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 Colleague -
As we enter the holiday season we start to focus on gifts for family, friends, and business associates. If your home is anything like mine this can become a seriously stressful time of year as the gift getting doesn't happen without serious thought, a time commitment needed to pick and then acquire the proper gifts. I wish I had some magic words that will help us all through this process...but I really can only tell you to try to enjoy the experience and realize that others are doing it for you too... remember the reason for the season!
Also, we need to focus on the 'non material' gifts that we receive every day. For me, being able to work is a gift and being able to work in an industry that truly makes a difference in lives of others is a gift that is more valuable than most things that can be purchased. There are many more gifts that we receive everyday, family...health... let me know what yours is!
Have a Happy Holiday Season!
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Thyroid Cancer in Men Tied to Heart Risks
Men with a history of thyroid cancer had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared with women, researchers found. Among a large cohort of thyroid cancer survivors, the risk for developing CVD was significantly higher in men than women (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.31-1.62), reported Jihye Park, MSPH, of the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, and colleagues.
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By performing myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with cardiac FDG-PET before revascularization, clinicians can better assess the benefits of that procedure and predict near-term outcomes for patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction, according to a study presented on Sunday at RSNA 2018.
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Cardiology malpractice suits up 91% from a decade ago
Rates of malpractice lawsuits in cardiology have followed a slow upward trajectory for the past decade and are continuing to climb, according to
a
review
of m
ore than 1,500 liability claims published in the American Journal of Cardiology this week.
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Mini pacemakers could cut time, costs for pediatric heart procedures
A miniature pacemaker developed for use in infants and those with limited vascular access has passed a proof-of-concept simulation and is entering its second phase of testing, researchers from Children’s National Health System in Washington, D.C., have reported.
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Mo-99 supply expected to improve starting next week
The shortage of Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), which is used to create the crucial nuclear imaging radioisotope Technetium-99m, is expected to improve in the coming weeks.
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Cardiologist invests $60M in future of sirolimus-coated balloons
Indian-American cardiologist and serial entrepreneur Kiran Patel this week announced he’s investing $60 million in Concept Medical Inc., a company looking to test its novel sirolimus-coated balloon.
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Cardiovascular biomarkers predict fragility fractures in older adults
In this study, researchers evaluated the role of four neuroendocrine activation and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers in the longitudinal prediction of fragility fractures. Study participants included 5,415 community-dwelling individuals (mean age, 68.9 ± 6.2 years) enrolled in the Malmö Preventive Project followed during 8.1 ± 2.9 years.
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Thyroid stimulating hormone elevation as a predictor of long-term mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction
In this study, researchers investigated whether hypothyroidism is associated with higher mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Of the 4,748 patients with AMA undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents who were consecutively enrolled in the study, 1,977 AMI were included in the final analysis.
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Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease: Open vs. Endovascular Approach
The manifestation of peripheral vascular disease in the aortoiliac segment is common, and thus its management is a frequent part of the day-to-day work for a vascular surgeon or interventionalist.
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Snoring poses greater cardiac risk to women
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring may lead to earlier impairment of cardiac function in women than in men, according to a new study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Moreover, the findings suggested that OSA may be vastly underdiagnosed among snorers.
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Severe migraines could signal elevated risk for AFib, stroke
A decades-long study of patients who have migraines with visual aura has linked the painful headaches to an increased risk of experiencing atrial fibrillation and, to a lesser degree, stroke, researchers report in the online edition of
Neurology
.
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High-level head impacts during just one season of football for high school and younger players can disrupt the brain's process of "pruning" synapses in gray matter; this disruption can subsequently interrupt brain development, according to a study presented on Monday at RSNA 2018.
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Physician viewpoint: 6 ways to smooth the value-based care transition
As physicians adjust to reimbursement reforms and work to promote patients' overall wellness, health systems should consider several key points to develop successful value-based care models, a physician wrote in a
STAT
op-ed.
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Siemens unveils syngo Virtual Cockpit software for CT, MR and PET at RSNA
“One of the main challenges radiologists are having in their networks is to homogenize the examinations and have adequate staffing at the right site at the right time,” Oliver Klinkow, head of syngo marketing and sales for Siemens, told HCB News.
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Tanning Bed Use Hikes Second Melanoma Risk
Frequent use of indoor tanning beds significantly increased the risk of users developing a second primary melanoma compared with non-users, and they did so far more quickly than non-users, according to a retrospective study.
