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Heart Rhythm 2026 Program Chair Dhanunjaya "DJ" Lakkireddy, MD, MBA, FHRS, Executive Medical Director, Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute, and professor of medicine at the University of Kansas Health System, offers an overview of key trends in electrophysiology (EP) technology.

PFA's dominance and other key electrophysiology trends on display at Heart Rhythm 2026

Heart Rhythm 2026 Program Chair DJ Lakkireddy, MD, spoke to Cardiovascular Business during the conference about several key EP trends.

Virtual nursing staff may help save cardiology departments from burnout

The idea is started to spread thanks to a new startup focused on providing much-needed relief to cardiologists.

healthcare surprise billing statement payment

Radiologists implore HHS to punish payers who undermine surprise-billing protections

Over 100 specialty societies and state medical associations wrote to Health and Human Services and other departments to voice their growing frustration with the No Surprises Act.

Interventional radiology group inks 2 more practice partnerships with urologists

Founded by interventional radiologist Sandeep Bagla, MD, IR Centers is a platform helping other specialties manage and deliver such services.

M&A mergers and acquisitions business deal

Radiology AI vendor Azra acquires rival firm focused on incidental findings

The Nashville, Tennessee, company—which offers AI to monitor radiology reports for unexpected findings—has reached a deal to buy Thynk Health for an undisclosed sum.

6 things the hospital-at-home model needs to scale up nationally

Earlier this year Congress extended CMS’s hospital-at-home waiver for five years via the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026. With that bold stroke, ‘HaH’ services became eligible for Medicare reimbursement through September of 2030.

Nonprofit physician support program faces lawsuit from two docs who say it irreparably damaged their careers

Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP), a contractor with the state health department, is accused of trapping two physicians into mental health treatment as a condition of maintaining their medical residency jobs. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit are seeking class action status.

Michigan has become the 20th state to opt out from federal regulations that require physician supervision of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). The move was made to ensure access to value-based, high-quality care across the state, but it is being opposed by the Michigan Society of Anesthesiologists (MSA) and several other physician groups. Image from the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA)

FTC settles antitrust lawsuit against private equity-backed anesthesiology chain

Federal regulators alleged that U.S. Anesthesia Partners—a portfolio company of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowes—engaged in a “roll-up scheme” in Texas that effectively eliminated the competition. The company denies the allegations, but has agreed to undisclosed terms that would see the lawsuit resolved.

No biopsy required: Blood test could spot signs of rejection in heart transplant recipients

It may not always be necessary to subject heart transplant patients to one biopsy after another.

doctor comparing the costs of different medical treatments

Post-ablation PET imaging may not be cost-effective in patients with liver metastases

Although most radiology organizations agree that [18F]FDG PET/CT can provide valuable information in these patients post-treatment, their recommendations differ on its use.

Radiation in the cath lab: Tracking state-level regulations for cardiologists

Researchers hope these policies can be standardized in the future to help avoid confusion and improve clinician safety.

Beloved cardiologist killed in airstrike—he was one of Gaza’s last heart doctors

A prominent doctor and multiple family members are dead after an Israeli airstrike. "Thousands of heart patients will suffer as a result of his killing," one colleague said.

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