September/October 2008

Whether it’s the latest CT scanner, wireless ECG transmission from the field, or hybrid lab, facilities and practices are capitalizing on those technologies that will help them carve out a niche in the cardiovascular marketplace.

Some research has demonstrated that performing elective percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in low-volume facilities, especially those without onsite cardiac surgery, can result in positive outcomes. Critics say, however, that these studies are mostly single-center investigations, which do not reflect the real risk of performing elective PCI without onsite surgical backup. In fact, critics point to studies using Medicare data, which do show an increase in mortality for patients treated at facilities without surgical backup.

Simulation training has finalized its move into the mainstream. The technique received the stamp of approval earlier this year when the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) adopted its use into its Maintenance of Certification program for interventional cardiologists.

Three recent clinical studies rebuke the previously held belief that drug-eluting stents (DES) led to higher rates of stent thrombosis (ST). As concerns over DES have begun to dissipate, their utilization is already increasing in the first half of 2008, and many experts think this trend will continue.

The federal government is following the path of some private payors by crafting legislation that ties payment for advanced imaging services to accreditation.

Today’s contrast delivery systems are no longer just power injectors. They are an integral part of any cardiovascular practice, delivering time and cost savings by ensuring precise timing and consistent and reproducible images.

Drug-eluting stents (DES) would not be used if they did not benefit patients. To that end, vendors conduct clinical studies to show that their product is equal to or better than a previous-generation product or a current competitor’s product.

Health system reform is imminent. If you travel anywhere in the United States, you will find physician and patient satisfaction levels decreasing as a result of inconsistent quality, lack of coordinated care and medical liability concerns. Combine these factors with 47 million uninsured Americans, and you have a system primed for reform.

In recent months, at least three non-hospital outpatient cath labs performed their last cardiac catheterization procedures. Faced with rising costs and looming reimbursement cuts, these physician-driven independent outpatient facilities made the difficult decision to close their doors for good.