| News for Invasive/Interventional Cardiologists |  |
- FFR technology poised for growth as quality, cost benefits mount
Fractional flow reserve tests, which assess arterial pressure as a way to evaluate the effects of blockage, have offered physicians a more precise way to determine which patients are good candidates for stenting. That helps ensure they get optimal treatment when they need it, according to SCAI secretary Dr. James Blankenship, keeping quality high and costs relatively low. The market for FFR tests was forecast to reach $200 million in 2012 and could grow rapidly if the technology is found to have similar success in arteries in other parts of the body. Bloomberg
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- PCI outcomes in patients with diabetes are improving
Diabetes patients today may have a reduced risk of heart attack and stroke following percutaneous coronary intervention than in past decades, according to a study in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Researchers also noted fewer negative hospital-related outcomes in patients. A second study notes that patients with diabetes may face greater risk of complications than patients without diabetes; however, utilization of drug-eluting stents seemed to mitigate some of that risk. DailyRx.com
(1/7), DailyRx.com
(1/9)
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| Policy & Professional News |  |  |
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- ACE process is collaborative, gratifying, cath lab staff say
The process of attaining Accreditation for Cardiovascular Excellence offered Forbes Regional Hospital's catheterization lab "an honest look at our lab, and ACE provided a map for us to do better," said lab manager Dan Oslowski. The ACE application process includes site visits, independent case reviews and process assessments, and Oslowski says his organization chose ACE based on the collaborative nature of the process: "ACE experts are singularly focused on quality for the cath lab segment and have gone through what you've gone through. The partnership with expert colleagues is gratifying." Cath Lab Digest
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- Docs spend substantial time with unresolved malpractice cases
The average physician spends more than 10% of his or her career practicing with at least one open medical malpractice claim, according to research in the journal Health Affairs. Neurosurgeons and cardiothoracic surgeons spend the most time with open claims, at 27% and 20%, respectively, with cardiologists coming in just above average at 11%. "[C]laims that did not result in payment accounted for more than 70 percent of the time physicians spend with open claims," the researchers wrote. CardiovascularBusiness.com
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| Medical Developments | | |
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- New packaging, labeling might improve Rx adherence
Blister packaging labeled with the days of the week, pill bottle caps that send alerts and sound alarms when they are not opened on time, and clearer patient instructions are among the methods intended to increase prescription adherence. Patients who don't take their medications as prescribed are at higher risk for complications and expensive hospitalizations, and CMS reimbursement to health plans depends in part on refill rates for cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes drugs. The Wall Street Journal
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| SCAI News | | |
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- SCAI 2013 issues call for your cases for all-new i3 Session
SCAI's Complex Coronary Complications (C3) Summit is not just for fellows-in-training anymore. With a new spin-off for SCAI 2013 Scientific Sessions, "i3, a C3 for Grown-Ups" will deliver an experience much like the fourth-year interventional cardiology fellows have been enjoying for the past eight years. The C3 Summit, often referred to a "training gem," was developed specifically to give graduating fellows a unique opportunity to work together as a class tackling the most challenging complications interventional cardiologists ever see. The quality of the program over the years led seasoned cardiologists to ask for their turn. Enter, "i3, a C3 for Grown-Ups," an interactive case-based session open to all SCAI 2013 attendees. Like its namesake, the session will feature a series of coronary, structural or endovascular (including arterial and venous) cases contributed by attendees, an open-mike forum for discussion and critical input from expert faculty. Find out more, including how to submit your case.
- Winter issue of SCAI newsletter provides state-by-state tour of recent SCAI-PAC activities, more
The first six months since SCAI-PAC launched have been busy ones. Find out which members of Congress have met with SCAI leaders in the feature article of the Winter Issue of SCAI News & Highlights, now online! Other features in this issue include lessons learned from SCAI's recent 2013 Cardiology Coding webinar, an update by SCAI President J. Jeffrey Marshall, MD, FSCAI, on the Society's Quality of Life Initiative, and a first-hand account by Peter Duffy, MD, FSCAI, on how and why his practice integrated with its local hospital system. Download the Winter Issue of SCAI News & Highlights Now!
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