In Global News: Improving Vein Grafts, a Suture-Based Percutaneous Mitral Device, and Donating CT Surgical Equipment

Patient Care

The Jos University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria has received a donation of surgical equipment for cardiothoracic surgery from Project CURE, which will allow the hospital to offer more surgical services to patients.

Italy’s former president, Giorgio Napolitano, underwent emergency surgery for a ruptured aorta.

A former goalkeeper for the national Pakistani field hockey team is in need of a heart transplant and has appealed to the Indian government for a medical visa.

Drugs and Devices

The CoAp Pro device from HeartStitch, designed to provide a percutaneous suture-based approach for mitral valve remodeling and repair, has received CE Mark approval in the European Union.

The US Food and Drug Administration has expanded approved use of osimertinib from AstraZeneca to include first-line treatment for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor mutations.

A planned firmware upgrade for certain implantable cardiac devices from Abbott includes a cybersecurity update.

Research, Trials, and Funding

The VEST US trial has enrolled the first 20 patients. The trial will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a device for treating saphenous vein graft disease after coronary artery bypass grafting.