HCI's Monthly Review of the Healthcare Industry
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Robert J. Stilley
President, CEO
HeartCare Imaging, Inc.
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Dear Colleagues,
An ‘80s rock song says…Paranoia, it will destroy ya! And we’ve also heard that just because you’re paranoid, it doesn’t mean they aren’t after you! OK, I know it’s a weird way to start a newsletter like this, but there is a reason. My lovely bride, ML, sometimes calls me PB which is short for Paranoid Bob! I don’t think I’m paranoid, just always looking at all of the angles to ensure the best outcome is attained. I prefer ‘concerned’, maybe CB would be more appropriate. It’s become a company phenomenon. Whether it’s maintaining licenses, acquiring accreditations, or ensuring we have personnel coverage for your lab we always cover all of the bases so patients can be scanned, and results achieved. We don’t think it’s paranoid to start re-accreditation a few months early or to have extra techs trained should the primary tech need leave, that’s just our ‘concern’ for doing things right and the reason HCI is known as the ‘go to’ company for radiology imaging services. So, just for the record I don’t think anyone is following us…except for the competition!
Sincerely,
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Combined SPECT and cardiac MR imaging can help guide ventricular tachycardia ablation
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Adding functional imaging to structural imaging of patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) has the potential to improve current VT ablation strategies, according to new research published in the January issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
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Cardiologist Groups Say Newer Blood Thinners Best Against A-Fib
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Newer blood thinners are recommended over warfarin for people with the heart condition called atrial fibrillation (a-fib) in updated treatment guidelines issued by three major American heart groups.
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Stair-climbing exercise 'snacks' boost health
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Time is no longer an excuse for not exercising, as new research finds that even a few minutes of stair climbing at intervals every day is enough to improve cardiovascular and overall health.
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Aspirin lowers heart attack risk but raises risk of dangerous bleeding
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People without heart disease who take a daily aspirin may lower their risk of a heart attack or stroke, but a new study confirms they also have an increased risk of severe internal bleeding.
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Cardiometabolic Risk Up With Tourette, Chronic Tic Disorder
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Patients with Tourette syndrome (TS) or chronic tic disorder (CTD) have an increased risk for developing at least one metabolic or cardiovascular disorder, according to a study published online Jan. 14 in JAMA Neurology.
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High Fiber, Whole Grains Linked to Lower CVD, Diabetes, Cancer Risk
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Eating more dietary fiber and whole grains protects against noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, type 2 diabetes, and colorectal cancer, according a new review commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO).
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Risk for Congenital Heart Defects in Offspring of Mothers With Obesity
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The risk for offspring aortic branch defects, atrial septic defects, and persistent ductus arteriosus increases with maternal obesity severity, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology,
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CVD risk increases with transition to metabolically unhealthy obesity
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Adults who transition from metabolically healthy obesity to metabolically unhealthy obesity are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease compared with metabolically healthy individuals with normal weight, according to findings published in Metabolism.
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Long-term CVD risk higher with rising fasting glucose levels in middle age
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Middle-aged adults who experience an increase in fasting glucose level into the range for diabetes have an elevated 30-year risk for coronary heart disease and stroke compared with their peers with normal blood glucose levels, according to findings published in Diabetes Care.
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Poor sleep linked to buildup of dangerous plaques throughout body, study says
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Here's another reason why getting a good night's sleep should be on your must-do list: Sleeping fewer than six hours a night or waking frequently raises your risk of developing damaging plaque in arteries throughout your body, not just your heart.
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Nutrition could cut the number of premature deaths from cardiovascular disease, study finds
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At least half of all premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths could be prevented by better nutrition such as by increasing consumption of whole grains and omega-3 fatty acids, according to an international study.
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Genetic Influences on Body Fat Distribution in Men and Women Identified
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The risk of developing diseases such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases has been linked with where in our bodies we tend to accumulate fat. A large-scale genome-wide association study carried out by researchers at Uppsala University has now identified dozens of genetic factors that influence the distribution of fat, and found that genetic effects are more strongly associated with fat accumulation in women than in men.
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FET-PET adds 'relevant' info to pediatric cancer cases
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Thanks to its high specificity, fluoroethyl-tyrosine (FET)-PET can help confirm the success of surgical procedures performed on pediatric patients with brain and spinal cord tumors to ensure that no residual tumor is left behind, according to a study published online January 25 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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Aerobic Exercise Tied to Better Cognition at All Ages
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Aerobic exercise contributes to brain health in individuals as young as 20 years, according to a study published online Jan. 30 in Neurology.
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Healthcare Leaders See 4 Digital Technologies As Game Changers in 2019
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Healthcare leaders believe four digital technologies — artificial intelligence, big data analytics, mobile health, and wearables — will be game changers this year, according to Frost & Sullivan.
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Elevated BP in Younger Adults and Dementia Risk: New Insights
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Elevated blood pressure in younger adults appears to be tied to an increased risk of dementia in later life, new research shows.
