Care Delivery

This channel includes news on cardiovascular care delivery, including how patients are diagnosed and treated, cardiac care guidelines, policies or legislation impacting patient care, device recalls that may impact patient care, and cardiology practice management.

Medical debt vs. Medicaid expansion: One state has a clear winner
Researchers found enrollment correlated with big reductions in medical debt as signaled by collections activity and subprime credit scores.
Fewer stents, positive outcomes: Sirolimus-eluting balloons a safe alternative during PCI
Using a DCB that releases sirolimus over an extended period of time appears to be both safe and effective when treating patients who present with NSTEMI or unstable angina.
5 reasons not to (solely) blame insurance companies for what ails US healthcare
As this midterm-election year barrels toward decision day, health insurers continue taking punches from both political parties. The piling-on might be as unfair as it is understandable.
How long will we accept patients languishing in the ER as normal? (asks a firsthand witness to ‘boarding’ who’s also a distinguished journalist and an erstwhile ER doctor)
Boarding is hospital-speak for when patients get left in the emergency department, typically on gurneys or in wheelchairs, for many hours—sometimes days—because no inpatient beds are available.
First bedside procedure of its kind performed by traveling clinicians on premature infant
The 22-week-old patient was successfully treated by a traveling cardiologist—all without being transported to the cath lab.

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is not associated with a significant reduction in the risk of dementia, according to a new analysis published in the European Journal of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery.[1] However, the study’s authors noted, it did still lead to considerable improvements in stroke risk.

Carotid endarterectomy does not reduce long-term dementia risk

However, researchers noted, there was still a clear improvement in stroke risk.

CVS: Mental health concerns are rising

Nearly 6 in 10 Americans (59%) have experienced concerns about either their own mental health or that of family and friends.

The GE healthcare vScan Air was one of several point of care ultrasound (POCUS) systems on display at the ACC 2022 meeting.

VIDEO: Point-of-care ultrasound systems at ACC 2022

There were several point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) systems on display by vendors at ACC 2022. Here are two of them.

Real-world Watchman patients experiencing fewer complications after LAAO than seen in clinical trials

The study's authors compared findings from the PROTECT-AF and PREVAIL clinical trials with data from the NCDR LAAO Registry, focusing on short-term and long-term outcomes.

interventional cardiology heart failure cleveland clinic

4 promising heart failure therapies interventional cardiologists should keep an eye on

The devices, currently being investigated by teams of heart specialists, could make a big impact in the years ahead.

Brugada arrhythmogenic substrate that causes VT and sudden cardiac death. This study showed ablation of this substrate area could help prevent sudden cardiac arrest in these patients.

Epicardial ablation in Brugada syndrome reduces sudden cardiac death

A late-breaking study at Heart Rhythm 2022 found epicardial ablation in Brugada syndrome helped significantly reduce sudden cardiac arrest in these patients, increasing their survival.

How machine learning models can predict if patients will show up for appointments

Researchers from Boston Children’s Hospital were able to predict with 83% accuracy if patients were going to be a no-show at the time of their appointment.

Veteran cardiologist Morton M. Mower, co-inventor of the automatic ICD, dies at 89

“I think he was the most brilliant person I’ve ever met," one long-time colleague said.

Care Delivery

Medical debt vs. Medicaid expansion: One state has a clear winner

Fewer stents, positive outcomes: Sirolimus-eluting balloons a safe alternative during PCI

5 reasons not to (solely) blame insurance companies for what ails US healthcare

How long will we accept patients languishing in the ER as normal? (asks a firsthand witness to ‘boarding’ who’s also a distinguished journalist and an erstwhile ER doctor)

First bedside procedure of its kind performed by traveling clinicians on premature infant