St. Jude Medical, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson and other makers of tissue-burning catheters for treating heart ailments should conduct more research to determine long-term benefits, a government agency suggests. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality says in a report the catheters, which represent a fast-growing market for the companies, may not be as effective as drugs for patients at risk of strokes. The issue is one of the “comparative effectiveness” targets suggested by the Obama administration to reduce health care costs. The AHRQ report said studies on the radiofrequency ablation used by the catheters is helpful for up to a year in maintaining normal heart rhythms, but it questions the long-term effectiveness. (Click here for more – a subscription may be required)
“More Data Needed On Using Catheters For Heart Disorder—Report” – Wall Street Journal (7/8/09)
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