with the Tack Endovascular System (Intact Vascular).
Jeffrey H Lawson to present on bioengineering and the potential to...
Clinical work and data will be presented on Humacyte‰Ûªs novel bioengineered blood vessel at the 27th International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy (ISET, 31 January‰ÛÒ4 February, Hollywood, USA).
ATTRACT completes patient recruitment
The Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation has released a statement announcing that the NIH-sponsored ATTRACT (Acute venous thrombosis: thrombus removal with adjunctive catheter-directed thrombolysis study) has completed accrual of its originally planned cohort of 692 patients.
First intravascular robot-assisted inferior vena cava filter retrieval announced
Alan Lumsden, vascular surgeon and director of the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, performed the procedure at Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas using the Magellan robotic system (Hansen Medical) to remove a filter manufactured by Cook Medical.
Doctors perform first US bariatric embolization procedure to treat obesity
Bariatric embolization is the first catheter-based procedure that attempts to directly address obesity. The minimally invasive technique is expected to decrease the hormone ghrelin, responsible for appetite, resulting in weight loss.
First patient enrolled in Europe‰Ûwide observational study on liver cancer treatment...
The Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) has launched a new observational study that will gather data on patients with primary and secondary liver tumours treated with SIR‰ÛSpheres microspheres at specialist hospitals across Europe.
New minimally invasive technique to treat varicose veins shows early promise
A research group from Italy has recently detailed their early experience using one-shot scleroembolization to treat varicose veins of the lower extremities.
ARROWg+ard technology effective in preventing infections in an infection-prone insertion site
Peer-reviewed published research reconfirms clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness of chlorhexidine/silver sulfadiazine-impregnated central venous catheter.
Lombard opens cleanroom to meet global demand for Aorfix
Lombard has announced the formal opening of the company‰Ûªs new cleanroom, which will enhance the global operating footprint and production capabilities of their lead product, Aorfix, to meet increased worldwide customer demand.
First patients treated in Germany with Veniti Vici venous stent system
Veniti has announced the first use of the Vici venous stent system in Germany. The system is used to treat venous outflow obstruction in the lower extremities. The procedures were performed by Michael Lichtenberg, head of Interventional Angiology, Klinikum Arnsberg, Arnsberg, Germany.
SIR 2015: Take home new skills and perspectives from Atlanta
Jafar Golzarian, SIR 2015‰Ûªs programme chair, discusses some of the most exciting sessions from the Society of Interventional Radiology‰Ûªs (SIR‰Ûªs) upcoming Annual Scientific Meeting (28 February‰ÛÒ5 March 2015, Atlanta, USA) for Interventional News.
Survey shows nearly 60% of UK centres perform TACE with drug-eluting...
The results of a web-based survey designed to shed light on the practice of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the UK have shown that there is a wide variation in practice with some centres using conventional TACE (with lipiodol and doxorubicin) and others using, newer drug-eluting beads.
CeloNova receives expanded indication for benign prostatic hyperplasia
CeloNova BioSciences has announced that it has received an expanded indication (CE mark) in Europe for its Embozene embolic microspheres to include the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Society of Interventional Radiology launches new brand focused on ‰ÛÏthe vision...
The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) has launched a new brand, reinforcing interventional radiology‰Ûªs commitment to developing breakthrough treatments, enhancing medical practice and improving standard of patient care through image-guided therapies.
Shockwave Medical‰Ûªs Lithoplasty System gets CE mark for treatment of peripheral...
Lithoplasty is a novel balloon-based technology that uses integrated lithotripsy, a pulsatile mechanical energy commonly used to break up kidney stones, to disrupt both superficial and deep calcium and normalise vessel wall compliance prior to low-pressure balloon dilatation.
Straub Medical gets approval for Rotarex S and Aspirex S endovascular...
Straub Medical has announced that the Chinese FDA has recently approved the Straub Endovascular System with its Rotarex S and Aspirex S rotational catheter families.
First US trial to assess combination therapy with intraoperative radiotherapy and...
Kypho-IORT (Combining intraoperative radiotherapy with kyphoplasty for treatment of spinal metastases) will test a new combination treatment that delivers radiation directly to the tumour and increases support of the spine.
Sugar-coated microcapsule eliminates toxic punch of experimental anti-cancer drug
Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a sugar-based molecular microcapsule that eliminates the toxicity of an anticancer agent developed a decade ago at Johns Hopkins, called 3-bromopyruvate, or 3BrPA, in studies of mice with implants of human pancreatic cancer tissue.
Prophylactic internal iliac balloon placement prior to C-section preserves uterus in...
The results of a new study show that prophylactic placement of internal iliac balloons prior to elective Caesarean section is technically feasible, well-tolerated and leads to satisfactory maternal and foetal outcomes with minimal complications.
Gore receives CE mark for Gore Viabahn Endoprosthesis
The Gore Viabahn Endoprosthesis has received CE mark approval to improve blood flow in symptomatic obstruction of peripheral veins, excluding the venae cavae and pulmonary veins.
New 6F robotic catheter enables delivery of embolic agents and access...
Catheter robotics is in the early stages of evolution. A new 6F catheter, designed to permit diagnostic angiography, delivery of embolic agents and access to more distal vasculature such as the below-the-knee vessels, has recently become commercially available.
CO2 angiography should be more widely used
CO2 angiography can decrease both morbidity and mortality for patients, in certain clinical scenarios. For those driven by economics, the cost of 100cc of CO2 is approximately three cents. Its use is limited only by one‰Ûªs imagination. So why is it not more widely used?
Stentoplasty: An ‰ÛÏexciting frontier‰Û in spinal augmentation
Stentoplasty, or vertebral body stenting, represents the next step in the evolution of cement spinal augmentation where a stent is placed within the vertebral body followed by infusion of cement.
Silk Road Medical unveils data from the ROADSTER trial
Silk Road Medical‰Ûªs 30-day outcomes from the ROADSTER IDE study were presented at the Late Breaking Clinical Trials Session at the 2014 Vascular InterVentional Advances Meeting in Las Vegas, with additional data presented at the VEITHsymposium in New York.
Lombard Medical presents positive data from Aorfix PYTHAGORAS PMA trial
Lombard Medical has released efficacy and safety data from the two-year follow up of the US PYTHAGORAS pre-marketing approval trial of Aorfix.
Dynamic collimation reduces radiation exposure in the interventional suite
Lindsay Machan reviews the use of a dynamic collimation system to reduce radiation exposure to the operator, staff and patient during fluoroscopy and cine.
Intra-arterial viral oncolysis holds real potential
Viral oncolysis is an exciting area of research with applications to tumours throughout the body. Understanding the background and development of viral oncolytic therapy is important for future applications.
Establishing trust and communicating with ‰ÛÏdifficult‰Û cancer patients and families
With the US shift in practice model and the advent of the ‰ÛÏInformation Age‰Û, interventional oncologists need to communicate with their patients more frequently and at more depth.
Prostatic artery embolization is taking the world by storm
Hugo Rio Tinto from Lisbon, Portugal, has been busy flying all over Europe, but also further afield to Russia, China and India to help train those interested in prostatic artery embolization.
Hansen Medical announces first US robotic prostatic artery embolisation procedure
Hansen Medical has announced the completion of the first robotic prostatic artery embolisation (PAE) in the USA performed using the Magellan robotic system.
Seven filter manufacturers to participate in study predicting effectiveness of inferior...
The first large-scale, multispecialty prospective clinical research trial to evaluate the use of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters and related follow-up treatment in the USA is set to enrol the first patient in spring 2015 with participation from seven filter manufacturers.
Selective transarterial chemo embolization in lung cancer
Embolization therapy combined with infusion of antineoplastic agents offers considerable improvement of symptoms for patients, with far fewer complications than systemic chemotherapy, writes Shinichi Hori, Osaka, Japan.
Six month results demonstrate safety, effectiveness of VenaSeal
The six-month results of the VeClose pivotal study demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of the VenaSeal closure system in patients with chronic venous insufficiency having symptomatic reflux in the great saphenous vein.
CeloNova gets US FDA approval for clinical trial with Oncozene
CeloNova BioSciences has announced that the US FDA has granted approval to start an investigational device exemption (IDE) clinical trial for its Oncozene embolic...
Multicentre audit shows lifesaving role of 24/7 interventional radiology
This new data reveals the importance of access to 24/7 interventional radiology and the need to ensure availability of interventional radiologists in emergency care. There is a wide variation in the availability of 24/7 interventional radiology across the UK, which means that patients in some parts of the country do not receive the benefits of minimally invasive modern medicine in the emergency setting.
Lazarus Effect Cover device receives CE mark
Lazarus Effect has announced that the Lazarus Cover accessory device has received CE mark. The Lazarus Cover is a nitinol-mesh cover that surrounds a retriever device and captured material during removal from a blood vessel.
Zilver PTX drug-eluting stent study data show continued patency at five...
Five-year results from the largest and longest-running clinical trial of a drug-eluting stent for treating peripheral arterial disease confirmed long-term patency for patients treated with Zilver PTX (Cook).