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Merck hikes prices of 5 drugs
Merck & Co. raised the list price of five drugs, including its blockbuster cancer treatment Keytruda, in November, despite heightened pressure on drug makers in the U.S. to lower costs of medications, according to
Reuters
.
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Provider consolidation is causing premium hikes in rural areas
Premiums on the individual market tend to be higher in rural areas than urban areas, according to
new findings
from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute.
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Nutritional risk index predicts 3-year outcomes after PCI in patients on hemodialysis
Geriatric nutritional risk index was a significant predictor of clinical outcomes within 3 years after PCI in patients who were on hemodialysis, according to data presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.
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Latest-generation balloon-expandable TAVR valve now available in Europe
Edwards Lifesciences announced that the latest generation of its balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacement system has received a CE mark for use in Europe.
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Safety concerns raised over breast implants
An investigation has raised safety concerns about the most commonly used type of silicone breast implant in the UK. Women in France are now being advised not to use "textured" silicone implants while authorities investigate links with a rare form of cancer.
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Influenza infection not associated with acute MI requiring PCI
Influenza infection did not increase the risk for acute MI in older patients who were hospitalized and required PCI, according to data presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.
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New blood pressure guideline could prevent 3 million cardiovascular events over 10 years
In 2017, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association released new blood pressure guidelines, lowering hypertension threshold to 130/80 mm Hg from the previous 140/90 mm Hg. A new study predicts that achieving and maintaining the 2017 guideline blood pressure goals could prevent more than 3 million cardiovascular disease events over ten years.
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Top-Ranked Hospitals Have Better Survival Rates
Cardiology patients treated in hospitals at the top of U.S. News & World Report rankings had better survival rates, but not necessarily less risk of readmission, researchers found.
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Michigan woman seeking heart transplant exceeds fundraising goal for anti-rejection medication
A 60-year-old Michigan woman who was
rejected
for a heart transplant due to lack of "a more secure financial plan" had raised $30,610 as of Nov. 28, according her
GoFundMe page
.
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Florida hospital loses over $10M in investments in October
Marion County (Fla.) Hospital District's investment portfolio dropped $10.3 million in value in October after major marketwide losses, according to
Ocala.com
.
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Mark Zuckerberg's name may be removed from California hospital
A San Francisco politician is seeking to remove Mark Zuckerberg's name from the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center despite the Facebook chairman, CEO and co-founder's $75 million donation to the hospital, according to
Business Insider
.
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Politics that Affect Medicine
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Trump won't leave patients with pre-existing conditions out in the cold, CMS chief says
CMS Administrator Seema Verma said the Trump administration plans to protect health insurance coverage for people with pre-existing conditions in the event a judge rules in favor of 20 states in a
lawsuit against the ACA
, according to a report on
insurancenewsnet.com
.
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Infrastructure, policy seen as biggest barriers to value-based reimbursement
Infrastructure requirements and changing policy are the top barriers to speeding the adoption of value-based care, according to a survey of healthcare executives, clinical leaders and clinicians conducted by NEJM Catalyst.
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HHS finalizes long-awaited 340B drug price rule
HHS on Thursday said it will allow a rule imposing ceiling prices on the 340B drug discount program to go into effect next year, after years of delays. The long-postponed rule will go into effect on Jan. 1, instead of the earlier-announced July 1, 2019 date,
according to a finalized rulemaking
.
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The American Hospital Association’s 2019 Rural Health Care Leadership Conference, February 3-6, Phoenix, AZ, brings together top practitioners and thinkers to share strategies and resources for accelerating the shift to a more integrated and sustainable rural health system. We’ll examine the most significant operational, financial and environmental challenges and present innovative approaches that will enable you to transform your organization’s care delivery model and business practices.
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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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Mark your calendar! The Radiological Society of North America’s 104
th
Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting is scheduled to take place November 25 to 30 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Every year, radiology’s best and brightest convene at the RSNA annual meeting to learn from the specialty’s top experts and get an exclusive look at the latest in medical imaging technology. RSNA 2017 brought breakthrough science in machine learning, artificial intelligence and 3D printing to the forefront, affirming the Society’s position as the leader promoting scientific innovation for better patient care. Save the date now to see tomorrow’s medical imaging discoveries today at RSNA 2018!
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HeartCare Imaging, Inc. | Phone: 561-746-6125 | Fax: 561-741-2036 | info@heartcareimaging.com
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