Blog

Impella RP Approved, Impella CP Devices Continue Roll-Out

Posted on by Kurt Jensen

Pictured: Impella CP.

Cardiovascular technology has been all over financial news recently as Abiomed's Impella CP roll-out continued to be strong last quarter and their Impella RP (Right Percutaneous) system received FDA approval under a Humanitarian Device Exemption.

The Impella devices, tiny heart pumps introduced via catheter by the femoral artery, allow cardiovascular professionals to support the heart in a minimally invasive way, avoiding open heart surgery in many cases. The devices mark a significant advancement in cardiovascular treatment for patients with extreme surgical risk.

Continue reading Impella RP Approved, Impella CP Devices Continue Roll-Out

What Patients SHOULDN’T get TAVR?

Posted on by Kurt Jensen

A new sub-study from the CoreValve U.S. Trial published in February's issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions marks a step closer to a model for deciding what extreme surgical risk patients should NOT undergo Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

While a majority of extreme-risk patients did see significant positive change in disease-specific, general health and quality-of-life metrics following TAVR, a large minority—39 percent of patients—had a poor outcome post-TAVR.

Continue reading What Patients SHOULDN’T get TAVR?

CV Directions Companion: Peripheral Artery Disease and Reducing Length-of-Stay Post-Amputation

Posted on by Kurt Jensen

Are you performing amputations due to Peripheral Artery Disease?

In the NEW CV Directions, Phalan Bolden and Latasha Ruffin report excellent results from the Vascular Amputation Task Force's initiative to reduce length-of-stay post-amputation.

Learn more, reduce costs.

More on Peripheral Artery Disease, compiled by authors Bolden and Ruffin:

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a condition characterized by atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the lower extremities.  Risk factors for peripheral artery disease include elevated blood cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, hypertension, inactivity and obesity.  Diabetes and smoking are the strongest risk factors.

Continue reading CV Directions Companion: Peripheral Artery Disease and Reducing Length-of-Stay Post-Amputation

Healthcare Environment in 2015, What do you think?

Posted on by Kurt Jensen

Healthcare executives recently shared 5 big predictions for 2015 with Healthcare DIVE, which might directly effect how you do your jobs in the rapidly approaching future.

Lisa Khorey of Ernst & Young's Health Care Advisory practice expects interoperability—the extent to which healthcare systems can share data—will be a major theme for administrators this year.

But this theme of data sharing extends further than clinical applications of shared medical records.

In the new CV Directions, dropping tomorrow, Jared Hullet of Vigilant Medical shares his ideas about online collaboration and data sharing:

"Now, imagine a department at one facility being able to post a sample of studies to a partner institution. That partner institution could then do an explanatory review for appropriateness and quality while simultaneously posting studies to the first institution for review as well. This proactive and cost effective approach would put these institutions out in front of the quality and appropriateness issues most cardiac programs are beginning to dread."

Continue reading Healthcare Environment in 2015, What do you think?