In the race to protect society from infectious microbes, the bugs are outrunning us. The need for new therapeutic agents is acute, given the emergence of novel pathogens as well as old foes bearing heightened antibiotic resistance.Shelley Haydel, a researcher at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute has a new approach to developing effective, topical antibacterial agents -- one that draws on a naturally occurring substance recognised since antiquity for its medicinal properties: clay.In research appearing in the journal PLOS ONE, Haydel and her graduate student, Caitlin Otto, lay out the case for clay, demonstrating that certain varieties of clay have the ability to aggressively kill a range of pathogens including E. coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) -- a stubborn, highly contagious, and dangerous pathogen that has lately been the scourge of many hospitals and is a common cause of skin infections in the community. Their study further indicates that, rather than the physical particles of the clays, particular metal ions attached to the clay are likely responsible for its potent antibacterial properties."While some natural clays, which have absorptive properties similar to sponges, have been used topically for centuries, scientific studies investigating the antibacterial mechanisms represent a relatively new area of research," Haydel says. "With this study, we have demonstrated that the antibacterial activity of these natural clays is not dependent on the physical clay particles, but rather the abiotic, microbicidal activities of specific metal ions desorbed from the clay surface. While we are still working on mechanism of action studies, determining that specific metal ions influenced antibacterial activity was critical in leading us in the appropriate scientific directions."Medical use of clay has a storied history. As early as 5000 years ago, clay was listed in the ancient tablets of Nippur as a wound-healing medicament. Around 1600 BC, the Ebers Papyrus -- recognized as the world's oldest medical text -- recommended clay for ailments including diarrhea, dysentery, tapeworm, hookworm, wounds, and abscesses. Clays came into common use in the 19th century as topical treatments for surgical wounds, demonstrating their beneficial effects for pain management, inflammation, putrefaction, and healing processes.In their current study, Otto and Haydel examined four clay samples and their respective aqueous mineral extracts or leachates and determined that the clays exhibited different in vitro antibacterial activities against E. coli and MRSA. Mineralogically, the samples were nearly identical with 52 percent clay and 48 percent non-clay minerals, but the composition of metal ions released from the mineral surfaces varied considerably across the samples. The tests, using aqueous mineral leachates of the four clay samples, uncovered a variety of elements in varying concentrations. Based on previous studies, the research team focused on five metal ions -- iron (Fe), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn).When non-antibacterial clays with low concentrations of these five critical metal ions were supplemented with higher amounts and the pH was matched with that of antibacterial clays, the new formulation displayed killing ability against E. coli and MRSA. The result pointed to the presence of metal ions in sufficient concentration as the antibacterial agent in the clay. Further tests narrowed the field of antibacterial candidates, establishing Fe+2, Cu+2, and Zn+2 ions as contributing antibacterial agents.While the pH level was found to play a mediating role, the lethal effect of the clays could not be attributed exclusively to pH, absent the influence of metal ions. Metal speciation modeling and statistical analysis of the results indicated that Cu+2, Co+2, Ni+2, and Zn+2 are effective against E. coli, while Cu+2, Co+2, and Zn+2 are effective against MRSA. Intriguingly, the study found that the metal ion toxicity of a given clay sample is not always proportional to the total ion concentration. Toxicity instead is critically dependent on a variety of other factors including pH, ion solubility, osmotic strength, and temperature. The tests undertaken helped to evaluate the interplay of these factors in determining both the antibacterial effectiveness and toxicity of the samples.Haydel notes that physical and chemical properties of minerals contained in clays together contribute to healing properties. Minerals contained in clay mixtures have a negative surface charge that allows the free exchange of compounds from the environment, including bacteria, viruses, proteins, nucleic acids, and cations. Kaolinite, talc, and smectite clay minerals are highly absorptive. Due to their ability to adhere to the skin, clays offer mechanical protection similar to a bandage, sealing out external physical or chemical agents, as well as absorptive properties which assist in removing devitalized tissue, particulate matter, or foreign materials from a wound.Haydel is optimistic about the potential for medicinal clays to play a greater therapeutic role, particularly against the growing threat of topical and antibiotic-resistant infections:"We have demonstrated that mineralogically-identical clays exhibit chemical variability which correlates with variability in antibacterial activity. Since clays can contain toxic metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, safety precautions must be in place to minimize exposure to toxic ions. Efforts must be taken to standardise the composition and antibacterial efficacy of clays if they are to be used therapeutically and prophylactically."Journal reference: Caitlin C. Otto, Shelley E. Haydel. Exchangeable Ions Are Responsible for the In Vitro Antibacterial Properties of Natural Clay Mixtures. PLoS ONE, 2013; 8 (5): e64068 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064068Source: sciencedaily.com