Medtronic drug-coated balloon for peripheral artery disease also benefits patients with...
Medtronic‰Ûªs IN.PACT Admiral drug-coated balloon, used for the treatment of peripheral artery disease in leg arteries above the knee, provided a consistently favourable treatment effect in patients with diabetes in a landmark study of the investigational medical device, which is under review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval.
Terumo Europe to create an Interventional Oncology division
Terumo Europe has announced the creation of an Interventional Oncology division that will be active as of 1 April 2015. The specialisation of the...
Magellan 6F robotic catheter gets CE mark
Hansen, has announced that the Magellan 6F robotic catheter has received CE marking for use in the peripheral vasculature, allowing the company to market the catheter in Europe and other countries.
Multidisciplinary panel recommends early revascularisation of diabetic foot to save legs
Delays in revascularisation of diabetic foot in the UK directly relate to legs being lost to amputation. Early referral to interventionists is of critical importance and interventional radiologists must prioritise the revascularisation of diabetic foot patients to help save legs, a UK multidisciplinary panel recommended.
Snapshot audit of interventional radiology providing acute care to be presented...
The upcoming British Society of Interventional Radiology (BSIR) Annual Meeting (12‰ÛÒ 14 November 2014 BT Convention Centre, Liverpool, UK) will present a snapshot audit titled ‰ÛÏ7 days, 7 sites, 24/7 Interventional Radiology‰Û with data recorded over the course of a week from seven UK hospital sites providing acute interventional radiology care.
Silent cerebral infarction after TEVAR implies high risk of cerebral injury
A study that examined the incidence of cerebral microembolization and silent cerebral infarction after thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) concluded that two-thirds of patients undergoing MRI had evidence of silent cerebral infarctionå_‰ÛÓa previously unrecognised burden.
Spectranetics to acquire Stellarex drug coated balloon assets from Covidien
Spectranetics and Covidien have announced a definitive agreement under which Spectranetics will acquire Covidien‰Ûªs Stellarex drug coated angioplasty balloon platform for US$30 million.
New microwave technology shows positive results in ablation of unresectable liver...
The 12-month results of the Italian multicentre study, presented at CIRSE 2014, demonstrated that new microwave technology can achieve a substantial rate of complete necrosis of liver metastases, even in a short-term treatment with few major complications.
Lack of paediatric specific devices ‰ÛÏa glaring unmet need‰Û
There is a compelling case for the medical community, including the device industry, to develop specific devices that are appropriate for paediatric patients, say opinion leaders in the field.
New deep vein thrombosis guidelines: What you need to know
Suresh Vedantham spoke to Interventional News on the latest from the paper ‰ÛÏQuality improvement guidelines for the treatment of lower-extremity deep vein thrombosis with use of endovascular thrombus removal‰Û.
ICSS long-term data shows carotid stenting as good as endarterectomy for...
The International Carotid Stenting Study (ICSS) randomised trial has reported the long-term outcomes after stenting versus endarterectomy for treatment of symptomatic carotid stenosis in The Lancet online ahead of print on 14 October.
Lack of paediatric specific devices ‰ÛÏa glaring unmet need‰Û
There is a compelling case for the medical community, including the device industry, to develop specific devices that are appropriate for paediatric patients, say opinion leaders in the field.
New SPECT System from Siemens scans virtually every patient and minimises...
Siemens Healthcare introduced the Symbia Evo Excel SPECT system at the 27th Congress of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine. The system is a new version of the successful Symbia E.
First robot-assisted uterine fibroid embolization procedure performed in USA
Hansen has announced the completion of the first robot-assisted uterine fibroid embolization in the USA. Sandeep Rao, interventional radiologist, performed the procedure at Sierra Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, using the Magellan Robotic System.
ArtVentive announces expanded commercial use of EOS endoluminal occlusion system
The company has announced that commercial cases were performed at The University Hospital, Leuven, Belgium, where Geert Maleux successfully treated two patients with the EOS device.
First patients in New Zealand treated with Aorfix
Lombard has announced the successful completion of the first two EVAR cases performed in New Zealand using Aorfix, an endovascular stent graft for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
Good deployment success with ALN filters, intermediate single-centre US experience finds
The ALN inferior vena cava filter has been available in the European market for over a decade. Following US FDA approval a few centres in the USA have gained extensive experience with this filter. A retrospective study reporting intermediate-term experience from the University of Texas Medical was presented at CIRSE 2014.
BTG to supply DC Bead and Bead Block directly to physicians...
BTG has announced that it will begin selling its drug-eluting bead and embolization products, DC Bead and Bead Block, directly to physicians in 11 European countries from 1 April 2015. These products, developed and manufactured by BTG, are currently sold in Europe by the Terumo Corporation under a contract that expires on 31 March 2015.
Largest reported series of mycotic aortic aneurysm treated with EVAR finds...
A retrospective analysis from Wales, UK, reported at CIRSE 2014, finds that although there are no randomised controlled trials comparing open and endovascular repair of mycotic aortic aneurysms in the thorax and abdomen, endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in these patients is favourable.
Plugs significantly reduce fluoroscopy time when compared to coils in pelvic...
One-year results from a randomised study comparing fibred platinum coils to vascular plugs for the embolization of pelvic varices in order to treat pelvic congestion syndrome have shown that plugs are as good as coils with regard to safety and efficacy. In addition, plugs also significantly reduce procedure and fluoroscopy time, and radiation dose, the study finds.
BIOLUX P-II shows favourable outcomes for drug-eluting balloons in infrapopliteal disease
Six-month results from the randomised clinical trial, BIOLUX P-II, that compared the Passeo-18 Lux paclitaxel-releasing balloon (Biotronik) vs. plain balloon angioplasty with the uncoated Passeo-18 balloon in the treatment of infrapopliteal artery lesions, have shown that the drug-eluting balloon results in significant clinical improvement of Rutherford 5 patients.
ReFlow Medical announces CE mark for Wingman35 and SpeX catheters
ReFlow Medical has announced the initial clinical use of their Wingman35 crossing catheter and speX shapeable support catheter by Andrej Schmidt, Park Hospital Leipzig, Germany. The devices were recently granted CE mark approval for use in the peripheral vasculature.
SIR-Spheres recommended in new oncology clinical guidelines for treatment of metastatic...
Newly published European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) clinical guidelines for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer endorse radioembolisation, specifically with yttrium-90 (Y90) resin...
CIRSE 2014 audience needs more evidence before they support drug-elution in...
The audience in the CIRSE 2014 ‰ÛÏControversies in superficial femoral artery treatment‰Û session failed to endorse two motions pertaining to drug-elution in this anatomical segment in the annual meeting (12‰ÛÒ17 September, Glasgow, UK).
What the trials have taught us about aggressive therapy of deep...
Although current evidence in favour of catheter-directed thrombolysis for deep venous thrombosis may not be robust enough to allow for a shift in clinical practice, that may soon change with strict adherence to thrombolysis exclusion criteria, meticulous interventional techniques, and close treatment monitoring to minimise the risk of bleeding complications with catheter-directed thrombolysis, write Stephen T Kee and Adam Plotnik.
Early data from PERFECT registry positive for catheter-directed therapy for acute...
William T Kuo presented the initial results of the multicenter PERFECT registry at CIRSE 2014 (the annual scientific meeting of the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe, 12‰ÛÒ17 September, Glasgow, UK).
Renal denervation is not dead, say experts at CIRSE 2014
A special session at the CIRSE 2014 conference in Glasgow, UK, took a close look at the field of renal denervation as it stands today and concluded that there is still plenty of life and promise in the field. This is not the end of renal denervation but the beginning of proper evaluation, experts said.
Interventional News in Glasgow for CIRSE 2014
The Interventional News team is in Glasgow, UK, for CIRSE 2014 with a brand-new print edition. If you are at the congress, do pick up your copy from booth 12.
Sirtex expands business into Brazil
Sirtex has announced the expansion of its business in Latin America. Sirtex’s SIR-Spheres microspheres are now available to treat inoperable liver tumours in Brazil.
The...
First patient enrolled in global phase III OPTIMA study of ThermoDox...
Celsion Corporation has announced that the first patient has been enrolled in its pivotal phase III OPTIMA study of ThermoDox in combination with optimised...
CeloNova receives expanded indication in liver cancer for microspheres
CeloNova has announced US FDA 510(k) clearance expanding the indication for their Oncozene and Embozene microsphere products to now include the embolization of hepatocellular carcinoma.
The promise of chemical renal denervation
Tim A Fischell writes that chemical renal denervation using ethanol may have numerous advantages over energy-based ‰ÛÏburning‰Û technologies.
Randomised, sham-controlled clinical trial of non-invasive, ultrasound therapy for resistant hypertension...
Kona Medical has announced the initiation of the WAVE IV, randomised, sham-controlled, double-blinded, clinical trial of its Surround Sound Hypertension Therapy System. The trial will treat 132 patients at sites in Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and South America.
