According to a report by heart surgeons at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, the addition of one ablation in a series of ablations in the Cox-Maze procedure led to a substantial improvement in the atrial fibrillation surgical treatment outcome. Atrial fibrillation is the most common irregular heart rhythm condition that affects over two million patients in the US.

Zimmer Holdings Inc., an orthopedic implant maker, has temporarily recalled and suspended production of several surgical support accessories produced at its Dover, Ohio, facility. This company expects this move to result in lost revenues of $70-$80 million. The recall was initiated after the products failed to meet internal quality standards during the quality systems review at the Ohio site, the company said.