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.

Eko Health, the California-based healthcare technology company known for its advanced stethoscopes, has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a new artificial intelligence (AI) offering designed to detect low ejection fraction (EF).

FDA approves new AI model for detecting signs of heart failure with a stethoscope

Eko Health worked closely with Mayo Clinic to develop and evaluate its latest AI offering. “Importantly, since a stethoscope is small and portable, this technology can be used in urban and remote locations," one clinician said. 

April 2, 2024
microsoft building

Industry Watcher’s Digest

Buzzworthy developments of the past few days.

April 2, 2024
A renal failure patient receives dialysis. A new study shows a drop in death in kidney failure patients from heart attack, PE and stroke.

New risk score helps cardiologists predict when TAVR patients may require dialysis

Patients who need renal replacement therapy after TAVR are much less likely to survive. Researchers hope their new risk score can help care teams prepare ahead of time for this rare, but potentially fatal complication. 

April 1, 2024
Group of doctors.jpg

Is concierge medicine a net plus for US healthcare? Answer depends on perspective

Critics say the model caters to the wealthy while taking primary care physicians out of circulation for everyone else. Not so, respond concierge proponents.

March 30, 2024
medical debt

Not many hospitals openly promote interest-bearing loans, credit cards for care

Hospitals short on cash are more likely than their financially flush counterparts to offer patients interest-accruing loans or credit cards to pay for their care.

March 29, 2024
artificial intelligence AI heart cardiology

Cardiologists see value in AI-based plaque assessments

Cardiologists were asked to develop a care strategy for CAD patients before and after using an FDA-approved AI tool to evaluate CT results. In two out of three cases, the AI influenced cardiologists to modify their original plan. 

March 29, 2024
covid pandemic immunology

Behind the scenes in COVID research labs, then and now

The past four years have witnessed major advancements in medical science’s drive to unravel the complexities of the human immune system. We have the COVID-19 pandemic to thank for much of the progress. 

March 29, 2024
Medtronic has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its Evolut FX+ transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system for the treatment of symptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

FDA approves Medtronic’s next-generation TAVR system with new frame design

The Evolut FX+ TAVR system includes an updated diamond-shaped frame, which was made four times larger than previous models to offer improved coronary access. It was also designed to provide more space for operators to guide and maneuver the catheter during procedures.

March 28, 2024