DC Bead approved by China Food and Drug Administration
BTG and its partner SciClone Pharmaceuticals have announced that the China Food and Drug Administration has approved the registration of DC Bead for the...
Study identifies tumour-promoting role of EGFR present in liver macrophages
A study group at the Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Medical University of Vienna and AKH Vienna under the guidance of Maria Sibilia from the...
Secondary analysis of AMPLIFY-EXT examining predictors of hospitalisation presented at ESC...
Results from this analysis demonstrated that during the 12-month extended treatment of venous thromboembolism, Eliquis significantly reduced the risk of hospitalisation versus placebo.
Covidien acquires Sapheon
Covidien has announced that it has acquired Sapheon, a privately-held developer of venous disease treatments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Oscor launches Adelante Magnum introducer for sale in the USA
The Adelante Magnum is a high performance haemostatic valve introducer for large size vascular access, specifically designed and optimised for the introduction and placement of endovascular catheters, aortic valves, and stent graft systems.
Canada lags on adoption of interventional radiology
The findings from a report commissioned by the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association (CIRA) and carried out by the Millennium Research Group (MRG) indicate that Canada lags behind other industrialised countries in the G7 such as Europe, USA and Japan in the adoption of interventional radiology treatment.
Society of Interventional Radiology issues global call for research
The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) has issued a global call for scientific abstracts covering all areas of vascular and nonvascular interventional radiology for its 40th Annual Scientific Meeting, which will be held 28 February‰ÛÒ5 March at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, USA.
Cook enrols first patient in Zilver PTX drug-eluting peripheral stent clinical...
The case was performed by one of the study‰Ûªs principal investigators, Peng Liu, professor at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing, China.
Cook enrols first patient in Zilver PTX drug-eluting peripheral stent clinical...
The case was performed by one of the study‰Ûªs principal investigators, Peng Liu, professor at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing, China.
The microenvironment of solid tumours matters
By Aravind Arepally
Despite the rapid growth of imaging and treatment options in interventional oncology, one area that has been poorly understood and overlooked by...
Women have similar procedural success as men after peripheral interventions, despite...
Women could be at higher risk for adverse outcomes than men, but overall they have similar procedural success compared with men despite higher complications rates, data from a study published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology in June suggests.
Written emergency stroke care protocols may improve hospital performance
New data presented at the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery (SNIS) 11th Annual Meeting in (28 ‰ÛÒ31, Colorado Springs, USA) helps prove that written care protocols can significantly improve the overall emergency care pathway for stroke.
Vascular Solutions launches Gel-Bead bioresorbable embolization spheres
Vascular Solutions has announced the US market launch of its Gel-Bead embolization spheres for the treatment of hypervascular tumours.Gel-Bead embolization spheres are precisely sized,...
ArtVentive announces positive clinical results and expanded enrolment in OCCLUDE I...
ArtVentive has announced positive clinical results in conjunction with expanded enrolment in the ArtVentive Endoluminal Occlusion System (EOS device) OCCLUDE I post-market surveillance study.
Hansen announces exclusive distribution with Adachi for Magellan and Sensei in...
Hansen Medical and Adachi have announced a distribution agreement for Magellan and Sensei robotic systems in Japan. As part of the distribution agreement, Adachi is responsible for obtaining Japanese Marketing approval from the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency for the Magellan and Sensei systems.
Teleflex receives FDA clearance for Arrow-Clark Vectorflow chronic haemodialysis catheter
Teleflex has announced it has received FDA 510(k) clearance to market its Arrow-Clark Vectorflow chronic haemodialysis catheter. The catheter features a symmetrical tip design that allows ease of placement.
Spectranetics announces FDA clearance of peripheral laser atherectomy devices for in-stent...
The Spectranetics Corporation has announced receiving US FDA 510(k) clearance of their peripheral atherectomy products, Turbo-Tandem and Turbo Elite, for the treatment of in-stent restenosis.
Zilver PTX drug-eluting stent selected as a top emerging health technology...
The Canadian Network for Environmental Scanning in Health (CNESH) has selected Cook Medical‰Ûªs Zilver PTX drug-eluting peripheral stent as a top 10 game-changing health technology for 2014.
Cyanoacrylate embolization demonstrates positive results for incompetent great saphenous veins
Cyanoacrylate adhesive embolization using the VenaSeal Sapheon Closure System (Venaseal) of the incompetent great saphenous veins offers several advantages over endothermal ablation including not requiring tumescent anasthaesia and use of compression stockings after the intervention.
Trial shows significant pain relief for spine cancer patients following targeted...
DFINE has announced the publication of a multicentre study in the July/August issue of Pain Physician Journal, the official peer-reviewed publication of the American...
SCAI publishes expert consensus recommendations for treating arterial disease below the...
A new series of expert consensus recommendations developed by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) will help physicians determine the best course of action for patients whose blockages reduce blood flow to their limbs, putting them at risk for gangrene and amputation.
Arterial embolization works to alleviate knee pain in mild to moderate...
A small study conducted in Japan, published in CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology in July 2014, demonstrates that transcatheter arterial embolization is feasible and that it rapidly relieves pain associated with knee osteoarthritis and restores knee function.
Liver tumour ablation more predictable with Emprint
Overcoming a significant roadblock to predictable ablation of soft tissue, Covidien has unveiled an advanced ablation system that offers physicians predictable results regardless of the...
Robot-assisted uterine artery embolization is feasible and safe, study finds
A study published online ahead of print in July in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (JVIR) provides a technical description of robot-assisted uterine artery embolization and investigates the safety and feasibility of using the Magellan system (Hansen Medical) robotic catheter in the uterus.
Study identifies key factors affecting catheter-directed thrombolysis for iliofemoral deep vein...
A study from Denmark finds that the most important factors to predict long-term competent veins after catheter-directed thrombolysis are symptom duration of less than two weeks and use of the pulse spray technique.
EmboCoh visceral aneurysm cohort registry idea outlined at GEST US 2014
EmboCoh is a structured international web-based channel, designed so that physicians can enter their data on embolization procedures. It will enable collaborative registry-style data collection and analysis, particularly of uncommon embolization procedures, which would not be meaningfully possible from single-centre data due to the paucity of cases.
Pressure-directed embolotherapy using antireflux devices to perform liver directed regional therapy
By Steven C Rose
The evidence supporting the use of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and Yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization (TARE) to treat primary and secondary liver malignancies...
Unconventional thinking could win the day
James F Benenati, medical director, Baptist Cardiac and Vascular Institute‰Ûªs, Peripheral Vascular Laboratory, Miami, USA, delivered the 2014 Charles T Dotter Lecture on 23 March at the opening plenary of SIR‰Ûªs 39th Annual Scientific Meeting in San Diego, USA.
Published clinical success and low morbidity with gonadal vein embolization
Many studies have demonstrated technical success rates of greater than 95% for gonadal vein embolization and that the procedure has resulted in a significant relief of symptoms in 68‰ÛÒ100% of patients over a range of follow up periods, writes Sandeep Bagla.
The 11th Scientific Meeting of the Chinese Society of Interventional Radiology...
The 11th Scientific Meeting of the Chinese Society of Interventional Radiology (2014 CSIR) was held from 11‰ÛÒ15 June 2014 in Changsha, Hunan Province, China. The Chinese Society of Interventional Radiology writes this report for Interventional News.
Terumo obtains regulatory approvals for marketing MicroThermX in additional countries
BSD Medical Corporation reported that Terumo Europe NV (Terumo) has obtained approvals to market and import the MicroThermX Microwave Ablation System in South Africa,...
First patient treated using “incisionless” VizAblate system for symptomatic uterine fibroids
Gynesonics announces the first successful treatment using a transcervical fibroid ablation technique guided by integrated ultrasound imaging.
Covidien announces European launch of Pipeline Flex embolisation device
The minimally-invasive flow diversion device for unruptured brain aneurysms is designed for more accurate, controlled placement.
The European Society of Radiology just got bigger
The number of European Society of Radiology members has just passed the 60,000 mark, making it by far the largest community of radiologists in the world.
Self-reported complication rate for retrievable inferior vena cava filters is significantly...
Findings from a review of the United States Food and Drug Administration Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database reveal that complications occur with significantly higher frequency when retrievable inferior vena cava filters are placed than permanent filters.
Key evidence to be collected by UK registry of prostate embolization
The UK-ROPE (Registry of prostate embolization) has been set up to collect real world evidence because prostate artery embolization has been used in research trials in SÌ£o Paulo in Brazil, Lisbon in Portugal and Southampton in the UK and a few other centres, but has yet to gain full recognition by regulatory bodies in the UK, writes Nigel Hacking.
AngioDynamics announces US FDA clearance for Celerity tip location system
The Celerity system has been cleared by the FDA as an adjunct to aid in positioning Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs) in adults by providing real time catheter tip location utilising the patient’s cardiac electrical activity.
