TMVR Systems Pulled for Burst Balloons; Cannabis-VTE Paradox; Beets for BP

The FDA said Edwards Lifesciences pulled its Commander M delivery systems for Sapien M3 transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR), on account of three reports of balloons bursting during inflation, with one death and one serious injury associated with this issue.

The agency also approved an expanded indication for the Gore Viabahn VBX balloon expandable endoprosthesis (VBX stent graft) for use in fenestrated and branched endovascular aortic repair, W.L. Gore announced.

The American College of Cardiology endorsed and provided guidance for prescribing exercise across the spectrum of cardiovascular health and disease. (Journal of the American College of Cardiology)

Real-world records suggested that GLP-1 agonist users typically had lower rates of major heart-related complications and infections after surgery compared with peers not taking these drugs, according to research highlighted by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).

The ASA also showcased a study that found that cannabis use among surgical patients was associated with a 46% increased risk of myocardial infarction, but a 22% lower risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Paradoxically, VTE was less likely to occur in hospitalized patients with overweight or obesity, nationwide hospital records showed. (Journal of the American Heart Association)

In a single-arm study, the Vertex pulmonary embolectomy system met its prespecified safety and effectiveness endpoints for mechanical aspiration thrombectomy in acute intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism. (EuroIntervention)

For patients presenting with possible myocardial infarction at the emergency department, use of point-of-care high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I testing was safe and reduced length of stay compared with laboratory testing, a cluster-randomized trial found. (Circulation)

A single ancestry-specific CD36 allelic variant plays a large role in dilated cardiomyopathy among African Americans, according to a multicohort genetic association study. (JAMA)

For people with refractory ventricular tachycardia, stereotactic arrhythmia radioablation was associated with a 80% reduction in episode burden, with a 1-year overall survival probability of 77%, European registry data suggested. (European Heart Journal)

In a placebo-controlled trial, 6 months of colchicine reduced inflammation but failed to ease arterial stiffness among adults with pharmacologically treated hypertension without cardiovascular disease. (European Journal of Preventive Cardiology)

A cardiologist said beets could lower blood pressure (BP). (Today)

An automated digital valve care pathway, built into the existing hospital electronic health record, may facilitate timely management of severe aortic stenosis, a pragmatic implementation study suggested. (JAMA Cardiology)