The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) is seeing major progress in its long-running push to secure broad reimbursement for artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled coronary CT angiography (CCTA) plaque analysis. According to Roosha Parikh, MD, FACC, FSCCT, associate director of Cardiac CT at St. Francis Heart Hospital, Long Island, New York, and a member of the SCCT Health Policy and Practice Committee, both Medicare and a growing number of private insurers are now covering the technology.

Reimbursement for AI-based plaque assessments is improving

A growing number of private insurers are now covering these advanced technologies. Roosha Parikh, MD, told Cardiovascular Business that the hard work of SCCT and other groups has helped make this happen. 

female cardiologist

Is the field of cardiology empowering or stifling? Cardiologists share their perspective

Some cardiologists feel the specialty is inclusive and nothing needs to change, but not everyone agrees with that sentiment. A new survey detailed the perspective of more than 1,500 cardiologists. 

heart doctor cardiologist

Cardiology groups share new recommendations for performing safe, effective cardiac ablations in ASCs

The timing of this new guidance from the Heart Rhythm Society and American College of Cardiology could not have been better—the document went live just as CMS finalized its decision to cover cardiac ablation procedures performed in ASCs.

Gregg W. Stone, MD, Director of Academic Affairs for the Mount Sinai Health System and Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) and Professor of Population Health Science and Policy at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, discusses the ATHENS-HF Trial, a first-in-man study of a chronically-adjustbable, bi-atrial pressure sensing inter-atrial shunt from Adona Medical.

Adjustable interatrial shunt for heart failure shows promise in first-in-human trial

Gregg Stone, MD, spoke to Cardiovascular Business about early data from the ATHENS-HF trial. Ten heart failure patients were treated with the adjustable device, and each implant was a success. 
 

An FDA panel will discuss its recommendations related to Abbott's TriClip G4 transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) system for tricuspid regurgitation.

New technique could help when cardiologists repair 2 leaky heart valves at once

Performing M-TEER and T-TEER on the same patient using a single guide catheter appears to be both safe and effective. Researchers shared their experience with this approach in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Beta-blockers do not benefit heart attack patients with a normal LVEF

The new meta-analysis included data from nearly 18,000 patients. Overall, patient outcomes were quite similar for patients who did and did not undergo beta-blocker therapy.

Boston Scientific ACURATE neo2 aortic valve system self-expanding TAVR valve

Did Boston Scientific pull the plug too early on TAVR devices? Cardiologists weigh in

Boston Scientific stopped selling its Acurate TAVR systems after they underperformed in a few key trials and failed to gain FDA approval. Was it the right call?

Early TAVR for asymptomatic severe AS cuts costs, improves outcomes

The study found lifetime per-patient savings from early TAVR ranged from about $2,334 in the U.K. to $19,607 in Switzerland.