Clinical

This channel newsfeed includes clinical content on treating patients or the clinical implications in a variety of cardiac subspecialties and disease states. The channel includes news on cardiac surgery, interventional cardiology, heart failure, electrophysiology, hypertension, structural heart disease, use of pharmaceuticals, and COVID-19.

Report: UnitedHealth rewarded nursing homes for delaying hospital transfers
Citing evidence from documents and interviews, the Guardian released an exposé accusing UnitedHealth of directly influencing the day-to-day operations of some 2,000 nursing homes, resulting in patients not receiving necessary emergency care.
FDA wants new heart damage warnings added to COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are associated with a very low risk of myocarditis and/or pericarditis, primarily in young adults. The long-term impact of this risk has been the subject of many studies and debates over the years; one side says that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks, and the other side says that even the smallest risk of heart damage is too high.
Early TAVR or SAVR in asymptomatic patients linked to improved survival, reduced costs
Researchers explored data from more than 24,000 AVR patients, presenting their findings at EuroPCR in Paris.
Work begins on first ATTR-CM study of its kind
ACT-EARLY is testing the hypothesis that treating asymptomatic carriers of a pathogenic TTR variant with the drug acoramidis could delay amyloidosis from developing.
FDA outlines stricter ‘evidence-based approach’ to COVID vaccinations
The FDA is revising its approach to COVID-19 vaccine approvals, moving away from the previous trend of treating boosters like annual flu shots. Health researcher Vinay Prasad and Commissioner Martin Makary argue in the New England Journal of Medicine for more rigorous data requirements and additional clinical studies to justify future inoculations for those under 65.

U.S. News out with the best nursing homes in a time of COVID

California is the state with the most nursing homes to rate as high-performing with five stars in U.S. News & World Report’s latest listing of the best such facilities in the country.

Risk of death nearly doubles when hospitalized COVID-19 patients have a history of heart failure

A history of heart failure was also associated with longer lengths of stay and an increased risk of mechanical ventilation.

Myocarditis may be less common among COVID-19 patients than previously believed

Researchers reviewed autopsy data from 22 different studies, sharing their findings in Cardiovascular Pathology.

COVID-19 pandemic is significantly shifting the socioeconomic mix of patients using imaging

This trend warrants attention from practice leaders and policymakers alike, experts reported in JACR.

Radiologist and noted COVID-19 expert shares 5 lessons learned from the pandemic

Ali Gholamrezanezhad, MD, a clinical emergency radiologist with USC Keck Medicine, has authored more than 40 papers on the topic.

Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids benefit STEMI patients

Elevated EPA and ALA levels were associated with better outcomes for STEMI patients, including fewer cardiovascular complications and improved survival.

American Heart Association, Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology launch online-only journal

The journal is expected to begin publishing by early 2021.

‘This is a disaster’: El Paso cardiologist says patients are dying ‘because COVID has impaired the ability to deliver care’

“This is a disaster,” the specialist said. “People are going to start dying. As a matter a fact, they started dying already.”

Clinical

Report: UnitedHealth rewarded nursing homes for delaying hospital transfers

FDA wants new heart damage warnings added to COVID-19 vaccines

Early TAVR or SAVR in asymptomatic patients linked to improved survival, reduced costs

Work begins on first ATTR-CM study of its kind

FDA outlines stricter ‘evidence-based approach’ to COVID vaccinations