Devices

AFib Patients with Wearable Devices Use More Health Resources: Study

A follow-up study of 16,320 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) found increased use of follow-up healthcare for those who use smartwatches or other wearable devices, compared with those with similar pulse rates who do not use wearables. The open-access study was conducted by researchers from several academic medical centers and published online in JAMA Network Open.

The researchers say there was no evidence to suggest that those using wearable devices make an excessive number of phone calls to healthcare providers. They also say the data suggest that individuals who use wearables may be healthier than those who do not use them.

A third finding is that the wearable was not used for screening or diagnosis of AF, but rather for self-management.

“These findings may have important implications for ongoing implementation of wearables into clinical care and their potential (or lack thereof) to improve personal health and healthcare delivery,” the authors write. “Prospective, randomized clinical trials focused on wearable use among patients with AF are needed to fully understand the association of wearables with health outcomes.”

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton’s responses on vaccines, contraception and abortion medication during her 9/24 Senate confirmation hearing raise concerns that ideology could influence her decision-making if she takes over the agency, MSNBC senior medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta said Friday. Gupta was particularly critical of Overton’

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton emerged from her Senate confirmation hearing Thursday (see earlier story) without resolving questions about whether she has enough Republican support to advance — and with a rapidly narrowing window for confirmation before the midterm elections. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing provided few

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA has classified Boston Scientific's recall of its Imager II Angiographic Catheters as Class I because a manufacturing problem could cause catheter tips to degrade and detach, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications. The agency announced the Class I classification 9/25, updating an Early Alert it issued

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

FDA has approved Roche’s Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for reducing the risk of relapse in adults and children aged 2 and older with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent, childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who are in remission. The expanded approval covers the use of the CD20-directed antibody beyond its existing

Read more

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome