Vulnerable plaque (VP) has been identified as a possible cause of sudden cardiac death, most of which occurs in patients with no history of heart disease. Now, a team of researchers at Ajou University School of Medicine in Suwon, Korea, are reporting that OCT provides superior contrast and resolution in imaging the components of plaque in coronary arteries versus other methods including intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and virtual histology (VH-IVUS).

Lead investigator So-Yeon Choi, M.D., Ph.D. said, "OCT may answer longstanding questions about the relationship between vulnerable plaque and the risk of heart attack." To assess the ability of each imaging modality to detect the specific characteristics of vulnerable plaque, investigators performed IVUS, VH-IVUS and OCT in 48 patients who were categorized as having stable angina pectoris (15) or acute coronary syndromes (33). OCT easily detected vulnerable plaque, with two observers analyzing the images independently.

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GE Healthcare, announced that it has acquired the privately held Agility Healthcare Solutions of Glen Allen, Virginia.  Financial terms were not disclosed. Agility Healthcare Solutions provides unique and innovative products that transform hospital workflow and patient care management.  Agility’s AgileTrac™ technology provides the most comprehensive enterprise resource management, asset tracking, and clinical workflow solution in the healthcare industry. Agility will become part of GE Healthcare’s global Diagnostic Imaging Services business, a world-class provider of solutions enabling healthcare providers to achieve real performance results through a combination of consulting and asset management offerings. The strategic fit between the two businesses, combined with the ability to optimize productivity and enhance service levels, will offer substantial benefits to patients and providers.

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Johnson & Johnson announced that Sheri McCoy, currently Worldwide Chairman, Surgical Care Group, has been appointed Worldwide Chairman, Pharmaceuticals Group, effective January 1, 2009.  In this role, Ms. McCoy succeeds Christine Poon, who last month announced plans to retire from the Company on March 1, 2009. Alex Gorsky, currently Company Group Chairman and Worldwide Franchise Chairman, Ethicon, Inc., will assume the role of Worldwide Chairman, Surgical Care Group, effective January 1, 2009, and become a member of the Executive Committee.

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 Royal Philips Electronics will unveil a range of innovative and original concepts for Health and Well-being at the 2008 Philips Simplicity Event, which started on the Red Square in Moscow, Russia. The Event highlights areas identified by Philips in which the company has the ability to innovate and make a difference to both people and the environment. This year’s Event features a broad array of recently launched and upcoming products from Philips’ Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting sectors enabling people to live a healthy life while maintaining a sustainable environment. In line with the theme of this year’s event, ‘Healthy People, Healthy Living, Healthy Planet’, the concepts presented at the 2008 Simplicity Event particularly focus on the responsible domestic use of resources, harnessing renewable energy and the responsible consumption of goods.

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