Countries that have higher levels of corruption struggle to attract and retain skilled workers report the authors of a new study published in EMBO reports.Qualified workers are in demand in many countries around the world. They are internationally mobile and have the flexibility to take on new challenges. However, if the exodus of skilled workers exceeds the immigration rate of highly qualified individuals it may have a negative impact on the economic performance of a country.The authors studied the migration of highly skilled workers across 123 countries from 1990 to 2000. Corruption in different countries was scored on a scale of zero to six using the corruption index from the International Country Risk Guide and compared with the migration patterns of workers aged over 25 years who had at least completed secondary education.“A positive ‘balance of brains’ is a crucial factor for the success of any country,” Mara Pasquamaria Squicciarini from the LICOS Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance at the University of Leuven remarked. “Our study confirms that the level of corruption in different countries directly impacts the availability of skilled workers and is an important decision factor for emigration and immigration by highly skilled professionals.”The economic status of each country was taken into consideration in the analysis. Under conditions where the gross domestic products per capita were the same, corrupt countries were still more likely to experience a loss of highly skilled workers. The results are therefore not solely attributable to the financial or other incentives that each country is able to provide to attract qualified individuals.The authors also point out that investments in education in corrupt countries are futile if the impact of corruption on migration patterns cannot be tackled directly. “Investment in education in corrupt countries benefits other countries if people emigrate to more attractive employment markets,” Andrea Ariu from the Catholic University of Louvain la Neuve commented. “Government policy must focus not only on building an educated workforce but also on fighting corruption to create a fair labour market for all concerned.”"The balance of brains: Corruption and migration", Andrea Ariu, Mara Pasquamaria SquicciariniTo read the paper: doi: 10.1038/embor.2013.59Further information on EMBO reports is available at www.nature.com

Philips, the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre (Nijmegen, the Netherlands) and Main-Taunus Cardiac Center (Bad Soden, Germany) today announced the results of a clinical study that demonstrate that the safety for patients and clinicians can be significantly enhanced during cardiac interventions. Using Philips’ recently introduced AlluraClarity system* with ClarityIQ technology, doctors were, for the first time, able to achieve a 50 percent reduction in X-ray dose while maintaining the excellent image quality needed during image-guided cardiac interventions. The results will be presented during the annual congress of the European Association for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EuroPCR), 21 – 24 May in Paris. The clinical study was designed by Main-Taunus Cardiac Center and conducted at the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre between September and November 2012 involving 39 patients with a BMI range of 20 – 37. During the study, two coronary angiography scans of the same patient were compared: for the first scan conventional interventional X-ray technology was used, while for the second scan Philips’ ClarityIQ technology was used. Six independent interventional cardiologists from across Europe (Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden) then evaluated the image quality of these scans, and concluded that compared to conventional X-ray technology, AlluraClarity provided equivalent image quality at 50 percent less X-ray dose.“We have extensively explored and tested this new technology at our cardiac center”, said Prof. Dr. med. N. Reifart, co-author of the study and Director of the Main-Taunus Cardiac Center, Private Clinic Bad Soden. “It now enables us to perform most diagnostic angiographies with at least 50 percent lower radiation levels, equivalent to less than 1 mSv, with similar image quality as in the past”.“Such a significant reduction in X-ray dose benefits both patients and the staff managing their care”, said Dr. T.J.F ten Cate, the cardiologist at the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre and responsible for conducting the study. “Now that we are using AlluraClarity, we have become much more conscious about X-ray radiation dose.”The study results represent an important milestone for Philips, showcasing how complex interventional procedures can be performed with a significant reduction in X-ray dose. Last year, Philips announced that it had achieved a breakthrough with the same X-ray technology in endovascular procedures, in collaboration with the St. Antonius Hospital Utrecht/Nieuwegein (the Netherlands), a renowned centre of expertise in the field of heart and vascular interventions. A study conducted at the Karolinska University Hospital (Sweden) in the field of neuroradiology demonstrated that AlluraClarity provides equivalent image quality at 73 percent less dose. Additional studies in the field of neuroradiology and electrophysiology are ongoing, with results expected later this year. “Because of the intrinsic benefits for patients and care providers, there is a clear shift in healthcare from open surgery to minimally-invasive treatments,” commented Ronald Tabaksblat, General Manager, Philips Interventional X-Ray. “Live X-ray guidance is typically being used to perform such minimally invasive treatments. Our ClarityIQ technology significantly reduces the X-ray exposure required to produce high quality images, demonstrating that Philips is truly leading the way in improving the delivery of healthcare.” *Philips AlluraClarity is currently not available for sale in USA, 510(k) pending

