Permanent Bilateral Carotid Filters for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation.

Purpose Of Review: A novel permanent carotid filter device for percutaneous implantation was developed for the purpose of stroke prevention. In this review, we cover rationale, existing preclinical and clinical data, and potential future directions for research using such a device.

Recent Findings: The Vine™ filter was assessed for safety in sheep and in 2 observational human studies, the completed CAPTURE 1 (n = 25) and the ongoing CAPTURE 2 (planned n = 100).

A Permanent Common Carotid Filter for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation: Ex Vivo and In Vivo Pre-Clinical Testing.

Background And Purpose: A novel, permanent, bilateral, common carotid artery (CCA) coil filter implant was designed to capture stroke-producing emboli in atrial fibrillation patients. Under ultrasound guidance, it is automatically deployed through a 24-guage needle and is retrievable up to 4 h post-procedure. We assessed the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of the CCA filter in pre-clinical testing.

A novel carotid device for embolic diversion: lessons learned from a "first in man" trial in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate a novel device that was developed to direct emboli away from the internal carotid artery to the external carotid artery to prevent embolic stroke while avoiding the necessity for anticoagulation with warfarin.

Methods: A stent-like, self-expandable filter was developed consisting of fine cobalt alloy mesh. After promising preclinical animal testing, the device was implanted into the common carotid artery extending into the external carotid artery in three patients with atrial fibrillation, each of whom were at high-risk for cerebral emboli and were suboptimal candidates for anticoagulation.

Bolus guide: a novel insulin bolus dosing decision support tool based on selection of carbohydrate ranges.

Background: Optimal continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy emphasizes the relationship between insulin dose and carbohydrate consumption. One widely used tool (bolus calculator) requires the user to enter discrete carbohydrate values; however, many patients might not estimate carbohydrates accurately. This study assessed carbohydrate estimation accuracy in type 1 diabetes CSII users and compared simulated blood glucose (BG) outcomes using the bolus calculator and the "bolus guide," an alternative system based on ranges of carbohydrate load.

Compatibility of insulin Lispro, Aspart, and Glulisine with the Solo MicroPump, a novel miniature insulin pump.

Background: This study compared the stability of commercially available, rapid-acting insulin in the novel tubeless, skin-adhering Solo insulin pump over 6 days at extreme environmental conditions.

Methods: Forty-eight pumps for each tested analog were loaded with three different insulin lots and operated at 30 U/day (three sets of 12 pumps) and 15 U/day (one set of 12 pumps) with basal/bolus delivery patterns for 6 days under extreme climatic (37 degrees C, 40% relative humidity) and mechanical (35 strokes/min) stresses. The insulin solutions dispensed were sampled periodically and analyzed for potency, related substances, high molecular weight proteins (HMWP), and preservative content by high-performance liquid chromatography techniques.