April 2011

On March 10, the American College of Cardiology (ACC), along with more than 130 U.S. medical organizations and societies, sent letters to the House of Representatives and the Senate urging lawmakers to replace the flawed sustainable growth formula (SGR) with a workable system that keeps pace with practice costs and ensures high-quality care.

Second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) are working better, but they are not perfect, especially in sicker patients. Therefore, a variety of models are being developed and tested, but most likely, it wont result in a one-size-fits-all solution.

The Impella hemodynamic support system is finding another niche: in patients who have suffered massive heart attacks complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Stratifying cardiac disease risk is evolving along with the advancements in imaging technology, which help risk stratification become more highly individualized, taking us further toward personalized medicine.

Scheduling staff for the cardiac cath lab can cause headaches for administrators, especially for time-sensitive, off-hour emergencies. Three facilities explain their methodologies for alleviating this common practice management concern.

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), fractional flow reserve (FFR) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are tools that may be used in a complementary manner and could enhance PCI and patient outcomes. Yet, penetration remains spotty, even in larger facilities.

The nuclear cardiology department at Ochsner Health System, a New Orleans-based multi-hospital organization with facilities peppered throughout southern Louisiana, is revising its cardiac imaging model and implementing a flow-based imaging program. Leveraging the Positron Attrius cardiac PET system, the new model is characterized by highly accurate patient diagnosis and treatment and judicious use of healthcare resources. Its a win-win proposition, says Robert Bober, MD, director of nuclear cardiology. Sponsored by an educational grant from Positron.

In 1625, an Italian physician measured body temperature by applying a numerical scale to his thermoscope. From that primitive thermometer to todays highly sophisticated surgical, portable and wireless telemetry monitors, patient surveillance has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry. But the technology is only as good as the professionals who respond to them.

While there are a multitude of drugs and lifestyle changes that are prescribed for chronic angina, properly managing this patient population continues to challenge cardiologists. However, recent studies have begun to reveal new therapies that might better relieve this chronic pain.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S., followed closely by stroke at No. 3. Together, they claim nearly half a million lives each year, or one life each minute. Statistically speaking, women are more likely to die from CVD than anything else. They also are more likely to die from CVD than men.

As specialty practices and physician groups grapple with Stage 1 requirements, Stage 2 might be on their distant horizon, priority-wise. But it shouldnt be. It is closer than you think.

Until five months ago, the only stroke prevention medication for AF was warfarin. Doctors don't like warfarin because of its variable effects, risk of under- or overtreatment and multiple drug/dietary interactions.