While media in the past few years might suggest a backlash against the rising use of EKG testing, an emerging trend shows many groups pushing for routine EKG/ECG screening of high-functioning athletes.
Continue reading Cardiac Trend: Push for Routine EKG/ECG Screenings for Athletes
An international study published mid-March in the Lancet showed that using the wrist as an access point for heart catheterization reduced bleeding and lowered mortality rates as opposed to using the groin as an access point.
While previous studies have demonstrated that wrist access reduces incidents of bleeding, this is the first to demonstrate the connection with incidents of mortality.
The change lowers mortality at no additional cost beyond necessary additional training and expertise---insertion through the wrist is more technically demanding than insertion through the groin, as the artery is smaller.
In 2011, the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions published new guidelines for a Radiation Safety Program for the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory.
With regards to procedures, they recommended limiting exposure duration, reducing dosage, limiting high-dose high contrast use, reducing magnification, and increasing distance from the x-ray beam to name a few.
Mayo Clinic reduced doses by 40 percent over a 3-year period in a case study released in 2012, where researchers noted that "the physician's expectations [had to] change from a desire for excellent image quality to a desire for low radiation dose and acceptance of clinically adequate image quality."
Technology itself might not be able to change culture, but it can significantly improve many relevant factors, as demonstrated by trials and testimonials of Corindus's CorPath system.
Continue reading Special Report (4): Robotics improve efficiency and reduce radiation exposure
Most references to musculoskeletal pain suggest they are best treated by identifying and treating the cause of the pain. But what if the cause of pain is work-as-usual for cardiovascular professionals in the Cath Lab?
In our special report series we've already discussed the recent research that showed non-physician Cath Lab personnel reporting more musculoskeletal pain due to interventional procedures involving radiation. We also shared pieces from Dr. James Goldstein's editorial on the subject, discussing the importance of the issue and suggesting ways to advocate and educate. We're also planning on discussing new technological applications that allow cardiovascular professionals to avoid radiation during procedures.
But in this piece, we'll take a lighter look at ways to mitigate musculoskeletal pain including stress reduction techniques and some alternative approaches.
Continue reading Special Report (3): Mitigating Work-Related Musculoskeletal Pain