Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centers are unequal relative to population and heart attack prevalence across the United States, according to a study in the Journal of the American Heart Association. A multi-center team led by James Langabeer II, Ph.D., The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, conducted the study. 

therapeutic hypothermia, Philips InnerCool
therapeutic hypothermia, Medivance Arctic Sun

Use of therapeutic hypothermia is used to prevent neurological damage in patients who suffer sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), and there are many advocates suggesting a similar approach can help improve outcomes in ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.
 

InfoBionic’s MoMe System for cardiac arrhythmia monitoring received CE marking. The MoMe System is a remote patient monitoring platform that can transition between Holter, Event and Mobile Cardiac Telemetry (MCT) modes. The platform leverages cloud computing and proprietary analytics, and delivers on-demand access to patient data for diagnosis.

ImaCor Inc., developer of hemodynamic transesophageal echocardiography (hTEE) technology, released the hTEE QuickStartT mobile application. The app complements ImaCor’s hTEE training program and provides clinicians access to how-to videos, patient case reviews and customer support.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Class I Recall of Edwards Lifesciences LLC’s Embol-X Glide Protection System due to deformed cannula trip. Applying force to the tip during insertion or removal may lead to separation and embolization. Use of the recalled product may cause serious adverse health consequences, including death.

Stage 2 meaningful use guidelines for electronic medical records (EMRs) suggest use of clinical decision support (CDS) software to help clinicians choose appropriate labs, diagnoses, therapies and imaging exams. A draft policy to replace the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula now being considered by a joint U.S. Senate Finance and House Committee on Ways and Means Committee might make this suggestion a requirement in the future. The draft policy would deny Medicare payment for exams if the ordering physician did not consult appropriate use criteria (AUC) and require prior authorization for outlier providers. 

Thorne Research Inc. and Itamar Medical Inc. entered into a three-year non-exclusive agreement to co-market Itamar's EndoPAT and WatchPat. EndoPat is a device to assess arterial (endothelial) function, and WatchPAT is a home-based sleep test to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have cleared both.

CVIS, cardiovascular information system

The push for healthcare to be digitally transformed and paper-free means having access to electronic medical records anytime/anywhere. This effort amplified, has left many cardiology departments struggling to catch up.  According to the Administration on Aging people 65+ represented 12.4 percent of the population in the year 2000, but are expected to grow to be 19 percent of the population by 2030. The increase in longevity-on top of advances in medications, less invasive treatments and diagnostic testing will greatly increase demand for cardiology.  
Blackford Analysis, a provider of software products that accelerate comparison of medical images, introduced its products to the Middle Eastern market at the Arab Health Congress 2014 in Dubai. Designed to be integrated directly into any image viewer, such as a PACS, Advanced Visualization Viewer or Universal Viewer, Blackford Analysis’ products work within existing systems to enable instant comparison of multiple image studies.
Subscribe to
© Copyright Wainscot Media. All Rights Reserved.
Subscribe Now