2015 PAD News & Research

BIOLUX P-I trial results published -- March 23, 2015

Dierk Scheinert, MD was the lead investigator in a prospective multi-center randomized trial that compared the paclitaxel coated Passeo-18 Lux Drug Coated Balloon vs. the uncoated Passeo-18 balloon (Biotronik AG, Buelach, Switzerland) in 60 patients with femoropopliteal disease. Read More

Avinger Completes Enrollment for VISION Trial -- March 12, 2015

VISION is a non-randomized prospective single-arm trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of the Pantheris (Avinger Inc., Redwood City, CA) catheter that allows performance of directional atherectomy while using intravascular imaging. Avinger currently manufactures the Lightbox and Ocelot products, which are also intravasscular devices. Read More

Medicare Payments Surge for Peripheral Stents -- February 21, 2015

As payments for coronary stents are falling, physicians are turning towards peripheral stents of the arms and legs for higher reimbursement rates. Coronary stents fell by 30% from 2005 to 2013 while peripheral stents increased by 70%. Medicare paid an average of $12,000 per procedure despite mixed long-term results. Read More

FDA Approves IN.PACT Admiral for SFA -- January 9, 2015

Medtronic's IN.PACT Admiral paclitaxel coated balloon recently received United States Food and Drug Administration approval for treatment of superficial femoral artery disease. Data from clinical trials showed a 12-month target lesion revascularization rate of 2.4%, which bodies well for long-term durability of non-stent based treatment. Read More