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Spectranetics Announces First Human Uses Of Turbo-Tandem™ System
Spectranetics Corporation (Nasdaq: SPNC) reported the first human procedures using its Turbo-Tandem™ System, which had earlier received FDA clearance and CE mark approval for marketing in the US and the EU. The Turbo-Tandem System is a single-use, disposable device indicated for atherectomy of infrainguinal arteries. It is comprised of two integrated catheters, a 7 French laser guide catheter in combination with a 2.0mm excimer laser ablation catheter, and is designed to perform atherectomy and ablation of plaque in arterial lesions above the knee, primarily within the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries.

Study Examines Efficacy Of Merck Drug On HIV Reservoirs
Patients who added Merck"s HIV drug Isentress to their regular daily HIV drug regimen "fared no better than those who added a placebo to the mix," as the drug failed to "reduce low-level reservoirs of HIV," in the body, according to findings presented at the International AIDS Society conference in Cape Town, South Africa, Bloomberg reports. As part of the 53-participant study led by Harvard University, researchers looked at patients whose viral loads were at undetectable levels and "were given either Isentress or a placebo for 12 weeks, then switched to the alternate agent for an additional 12 weeks. The study found no difference in low levels of the virus between the two groups, using a highly sensitive test," the article states. "The results are a setback for doctors looking for ways to seek and destroy the last vestiges of HIV, which aren"t reached by currently available drugs. Eliminating these so-called viral reservoirs may potentially cure patients, allowing them to stop taking daily medicines," according to Bloomberg (Pettypiece, 7/22).
News of the day
New Jersey Senator Proposes Plan To Avert HIV/AIDS Drug Copayments
New Jersey state Sen. Joseph Vitale (D) -- chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee -- earlier this week proposed a plan to temporarily reduce rebate checks to senior citizens earning $100,000 to $150,000 in an effort to alleviate the effects of possible budget cuts on certain populations, the Newark Star-Ledger reports. Vitale"s proposal also would avert planned $6 to $15 prescription drug copayments for people living with HIV/AIDS in the state (Livio, Newark Star-Ledger, 5/12). The copayments are part of Gov. Jon Corzine"s (D) $29.8 billion spending proposal for the state"s new fiscal year and would collect $1.36 million by creating copayments for HIV/AIDS drugs based on a sliding scale determined by income. The copayments would affect 9,000 people living with HIV/AIDS who have obtained no-cost medicine from the state because they do not qualify for other assistance programs. Advocates said that the copayments will hurt patients who are already struggling because of the poor economy (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 4/23). According to the Star-Ledger, Vitale"s proposal would save the state $15.7 million, including $9.7 million needed to allow 17,000 low-income families to enroll in the state"s health insurance program, FamilyCare. Senate Budget Committee Chair Barbara Buono (D) said that she does not believe it is possible to restore program cuts "given the collapse of revenues." According to the Office of Legislative Services, the current deficit for this year"s budget, which ends June 30, is at least $1.2 billon. Vitale said, "Our convictions are going to be tested as we come to terms with the fact that we simply don"t have enough money to fund all of the state"s priorities." He added, "But unless funding is restored for programs like NJ FamilyCare, Medicaid drug benefits and the AIDS Drug Distribution Program, I will be voting against the" fiscal year 2010 budget (Newark Star-Ledger, 5/12).
Medical Devices

European Society Of Cardiology Congress 2009: 29 August To 2 September, 2009

The latest news on procedures, drugs and equipment in the field of cardiology will be presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress which will take place in Barcelona, from 29 August to 2 September. With over 30,000 participants, the ESC Congress is the world"s biggest cardiology meeting. A record number of abstract submissions - 9,848 - were registered this year, reflecting how the meeting is now the main platform for cardiovascular research. A growing number of abstracts came from outside Europe, reflecting the truly international dimension of the meeting. "Because cardiovascular disease is the main cause of mortality and morbidity and in recognition of the major advances that have been made in this field we felt that prevention and risk factor identification represented a really important theme to highlight" explains Prof Fausto Pinto, chairperson of the Congress Programme Committee. "Entitled "Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease from cell to man to society", our highlight offers the opportunity for doctors, scientists and governments to come together to discuss ways of decreasing the burden of cardiovascular disease on society." New joint sessions with sister societies, such as the European Society of Medical Oncology, looking at issues such as the cardiovascular effects of oncology drugs, and a new joint session with the European Commission that will explore the issues around how the European Commission supports cardiovascular research are on the programme this year. The ESC Congress is a unique forum bringing together all the different disciplines and players involved in cardiology, including doctors, basic scientists, epidemiologists, nurses, technicians and key opinion leaders. It covers both specific issues in the different disciplines as well as broader issues affecting all fields of cardiology. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) represents 59,000 cardiology professionals across Europe and the Mediterranean. Its mission is to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in Europe. ESC Press Office European Society of Cardiology


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