Argenteuil hospital, near Paris in France,  is initiating a pilot project offering women their mammography examination with osteoporosis screening in a single examination. The combined assessment of bone health is made possible by Sectra’s patented online service, Sectra OneScreen. Argenteuil is the first hospital in the national mammography screening programme in France to offer this to women.After the four breast images included in the mammography examination, an image of the hand is acquired using the same radiology equipment, adding  no more than 30 seconds to the examination time. With the standard X-ray image of the hand, the women’s bone health (Bone Mineral Density, BMD) is analysed using Sectra’s online service.“I have always been interested in finding an effective method that enables early and easy identification of osteoporosis in a large population of women aged 50 and over. So when I heard about SectraOneScreen, I was captivated”, says Dr Lévy-Weil, head of the Rheumatology department at Argenteuil. “The ability to conduct screening to identify osteoporosis at the same time as mammography will mean that many women with bone fragility can be detected earlier and thus be provided with optimal bone health care for the future. It represents a real advantage in the global prevention of osteoporosis in women over 50 years old."

Study to Be Presented During 2013 ATS Special Session: “Care at the End of Life: Room for Improvement, Ideas for Change”The decision to limit life support in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) appears to be significantly influenced by physician practices and/or the culture of the hospital, suggests new findings from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference on May 21.A retrospective analysis of over 269,000 ICU patients from the Project IMPACT database revealed a substantial variation in decisions to forgo life-sustaining therapies rates among 153 ICUs in the United States—which suggests many factors unrelated to the patient or family may be affecting such decisions, particularly for patients who are unable to participate in decision making.“Patient factors such as severity of illness, age, race, and functional status explain a significant amount of the variability in decisions to forgo life-sustaining therapies, but it is likely that ICU culture and physician practices also play a major role,” said Caroline M. Quill, MD, a fellow in the department of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care at Penn Medicine. “My sense is because patients in the ICU are often unable to participate in decision-making, the influence of providers and the ICU culture may be even greater than the patient or family preference.”One in five Americans die during or shortly after an ICU stay, with many them dying following a decision to forgo life support. Though these decisions are common, the influences on these decisions are not well understood.Limitations on care include do-not-resuscitate orders, withholding or withdrawing mechanical ventilation, withholding CPR, or an order for comfort measures or hospice care.In order to study better understand these influences, the researchers wanted to quantify the variation among ICUs after adjusting for patient factors—gender, condition, age, and race, for example. The thought is that if a host of patient characteristics can be identified that reliably predict who will and who will not have a decision to forgo life-sustaining therapy, then after adjustment for such characteristics among large samples of ICU patients, rates should be relatively consistent among ICUs.Here, that was not the case. Overall, 11.7 percent of patients had a decision to forgo life-sustaining therapies among 153 ICUs in the US between 2001 and 2009. Of those, 58.8 percent died in the ICU and 41.2 percent survived to ICU discharge. After researchers adjusted for patient factors in their model, the study still revealed a six-fold variation among ICUs in the probability of a decision to forgo life-sustaining therapy. This suggests that the ICU to which a given patient is admitted influences his or her odds of having a DFLST, regardless of personal or clinical characteristics.The team also looked at which patient characteristics are associated with these decisions. Older patients, women, and patients with more functional limitations at the time of admission to an ICU were more likely to limit life support, the researchers found. Conversely, black race and other non-white races were less likely to make the decisions to forgo life-sustaining therapies.“This high variability among ICUs highlights an opportunity to improve upon ‘patient-centeredness’ in end of life decisions,” said Dr. Quill. “Knowing how certain physicians reach and convey prognostic judgments, and how an ICU culture, their organizational factors, like nighttime staffing, influences these decision may help us devise targeted interventions to improve the quality of end-of-life care.”Sarah J. Ratcliffe, PhD, Michael O. Harhay, MPH and Scott D. Halpern, MD, PhD are co-authors on the study.Source: Penn Medicine via Newswise

