Drug-coated stents aren't perfect.
February 25, 2008 08:26

After drug coated stents gained widespread use, experts noticed that the rate of fatal or nonfatal blood clots increased beyond those for patients who did not receive a drug-coated stent . The clotting risk was confirmed in medical trials. Thus, the FDA now recommends that patients who receive drug-eluting stents also be given dual anti-platelet therapy -- for example, Plavix (clopidogrel) and aspirin -- for a year after they receive the device.

Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation
February 27, 2008 12:15

The Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation issued a transfer order, transferring all Medtronic Sprint Fidelis case (MDL No. 1905) filed in various federal courts to the District of Minnesota. The Panel's transfer order can be view at http://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/Hearing_Info/Newly_Transferred/MDL_1905-TransferOrder-Corrected.pdf.

Medtronic Lobbying Efforts
February 28, 2008 12:32

Medtronic, which manufactures medical devices, spent $940,000 in the second half of 2007 to lobby the House of Representatives, according to a disclosure form posted online Feb. 14 by the Senate's public records office. It lobbied on provisions in farming bills that allows medical device sales representatives the ability to train with live animals.