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| SCAI SmartBrief |
| March 27, 2012 |
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SCAI cath lab best practices focus on quality care
SCAI has published a consensus statement outlining best practices for the operation of cardiac catheterization laboratories. The paper, being published in Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions, strives to promote quality of care for patients and includes preprocedural checklists, recommended briefings and patient discussions. "We wanted to put together a kind of handbook that is very practical and user friendly, and really puts the patient first," said lead author Dr. Srihari S. Naidu. Read the news release. TCTMD.com (3/21)
Study: Non-cardiac factors drive post-TAVR mortality
Non-cardiac conditions contribute heavily to mortality among patients who have undergone transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Canadian researchers said at the American College of Cardiology's scientific sessions. Chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease appeared as the main predictors of post-procedure late mortality in the multi-center study. MedPage Today (free registration) (3/25) CardiovascularBusiness.com (3/24)
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Groups release dosing guidelines for cardiac imaging
A group of medical societies, including SCAI, has issued guidelines for limiting radiation exposure in cardiac imaging procedures while collecting high-quality images. Authors of the guidance said the goal was not to eliminate radiation exposure, but rather to balance risks and benefits. AuntMinnie.com (free registration) (3/22)
Various factors affect hospital-physician integration
Potent forces such as the economy and trends in health care are influencing hospital-physician integration in cardiology, leading to a variety of models including group practice subsidiaries and traditional employment, according to a discussion on cardiovascular care administration. Anthony Long, director of health care strategy at Navigant, recommends that administrators take a broader view of finances and gain a clear understanding of how cardiovascular physicians define success. CardiovascularBusiness.com (3/23)
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SCAI-WIN supports screening of women for heart disease during Ob-Gyn visits
A program co-sponsored by SCAI-Women in Innovations (WIN) is helping to identify women at risk of heart disease and raise awareness of prevention, according to Mount Sinai Medical Center researchers. The program involves screening women during Ob-Gyn visits for risk factors and signs of heart disease. "Ob-Gyn practices have an incredible opportunity to make an impact on heart disease in women by screening, educating and directing women to the right providers, so we hope to see continued research in this area," said WIN Chair Dr. Roxana Mehran. Yahoo!/HealthDay News (3/27)
Study: PCI safe without onsite cardiac surgery unit
Elective PCI can be safely performed at hospitals that don't have onsite cardiac surgery capability, according to a study discussed at the American College of Cardiology's scientific sessions. Results from the CPORT-E trial demonstrate similar outcomes regardless of the availability of surgical facilities. "Our motivations for studying nonprimary angioplasty in hospitals without onsite cardiac surgery include sustaining standalone PCI programs; improving access to PCI services; reducing pressure to develop cardiac surgery programs created primarily for angioplasty backup; and because additional research is needed to inform future health care policy decisions," said researcher Dr. Thomas Aversano. CardiologyToday.com (3/25) Forbes (3/25)
Blood test can predict heart attack, research suggests
A new study aims to address "the greatest unmet need" in cardiology, according to Dr. Eric Topol, lead author of a study in Science Translational Medicine that explores the use of a blood test to predict heart attacks. The method involves tracking endothelial cells in the bloodstream, which are much more abundant in patients whose artery walls are damaged. The researchers compared blood samples and determined that endothelial cells were not only present in higher numbers but also had distinctive characteristics in heart attack patients compared with healthy individuals. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (3/21) Time.com/Healthland blog (3/22)
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SCAI President Dr. Christopher White: ASSESS before ASCERT
SCAI President Dr. Christopher White is emphasizing the continued need for individual patient assessment while cautioning clinicians about limitations in data presented in the ASCERT study today. The study reviewed mortality rates at one and up to five years after PCI or CABG in Medicare patients age 65 and older based on administrative data from the CMS and registry data from the NCDR and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) database. Dr. White points out while SCAI supports efforts to compare treatment effectiveness, it is critical to note a major flaw in the ASCERT study is its comparison of "apples to oranges." Read more in Dr. White's President's Message, "ASSESS Before ASCERT," in Catheterization & Cardiovascular Interventions (CCI). Blank (3/27)
Have You Made Your Hotel Reservations for SCAI 2012? Rooms Filling Quickly
Year after year, attendees say one of the reasons they love the SCAI Scientific Sessions is the venue: all in one hotel, easy to navigate, quick to traverse. SCAI 2012 continues the tradition, taking place entirely in the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas May 9-12. More good news: SCAI has arranged a terrific room rate of just $165* per night. And this price includes the daily $20 resort fee! However, SCAI's discounted rate ends on April 1 or while room availability lasts. Find out more. Blank (3/27)
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