Medtronic to acquire Covidien for US$42.9 billion in cash and stock
The acquistion creates a medical technology and services company with a comprehensive product portfolio and broad global reach.
Three millimetre “ice ball” margin beyond renal tumours adequate for effective...
The results from a small, animal study challenge previously unsubstantiated published reports claiming that a five to 10mm “ice ball” margin beyond the tumour...
FDA advisory panel unanimously recommends approval for Lutonix DCB
Lutonix DCB is one step closer to becoming the first US FDA-approved drug-coated balloon for the treatment of patients with femoropopliteal occlusive disease.
Use of laser atherectomy with drug-eluting balloon angioplasty shows benefit in...
Combination treatment involving laser debulking followed by drug-eluting balloon angioplasty is associated with superior outcomes when compared to the use of drug-eluting balloon angioplasty alone in critical limb ischaemia patients with superficial femoral artery stent occlusions.
Flow 2014 meeting turns spotlight on Interventional Radiology in India
The 16th annual conference of the Indian Society of Interventional Radiology, ISVIR 2014, was held 3‰ÛÒ6 April in Mumbai, India. The theme of the meeting was flow‰ÛÓof ideas, progress, and of course, as physicians who spend a lot of time opening blocked arteries, of blood to the feet!
SIR Foundation announces first interventional radiology outcomes research grant
The Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation‰ÛÓtogether with the Harvey L Neiman Health Policy Institute‰ÛÓinvites US and Canada-based researchers to apply for an inaugural grant opportunity of up to US$30,000 designed to support research evaluating the cost, cost-effectiveness and quality outcomes of interventional radiology interventions in comparison to other treatments.
US FDA approves UK manufactured spine repair products
Pan Medical UK has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the repair of spinal compression fractures with its Kyphoplasty range of products.
Penile artery angioplasty safe and improves erectile function, first-in-man study shows
A study from Taiwan shows for the first time that penile artery angioplasty is safe and can achieve clinically significant improvement in erectile function in the majority of patients with erectile dysfunction and isolated penile artery stenosis at six months.
Long-term experience shows enduring favourable results for multi-use balloon expandable covered...
The Advanta V12 stent (MAQUET) is the company‰Ûªs proprietary balloon-expandable covered stent technology. Prof. Richard G McWilliams, Radiology Department, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK, spoke about his centre‰Ûªs experience with the Advanta V12.
First clinical cases in USA with Magellan 6F robotic catheter announced
Hansen Medical has announced the successful completion of the first clinical procedures in the USA using the Magellan 6F robotic catheter. Alan Lumsden, treated two patients with the catheter at Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston, USA.
Changing views on absolute and relative contraindications to uterine artery embolization
With more research being carried out into uterine artery embolization, the procedure has been found to be far more widely applicable than previously thought and only a few relative and absolute contraindications to it remain, writes Paul NM Lohle.
Philips expands interventional oncology portfolio with EmboGuide to see, reach and...
New live 3D image guidance tool enhances tumour embolization procedures on Philips’ interventional X-ray systems.
Philips innovations detect more than twice as many tumour feeding...
Reducing the perils of ablation for thermally sensitive adjacent organs
By Nishita Kothary
Over the years, we have seen a rapid development of tools, tricks and techniques that enable ablation of tumours located in regions...
Embolizing the liver tract ‰ÛÏa priority‰Û to improve outcomes for percutaneous...
Research presented at the Global Embolization Symposium and Technologies US (GEST US meeting, 1‰ÛÒ4 May, San Francisco, USA) meeting suggests that patients undergoing transhepatic interventions should have tract embolization performed to prevent haemorrhagic complications.
Selective catheterisation of occluded fallopian tubes is ‰ÛÏsafe and effective‰Û
A study from Lublin, Poland, that set out to evaluate the results of selective catheterisation of occluded fallopian tubes and its effect on fertility was presented at the Global Embolization Symposium and Technologies US (GEST US, 1‰ÛÒ4 May, San Francisco, USA) meeting.
New association for interventional radiology chiefs in the USA formed at...
In a follow-up to a successful meeting of interventional radiology division chiefs in 2013, the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) promoted a session exclusively for the chiefs at SIR‰Ûªs 39th Annual Scientific Meeting 22‰ÛÒ27 March 2014, in San Diego, USA, in which a new professional society, the Association of Chiefs of Interventional Radiology (ACIR) was formed.
Boston Scientific announces definitive agreement to acquire Bayer’s Interventional Division
The US$415 million cash acquisition is expected to strengthen Boston Scientific‰Ûªs peripheral interventions business and accelerate growth in peripheral atherectomy and thrombectomy categories.
QT Vascular initiates Chocolate cases in Singapore
QT Vascular has announced that it has started clinical cases with the Chocolate percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) balloon catheter in Singapore. Five cases were performed at National University Hospital and Changi General Hospital.
Surefire system vs. end hole catheter clinical trial eliminates patient variables
Preliminary observations from the trial were presented at the Global Embolization Symposium and Technologies US (GEST US meeting, 1–4 May, San Francisco, USA) and...
US FDA clearance for Discovery IGS 740 mobile angiography system
GE Healthcare has announced receiving Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for the Discovery IGS 740, a new rail-free mobile angiography system with a 41x41-cm detector.
Interventional radiology techniques and results for the management of neuroendocrine liver...
Interventional radiology techniques are widely performed and useful in liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumours, but the level of scientific proof is paradoxically low, especially...
First clinical cases with new Magellan 6F robotic catheter announced
The initial clinical experience is to be presented at the Global Embolization Symposium and Technologies US meeting (GEST US,1‰ÛÒ4 May, San Francisco, USA), a press release says.
Johannes Lammer and Peter Taylor retire
Two internationally renowned physicians and influencers of opinion, interventional radiologist Johannes Lammer and vascular surgeon Peter Taylor, have retired from active practice. Both Lammer and Taylor retired in early April.
Is antegrade gastrostomy insertion in very low weight infants feasible?
A study presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology‰Ûªs (SIR‰Ûªs) 39th Annual Scientific Meeting (San Diego, USA) by Sam Stuart from Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK, suggests that antegrade gastrostomy insertion in infants who are less than 5kg in weight, is technically feasible and safe.
TriVascular announces pricing of initial public offering
TriVascular, manufacturer of the Ovation Prime Abdominal Stent Graft System has announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 6,500,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of US$12.00 per share.
Cook launches high flow Cantata microcatheter and Alight guidewire
Cook has introduced two new solutions for targeting and treating challenging anatomy ‰ÛÒ the high-flow 0.027‰Û ID Cantata microcatheter and the 0.016‰Û Alight guidewire.
COSY trial shows highly reduced radioembolization procedure time and radiation dose
Surefire Medical has announced that the COSY clinical trial (Coiling vs. Surefire infusion system in Y90) showed significant reductions in fluoroscopy time, procedure time,...
Sirtex and Guerbet announce collaboration in clinical studies in liver cancer
Sirtex and Guerbet have announced that the two companies are entering into a collaboration to advance research in primary and secondary metastatic liver cancer.The...
Cancer specialists to head to Berlin to attend ECIO
The world’s leading radiologists, oncologists and surgeons will head to Germany in April for the European Conference on International Oncology (ECIO, 23-26 April, Berlin,...
Successful biopsies and reduced procedure times using ultrasound-guidance
Ultrasound-guided biopsies are more accurate and safer with the Smart Fusion (Toshiba) ultrasound technology, a press release from the company states. Toshiba showcased Smart Fusion at the Society of Interventional Radiology‰Ûªs (SIR) Annual Scientific Meeting (22‰ÛÒ27 March, San Diego, USA).
Stent-grafts more effective than balloon angioplasty for treatment of arteriovenous graft...
The final, two-year data from the RENOVA trial that compared the use of the Flair stent-graft (Bard) to the use of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for treatment of arteriovenous graft stenosis showed that stent grafts proved as safe as angioplasty and more effective.
Identifying pre-procedure predictors of success is critical to furthering renal denervation
With the main results of the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial due to be presented at the American College of Cardiology’s annual meeting (ACC14, 29‰ÛÒ31 March 2014, Washington, USA), Krishna Rocha-Singh writes about the important factors that need analysis regarding the trial results in particular and renal denervation in general.
Radioembolization offers new, safe treatment for metastatic breast cancer
The largest study of its kind to date shows that minimally invasive radioembolization may slow metastatic disease progression in liver when no other treatment...
Metactive debuts embolization technology with presentation at SIR
Nonclinical data presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology‰Ûªs (SIR) Annual Scientific Meeting demonstrates immediate occlusion of a large, saccular cerebral aneurysm and full sealing and endothelialisation of the aneurysm neck at one month.
Keep calm and put your video glasses on
Loping gazelles and talking toys effectively reduce anxiety in patients by tuning out their surroundings, finds new research presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology‰Ûªs 39th Annual Scientific Meeting (23‰ÛÒ27 March, San Diego, USA).
