Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) announced the first implants in Europe of its CONFIENT” implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), which received CE Mark approval in October 2007. The procedures were performed in Germany by PD Dr. Alexander Bauer, University Hospital Heidelberg; Dr. Sascha Stiller, University Hospital Ulm; Dr. Johannes Sperzel, Kerckhoff Klinik Bad Nauheim; and Dr. Konstantin Heinroth, University Hospital Halle (Saale).

A person who has a common minor leg injury, such as an ankle sprain or a muscle rupture has a higher risk of developing a blood clot in his/her leg or lung, according to an article in Archives of Internal Medicine (JAMA/Archives), Januray 14th issue. Previous studies had demonstrated that the risk of venous thrombosis is higher for those with major injuries, the authors explain.

With the onset of a new year, the time for resolutions is here once again. Many people are evaluating their lifestyles and behaviors, looking to make positive changes in their health and fitness routines. Often overlooked is the important role of quality sleep and its effect on one’s health. One simple and painless way to increase the quality of sleep is to stop snoring. And the good news is that stopping snoring is much easier than most people think.

American Medical Association officials have said they believe Aetna’s policy for reimbursing some out-of-network providers violates the insurer’s 2003 nationwide settlement with physicians over claim payments and denials, the Hartford Courant reports.

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission on Thursday approved recommendations to Congress on fiscal year 2009 Medicare reimbursements to skilled nursing facilities and home health care agencies, CQ HealthBeat reports.

Most people with diabetes should be considered for treatment with statins (cholesterol drugs), according to scientists. Researchers at Oxford University reviewed 90,000 people including nearly 20,000 with diabetes and found more people would benefit from statin treatment than previously thought.The study, published in the Lancet, claims that statins reduce the risk of death from heart attack by a third.

American Cancer Society: The group on Thursday awarded Kevin Fiscella, a University of Rochester researcher, a $1.06 million grant to boost the number of minority and uninsured individuals who receive screenings for breast and colon cancers.

American Heart Association officials on Thursday outlined the policy agenda for the group in 2008, CQ HealthBeat reports.Sue Nelson, vice president of federal advocacy for AHA, said the group will continue to support public health measures, such as legislation (

Summaries of recent news about efforts to reduce the number of uninsured children in Delaware, Montana and Texas appear below. Delaware State lawmakers on Wednesday introduced bipartisan legislation that would use information from schools to identify children who are eligible for SCHIP, the Wilmington News Journal reports.

Lawmakers are planning to address Medicare, SCHIP and Medicaid policy changes they had hoped to make last year in new legislation that would stop a 10% cut to Medicare physician fees scheduled to take effect June 30, CongressDaily reports.