Hospitals could be turning away high-risk heart patients to help their TAVR programs receive a higher ranking, according to new research published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. 

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. 

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. 

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 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.