New implant shows promise for painful osteoporotic spine fractures
The results from a randomised controlled trial that used the Kiva System (Benvenue) suggest that the vertebral augmentation device offers a new treatment option for individuals with compression fractures.
Interventional radiologists receive honours from SIR Foundation
Ziv J Haskal, Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology editor-in-chief, will receive the Leaders in Innovation Award. The foundation will also bestow Young Investigator, Research and Philanthropy Awards during the Society of Interventional Radiology‰Ûªs (SIR) Annual Scientific Meeting (22‰ÛÒ27 March, San Diego, USA).
Hansen to take Magellan Robotic System to SIR’s 39th Annual Scientific...
Hansen has announced that it will present its Magellan Robotic System and its new 6F Robotic Catheter at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s (SIR) Annual Scientific Meeting (23‰ÛÒ27 March, San Diego, USA). The company will be conducting product demonstrations and exhibiting the system at Booth 800.
Transradial access for uterine artery embolization could be “a game changer”
A study, published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, highlights the benefits of the transradial approach to treat uterine fibroids and investigators find that this technique could be a ‰ÛÏgame changer‰Û for image-guided minimally invasive treatments.
Teleflex announces restated indications for use for EZ-IO vascular access system
The US FDA has issued clearance allowing a modification of the weight range for the EZ-IO 25mm needle set so that is can be used in patients who are 3kg or over.
UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Vascular Disease condemns new figures...
Thousands of patients may be facing unnecessary leg amputations, owing to variations in practice around the UK. A new report from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Vascular Disease draws on new data from Freedom of Information requests to NHS Trusts and Clinical Commissioning Groups to draw attention to the variation around the country in amputation rates and implementation of the best clinical practice.
Freedom from reintervention after TEVAR significantly lower in trial that used...
A study that compared the durability of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in two similar clinical trials, one that used early-generation and another that used later-generation stent-grafts, found a significantly lower freedom from reintervention for patients who received the newer stent grafts.
FDA approves uterine fibroid embolization indication for Embozene
CeloNova has announced the US FDA 510(k) clearance expanding the indication for Embozene microspheres to include the treatment of uterine fibroids.
Radiation protection a “key theme” at ECR
The European Congress of Radiology (ECR) saw the launch of the EuroSafe Imaging campaign, an initiative promoting appropriateness in medical imaging, maintaining doses within diagnostic reference levels and emphasising the as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) principle.
A catheter to curb your appetite?
A retrospective study reports that individuals who underwent embolization of the left gastric artery for gastrointestinal bleeding experienced a 7.9% decrease in body weight, three months after the procedure. Could embolization of the left gastric artery be used in the treatment of obesity?
BSD Medical reports on continued sales momentum for MicroThermX
BSD Medical has reported continued sales momentum by Terumo on the distribution of the MicroThermX Microwave Ablation System. BSD‰Ûªs exclusive agreement with Terumo covers distribution of the MicroThermX in more than 100 countries, including Europe, Western Asia and Africa.
Safety and efficacy of percutaneous cryoablation in renal cell carcinoma in...
The outcomes from our study on the efficacy and safety of percutaneous cryoablation, published recently in CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology, are the result of...
Sealing is believing: How effective sealing could be key to successful...
Thomas Nolte, vascular surgeon and director of Vascular Center, Herz und GefaíöÌÙzentrum, Bad Bevensen, Germany, recently commented on the importance of sealing in the endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Drug-eluting balloons are cost-effective, but outlook depends on the stakeholder
Thomas Zeller, University Heart-Center Freiburg, Bad Krozingen, Germany, told delegates at LINC that drug-eluting balloons may be cost-effective through prevention of target lesion revascularisation at one year of follow-up.
Renlane renal denervation system gets CE mark
Cordis has announced receiving the CE mark for its Renlane renal denervation for the treatment of patients with resistant hypertension and has completed the first successful cases in Europe.
Fully percutaneous EVAR obtains positive results in randomised controlled trial
Data from the PEVAR randomised trial have been published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery and demonstrate a 94% procedural technical success for the totally percutaneous procedure.
Covered stents offer better results than angioplasty in battle against in-stent...
Results from the RELINE trial show that the Viabahn covered stent (Gore) conferred significantly better protection against target lesion revascularisation and had a significantly higher primary patency than percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.
Covidien introduces new hydrophilic guidewire
Covidien has introduced the HydroFinity hydrophilic guidewire for use in catheter placement and other procedures to treat vascular diseases.
Europe-wide interventional radiology curriculum aims to iron out training differences across...
Anna Maria Belli, professor of Interventional Radiology and consultant radiologist, St George‰Ûªs Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK and CIRSE president 2013‰ÛÒ2015 spoke to Interventional News about the Europe-wide interventional radiology curriculum and syllabus that CIRSE recently presented. The curriculum was created by a task force, chaired by Belli, and covers the specific areas with which a well-trained interventional radiologist should be familiar.
New crossing catheter launched in Europe
Medtronic has announced the European launch of a new peripheral angioplasty balloon, TOTAL across that targets challenging lesions in the lower-extremity, including below-the-knee arteries associated with critical limb ischaemia.
No revascularisation needed for 83.2% of patients treated with Zilver PTX...
The most recent ZILVER PTX trial data, presented at the Controversies and Updates in Vascular Surgery (CACVS) congress (23‰ÛÒ25 January 2014, Paris, France), demonstrate sustained positive results for the paclitaxel-eluting stent (Cook Medical) vs. angioplasty or provisional bare metal stent placement in patients with peripheral arterial disease.
Drug-eluting balloons superior to angioplasty for treatment of in-stent restenosis above...
One year results from the prospective, multicentre, randomised, core lab-adjudicated FAIR trial comparing drug-eluting balloon to standard percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for the treatment of superficial femoral artery in-stent restenosis showed positive outcomes for the drug-eluting balloon.
Vela proximal endograft system launched in USA
Endologix has announced the US launch of its new Vela proximal endograft system, a clinical solution for endovascular repair in a broad range of aortic neck anatomies.
Successful implantation of CGuard carotid embolic system
InspireMD has announced that its new CGuard carotid embolic protection system has been successfully implanted in recent procedures, including a patient treated during the 17(th) Annual Symposium on Interventional Cardiology & Angiology held in Hamburg, Germany on 1 February 2014.
World’s largest venous access trial commences in the UK
Interventional News has learned that the UK CAVA trial, a four-way randomised controlled trial of long-term venous access devices for the delivery of chemotherapy (Ports versus tunnelled central lines versus peripherally inserted central catheters) has begun. The trial seeks to determine which device offers the best outcomes for long-term chemotherapy delivery.
Boston Scientific launches OffRoad re-entry catheter in USA
Boston Scientific has announced the US launch and first use of the OffRoad re-entry catheter system. The system provides a new option to treat chronic total occlusions in the femoropopliteal arteries.
Gore launches lower profile Gore Excluder components in Australia and New...
WL Gore has announced the Australia and New Zealand launch of an expanded treatment range, including lower profile components for the Gore Excluder AAA Endoprosthesis used to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms.
FDA clearance for Phoenix Atherectomy System
AtheroMed has announced receiving US FDA approval to market the Phoenix Atherectomy System that allows physicians to continuously remove diseased material as it is debulked from patients with peripheral arterial disease, using a low profile atherectomy catheter.
Trivascular completes enrolment in the Ovation post-market registry
Trivascular has announced the completion of enrolment in the OVATION post-market registry, a 500-patient, 30-centre European study. The registry evaluates the safety and performance of the Ovation and Ovation Prime abdominal stent graft systems, with patient follow-up out to five years.
FDA approves Valiant Captivia System to treat aortic dissections
Medtronic has received US FDA approval for use of the Valiant Captivia Thoracic Stent Graft System in the treatment of type B aortic dissections.
MORE study data provide insight into predicting SIRT treatment outcomes
Investigators from the MORE (Metastatic colorectal cancer liver metastases outcomes after radioembolization) study have released new findings at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s 2014 Gastrointestinal...
Prostatic artery embolization safe and effective, suggests large study presented at...
University of SÌ£o Paulo physicians have treated 120 patients and 97% have reported improvement in symptoms and quality of life. Follow-up with patients ranges from three months to more than five years, with an average of 15 months. Symptoms recurred in 14% of patients, leading to re-embolization, surgery or medication therapy.
Interventional community eagerly awaits full dataset after SYMPLICITY HTN-3 setback
Medtronic recently announced that its sham-controlled renal denervation study, SYMPLICITY HTN-3, failed to meet its primary efficacy. Now, Covidien has announced that it is "exiting" the OneShot Renal Denervation Program. Interventional News learns from leaders in the field that the watchword is: ‰ÛÏwait for the publication‰Û.
No reintervention or thrombosis seen with Esprit drug-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold...
Six-month results from the prospective, single-arm, multicentre, European ESPRIT I trial being presented at the 26th annual International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy (ISET, 18‰ÛÒ22 January, Miami, USA) suggest that the Esprit drug-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (Abbott Vascular) appears to be effective in treating iliac and femoral lesions.
