Top Story

• Study: Triple-drug protocol safe, effective for preventing clots
  Adding cilostazol to a dual-antiplatelet treatment protocol of aspirin and clopidogrel is as safe and effective as a double-dose dual protocol for preventing blood clots in angioplasty patients, according to a study presented at a cardiology meeting. After a month, serious bleeding, cardiovascular-related death, myocardial infarction or stroke was seen in 1.2% of triple therapy patients, compared with 1.4% of patients receiving double-dose dual therapy. The trial will monitor patients for three more years. CardiologyToday.com (3/25)     

Science & Health

• Stem cell study offers hope for chronic ischemic heart failure patients
  Autologous bone marrow cell treatments in patients with chronic ischemic heart failure did not affect left ventricular end-systolic volume, maximal oxygen consumption or reversibility, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The therapy, however, improved left ventricular ejection fraction, and the benefit appeared to correspond to the amount of progenitor cells in the marrow. The results "provide evidence for further studies to determine the relationship between the composition and function of bone-marrow product and clinical end points," according to lead author Dr. Emerson Perin of the Texas Heart Institute. TheHeart.org (Montreal) (free registration) (3/24)     

• Aspirin intake boosts platelet recruitment in type 2 diabetes
  Aspirin treatment was associated with higher levels of isoprostanes, which in turn boosts platelet recruitment in type 2 diabetes patients, a study in the journal Diabetes found. Researchers also found that aspirin inhibited platelet thromboxane A2 in patients with or without diabetes. PhysiciansBriefing.com/HealthDay News (3/23)     

• Researchers: Oral bacteria can lead to clots, heart condition
  An oral bacteria called streptococcus gordonii can enter the bloodstream through diseased gums and cause a rare cardiac condition called infective endocarditis, according to researchers who will present their findings at a microbiology conference. The bacteria causes clots in which it can evade the immune system and antibiotics. The researchers hope to develop treatments to prevent the clots. The Daily Mail (London) (3/25)     

• Gene variation appears linked to development of severe flu
  Mice without the IFITM3 gene developed fulminant viral pneumonia when infected with a flu strain that is commonly not harmful, according to a study in the journal Nature. Researchers also discovered that a small but significant number of patients admitted to the hospital during the H1N1 flu pandemic had a mutation in the gene. The findings could help in the development of measures to mitigate the effects of the virus. MedPage Today (free registration) (3/25)     

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by AABB SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Hospital unit wins Supreme Court case over test patents (Reuters)

• Gel to control surgical bleeding prompts purchase by Sanofi (Reuters)

• Boosting red blood cells is linked to lower brain trauma mortality (MedPage Today)

• Girl grows new blood vessel using cell-seeded tube (The Wall Street Journal)

• Insect study finds potential for greater transmission of Chagas' disease (NewsRoomAmerica.com)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

Emerging Trends

• Practice Fusion tracks public health with online database
  EHR vendor Practice Fusion has released an online database that enables researchers to track public health patterns by accessing resources from major academic centers. The database could allow quick analysis of the geographical spread of infections. eWeek (3/23)     

Industry News & Practice

• Fenwal to distribute blood monitor/mixer in Europe
  Fenwal has entered an agreement with Applied Science for the sale and distribution of the HemoFlow 400 blood collection monitor/mixer in Europe. The device is used to monitor blood collection and lightly mix the blood to prevent clotting. The product includes safety alerts and automated functions. AZoSensors.com (3/26)     

	The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS) 14th International Hemovigilance Seminar in Montreal, Canada: April 25-27 This conference, entirely dedicated to hemovigilance, includes a full session on USA Biovigilance. This is the first time it will be held outside of Europe. You are invited to attend and submit abstracts related to vein-to-vein transfusion safety. Click here to register.

Government & Regulatory

• Device tax likely to be more costly than initially projected
  Medical device firms will need to divert staff and hire experts to manage the impending 2.3% device tax, suggesting the levy will be more costly than projected, industry officials say. While large medtech firms can take on more staff without much trouble, that likely won't be the case for smaller companies, Cook Medical Chairman Stephen Ferguson said. MassDevice.com (Boston) (3/23)     

• FDA pilot would allow GHTF-audited firms to avoid reinspections
  The FDA will start on June 5 a pilot program to allow medtech firms to skip reinspections for a year, under certain conditions, if they have already undergone an audit by a Global Harmonization Task Force founding member. To join the program, companies must submit the report from their last audit within 90 days of the audit's last day. Clinica (subscription required) (3/22)     

Association News

• AABB to host 10th Annual NBF Leadership Forum in April
  AABB will host the 10th annual National Blood Foundation Leadership Forum, April 22-24, in Washington, D.C. This year, the forum will focus on patient-centered transfusion medicine and cellular therapies. At this invitation-only event, members of the NBF Council on Research and Development (CORD) and NBF Partners Program -- as well as blood center CEOs and other senior level executives in the industry -- can share information, build partnerships and discuss the major issues affecting the future value, growth and strategic direction of transfusion medicine and cellular therapies. Learn more.     

Position Title Company Name Location Technical Director Rock River Valley Blood Center US - IL - Rockford Manager, Data Administration America's Blood Centers US - DC - Washington Assistant/Associate Professor Saint Louis University US - MO - St. Louis West Coast Account Manager Macopharma USA US - Nationwide

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SmartQuote

You should not live one way in private, another in public." --Publilius Syrus, Latin writer