August 30th, 2012
ICD Investigation: DOJ Sends Resolution Model to Hospitals
Larry Husten, PHD
Hospitals across the country received emails from the U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday containing a proposed “Resolution Model” that will allow the hospitals to begin to settle the long-standing and much-feared DOJ investigation into improper Medicare billing for ICDs. The action appears to confirm an article, published earlier in August in Report on Medicare Compliance, that summarized the […]
August 30th, 2012
Was That an MI or Not? The Stuff of Controversy
Stewart Mann, DM (Oxon), FRCP(UK), FRACP
Stewart Mann recounts the highlights of several ESC sessions in which the Universal Definition of MI Task Force discussed the deliberations behind their latest version.
August 30th, 2012
Low-Dose Methotrexate to Prevent Recurrent MI and Stroke?
Paul Ridker, MD, MPH
Paul Ridker discusses the Cardiovascular Inflammation Reduction Trial, which will formally test the inflammatory hypothesis.
August 29th, 2012
Pilot Study Demonstrates Feasibility of MRI-Guided Catheterization
Larry Husten, PHD
A small pilot study has demonstrated that it may one day be possible to replace x-rays with MRI to guide some cardiac catheterization procedures. As reported in the European Heart Journal, researchers at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood institute (NHLBI) performed x-ray and MRI-guided transfemoral right heart catheterization in 16 patients (4 with shunt, 9 […]
August 28th, 2012
Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: August 28th
Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP
This week’s topics include studies on biolimus-eluting stents vs. bare-metal stents, risk markers to improve CV event prediction, common carotid intima-media thickness and CV risk prediction, aspirin with alteplase for acute ischemic stroke, and lipid-lowering therapy (and its benefits and harms) in patients with CKD.
August 28th, 2012
WOEST: Get Rid of the Aspirin in Triple Therapy
Larry Husten, PHD
According to current guidelines and clinical practice, PCI patients already taking an oral anticoagulant generally end up on triple therapy comprising the anticoagulant plus clopidogrel and aspirin. However, there is no supporting evidence base for this approach, and the triple-therapy regimen is known to increase bleeding complications. Now a new study — the first randomized […]
August 28th, 2012
‘Rather Than … FAME, Give Me Truth’
Richard A. Lange, MD, MBA and L. David Hillis, MD
The FAME 2 trial adds fuel to the debate regarding what measurements should guide decisions about revascularization.
August 28th, 2012
FAME 2: Can FFR Save PCI from Medical Therapy?
Larry Husten, PHD
Two sharply divergent views have developed about the value of fractional flow reserve (FFR) in PCI. FFR advocates think the new technology can help identify ischemic lesions that will benefit from PCI, thereby helping to salvage or enhance the reputation of PCI. FFR skeptics think that optimal medical therapy is still the preferred option for most […]
August 27th, 2012
When Does a Risk Marker Make the Mark?
J Michael Gaziano, MD, MPH, Amit Khera, MD, MSc and Khurram Nasir, MD MPH
Three prevention experts comment on two recent studies of cardiovascular risk markers. Does coronary artery calcium scoring now make the grade for routine use?
August 27th, 2012
The Return of Vorapaxar, This Time for Post-MI Patients
Larry Husten, PHD
The once highly promising novel antiplatelet agent vorapaxar, widely thought to be dead on arrival after unacceptably high serious bleeding rates were found in two large clinical trials, has now returned to active duty. On Sunday the drug’s sponsor, Merck, announced that it would seek approval of the drug, with a narrower indication than originally planned, based on new […]