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.

Dexcom issues new recall for CGM apps due to safety risk—users urged to update immediately
The FDA has categorized this as a Class I recall. If patients update their phone or watch apps as needed, they can continue to use these devices like normal.
Cardiologist sues hospital after he was allegedly let go for sharing safety concerns
The veteran interventional cardiologist claims he was pushed out after repeatedly asking for more coverage from cardiothoracic surgeons in addition to other improvements. The hospital, meanwhile, described the lawsuit as a “collection of false allegations."
Why all heart patients should be vaccinated against the flu, COVID-19, RSV
The American College of Cardiology has shared new recommendations highlighting the protective benefits of a variety of vaccines. The new guidance also examines how to speak with patients who are hesitant to be vaccinated.
Heart surgeons see more potential in AI than colleagues from other fields
Cardiac surgeons see significant value in AI's ability to assist clinicians with administrative tasks and patient selection. When it comes to making clinical decisions, however, there is still a certain amount of skepticism.
New Apple Watch Ultra 3 makes early hypertension detection a priority
"This tool empowers patients and clinicians to work together, putting prevention at the center of care," said Ami B. Bhatt, MD, ACC chief innovation officer. "What we really want to do is create patient agency and reach as many people as we can for earlier detection of high blood pressure."

FDA OKs study of tech that uses pulsed electric fields to treat AFib

The FDA has approved a Medtronic-run trial, PULSED AF, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new tech that uses pulsed electric fields to treat AFib.

Burnout boosts likelihood of atrial fibrillation

Burnout may increase a person’s risk of developing atrial fibrillation by as much as 20%, researchers reported this month in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

‘History is unfortunately repeating itself’: 6 things to know about the potential heparin shortage

A possible shortage of heparin, one of the most popular blood thinners on the market, is threatening the U.S., according to a viewpoint published in The Lancet on Jan. 23.

Controlled-release opioid triples risk of endocarditis in injection drug users

Injection drug users prescribed controlled release hydromorphone—an opioid—are three times more likely to develop endocarditis than users prescribed other opioids, according to work published Jan. 22 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

What the EVALI epidemic means for public health

The jury is out: vaping, or e-cigarette use, is a national epidemic in the U.S.

Nonprofit shells out $5.7M for research on single ventricle heart defects

Palo Alto, Calif.-based nonprofit Additional Ventures announced Jan. 21 it would be awarding a total of $5.7 million to five institutions for research on single ventricle heart defects.

Death, amputation more common with paclitaxel-coated devices vs. conventional angioplasty

A recent meta-analysis published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology supports evidence that paclitaxel-coated balloons may pose more risk than reward for patients with symptoms of critical limb ischemia.

FDA approves world’s smallest pacemaker with AV synchrony

Medtronic announced Jan. 21 it had received FDA approval for its Micra AV device—the world’s smallest pacemaker with atrioventricular synchrony.

Clinical

Dexcom issues new recall for CGM apps due to safety risk—users urged to update immediately

Cardiologist sues hospital after he was allegedly let go for sharing safety concerns

Why all heart patients should be vaccinated against the flu, COVID-19, RSV

Heart surgeons see more potential in AI than colleagues from other fields

New Apple Watch Ultra 3 makes early hypertension detection a priority