ASNC joined 10 other cardiovascular societies in support of legislation that aims to reduce teen smoking and vaping: the Tobacco to 21 Act in the House and Senate and the Tobacco-Free Youth Act before the Senate. "E-cigarettes, which have been growing in popularity, especially among minors, are as harmful to the heart as smoking combustible cigarettes," the societies wrote, also noting that use of tobacco has been linked with CVD for a while.

People with untreated white coat hypertension, but not those with treated white coat effect, had a higher likelihood of cardiovascular events, CV mortality and all-cause mortality, compared with those with normal blood pressure, according to a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The study, based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 studies involving 64,273 individuals, "highlights the importance of future trials to evaluate interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk in WCH," researchers wrote.

A study published in a cardiology journal associated higher cardiac radiation doses to significantly increased odds of major adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality at 20.4 months median follow-up among individuals with non-small cell lung cancer, especially those with pre-existing coronary heart disease. The findings should prompt significant changes in radiotherapy planning guidelines and the development of a shared framework that would enable radiation oncologists, cardiologists and primary care physicians to better identify and treat CV events, as well as prevent post-radiotherapy cardiac risks, researchers wrote.

Two studies presented at the American Diabetes Association annual meeting and published in The Lancet showed that type 2 diabetes patients may benefit from using the GLP-1 receptor agonist dulaglutide. In the first study, Canadian researchers found that dulaglutide users experienced a reduction in cardiovascular events, such as death from CV causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction or nonfatal stroke, and the second study linked dulaglutide to a reduced renal outcome, with the strongest effect seen among those with newly diagnosed macroalbuminuria.

Registry data from the American Heart Association show that some patients subject to the UN10 rule to discontinue resuscitation during in-hospital cardiac arrest could survive, according to a study in JAMA Network Open. Researchers conclude that the UN10 rule could be refined in the future to create a more predictive tool.

The CMS is seeking public input from patients, the medical community and other stakeholders on what it should do next in its Patients Over Paperwork initiative, which aims to mitigate health care costs and administrative burdens. Comments can be submitted through Aug. 12.

This course is designed for physicians preparing for the certification or recertification exam in nuclear cardiology, as well as physicians interested in a broad review in nuclear cardiology topics. The overall goal of this activity is to enhance physician competence by providing a comprehensive review of the CBNC blueprint exam in nuclear cardiology, including the most up-to-date information, developments, treatment protocols, methodology and best test for the right patient at the right time to optimize patient outcomes in their nuclear cardiology practice. Save with early-bird registration until July 8.

ASNC will award three prizes based on the most innovative, creative ideas and implementable plans: first prize, $3,000; second prize, $2,500; third prize, $1,000. The three finalists will be invited to present their solutions to a live viewing audience and an evaluation panel at ASNC2019 in Chicago.

"Our team decided to tackle the problem of nonselective referrals for preoperative nuclear cardiac testing in patients with operable lung cancer. Post-implementation, we saw a 70% reduction in preoperative nuclear cardiac testing." -- Angeline Law, M.D., 2018 Choosing Wisely® Winning team member, explaining her team's project and results

Tell ASNC what your team would like to implement in your lab! Enter your submission.