Covidien (Mansfield, Massachusetts) reported the five-year results of its ClosureFast long-term European multi-center study in patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). This study evaluates the five-year outcomes of a minimally invasive endovascular therapy for treatment of CVI. The ClosureFast study was conducted prospectively at eight centers in Europe.

As discussed previously, a repeal of the device tax faces longish odds. Opponents of the tax have punted to a suspension of the tax as was disclosed by a letter from nearly 20 members of the U.S. Senate, a move purportedly prompted by the short turn-around from the date of the IRS’s final rule to the effective date of the tax. Despite the disclaimers, it’s important to point out that you clearly don’t believe a repeal has any chance in the short term if you’re arguing for a suspension. So let’s ask ourselves what sort of headwinds the device tax...