In the near future, patients who are brought into the hospital in need of a coronary bypass procedure could be wheeled into a hybrid operating room that holds both the operating room and the cardiac catheterization lab. This combination will allow physicians to treat many high risk heart patients in a less invasive manner.

The only known cerebro-protectant that has been shown to reduce the severity of stroke and ischemia is cold. Cardeon is therefore developing devices based on the principle of hypothermia to protect the brain against damage during or after cardiovascular and other surgical procedures. The company's technology also segments the brain circulation from the corporeal circulation to keep the brain free of emboli.

Atrionix Inc. hopes to come up with a catheter-based cure for atrial fibrillation.