STROLL three-year data show stenting favourable for patients’ quality of life...
The most recent results of the multicentre, non-randomised, single-arm prospective STROLL trial were presented at the 26th annual International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy (ISET, 18‰ÛÒ22 January, Miami, USA). The trial is studying the safety and efficacy of the S.M.A.R.T. stent (Cordis) in patients with obstructive superficial femoral artery disease.
Cryoablation provides pain relief for patients with metastatic tumours
Cryoablation kills tumours and provides pain relief to patients whose cancer has spread to the bone and soft tissue, suggests research being presented at...
Ten-year Spanish experience shows SIRT achieves disease control in over 80%...
The Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CUN), Pamplona, Spain, recently celebrated its tenth anniversary of using Yttrium-90 (Y-90) microsphere radioembolization for the treatment of liver...
Effectiveness of percutaneous cryoablation for stage IA/B renal cell carcinoma approaches...
A prospective single-arm, five-year study has found that CT-guided percutaneous cryoablation for renal cell carcinoma offers very high efficacy, approaching that of the gold...
Launch of Hepatic Oncology: a journal dedicated to the management of...
Hepatic Oncology is published by Future Medicine Ltd, and joins its portfolio of oncology journals providing healthcare practitioners and research professionals with a unique...
Texas Children‰Ûªs Hospital announces new chief of Interventional Radiology
The Department of Pediatric Radiology at Texas Children‰Ûªs Hospital has announced that Kamlesh U Kukreja has been named the new chief of Interventional Radiology. Kukreja, whose appointment was effective 1 January has also been appointed as assistant professor of Radiology at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM).
SYMPLICITY HTN-3 fails to meet primary efficacy endpoint
Medtronic‰Ûªs first blinded, randomised, controlled renal denervation pivotal trial in the USA fails to meet its primary efficacy endpoint. However, it did meet the primary safety endpoint.
Barrel vascular reconstruction device gets CE mark approval for use in...
Reverse Medical has announced receiving CE mark approval for the Barrel vascular reconstruction device and its first use in a European clinical case. The Barrel vascular reconstruction device is intended for use with occlusive devices in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.
Charles T Dotter: Persuasive teacher who led me to be an...
Charles T Dotter was an extraordinary man with a creative, innovative mind and a great capacity for developing new devices, techniques and treatments. He radically changed the treatments of vascular diseases and became the father of interventional radiology, writes Josef R̦sch.
In historic 2014, future of image-guided interventions to be discussed in...
16 January 2014 is the 50th anniversary of the first recorded angioplasty. A unique meeting, scheduled to take place in July 2014 (23‰ÛÒ24), in Portland, USA, the birthplace of angioplasty, aims to look at the future of image-guided interventions from all perspectives in the historic anniversary year of Charles T Dotter‰Ûªs pioneering intervention. Interventional News celebrates with a special feature that relives that landmark 1964 event, with an article by John Kaufman
Third edition of clinical recommendations on the use of uterine artery...
The latest recommendations, jointly issued by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR), has recently been published and are intended both for the National Health Service and the private sector.
Interventional oncologists begin running US National Cancer Institute cooperative group trial
An important opportunity has opened up for interventional oncologists as WCIO leaders take the helm of the E1208 trial. Michael C Soulen writes that...
Siemens launches Artis one angiography system for universal use at RSNA
The new system covers the majority of angiographic procedures and is highly flexible for improved patient access. There is a new heads-up display with on-screen menu a press release from the company says.
Surefire Medical completes patient enrolment in COSY trial
The trial evaluates eliminating coiling by using the anti-reflux Surefire Infusion System in radioembolization procedures in liver cancer.
Surefire Medical has announced that it has...
FDA ok for MVP-5 micro vascular plug system for peripheral vessel...
The MVP-5 system (Reverse Medical) is indicated to obstruct or reduce the rate of blood flow in the peripheral vasculature, in 3‰ÛÒ5mm vessels. The company also announced the first US clinical case along with the US FDA 510k clearance.
Fenestrated Anaconda achieves high procedural success in complex aneurysms
The Fenestrated Anaconda custom AAA Stent Graft System (Vascutek) achieves high procedural success in short-necked abdominal and pararenal aortic aneurysms, according to results from UK and Dutch experiences presented at the VEITHsymposium in November.
XXS trial to compare primary angioplasty with stenting in arteries below...
Gunnar Tepe told delegates at the VEITHsymposium in November that the XXS trial would compare the results of the Xpert stent (Abbott) with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in complex lesions of small arteries below the knee in critical limb ischaemia patients.
Aquilant Interventional distributes Angel catheter in the UK and Ireland
Following the exclusive distribution agreement that Aquilant Interventional signed with BiO2 Medical (the Texas-based manufacturer of the Angel Catheter) earlier in 2013, the former company has begun acting as distributor of the Angel catheter for the UK and Ireland.
High device costs, few trained interventionalists remain barriers to interventional radiology...
India has a population that is second only to China, so the number of patients who require interventional radiology treatment are in the millions. However, a major challenge that we face in interventional radiology practice in India is to make it available to the many who cannot afford the cost of the hardware necessary for treatment, Mathew Cherian writes.
Direxion Torqueable Microcatheter gets FDA nod and CE mark approval
Boston Scientific has announced receiving US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance and CE mark approval for the Direxion Torqueable Microcatheter, which is designed to suit a range of peripheral embolization procedures.
Angio-Seal augmentation of the preclose technique “safe and effective”
Researchers from Oxford suggest that augmentation of the preclose technique (using Proglide from Abbott Vascular) with the Angio-Seal vascular closure device (St Jude Medical) is a safe and effective adjunct for haemostasis that increases the success of percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair.
Gore Excluder iliac branch endoprosthesis gets CE mark
The first successful implantations have been carried out in Italy and the United Kingdom, providing endovascular repair to iliac arteries.
EndoShape receives 510(k) clearance for Medusa vascular plug
EndoShape has announced that it has received 510(k) marketing clearance for its Medusa vascular plug. The US Food and Drug Administration cleared the catheter-delivered device for arterial and venous embolization in the peripheral vasculature.
FDA approval to enrol first US renal denervation study for patients...
SYMPLICITY HTN-4 to potentially expand access for additional patients at risk for cardiovascular complications related to uncontrolled hypertension.
First patient enrolled in the EVAS Forward global registry
The global registry is one of a number of clinical studies that make up the broader EVAS Forward clinical programme aimed at establishing clinical and economic evidence for endovascular aneurysm sealing (EVAS).
Six-month data from LEVANT 2 trial show higher primary patency with...
LEVANT 2, the first clinical trial in the USA to study the use of drug-coated balloons (CR Bard‰Ûªs Lutonix) for femoropopliteal artery disease, found the procedure is promising for safety and efficacy at six months.
An EVAR revolution may have truly arrived
An endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) revolution may be here, Andrew Holden, associate professor of Radiology, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand, told delegates at the CIRSE annual meeting (14‰ÛÒ18 September, Barcelona, Spain).
REDUCE-HTN data show significant and sustained blood pressure reduction with Vessix
New data presented at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) Conference in San Francisco, USA, demonstrate an excellent safety profile for Boston Scientific‰Ûªs renal denervation system.
Terumo Interventional Systems expands specialty line of peripheral guidewires for smaller...
On 29 October, Terumo Interventional Systems announced the launch of the 0.018‰Û Glidewire Advantage peripheral guidewire during the 25th Annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) Conference in San Francisco, USA.
Vascutek initiates voluntary recall of Anaconda
On 21 October, Vascutek issued a Field Safety Notice initiating a voluntary recall of the Anaconda Bifurcate Body Stent Graft System. An issue with a component of the device, the release wire in the delivery system, identified through Vascutek‰Ûªs post-market surveillance system, is currently being investigated.
FDA grants Orphan Drug Designation to Lipiodol injection for management of...
Guerbet has announced that it has been granted Orphan Drug Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration Office of Orphan Products Development (OOPD)...
Surefire Medical launches Mt infusion system for small vessel interventional procedures
Surefire Medical announced the launch of a new, enhanced infusion system‰ÛÓthe Surefire Infusion System mT‰ÛÓdesigned to treat vessels as small as 2mm to 3.5mm in interventional direct-to-target embolization procedures.
Selection of patients with true resistant hypertension vital before offering renal...
Uncontrolled hypertension is not the same as resistant hypertension. Experts at the third UK Symposium on Renal Denervation (16 October, London, UK) urged physicians to universally apply ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in order to help distinguish between the two and work within a multidisciplinary team to suitably select patients before offering the minimally invasive catheter-based procedure.
MAJESTIC trial to evaluate Innova drug-eluting stent system in superficial femoral...
The MAJESTIC trial, designed to evaluate the safety and performance of the Boston Scientific‰Ûªs peripheral drug-eluting stent system, is projected to enroll 55 patients across 15 centres in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Four-year ZILVER PTX trial data show paclitaxel coating confers 41% reduction...