Age has little to do with how patients should be treated after suffering a stroke, according to new research from the University of Georgia (UGA).Historically, younger stroke victims receive different after-stroke intervention strategies than those over a certain age. However, Neale Chumbler, a UGA professor and head of the department of health policy and management in the College of Public Health, found patients responded equally to care efforts. Looking at 127 Veterans Affairs medical centers and a sample of 3,196 patients treated for ischemic strokes, or strokes caused by blood clots, Chumbler studied patient response to care quality as outpatients and if the response changed based on age. To determine risk, he looked at depression symptoms, responses to blood thinning medications and average blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels over a period of six months after patients were released from the hospital following a stroke. He found little difference in health quality across the patients regardless of age. The results of the study were published in the April issue of the Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development. "Watching these important risk indicators helps prevent future complications," he said. "We want to ensure patients don't suffer another stroke or heart attack." Using the largest integrated medical system in the U.S., electronic data from the VA medical centers allowed researchers to control for stroke severity, patient socio-demographics and clinical- and facility-level characteristics through a hierarchical linear mixed modeling. Previous studies relied heavily on self-reported information. "It is an integrated system with electronic medical records, which makes it a perfect laboratory for quality improvement research," he said. According to the National Institutes of Health, two-thirds of all strokes occur in patients over the age of 65. Blood pressure goals typically are lower for stroke patients under age 64 when compared to those 75 to 84. Chumbler's research suggests after-stroke care, like blood pressure management, be applied across all age groups. While the study looked primarily at men (97 percent) who had an average age of 67, Chumbler said the results are widely applicable to women as well as patients of all ages. "Anyone who has a stroke should have these risk factors monitored when they are sent home and when they come back for follow-up appointments," he said. "Traditionally, preventative care has not been as aggressive for older patients. This research shows it is just as important for people in their 80s as it is for those in their 50s." Treatment for depression, one risk factor associated with stroke, was higher among patients younger than 55. "Post-stroke depression is very common; 35 to 40 percent of all individuals are at risk for developing severe clinical depression after stroke, so it is very important to monitor prevention strategies for stroke survivors," Chumbler said. Even though older patients derive as much, if not more, from stroke prevention treatments, previous research suggests older patients are less likely to receive interventions than younger patients. Chumbler's findings suggest they have just as much to gain. "Stroke management should be guided by the best clinical evidence and guidelines irrespective of age," he said in the Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development article. The full journal article is available at http://www.rehab.research.va.gov/jour/2013/502/chumbler502.html.Source: University of Georgia

Both healthcare and technology professionals are invited to join the Health Hack Dublin competition (11th and 12th May) on the eve of international eHealth Week 2013. Together they will be producing high quality software that has the potential to transform healthcare.Leading in to eHealth Week, Health Hack Dublin will shine a spotlight on the theme of “Innovative Healthcare and Wellbeing” and the use of technology to enhance service delivery and to improve patient outcomes.Healthcare professionals (consultants, GPs, nursing staff and health managers) are invited to collaborate with developers on ideas and challenges that can benefit from the creative application of technology. Teams will look at devising apps and will explore the use of technology to improve access and quality of care in the community. One of the key tasks will involve a “marathon” of software coding.Health Hack Dublin is organised by the Irish Computer Society with support from Kainos, Northern Ireland Connected Health Innovation Centre (CHIC) and EMC and follows on from a successful “Health Hack Northern Ireland” event, which took place in Belfast last year. Speaking about hosting the event, ICS CEO Jim Friars said “We are delighted to facilitate this very unique opportunity. Our goal is to inform healthcare professionals about the potential of technology, and to empower technology innovators with a platform and network for improving healthcare.”Chief Technology Officer of Kainos, Tom Gray is the brains behind the operation. “We know there is great interest out there and that there is a real need for more collaboration in the area of Connected Health. The result should be a technology prototype, that may form the basis of later development. Health Hack Dublin will be richly rewarding for everyone involved.”As part of Ireland’s Presidency of the EU, the Department of Host will host a High Level eHealth Conference as part of eHealth Week. Irish Minister for Health Dr James Reilly said “collobarative eHealth solutions are critical in the delivery of a world class health system and offer significant opportunities for improved patient care and stimulating economic growth. I’m delighted to see such enthusiasm at ground level for finding solutions to real problems and look forward to seeing the results of Health Hack Dublin.”Health Hack Dublin is open to all healthcare and technology professionals and will take place in ICS, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.To register for the event and for further information on Health Hack Dublin, go to www.healthhack.eu.

