Policy & Regulations

This channel includes news coverage of healthcare policy and regulations set by Congress, the states, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and medical associations and societies.

What happened to cardiology's private practices?
Hospital employment models, reimbursement policies and private equity have all led to a massive reduction in the number of cardiologists working for a private practice, ACC President Cathie Biga, MSN, told Cardiovascular Business.
Apple Watch AFib feature becomes first-ever digital tool approved by FDA to evaluate medical devices
Healthcare technology companies can now use AFib findings recorded by an Apple Watch to help demonstrate the effectiveness of their devices to the FDA.
Cardiologist details the many health disparities he encounters in rural Mississippi
Foluso Fakorede, MD, an interventional cardiologist with Cardiovascular Solutions of Central Mississippi, says these issues are typically overlooked in today's healthcare environment.
‘Concerning’ data connect industry payments to cardiologists with medical device use
U.S. physicians often receive payments from medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. New research in JAMA found a connection between receiving such payments and using specific devices—should the industry be concerned?
FDA approves Abbott’s resorbable stent for BTK arteries
The bioresorbable stent, examined at length for the LIFE-BTK clinical trial, stays in place for up to three years before completely dissolving.

For almost nine years since the adoption of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) established the requirement for appropriate use criteria (AUC) to receive payment for advanced diagnostic imaging, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) has lobbying Congressional leaders change or repeal AUC mandate. Those efforts have paid off in the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule, where AUC program has been paused and all of its regulations were rescinded. Photo by Dave Fornell.

Medicare drops AUC requirement for advanced imaging, ASNC celebrates

"This was an unneeded burden, which was solely adding to the administrative hassles of medicine," said American Society of Nuclear Cardiology President Larry Phillips.

April 8, 2024

FDA announces new recall of neurovascular catheters built by Johnson & Johnson subsidiary

The recall is due to ongoing concerns about the devices breaking. Three patients have been injured as a result of this issue.

April 4, 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

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

cardiologist patient heart compensation starting salary 2022 interventional cardiologist

Cardiology groups want to ‘transform the future of cardiovascular medicine’ with new medical board

Leaders from the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, Heart Failure Society of America, Heart Rhythm Society and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions have shared their vision for a new, independent Board of Cardiovascular Medicine.

April 2, 2024

Abbott has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its TriClip transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) system designed to treat tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

FDA approves Abbott’s TriClip TEER device for tricuspid regurgitation

Less than two months after an FDA advisory panel voted in favor of approval, the transcatheter edge-to-edge repair system can now be sold and marketed in the United States.

April 2, 2024

Cardiologists received $1.3B in industry payments over 10-year period, No. 3 among all healthcare specialties

Only orthopedic surgeons and neurologists/psychiatrists received more industry payments from 2013 to 2022 than cardiologists. Also, the two prescription medications associated with the most physician payments were a blood thinner and an anticoagulant.

March 28, 2024

Medtronic has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its Evolut FX+ transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system for the treatment of symptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

FDA approves Medtronic’s next-generation TAVR system with new frame design

The Evolut FX+ TAVR system includes an updated diamond-shaped frame, which was made four times larger than previous models to offer improved coronary access. It was also designed to provide more space for operators to guide and maneuver the catheter during procedures.

March 28, 2024

Around the web

Health Imaging

New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

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

Radiology Business

What does radiology have to do with climate change?

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."

Policy & Regulations

What happened to cardiology's private practices?

Apple Watch AFib feature becomes first-ever digital tool approved by FDA to evaluate medical devices

Cardiologist details the many health disparities he encounters in rural Mississippi

‘Concerning’ data connect industry payments to cardiologists with medical device use

FDA approves Abbott’s resorbable stent for BTK arteries

Around the web