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The doctor, 76, admitted to billing multiple insurance providers for office visits that never happened at all.

healthcare money economics dollar stethoscope acquire merger

In addition, cardiologists average an additional $75,000 per year in incentive-based bonuses. That number is only higher for two other specialties. 

Abbott’s HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has been implanted in thousands of U.S. patients in recent years.According to a new investigative report from CBS News and KFF Health News, however, safety data related to the device have raised questions in certain parts of the healthcare industry.

The issue at the center of this recall, which includes both the HeartMate II and HeartMate 3 LVAD, is the gradual buildup of biological materials. This can impact the device's performance, creating a heightened risk of injury or death. 

Video of Gregg Stone, MD, explaining the late-breaking RELIEVE-HF trial he presented at ACC.24 this week. #ACC24 #ACC2024

Gregg Stone, MD, explains the details of the late-breaking REDUCE-HF trial at ACC.24, where an inter-atrial shunt improved symptoms in HFrEF, but not in HFpEF patients.

Healthcare systems set up at the ACC.24 career fair in hopes of filling open positions, including a large and growing number of general cardiologist positions. Photo by Dave Fornell #ACC24 #ACC2024

There is a rapidly growing shortage in general cardiologists and for positions in rural areas, numerous healthcare system recruiters set up at the ACC reported.

Medicare money payment physician. The CardioVascular Coalition and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions have both issued new statements highlighting their issues with the 2024 MPFS proposed rule. 

CMS has issued its proposed rule for the 2025 Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment system, suggesting a payment increase of 2.6%. According to the American Hospital Association, this update would not be enough at a time when hospitals are already struggling to stay open. 

Simpsons Interventions, a California-based healthcare technology company, has received the FDA’s breakthrough device designation for its Acolyte Image Guided Crossing and Re-Entry Catheter System. SCAI released the list of its late-breaking clinical study trials at its 2022 annual meeting. #SCAI #SCAI22 #SCAI2022

The new device delivers real-time OCT visualization during revascularization procedures.

Video of Howard Herrmann, MD, explaining the details of the SMART trial that looked at TAVR in small annulus and found self-expanding TAVR valves work better in these patients than balloon-expanding TAVR at ACC.24. #ACC24 #ACC2024

Howard C. Herrmann, MD, principal investigator of the SMART trial, discussed his team's research on self-expanding vs. balloon-expandable TAVR valves in patients with small annuli. 

Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) has evolved into a much more helpful resource than interventional cardiologists may have originally believed. In fact, the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) emphasized in a new expert consensus statement that CCTA provides specialists with an effective tool in the preparation and optimization of coronary procedures. The 2021 chest pain guidelines elevated CTA to a class 1A recommendation. Harold Litt , MD, explains the use of CCTA in the ED.

Harold Litt, MD, explains the use of cardiac CT as a primary imaging exam for chest pain at his emergency department over the past decade.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) patients who suffer from cognitive impairment face a higher risk of one-year mortality and developing postoperative delirium (POD), according to a new study published in the American Journal of Cardiology.

The connection between cognitive impairment and postoperative delirium among TAVR patients stood out as a definite concern to the study's authors.

cardiologist Peter J. Fitzgerald, MD, PhD, HeartBeam

Fitzgerald, a leading figure in interventional cardiology, praised the company's potential to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. 

Patient doctor with masks. A team of specialists from Cleveland Clinic reviewed nearly 3,000 medications, writing that a common type 2 diabetes medication offered the most potential as an effective treatment for AFib. 

A team of specialists from Cleveland Clinic reviewed nearly 3,000 medications, writing that a common type 2 diabetes medication offered the most potential as an effective treatment for AFib. 

Around the web

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

Philips introduced a new CT system at ECR aimed at the rapidly growing cardiac CT market, incorporating numerous AI features to optimize workflow and image quality.