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High Levels of Satiety Hormone Tied to Lower Alzheimer’s Risk
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A new study published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging finds that people with high levels of a satiety hormone have a significantly reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
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Niowave starts isotope production
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Superconducting accelerator technology firm Niowave has begun production of several medical radioisotopes using low-enriched uranium and a superconducting electron linear accelerator.
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Regularly Screened Patients with Breast Cancer Have Lower Mortality Rates
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Women who participate in regular breast cancer screening programs tend to benefit more from therapy after diagnosis, compared with women who do not have regular screenings, according to a study published in the journal Cancer.
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Why It Hurts to Lose Sleep
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Sleep deprivation can make your physical aches more painful. A new study begins to explain how that happens.
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Untangling tau—researchers find a 'druggable target' for treating Alzheimer's disease
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The accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and tangles of a protein called tau in the brain are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Much effort has focused on the former, with many attempts made to prevent, slow or even reverse the presence of Aβ, and thus ameliorate the development of AD. To date, results have been mixed.
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Cancer patients could triple survival rates by taking painkillers, study suggests
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People with head and neck cancers could more than triple their chances of survival simply by taking everyday painkillers, a new study suggests.
Common and cheap painkillers such as ibuprofen and aspirin were found to boost survival rates from 25 per cent to 78 per cent if the cancer contained one specific gene, found in about one-third of head and neck cancers.
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Direct-Acting Antivirals Not Tied to Liver Cancer Recurrence
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Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is not associated with increased overall or early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence among patients with a previous complete response to HCC treatment, according to a study published online Jan. 17 in Gastroenterology.
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Rocking Improves Sleep, Boosts Memory
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Sleeping on a rhythmically swaying surface helps synchronize sleep oscillations in the human brain, a study finds.
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Childhood lead exposure tied to adult mental health issues
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Beyond the well-known effects of childhood lead exposure on IQ, a new study suggests lasting effects on the brain may extend to personality traits in adulthood.
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Number of uninsured U.S. adults hits four-year high
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Roughly 13.7 percent of U.S. adults went without medical insurance in the fourth quarter of 2018, the highest rate since before the Affordable Care Act made took effect in 2014, a new Gallup poll found.
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Rural Hospitals in Greater Jeopardy in Non-Medicaid Expansion States
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Nearly a hundred rural hospitals in the United States have closed since 2010, according to the Center for Health Services Research at UNC Chapel Hill. Another 600-plus rural hospitals are at risk of closing, according to an oft-cited 2016 report by iVantage Health Analytics.
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Q&A: Sanford Health CEO Krabbenhoft discusses growth, acquisition of Good Samaritan
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Kelby Krabbenhoft has guided Sanford Health with a steady hand for the past two decades. During that time, the Sioux Falls, S.D.-based integrated delivery system has grown its footprint to become one of the dominant players in the upper Midwest. The 2009 merger with Fargo, N.D.-based MeritCare led to an organization that now boasts $4.5 billion in revenue. And just this month, Sanford closed on its acquisition of the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society and its 200-plus post-acute, skilled-nursing, hospice, assisted-living, rehabilitation and home-health facilities. That gives Sanford a presence in 26 states, not to mention Sanford World Clinic's expansion into nine countries worldwide.
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Politics that Affect Medicine
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Medicare Advantage plans see smaller rate hikes for 2020
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The CMS on Thursday proposed increasing the baseline Medicare Advantage payment rates for 2020 by 1.59%, well below the 3.4% rate hike plans received in 2019.
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CMS launches app to outline services covered under Medicare
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CMS has launched the "What's Covered" app to let Original Medicare patients and caregivers see whether Medicare covers a medical item or service.
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Trump boosts fight against surprise medical bills
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Lawmakers in both parties say they want to take action to protect people from those situations, marking a health care area outside of the partisan standoff over ObamaCare, where Congress could advance bipartisan legislation to help patients.
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Verma: CMS value-based models could stretch beyond Medicare
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CMS Administrator Seema Verma on Tuesday said the agency is exploring ways to apply its value-based payment models beyond Medicare and encourage more providers to buy in to the programs.
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For over 25 years, HRSI has provided Authorized User (AU) classroom and laboratory training to physicians. HRSI's training is recognized by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and fulfills the didactic training required by law.
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Case-Based Approach to Diagnosis and Management of Cardiac Amyloidosis
7:30 am – 11:30 am | Friday, April 12, 2019 | Palm Harbor, Fla.
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Save the date for RSNA 2019
Join us for our 105th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1–6, 2019, at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL.
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Annual Scientific Session of the
American Society of Nuclear Cardiology
September 12-15, 2019 | Chicago, Ill.
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HeartCare Imaging, Inc. | Phone: 561-746-6125 | Fax: 561-741-2036 | info@heartcareimaging.com
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