Quicksilva, an independent supplier of healthcare IT systems is providing real-time access to the NHS Personal Demographic Service (PDS) for the North East Ambulance Service Foundation Trust (NEAS). NEAS’s 111 Service evaluation project has been able provide the entire North East region with access to patient records in real-time to allow instant verification of NHS numbers whilst the caller is still on the line, helping staff to provide a quicker, more efficient service.NHS 111 replaces the current 0845 service and it is expected that as a result ambulances will only be sent to those in need of emergency care as a priority, and that those with non-critical illnesses will be advised on the best care for the patient.There are 11 pilot schemes in the UK, but only two are currently operating with real-time PDS look-up. Other pilots are still using old batch-tracing methods, which are more time-consuming and often mean patients need to be called back. Quicksilva’s orQestra® will provide back-end connectivity to ensure that call handlers can identify patients within minutes of the call being taken.Steven Pratt, IT Systems Manager at NEAS said: “orQestra has been purchased to provide the immediate requirement to enable the new NEAS NHS 111 offering to be able to assess the NHS Spine for PDS to enable the ability to improve patient data quality to produce verified NHS numbers. This North East contract was successfully won in 2012. As such, NEAS have continued to lead the way on how they deal with assessing patients’ needs through the continued use of NHS Pathways and the enhancement of their directory of services which they expect to prove invaluable in sourcing the most appropriate care for their patients.”orQestra® is the only end-to-end service to be accredited under NHS Connecting for Health’s Interoperability ToolKit (ITK) Accreditation Configuration, ‘ITK Spine Mini Service’ deployed throughout the NHS to connect Trusts and healthcare providers to ensure patient data is available via the Personal Demographics Service (PDS). Its selection in support of the new 111 non-emergency number is a further application of orQestra® which could in future be rolled out to other blue light services such as the Police and Fire Service.Gayna Hart, Managing Director of Quicksilva said: “It is vital that call handlers have access to the right data when managing 111 calls. They need to make split second decisions and having access to the Spine PDS in real-time is vital if that’s to happen. We’re seeing great results from the use of orQestra® with one hospital service running around 3500 queries in less than an hour – and with a 99.6% validation rate it’s no wonder they are reporting very early payback periods. We have had days when they have validated around 7000 patients. The benefits of the solution in healthcare scenarios are significant, and we believe there’s potential for this solution to be used across other emergency services, NHS and social care as well.”

Philips, the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre (Nijmegen, the Netherlands) and Main-Taunus Cardiac Center (Bad Soden, Germany) announced the results of a clinical study that demonstrate that the safety for patients and clinicians can be significantly enhanced during cardiac interventions. Using Philips’ recently introduced AlluraClarity system* with ClarityIQ technology, the doctors of the medical centre were, for the first time, able to achieve a 50 percent reduction in X-ray dose while maintaining the excellent image quality needed during image-guided cardiac interventions. The results will be presented during the annual congress of the European Association for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EuroPCR), 21 – 24 May in Paris. The clinical study was designed by Main-Taunus Cardiac Center and conducted at the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre between September and November 2012 involving 39 patients with a BMI range of 20 – 37. During the study, two coronary angiography scans of the same patient were compared: for the first scan conventional interventional X-ray technology was used, while for the second scan Philips’ ClarityIQ technology was used. Six independent interventional cardiologists from across Europe (Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden) then evaluated the image quality of these scans, and concluded that compared to conventional X-ray technology, AlluraClarity provided equivalent image quality at 50 percent less X-ray dose. “We have extensively explored and tested this new technology at our cardiac center”, said Prof. Dr. med. N. Reifart, co-author of the study and Director of the Main-Taunus Cardiac Center, Private Clinic Bad Soden. “It now enables us to perform most diagnostic angiographies with at least 50 percent lower radiation levels, equivalent to less than 1 mSv, with similar image quality as in the past”. “Such a significant reduction in X-ray dose benefits both patients and the staff managing their care”, said Dr. T.J.F ten Cate, the cardiologist at the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre and responsible for conducting the study. “Now that we are using AlluraClarity, we have