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The Medicines Company (NASDAQ: MDCO) announced that poor blood pressure control during cardiac surgery is associated with a higher risk of 30-day death, stroke, myocardial infarction and renal dysfunction, compared to patients with tight blood pressure control, according to a post-hoc analysis of the ECLIPSE trial. The data were presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) 2008 Annual Meeting.

MIV Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCBB: MIVI) (FRANKFURT: MIVN), a leading developer of next-generation coatings and advanced drug-delivery systems for cardiovascular stents and other implantable medical devices, announced that the Journal of the American College of Cardiology Intervention (JACC Intervention) published preliminary results from the VESTASYNC I trial.

Terumo Heart, Inc. announced that five patients have received the DuraHeart(TM) Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS), marking an important early milestone in the U.S. Pivotal Trial. A team led by Dr. Francis Pagani performed the five implants at the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center in Ann Arbor with three of the surgeries performed off-pump. "We congratulate Dr. Pagani on conducting the first off-pump implants of DuraHeart in the world.

Corgenix Medical Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: CONX) announces that new CHARISMA trial findings published in Circulation confirm that elevated urinary levels of the biomarker 11-dehydro thromboxane B2 (11dhTxB2) indicate an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiac death. The AspirinWorks(R) Test by Corgenix is the only FDA-cleared test that measures urinary 11dhTxB2 to accurately determine aspirin effect in apparently healthy individuals.

Depression symptoms are associated with significantly higher use of healthcare services following a heart attack, according to a new study released today by the Centre for Addiction and Mental health (CAMH). With approximately 70,000 Canadians experiencing a heart attack each year, this new data may help thousands of people get the care they need and reduce hospital visits.

A pilot study of Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PPCI), where heart attack patients are fast-tracked into the cardiac catheter lab for treatment, has been extremely successful at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals, England. In collaboration with the South Central Ambulance Service, the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals' Cardiac Department has been piloting immediate access, 24/7, to PPCI, successfully delivered by a multidisciplinary team.

Patients at Pilgrim hospital, Boston, England, are benefiting from a procedure introduced recently which helps to prevent strokes in those who may be at risk. Mr Jayarama Mohan has carried out more than 60 carotid artery surgery procedures - and has seen positive results in all cases. Mr Mohan said patients are referred to him by other physicians, often when they have had the symptoms of a minor stroke or are at risk of future strokes.

Endologix, Inc. (NASDAQ:ELGX) today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the IntuiTrakT Delivery System. This innovative new system will be used for the minimally invasive delivery and deployment of the Powerlink stent graft, which is indicated for the endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). The company plans to conduct a limited market release over the next several months and expects a full commercial launch in the U.S.