Data from the ZILVER PTX randomised controlled trial, presented at the 2013 Vascular Interventional Advances (VIVA) meeting, demonstrates 75% primary patency in the superficial femoral artery at four years for patients treated with Cook Medical‰Ûªs paclitaxel-eluting stent. This compares to 57.9% patency for patients with provisional bare metal stent placement in the study.
Long-term STROLL data show Smart stent use in periphery is associated...
David Safely presented the three-year health related quality of life data from the STROLL clinical trial during a late-breaking clinical trials session at the Vascular Interventional Advances (VIVA) 2013 Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, USA.
Promise of predictable renal denervation with dehydrated ethanol
Interventional News spoke to Tim A Fischell, professor of Medicine, Michigan State University, USA, about the first use of a novel, endovascular approach using chemical neurolysis via periadventitial injection of dehydrated ethanol to perform renal artery denervation. Catheter-based renal denervation is a novel treatment option for patients with resistant arterial hypertension.
NHS England makes selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) available via new...
NHS England is inviting specialist hospitals to take part in a new, innovative commissioning approach called ‘commissioning through evaluation’, which is aimed at increasing...
Recruiting the best and brightest to interventional radiology
The relative anonymity of interventional radiology to medical students and the impact this might have on recruiting medical students has resulted in concerted action from interventional radiology societies, write Nicholson Chadwick, Alok Bhatt and Geogy Vatakencherry.
Personalised oncology is here to stay
A review, published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (JVIR) in August 2013, serves as an introduction to personalised oncology concepts and provides a summary of relevant concepts. Nadine Abi-Jaoudeh, lead author on the paper spoke to Interventional News about the implications for interventional radiologists.
TVA Medical’s catheter-based haemodialysis access system demonstrates success in clinical study
Preliminary data presented at the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) annual scientific meeting (Barcelona, Spain) demonstrated that TVA Medical‰Ûªs vascular catheter-based FLEX System can create autogenous arteriovenous fistulas (AV fistulas) for haemodialysis patients with 94% procedural success.
Society of Interventional Radiology issues global call for scientific abstracts
It is now possible for members and non-members to submit abstracts online for the Society of Interventional Radiology‰Ûªs (SIR‰Ûªs) annual scientific meeting, to be held 22‰ÛÒ27 March 2014 in San Diego, USA.
FDA nod for Medtronic’s Complete SE vascular stent for use...
On 24 September, Medtronic announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Complete SE (self-expanding) vascular stent specifically for use in the superficial femoral artery and proximal popliteal artery.
FDA issues final guidance on mobile medical apps
On 23 September, the US Food and Drug Administration issued final guidance for developers of mobile medical applications, or apps, which are software programs that run on mobile communication devices and perform the same functions as traditional medical devices. The guidance outlines the FDA‰Ûªs tailored approach to mobile apps.
AngioDynamics highlighted new offerings at CIRSE 2013
AngioDynamics featured its key innovative products and technologies, including the Angiovac cannula and circuit, Bioflo peripherally inserted central catheters, the Nanoknife system, Nevertouch direct...
Paclitaxel-conferring devices, whether stents or balloons, best for long-term results, meta-analysis...
Konstantinos Katsanos told Interventional News: ‰ÛÏSixteen randomised controlled trials (with >2,500 patients) were analysed with a Bayesian probabilistic approach. Immediate technical success proved to be better with use of covered nitinol stents, while paclitaxel-eluting stents and paclitaxel-coated balloons offered the best long-term results with the least future events.‰Û
New directions for transarterial chemoembolization
There are many new directions for research in the field of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). After the key development of drug-eluting beads, a better understanding of the cellular mechanisms of TACE is mandatory to take the procedure further, writes Alban Denys.
EXPAND trial shows no benefit for primary bare metal stenting over...
An international prospective, randomised, multicentre trial that compared stenting using SE Astron Pulsar and Pulsar-18 (both from Biotronik) vs. angioplasty alone, failed to show statistically significant improved outcomes for stenting.
Informed consent should be obtained by interventional radiology specialists
Informing patients about the important details of interventional radiology procedures before getting permission to conduct an intervention, is an important task that should be carried out by a specialist, a new study recommends.
Positive results for first-in-man study with bioconvertible caval filter
Twelve patients who were available for follow-up had good results at one year with the bioconvertible Sentry inferior vena cava filter (Novate), data presented at CIRSE 2013 shows.
Cook reveals four-year trial data on Zilver PTX at CIRSE 2013
The freedom from target lesion revascularisation data, presented by Michael Dake, Stanford, USA, at CIRSE (14‰ÛÒ18 September, Barcelona, Spain) shows that the drug-eluting stent provides longer-term results and reduces re-intervention rates by 45%.
Terumo to showcase MicroThermx at CIRSE
Terumo will showcase BSD‰Ûªs MicroThermx microwave ablation system at the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) annual conference.
Cone-beam CT could mitigate risk of non-target embolization in the prostatic...
"This study is important because the most feared, but rare, complication of non-target embolization could be mitigated with the use of cone beam CT. This offers the interventional radiologist an opportunity to identify possible sources of non-target embolization prior to performing the actual procedure," lead author Sandeep Bagla told Interventional News.
Promising preliminary results for prostatic artery embolization in younger men
Nigel Hacking, consultant radiologist, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, Southampton, UK, spoke to Interventional News about using polyvinyl alcohol foam embolization particles (Cook) for prostatic artery embolization in younger men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Three-year data from SYMPLICITY HTN-1 show significant and sustained blood pressure...
Eighty eight treatment-resistant hypertension patients were available for 36-month evaluations following treatment with the Symplicity renal denervation system. These 88 patients demonstrated sustained reductions in blood pressure year-over-year with an average reduction of -32/-14mmHg [p<0.01].
Benefits of thermal ablation in the lung in conjunction with other...
Thomas Vogl, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, spoke at ECIO (19–22 June, Budapest Hungary) about novel lung ablative techniques and...
Exablate gets Health Canada approval for the treatment of uterine fibroids...
The third generation ExAblate system, using non-invasive MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is now available for Canadian patients.
ThermoDox HEAT study results to be presented at ILCA 2013
Celsion Corporation announced that Ronnie TP Poon, professor of Surgery at the University of Hong Kong and lead Asia Pacific principal investigator for the company’s phase...
Tumour measurements predict survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer
For the two-thirds of lung cancer patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease, tumour size is not used currently to predict overall survival times....
Boston Scientific completes enrolment in SuperNOVA trial
The SuperNOVA trial is a global, single-arm, prospective, multicentre trial evaluating the long-term (12 month) safety and effectiveness of the Innova stent system.
MVP Micro Vascular Plug gets FDA 510k clearance for peripheral embolization
Reverse Medical corporation has announced FDA clearance for US commercialisation of their MVP microvascular plus system for peripheral artery embolization, and the first US clinical cases. The MVP system indication for use is to obstruct or reduce the rate of blood flow in the peripheral vasculature.
Older liver cancer patients respond to radioembolization as well as younger...
Data from the multicentre ENRY evaluation of 325 patients, suggest that radioembolization may be a well tolerated and effective option for an increasing population...
Noted interventional radiologists join Surefire Medical’s scientific advisory board
Surefire Medical has announced that Gordon McLennan, Cleveland Clinic, USA, and Fred Moeslein, University of Maryland Medical Center, USA, have joined the company’s scientific...
Interventional radiology offers solutions to manage complications after bariatric surgery
Interventional radiologists can play an important role in managing complications post surgery because surgical re-intervention is always linked with a higher risk of complications. Also, in some procedures, interventional radiologists have the necessary skills and training not just to manage complications after bariatric surgery, but to offer the primary treatment themselves, writes Mario Corona
Are bioabsorbable stents the ideal REMEDY?
‰ÛÏCurrently, the treatment of in-stent restenosis remains a difficult and unresolved issue. We wanted to see if the placement of a ‰Ûªtemporary‰Ûª bioabsorbable stent can provide a solution [to this problem], as such stents disappear over time and can no longer induce intimal hyperplasia formation,‰Û Goverde told delegates at EuroPCR.
Cook completes patient enrolment for study to treat arterial occlusions using...
The new access technique could be used in treating peripheral arterial disease, including for patients with critical limb ischaemia. Cook Medical has completed patient enrolment in a study investigating the approach.
Cook Medical distributing Zilver PTX drug-eluting stent in USA, Europe and...
Cook Medical is shipping its Zilver PTX drug-eluting peripheral stent to medical centres in the USA, Japan, Europe and other major markets again. The shipments follow a brief period of unavailability due to a voluntary recall by Cook related to an issue with the stent‰Ûªs delivery catheter that has been resolved.
NICE recommends selective internal radiation therapy for treatment of primary and...
BTG announced on 30 July that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance recommending the use of selective internal...
Cryoneurolysis “potential treatment” to alleviate refractory neuralgia
A prospective study has revealed that cryoneurolysis could be a potential treatment for patients with neuralgia when conventional treatments fail. The minimally invasive treatment at the site of focal neuralgia statistically significantly decreased pain scores in patients.
