The long-awaited results of the CABANA trial, a large randomized study comparing ablation to drug therapy as a first-line treatment for atrial fibrillation, were presented at the Heart Rhythm Society conference in Boston on May 10. The trial missed its primary endpoint in the "intent to treat" analysis, but showed a significant benefit for ablation in the "as-treated" analysis.

Results of the CASTLE AF trial, comparing catheter ablation to conventional treatment in patients with left-ventricular dysfunction and atrial fibrillation, could boost demand for atrial fibrillation ablation devices. That data will be presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress on August 27, also featuring the results of REVEAL AF, a trial of minimally invasive prolonged electrographic monitoring for AF. Also, results from the SPYRAL HTN OFF-MED may show if renal denervation has a future as a treatment for hypertension

Hillrom is reconsidering its planned $375m acquisition of Bardy Diagnostics because of Novitas' plan to cut Medicare reimbursement for extended cardiac monitoring. Bardy is suing to complete the deal.