Care Delivery

This channel includes news on cardiovascular care delivery, including how patients are diagnosed and treated, cardiac care guidelines, policies or legislation impacting patient care, device recalls that may impact patient care, and cardiology practice management.

Performing CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) improves the accuracy of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and helps limit unneeded invasive coronary angiography (ICA), according to a new study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. Heartflow

New cardiac imaging strategy could reduce ICA, PCI rates

Radiologists with Massachusetts General Hospital found that the selective use of cardiac CT and AI-based CAD evaluations could make a significant impact on patient care. 

April 16, 2024
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Cardiologist salary update: Compensation jumps to $525K per year, No. 3 among all specialties

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

April 15, 2024
doctor examines patient data on their tablet

TAVR, SAVR both linked to low reintervention rates after five years

While most TAVR-related reinterventions occurred in the first year after treatment, most SAVR-related reinterventions occurred in years two through five. The team's full analysis is available in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

April 10, 2024
HeartFlow FFR-CT

First-in-human trial shows potential of guiding CABG with cardiac CT and AI—no ICA required

An independent heart team blinded to ICA results was able to deliver helpful guidance for CABG procedures for 99.1% of patients using just CCTA and FFRCT alone. This approach is safe and feasible, researchers wrote, and the next step is to gather additional data. 

April 10, 2024
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ACC.24: New data suggest early PCI limits risks of vulnerable plaques—cardiologists are skeptical

The PREVENT study, presented at ACC.24, examined more than 1,600 patients with high-risk plaques treated with either preventive PCI or medical therapy alone. Outcomes were much better for the PCI group after two years, but the findings may lead to more questions than answers. 

April 9, 2024
While a vast majority of heart transplants in the United States are successful, unplanned hospitalizations after the procedures are still incredibly common. Top 10 reasons for readmission after heart transplant.

On-pump vs. off-pump CABG: No difference in long-term mortality, meta-analysis confirms

Researchers explored data from nearly 70,000 patients, sharing their findings in the American Journal of Cardiology.

April 3, 2024
the words "FDA recall" on a board

FDA announces recall of more than 300,000 catheter kits after 10 injuries, 1 death

This recall is due to reports of “increased resistance” when using the devices. There have been 194 customer complaints about the issue so far. 

April 3, 2024

PaceMate hits 100,000th patient transmission milestone with cutting-edge ambulatory remote monitoring platform

PaceMate, a market-leading cardiac remote monitoring and cardiac data management platform, announced today the completion of its 100,000th ambulatory patient transmission managed through PaceMateLIVE.

April 2, 2024

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."

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