InSightec gets Chinese Food and Drug Administration nod for ExAblate
InSightec announced that its ExAblate system received approval from the Chinese Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) for magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound treatment of uterine fibroids.
Evidence gap on renal denervation closing while procedure widely used, German...
An abstract presentation during EuroPCR 2013 (21‰ÛÒ24 May, Paris, France) focused on assessing the number and quality of published clinical trials underpinning the wide use of renal denervation in Germany.
Interventional radiologists can transfer skills used in the periphery to treat...
A study, published online on 8 July in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, found that peripheral interventional radiologists who use CT perfusion imaging for patient selection had good neurologic outcomes when they treated stroke patients.
Abbott to acquire IDEV Technologies to expand global peripheral technology portfolio
Abbott has entered into an agreement to purchase IDEV Technologies, according to a press release. Per the terms of the agreement, Abbott will acquire all outstanding equity of IDEV Technologies for US$310 million net of cash and debt.
Interventional radiology gains subspecialty status in Canada
The Canadian Interventional Radiology Association (CIRA) has recently announced that the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada has approved interventional radiology as a subspecialty.
Surefire infusion system safe and effective for delivery of Y90
Case reports published in the Journal of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology have found that by using the Surefire Infusion System, radioembolization could be successfully...
Carotid stenting safe for diabetic patients, Italian registry shows
Outcome data from CASSIA, a ‰ÛÏreal world‰Û registry, demonstrate that carotid artery stenting appears to be safe and effective in terms of clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes and other risk factors.
Particle size for prostate embolization: Is smaller better?
Tiago Bilhim, interventional radiology, Saint Louis Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal, presented the results of a randomised prospective study which compared 100åµm with 200åµm polyvinyl alcohol particles (PVA) for prostatic artery embolization at the Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Meeting (13‰ÛÒ18 April, New Orleans, USA).
Merit Medical announces multiple regulatory approvals
Merit Medical Systems has announced that it has received multiple regulatory approvals from regulatory bodies in the USA, Europe, Japan and China.
Diffusion-weight magnetic resonance imaging in carotid artery interventions
Following carotid intervention, the number of detectable diffusion-weight magnetic resonance imaging (DWMRI) lesions is an order of magnitude greater than adverse clinical event (stroke/death). This lends credence to the use of DWMRI as a surrogate endpoint allowing comparisons of interventional strategies in studies with reduced sample size, wrote Sumaira Macdonald.
FDA clearance for its AlluraClarity interventional X-ray system
Royal Philips has announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its AlluraClarity live image guidance system in the USA.
Sirtex to distribute Surefire Medical’s infusion system in Australia and Asia-Pacific...
Sirtex Medical and US-based Surefire Medical has announced a sales and marketing partnership to distribute Surefire’s range of innovative infusion systems and specialty catheters for the...
SARAH study enroling patients throughout France for the treatment of primary...
Launched by the Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, France, in December 2011, SARAH (Sorafenib versus radioembolization in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma), a French national collaborative randomised controlled trial...
SIR publishes a definitive review of literature “most relevant to the...
The Society of Interventional Radiology has announced, on 11 June 2013, the release of ‰ÛÏUpdates in interventional radiology 2013,‰Û which is intended to be a concise reference of the current literature most relevant to the specialty.
European Parliament approves changes to European health and safety legislation for...
The Alliance for MRI announced on 11 June that the European Parliament has approved derogation for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in its draft report on the revised directive on protecting workers from exposure to electromagnetic fields.
Doxorubicin-eluting microspheres limit progression of hepatocellular carcinoma
Investigators from Thomas Jefferson University published a study in the February edition of the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology comparing the incidence of progression of hepatocellular carcinoma when treated with either doxorubicin-eluting beads or ethiodol-based regimens using either cisplatin/adriamycin/mitomycin-c (CAM) or adriamycin alone. Daniel B Brown writes about the outcomes and implications of this study.
Bard announces the enrolment of the first patient in Lutonix below-the-knee...
According to a company release, the first patient has been enrolled in the Lutonix below-the-knee clinical trial which is intended to compare the safety and effectiveness of the Lutonix 014 drug-coated percutaneous transluminal angioplasty dilation catheter vs. a standard angioplasty balloon for the treatment of critical limb ischaemia.
First US study to investigate the use of the EnligHTN...
St Jude Medical has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the initiation of the EnligHTN IV Renal Denervation Study.
ArtVentive Medical announces the receipt of CE mark for occlusion system
ArtVentive Medical Group has announced that it has received the CE mark for the ArtVentive EOS peripheral vascular endoluminal occlusion system.
GreenLight XPS laser therapy equally safe and effective as TURP
Results from a large randomised trial supported the use of a 180 watt laser therapy as a viable treatment option for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Prostate implant demonstrates strong safety and efficacy benefits with for benign...
According to a press release, UroLift met all of its study endpoints in the LIFT multicentre, randomised controlled study. The LIFT study demonstrated that patients experienced rapid and significant symptom relief, improved urinary flow rates, preserved sexual function and that UroLift is well tolerated under local anaesthesia.
MVP microvascular plug for peripheral embolization gets the CE mark
Reverse Medical announced on 14 May 2013 the initial clinical use of their MVP microvascular plug system for peripheral artery embolization. The device has been granted CE mark approval to obstruct or reduce the rate of blood flow in the peripheral vasculature.
High-intensity focused ultrasound device showcased at AUA Annual Meeting
SonaCare Medical, at the American Urological Association‰Ûªs Annual Meeting (4‰ÛÒ8 May 2013, San Diego, USA) launched their high-intensity focused ultrasound surgical ablation system‰ÛÓSonatherm.
James Cook University Hospital to install X-ray and interventional imaging systems
The James Cook University Hospital, part of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has ordered an Artis zee multi-purpose interventional imaging system and three Ysio digital X-ray systems from Siemens Healthcare.
BioMed Central announces launch of the Journal of Therapeutic Ultrasound
Open access publisher BioMed Central has announced the launch of the Journal of Therapeutic Ultrasound, which is in partnership with the Focused Ultrasound Foundation and the International Society for Therapeutic Ultrasound.
Radiosurgery treatments for lung cancer using Varian Medical Systems Technologies presented...
Detailed experiences of stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) treatments using Varian’s TrueBeam medical linear accelerator and Calypso “GPS for the Body” tumour-tracking technology were...
Medtronic reports initial implants of novel stent graft for aortic aneurysms...
Medtronic‰Ûªs Valiant Mona LSA branch stent graft system for the repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms has been tested in the USA as part of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initiative to encourage early-stage clinical research for new devices in the USA.
Cost effective prostate cancer treatment underused in the UK
The study, which was presented at the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) 19 to 23 April 2013, Geneva, Switzerland, used the latest cost effectiveness model...
Cook Medical announces CE mark approval for PVA foam embolization particles
PVA foam embolization particles to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia from Cook Medical have received the CE mark, according to a press release. The product was showcased at the Global Embolization Symposium and Technologies (GEST) 1‰ÛÒ4 May 2013 in Prague, Czech Republic.
FDA approves FibroScan for non-invasive liver diagnosis
Echosens has announced that FibroScan device received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is preparing to market its technology in the USA.
Prostatic artery embolization is a safe and effective alternative to TURP,...
In a presentation of early data from a prostatic artery embolization cohort, Sandeep Bagla, Inova Alexandria Hospital, Alexandria, USA, spoke about prostatic artery embolization as a favourable alternative to current treatments.
Stenting dramatically improves treatment access for dialysis patients
The RENOVA (Post-approval study for the Flair endovascular stent graft) results showed that stent grafts keep access sites open significantly longer in haemodialysis patients than angioplasty alone, according to a presentation at the Society of Interventional Radiology‰Ûªs Annual Meeting.
Increased risk of hepatotoxicity in transarterial chemoembolization patients with poor hepatic...
David N Tran, UCSF, San Francisco, USA, spoke on the topic of chemoembolization at the Society of Interventional Radiology‰Ûªs Annual Meeting (13‰öÕ18 April 2013, New Orleans, USA), he discussed transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in liver transplant candidates with and without marginal hepatic reserve.
The Royal Liverpool Hospital installs the SonoSite Edge ultrasound system
The Royal Liverpool University Hospital‰Ûªs interventional radiology department has recently invested in two SonoSite Edge hand-carried ultrasound systems to assist diagnosis and treatment of venous disease.
Relay Plus Thoracic Stent Graft receives Japanese PMDA approval
On the 1 April 2013 Bolton Medical announced that the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) had approved the Relay Thoracic Stent Graft with Plus Delivery System.
Cook Medical initiates voluntary global recall of Zilver PTX drug-eluting stent
On 24 April 2013, according to a press release, based on its investigation into complaints that the delivery system of the device had separated at the tip of the inner catheter, Cook Medical has initiated a nationwide/global voluntary recall of its Zilver PTX drug-eluting peripheral stent.