Data from more than 9,000 patients linked heart failure, atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease and stroke to a higher risk of end-stage kidney disease, a study in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found. Patients with heart failure had 11.4 times greater risk of kidney failure, compared with patients who did not have heart disease.

Adults with type 2 diabetes who recently quit smoking and did not gain weight had a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, compared with those who gained weight after quitting, according to a study in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. The findings, based on data from 173,229 adults with type 2 diabetes who participated in two major studies in the US, also showed that gaining or maintaining weight after quitting smoking did not affect all-cause and cause-specific mortality.

Radiologists used a peer benchmarking intervention tool in an effort to reduce interobserver variability in computed tomography measurements and found no statistically significant difference in deviating measurements after the tool's implementation. "If future interventional efforts targeting measurement variability are to include a peer benchmarking intervention tool, researchers should consider how one's diagnostic behavior can be characterized ... within the study design and how clinical disagreement among radiologists can be systematically measured and resolved in an interactive approach," researchers reported in Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology.

Having a genetic predisposition for obesity may increase a person's risk of aortic valve stenosis and valve replacement, researchers reported in a cardiology journal. "The mechanism behind obesity causing aortic valve stenosis may be due to either structural changes of the heart or metabolic changes of the obese body," researchers said.

The Consumer Technology Association and Heart Rhythm Society released guidance for consumers using digital health products to understand and manage the capture, storage and use of their personal health information. "We want people to be aware of what these wearables have to offer, how they can increase knowledge about one's health, and how clinicians are optimistic about the data wearables can deliver," said cardiologist Nassir Marrouche, the guide's lead author.

CMS Administrator Seema Verma said in a blog post that the number of accountable care organizations taking on financial risk in the "Pathways to Success" program increased to 192 at the beginning of this year from 93 in the same period last year, a trend that could reduce costs and increase value for Medicare beneficiaries. The next-generation ACOs generated over $184 million in Medicare savings in 2018 and the number of physician-led ACOs increased by 27% to 270 as of Jan. 1 compared with last year, Verma noted.

Demand for a spot at one of ASNC's Cardiac PET Intensive Workshops was so high when the programs debuted last year that we're bringing them back in 2020. On their evaluations and in personal notes to the Society, attendees praised the workshops for delivering an excellent case-based introduction to cardiac PET in an interactive format that supports collaborative learning. In the year ahead, ASNC will continue this successful approach, including limiting attendance to 75 participants per workshop and hosting them in the convenient Washington, D.C., metro area. Register for March 7-8 or May 2-3 now.

1. Perfect timing: 2020 Nuclear Cardiology & Cardiac CT for Fellows-in-Training will convene in Chicago on Friday, March 27, the day before ACC.20 opens. Plan to arrive by 11 a.m. so you don't miss a minute.
2. Perfect content: Program Director Mouaz Al-Mallah, MD, MSc, FASNC, has created six hours of content on today's key imaging topics -- cardiac SPECT and PET, patient-centered imaging, risk stratification and prognosis, coronary artery calcium scoring, sarcoidosis and amyloidosis, and more.
3. Perfect price: ASNC is offering this program to cardiology fellows for FREE.

Excellent education on timely topics in a convenient location offered at no charge. It's the perfect FIT for your needs, your schedule and your budget. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today.