CLEVELAND CLINIC RELEASES HEART DOCTOR FOR CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN MARKETING DEVICE TO TREAT STROKE

A cardiologist was released Aug. 17 from his position at the Cleveland Clinic after it was discovered he had failed to disclose his financial interests in a stroke-prevention product, according to reports.

The Cleveland Clinic's board of governors removed Jay Yadav after it determined he had violated the clinic's policy on conflicts of interest in clinical trials.

According to reports, Yadav benefited from a $40 million deal with Cordis, a division of Johnson & Johnson, which included royalty payments for sales of Angioguard -- a filter device Yadav designed to reduce stroke risk in patients with clogged carotid arteries opened by stent implants.

Yadav apparently failed to properly disclose the deal to the clinic and the FDA when he led clinical trials of the device.

The Cleveland Clinic in May said it was taking steps to address concerns about possible conflicts of interest after the financial arrangements between several of its doctors and industry became public.