Magazine

COVID-19

Our understanding of COVID-19 has evolved greatly since its first appearance in the U.S. in early 2020. Though our knowledge remains incomplete, we’ve learned a lot about the pathophysiology of the virus—especially its unique effects on the heart.

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Experienced dyad and triad partners share tips for setting the stage for success and putting the brakes on mistakes.

Tom Giangiulio

As many as 700 hearts from donors with hepatitis C are discarded each year in the U.S. New research suggests at least some of these organs may be suitable for transplant.

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Even the best analytics won’t replace human interaction; protect your time with patients and colleagues. Focus on the patient-centered metrics, and try to be patient. It takes time to turn a mess into a masterpiece.

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To get the operational perspective, CVB hosted a roundtable discussion with service line leaders about the opportunities and challenges they encounter around data.
 

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Forward-looking providers are converting reams of data from myriad sources into innovative new ways to deliver healthcare and improve efficiencies.

Marijuana use among older adults is associated with a heightened risk of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, according to new research published in the American Journal of Cardiology. “Marijuana use increases sympathetic nervous system activity and inhibits cardiac parasympathetic innervation, resulting in elevated heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and an increase in myocardial oxygen demand.

As use of cannabis products increases and evidence of possible cardiovascular harm mounts, it’s time for cardiologists to start having conversations with their patients.

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Following data supporting their use for heart failure and type 2 diabetes, will sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors find a spot in the heart failure armamentarium?

Every day, cardiologists make hundreds, if not thousands, of mouse clicks, encounter countless notifications and manage a steady stream of alerts that pop up on their computer and device screens. Some say these demands of the electronic health record (EHR) are distracting clinicians from patient care and contributing to physician burnout. Yet there are workarounds that can help cardiologists handle the digital data deluge.

Electronic health records (EHRs) have transformed the way clinical care is recorded and reimbursed, and now their promise for reaching across large populations is making them a key resource for cardiovascular research.  

As a growing body of evidence links palliative care to improved quality of life and better healthcare utilization for patients with heart failure, some in the medical community are advocating a shift from the traditionalist, acute care model to one more in tune with the psychological and physical needs of people with advanced cardiovascular disease.

 Bundling is premised on viewing healthcare as a continuum, but most of today’s healthcare systems use electronic medical records (EMRs) developed for episodic fee-for-service billing. While many in the cardiovascular community are at the beginning of this experiment, some health systems participated in the earlier Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) Initiative and have insights to share.