From SWEDEPAD to CREST-2, Vascular News looks back at the stories that caught readers’ attention in 2025.
1. SWEDEPAD re-opens paclitaxel safety discussion, finds drug-coated devices do not improve outcomes
Drug-coated balloons and stents were not associated with reduced risk of amputation or improved quality of life compared with uncoated devices in the SWEDEPAD 1 and 2 trials. In addition, higher five-year mortality with drug-coated devices in patients with intermittent claudication was noted, leading researchers to stress that the safety of paclitaxel-coated devices is an “ongoing discussion”. These findings were presented at the 2025 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) congress (29 August–1 September, Madrid, Spain) and simultaneously published in The Lancet.
2. Carotid endarterectomy outperforms stenting amid “overuse” of both procedures in 10-year cohort study
A retrospective, nationwide cohort study revealed carotid endarterectomy (CEA) performed better than carotid artery stenting (CAS) in France over the course of a decade. The research, which also highlighted the “overuse” of both procedures in the same period, was published in March in the the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery.
3. “Historical” CREST-2 data show reduced stroke risk with carotid stenting versus medical therapy alone
The international CREST-2 study found that, for people with severe carotid artery narrowing who have not experienced recent stroke symptoms, a minimally invasive carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedure—combined with intensive medical therapy—significantly lowered stroke risk compared with medical therapy alone. The more traditional surgical approach of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) did not show the same benefit, however. The research was presented at the 2025 Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN) annual meeting (19–22 November, Orlando, USA) and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
4. Teleflex to acquire Biotronik’s Vascular Intervention business
Teleflex announced it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Biotronik’s Vascular Intervention business.
5. Gore Tag thoracic branch endoprosthesis receives expanded FDA approval for endovascular aortic arch repair
Gore announced that the Gore Tag thoracic branch endoprosthesis (TBE) is now approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in Zones 0 and 1, expanding its indication for the endovascular repair of lesions in the aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta while preserving flow to a single aortic arch branch vessel.
6. Obituary: Janet Powell
In March, the vascular community mourned the loss of renowned clinical trial investigator Janet Powell. Several colleagues shared with Vascular News their memories of working and collaborating with Powell, who played a pivotal role in numerous landmark abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) studies.
7. Drug-eluting technologies should be “de facto standard of care” for PAD, LINC audience hears
Data from a large, real-world study support the use of drug-eluting devices to reduce amputations, readmissions, and healthcare costs in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), Marianne Brodmann (Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria) informed attendees at the Leipzig Interventional Course (LINC 2025; 28–30 January, Leipzig, Germany).
8. Study finds adverse outcomes after decreased use of paclitaxel-coated devices
An analysis of over 270,000 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries found an increase in adverse outcomes and death after a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning led to decreased use of paclitaxel-coated devices for peripheral revascularisation procedures.
9. From Brazil to Baylor: Oderich assumes coveted role at cardiovascular “powerhouse”
Following in the footsteps of some of the pioneers of cardiovascular surgery, Gustavo Oderich stepped into position as the Michael E DeBakey distinguished chair in surgery, professor of surgery, chief of vascular and endovascular surgery and director for the Center for Aortic Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Heart Institute in Houston, USA. Steeped in history, the Baylor and Texas Heart Institute names add to an already illustrious career for Oderich that has crossed countries and climates.
10. Vascular surgery: Palliative surgery?
Earlier this year, Vascular News announced Adam Talbot (Manchester, UK) as its new Launch Pad columnist, taking over from Sarah Sillito. In his first column, Talbot wrote about “reframing success” in vascular surgery and embracing the increasingly palliative aspect of the specialty.
