American Medical Association (AMA)

The American Medical Association (AMA) is the largest professional association and lobbying group of physicians and medical students. The AMA mission is to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health. The association represents physicians with a unified voice in courts and legislative bodies across the nation, removing obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading efforts to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises, and driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in healthcare.

Imaging for chest pain: CT- and ICA-first strategies linked to similar long-term health status
These findings present additional evidence that invasive imaging tests are not necessarily more effective when it comes to evaluating patients for chest pain.
Gastric bypass surgery linked to lower heart attack risk than gastric sleeve
Both operations can help obese patients lose weight, researchers noted, but gastric bypass surgery "may be associated with greater cardiovascular benefits."
Proactive CAD strategies fueled by calcium scores lead to benefits for intermediate-risk patients
Up to 50% of all patients face an intermediate risk of developing CAD, and the optimal treatment strategy for that population remains unclear. For this study, researchers explored data from more than 400 intermediate-risk patients with a family history of premature CAD.
Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation
Researchers tracked patient outcomes through the use of 15 performance measures related to hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
Cardiologists make case against routine interventions for asymptomatic severe AS
Aortic valve replacement is likely inevitable for patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Immediately performing TAVR or SAVR, however, may not always be the answer.

Cardiologists, cardiac surgeons support new bill that could limit Medicare cuts

More than 100 U.S. medical societies—including the ACC, ASNC and others—have united in support of a new bill that would make a long-term impact on Medicare payments.

A simple way to help cardiologists communicate with patients

A new JAMA Internal Medicine study suggests that communication coaching for cardiologists may help improve patient interactions by encouraging questions and increasing empathy.

Industry groups applaud bill connecting Medicare payments to inflation

Healthcare groups are applauding a bill in the House of Representatives that would ensure Medicare payments are tied to inflation.

Physicians sound off on prior authorization burdens on patients

Recent survey findings underscore that the vast majority of physicians believe prior authorization has a negative impact on patient care. In fact, some specialists think it leads to worse outcomes.

Industry groups agree MedPAC’s inflationary update is not enough

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) wants to tie physician payments to inflation. Healthcare groups say it doesn't go far enough

U.S. News & World Report children’s hospitals cardiology heart surgery

Children with autism face higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, dyslipidemia

Researchers examined data from 34 different studies, publishing their full systematic review and meta-analysis in JAMA Pediatrics.

High costs limit the value of dapagliflozin, empagliflozin as heart failure treatments

SGLT2 inhibitors such as dapagliflozin and empagliflozin are associated with improved outcomes among many heart failure patients. The medications are not cost-effective, however, limiting their overall value. Read the full economic analysis to learn more.

The increased use of implantable loop recorders (ILRs) is associated with identifying more bradyarrhythmias such as bradycardia, according to new findings published in JAMA Cardiology.

Increased AFib screening improves bradyarrhythmia detection—but is it a mixed blessing?

When long-term continuous monitoring detects bradyarrhythmia in an asymptomatic patient, is it still providing value?

American Medical Association (AMA)

Imaging for chest pain: CT- and ICA-first strategies linked to similar long-term health status

Gastric bypass surgery linked to lower heart attack risk than gastric sleeve

Proactive CAD strategies fueled by calcium scores lead to benefits for intermediate-risk patients

Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation

Cardiologists make case against routine interventions for asymptomatic severe AS