Chinese device for heart disease passes muster in Europe

A stent for treating coronary artery disease, known as the Firehawk, that was invented by researchers in Shanghai has been found safe and effective in European patients.

In a clinical trial involving 1,653 patients in Europe at 21 sites between December 2015 and October 2016, no significant differences were observed in the stent when compared with the global-standard product, the Xience stent, by healthcare company Abbott. Both are drug-delivering stents that are coated with medication.

A stent is a device that expands inside a blocked artery to keep it open so that blood can flow through.