COVID-19

Outside of the loss of human life due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the past two years have greatly affected hospitals, health systems and the way providers deliver care. Healthcare executives are grappling with federal monetary assistance, growing burnout rates, workforce shortages and federal oversight of vaccines and testing. This channel is also designed to update clinicians on new research and guidelines regarding COVID patient treatment strategies and risk assessments.

FDA to add ‘black box’ warning to COVID vaccines, report says
The label is the most serious warning the agency can place on pharmaceuticals, denoting substances that carry serious health risks that must be weighed against benefits. CNN was the first to report the news, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
CDC: Pediatric COVID vaccines reduce ER trips by 76%
In a new data analysis from nine states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the protective effect tapers off as juveniles age, with 5-17 year olds seeing fewer trips to urgent care or the emergency room at a rate of 56%. Overall, the agency said evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines are still effective.
Medicare data reveal ‘highly concerning’ TAVR trends—are hospital rankings to blame?
Hospitals could be turning away high-risk heart patients to help their TAVR programs receive a higher ranking, according to new research published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
COVID-19, other infections linked to major cardiovascular risks—researchers push for vaccination
Adults are three times as likely to have a heart attack or stroke after a COVID-19 infection than when they are healthy. The risks are even greater for the flu.
Provider participation in Medicare rose 6.3% over 10 years, peaking in 2019
A new study published in JAMA, which looked at fee-for-service Medicare records from 2013–2023, found that overall participation has trended upward. However, the details paint a complicated picture.

COVID-19 a leading cause of death in US, topped only by heart disease and cancer

COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in the U.S. in both 2020 and 2021, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Do image-guided corticosteroid injections impact COVID risk?

Patients who received an injection had an infection rate of 2.2% at 4-month follow-up. In comparison, the infection rate for the general population in Massachusetts was 7.5% during the same period.

Detailed MRI reveals pulmonary vascular abnormalities in COVID long-haulers

Researchers had 40 participants inhale polarized xenon gas in order to conduct 129Xe MRI exams for the study.

RSNA puts out call for additional 'Cutting-Edge Research' abstracts ahead of annual meeting

These abstracts can be submitted to RSNA starting on July 6, 2022. Submissions will be accepted until August 3 at noon CST.

New data highlights the continued importance of COVID-19 vaccines for CVD patients

A Hong Kong study examined incidence rate ratios for major adverse cardiovascular events in the 27 days following each vaccine dose.

There has been fear of a small number of patient who experience myocarditis after COVID vaccination, but a new study found it is safe in patients with prior heart damage. Image courtesy of Banner Health. #COVID19 #COVIDvaccination

COVID-19 vaccines saved 20 million lives

New research illuminates just how effective COVID-19 vaccines were at saving lines––20 million deaths were likely avoided.

How do Omicron and Delta compare on chest imaging?

Researchers found that 37% of patients with Omicron had CT scans that were considered normal compared to 15% with Delta.

COVID-19 vaccines approved for young children

The vaccines were approved for younger populations after evidence revealed their effectiveness for this group.

COVID-19

FDA to add ‘black box’ warning to COVID vaccines, report says

CDC: Pediatric COVID vaccines reduce ER trips by 76%

Medicare data reveal ‘highly concerning’ TAVR trends—are hospital rankings to blame?

COVID-19, other infections linked to major cardiovascular risks—researchers push for vaccination

Provider participation in Medicare rose 6.3% over 10 years, peaking in 2019