News

‘Population autopsy’ finds the US with more avoidable deaths than other wealthy countries

The United States appears to be leading all high-income countries in an unfortunate, distinctly undesirable statistical category.

New ultrasound needle yielded more substantial tissue samples

New ultrasound needle could significantly improve tissue yield during biopsies

Vibrating at up to 30,000 times per second, the sonographic device helps tissue to detach more easily without inflicting a large puncture wound to collect an adequate amount of tissue.

A majority of medical devices involved in Class I recalls were never required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to undergo premarket or postmarket clinical testing, according to new research published in Annals of Internal Medicine.[1]

Bayer's new imaging agent for cardiac amyloidosis impresses in clinical trial

The REVEAL study has been assessing the sensitivity and specificity of iodine 124 evuzamitide (I 124 evuzamitide), a PET agent capable of visualizing signs of cardiac amyloidosis on imaging.

Florida doctor charged with manslaughter in patient death describes chaotic scene in deposition

NBC News obtained a copy of the November deposition, linked to a civil lawsuit against Thomas Shaknovsky, MD, accused of removing a patient’s liver instead of spleen, killing him. The surgeon, who has lost his license to practice medicine in Florida, has also been criminally charged with second degree manslaughter. He denies any intentional wrongdoing.

Former healthcare CEO sentenced to 5 years in prison for role in $212M fraud conspiracy

Parmjit “Paul” Parmar, 55, from New Jersey has also been ordered to pay $125 million in restitution. The scheme to defraud investors was uncovered in 2017.

AI course-of-care notes help doctors, pose little risk of harm to patients

Agentic large-language models can draft hospital discharge summaries that are safe, useful and demonstrably effective at helping to curb physician burnout, according to research conducted at Stanford University.

Subhasis Chatterjee, MD. FACS, FACC, FCCP, Associate Professor of Surgery, Director Thoracic Surgical ICU and ECMO Program, Texas Heart Institute at CHI Baylor St. Lukes, explains the new 2026 expert consensus on heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) released at the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) 2026 annual meeting. #AATS #AATS2026 #AATS26

AATS helps heart surgeons diagnose and manage heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia after heart surgery is a major concern, but prior guidelines were developed without much feedback from actual cardiac surgeons.

doctor wrong patient wrong-site surgery medical error malpractice mistake

FDA announces more recalls due to risk of syringe breaking during treatment

Medline already had to recall millions of syringes due to a significant safety risk. Now, multiple procedure kits that include the devices are also being recalled. The issue has been associated with four serious injuries.

insurance insurer payment claim denial reimbursement prior authorization

Large language models offer potential for helping appeal denied radiology claims

Although large language models produce appeals letters that are generally deemed useful by readers, they likely still require a babysitter, according to a new analysis.

Video of Makoto Hashimoto, MD, PhD, professor and director of robotic cardiac surgery at Florida International University, Baptist Health, who presented a study on robotic surgery outcomes and costs at the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) 2026 annual meeting this week. While the costs of these minimally invasive robotic procedures is higher that traditional surgical procedures, he said costs overall can be reduced in terms of faster patient recovery, shorter length of stays.

Upfront costs of robotic heart surgery are high—but it may be a smart investment

Makoto Hashimoto, MD, PhD, said robotic procedures are associated with a faster recovery time and many other potential benefits.

Physician and his practice to pay $6.7M for allegedly performing unnecessary vascular procedures

The physician was accused of pressuring Medicare patients into undergoing treatment they did not need. One patient allegedly received 42 different stents over an eight-year period.

PHOTO GALLERY: Cardiac surgery technologies at the AATS 106th Annual Meeting

A wide variety of technologies, including robotic systems, heart valves, stent grafts, retractors and annuloplasty rings, were on display in Chicago.

Around the web

Health Exec