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Will Watchman Prevail With FDA? Boston Scientific’s LAA Closure Trial Raises Questions, Controversy

The PREVAIL study of Boston Scientific’s Watchman left atrial appendage (LAA) closure device was primarily positive, but will it be enough to win FDA approval for the device?

Boston Scientific Corp. believes the results from the PREVAIL trial are enough to finally secure US Food and Drug Administration approval for the firm’s Watchman (see Exhibit 1) left atrial appendage (LAA) closure device to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), but skepticism about the device lingers among some cardiologists.

The company released preliminary results from PREVAIL, which compared Watchman with long-term warfarin therapy in patients with nonvalvular AF, in conjunction with the 2013 American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific...

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Final Chance To Have Your Say: Take Our Reader Survey This Week

 
• By Ryan Nelson

Editor’s note: This is your final call to participate in the survey to better understand our subscribers’ content and delivery needs. The deadline is 20 September.

Shape Our Content: Take The Reader Survey

 
• By Ryan Nelson

Editor’s note: We are conducting a survey to better understand our subscribers’ content and delivery needs. If there are any changes you’d like to see in coverage topics, content format or the method in which you receive and access Medtech Insight, or if you love it how it is, now is the time to have your voice heard.

Patients With Movement Disorders Will Benefit From Medtronic’s Expanded MRI Labeling For DBS

 
• By Marion Webb

Medtronic announced it received expanded MRI labeling for its DBS systems, which is critical, given that almost 70% of all DBS-eligible patients will likely need an MRI at some point in their care, says Ashwini Sharan, CMO for Medtronic Neuromodulation.

Podcast: Lung Life AI CEO Shares Regulatory And Reimbursement Journey For Lung Cancer Diagnostic

 
• By Natasha Barrow

In this episode, Medtech Insight reporter Natasha Barrow speaks to LungLife AI CEO Paul Pagano. Lung Life AI is a US-based AIM-listed medical technology company that has developed a liquid biopsy test for the early detection of lung cancer called Lung LB. Pagano runs through the highlights of Lung Life AI journey to date and its future ambition for a strategic partnership. He also provides advice to similar diagnostic companies seeking reimbursement andcompliance with the US FDA Lab Developed Test ruling.

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TRiCares Tricuspid Valve Replacement System Reduces Regurgitation In First-In-Human Study

 
• By Natasha Barrow

TRiCares presented data from the first-in-human study for its tricuspid valve replacement system – Topaz – at EuroPCR 2025 on 22 May.

Swiss Medtechs Advised To Work On US Tariff Mitigation Strategies

 
• By Ashley Yeo

The US’ 90-day suspension of higher “reciprocal tariffs” will expire on 9 July, raising fears that the 31% tariff rate on Swiss medtech and other goods exported to the US might make a comeback. While the tariff situation changes on an almost daily basis, medtechs should forearm for any eventually, say local business organizations.

Guardant Health Launches Germline Hereditary Cancer Test

 
• By Natasha Barrow

Guardant Health introduces a new germline panel test to help guide cancer treatment, assess the risk of secondary cancers in patients and identify family members at risk of cancer.