Special Report (1): Non-Physician Cath Lab Personnel Report More Work-Related Pain

Posted on by Kurt Jensen

More to come: this ground-breaking study shows that non-physician Cath Lab employees, ACVP members, are more likely to experience work-related pain. Stay tuned by subscribing to the ACVP blog via email with the option on the side bar. We'll bring you more information about the study and new technologies that might help you avoid radiation and pain in the Cath Lab.

Results of a survey released in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that non-physician Cath Lab employees reported higher levels of musculoskeletal pain.

According to the study conducted via the Mayo Clinic Survey Center, factors association with increased work-related pain included

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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.

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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