become much more conscious about X-ray radiation dose.” The study results represent an important milestone for Philips, showcasing how complex interventional procedures can be performed with a significant reduction in X-ray dose. Last year, Philips announced that it had achieved a breakthrough with the same X-ray technology in endovascular procedures, in collaboration with the St. Antonius Hospital Utrecht/Nieuwegein (the Netherlands), a renowned center of expertise in the field of heart and vascular interventions. A study conducted at the Karolinska University Hospital (Sweden) in the field of neuroradiology demonstrated that AlluraClarity provides equivalent image quality at 73 percent less dose. Additional studies in the field of neuroradiology and electrophysiology are ongoing, with results expected later this year. “Because of the intrinsic benefits for patients and care providers, there is a clear shift in healthcare from open surgery to minimally-invasive treatments,” commented Ronald Tabaksblat, General Manager, Philips Interventional X-Ray. “Live X-ray guidance is typically being used to perform such minimally invasive treatments. Our ClarityIQ technology significantly reduces the X-ray exposure required to produce high quality images, demonstrating that Philips is truly leading the way in improving the delivery of healthcare.” Since its commercial introduction mid-2012, Philips has sold more than 200 AlluraClarity systems in regions such as Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.For more information, please visit: www.philips.com/AlluraClarity

Abbott today announced CE Mark in Europe for the XIENCE Xpedition™ 48 Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System, the first-of-its-kind treatment for very long blockages in the vessels that supply blood to the heart due to coronary artery disease (CAD). XIENCE Xpedition 48 leverages the proven design and clinical outcomes of the XIENCE family of drug eluting stents in a unique 48 mm length. Abbott continues to offer physicians more options for the treatment of patients with complex coronary artery disease and is the only major manufacturer to offer a coronary drug eluting stent greater than 38 mm in length. XIENCE Xpedition 48 is the latest in a long history of stent innovations pioneered by Abbott, which was the first company to offer physicians size-specific metallic stents for use in small and large vessels of the heart.  Studies indicate that physicians choose to use multiple shorter length stents to meet the challenges of treating long blockages – or lesions – in as many as 30 percent of interventional heart procedures, as conventional stent sizes may not always fully cover the lesion. It has been shown, however, that the use of a single stent instead of multiple stents may result in several procedural benefits, including the use of fewer devices, less exposure to X-ray during the procedure, and reduced procedure time, which could lead to economic benefits.In patients with coronary artery disease, lesions are caused by the buildup of fat and cholesterol inside blood vessels; long lesions are most often seen in patients with diabetes, a significant and growing portion of the population due to changing diet and lifestyle habits. When the blood vessels feeding the heart are blocked or partially blocked due to CAD, patients can experience symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath, and in some cases, a heart attack.  "With global economic pressures impacting hospitals and health care systems around the world, products like XIENCE Xpedition 48 may provide important cost savings to the system," said Peter Smits, M.D., Maasstad Ziekenhuis, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. "I believe that this new treatment option, backed by the robust clinical outcomes of the XIENCE family of drug eluting stents, will help physicians in the treatment of long lesions." XIENCE Xpedition 48 is supported by strong clinical evidence from the XIENCE family of drug eluting stents, including data from more than 53,000 patients across more than 100 studies with long-term outcomes out to five years. The safety of the XIENCE family of drug eluting stents has been consistently demonstrated in a number of clinical trials representative of routine clinical practice. The XIENCE family has one of the broadest ranges of CE Mark indications for drug eluting stents on the market in Europe, including indications to treat patients with complex disease such as diabetes.  "One of the hallmarks of Abbott's vascular product development is our ability to identify new ways to help physicians address the needs of their patients," said Charles A. Simonton, M.D., FACC, FSCAI, divisional vice president, Medical Affairs and chief medical officer, Abbott Vascular. "XIENCE Xpedition 48 provides a new, unique solution for treating patients with very long lesions, affirming Abbott’s commitment to continued innovation." XIENCE Xpedition is available in one of the broadest size matrices on the European market, with diameters ranging from 2.25 mm to 4 mm, including a unique 3.25 mm diameter, and now with lengths ranging from 8 mm to 48 mm.For more information, please visit: Abbott