Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Cardiology for May 2015. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
AMA: Physicians Driving the Slowing of Health Care Costs
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Low physician spending is contributing to an overall slowing of health care costs, according to a viewpoint piece published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Catheterization Increasing for Seniors With STEMI
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — From 1999 to 2009 there was a decrease in the proportion of older adults with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) who did not undergo cardiac catheterization, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Score IDs Patients With Upper Extremity DVT at Low Risk
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT), six easily available factors can be used to create a score that identifies those at low risk of adverse events during the first week, according to a study published online May 18 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
Even Moderate BMI Reduction Could Ease A-Fib Burden
THURSDAY, May 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Incremental increases in body mass index (BMI) are associated with excess risk of incident, postoperative, and post-ablation atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a review published online May 27 in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.
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U.S. Organ Donation Rates Highest in Midwest
THURSDAY, May 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In the United States, organ donor rates are highest in the Midwest and lowest in New York state, according to a report published online May 28 in the American Journal of Transplantation.
Post-CABG Predictors of Stroke Identified for Diabetes Patients
THURSDAY, May 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing multivessel coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), predictors of stroke include previous stroke, warfarin use, and surgery outside the United States or Canada, according to research published in the May 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Smartphone Electrocardiograms Deemed Equivalent to Standard
THURSDAY, May 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Smartphone electrocardiogram (ECG) accurately detects baseline intervals, atrial rate, and rhythm, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology.
Moderate Alcohol Intake May Harm Elderly Hearts
WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Moderate drinking may harm heart health in the elderly, and women appear to be at greater risk for this alcohol-related heart damage than men, according to research published online May 26 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging.
Antiatherosclerotic Activity ID’d for MTX, Adalimumab in RA
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Potential mechanisms for the antiatherosclerotic activity of methotrexate (MTX) and adalimumab in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been identified, according to a study published in the May issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Caution Urged When Using EHR Shortcut Features
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Caution should be exercised with use of electronic health record (EHR) documentation short cuts, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Large Practices Focused on Small Selection of EHR Products
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Sixty percent of clinicians in practices with 26 or more clinicians report use of one of 10 electronic health record (EHR) products, according to a report published by AmericanEHR Partners.
Front Desk Staff Has Key Role in Managing Practice Cash Flow
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Three steps that can be implemented by front desk staff can help increase practices’ cash flow, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
AMA: Avoiding Distress in Medical School
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Understanding the key drivers underlying medical students’ distress can help address the issues and enhance student well-being, according to an article published by the American Medical Association.
CDC: Smoking Rates on Decline in Many States
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Cigarette smoking continues to decline in about half of American states, according to the latest U.S. government estimates. The new report was published in the May 22 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Over One-Third of Americans Have Metabolic Syndrome
THURSDAY, May 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — More than one-third of U.S. adults have metabolic syndrome, according to a research letter published in the May 19 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Support Groups for At-Home Walking Benefit PAD Patients
THURSDAY, May 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Support groups that encourage walking exercises at home can improve the mobility of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), according to a study published online May 20 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
CV Autonomic Neuropathy Predicts Urological Issues
THURSDAY, May 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For men with type 1 diabetes, cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy is associated with erectile dysfunction and/or lower urinary tract symptoms, according to a study published in the June issue of The Journal of Urology.
Hospital Stays Longer Without Prophylactic Laxatives
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Failure to use prophylactic laxatives in elderly congestive heart failure (CHF) patients who use laxatives at home is associated with a significantly longer hospital length of stay (LOS), according to a study published online May 13 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Statins, Fibrates Linked to 30% Lower Stroke Risk in Elderly
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Older patients taking statins or fibrates saw their risk of stroke over almost a decade decline by about one-third, according to a report published online May 19 in The BMJ.
Washington D.C. Nabs Highest American Fitness Index Ranking
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Washington, D.C, is the fittest of the 50 largest cities in the United States, followed by Minneapolis-St. Paul and San Diego, according to the eighth annual American Fitness Index (AFI) rankings from the American College of Sports Medicine and the Anthem Foundation.
Mortality, Stroke Risks Vary Widely After Carotid Stenting
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The risk of death or stroke after carotid artery stenting varies widely among U.S. hospitals, with the odds four times higher at some medical centers, new research suggests. The study appears in the May issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
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Admission Not Necessary for Many ER Patients With Chest Pain
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Adverse cardiac events are rare among adult patients presenting with chest pain with two negative findings for serial biomarkers, nonconcerning vital signs, and nonischemic electrocardiographic findings, according to research published online May 18 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Glucose Variation Impacts Coronary Plaque Vulnerability
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) pretreated with lipid-lowering therapy, daily glucose fluctuation may affect coronary plaque vulnerability, according to a study published in the May issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
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Most Distinctive Causes of Death Mapped by U.S. State
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The most distinctive causes of death for each U.S. state have been mapped in a report published online May 14 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Preventing Chronic Disease.
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Tips Provided for Doctors Who Want to Move to Private Practice
MONDAY, May 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For physicians who want to transition to private practice, several factors need consideration, including finances, legal matters, and insurance, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Complications for 2.2 Percent After Electrophysiology Procedure
FRIDAY, May 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of complications after electrophysiology (EP) procedures is about 2.2 percent, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology.
Grip Strength Could Be Useful Indicator of CVD, Mortality Risk
THURSDAY, May 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Testing hand-grip strength could be an inexpensive and simple way of identifying people at increased risk for myocardial infarction, stroke, and premature death, according to a study published online May 13 in The Lancet.
Infective Endocarditis Incidence Up in U.S. From 2000 to 2011
THURSDAY, May 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — From 2000 to 2011 there was an increase in infective endocarditis (IE) incidence in the United States, according to a study published in the May 19 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Depression Tied to Higher Stroke Risk, Even After Remission
WEDNESDAY, May 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Depression in older adults appears to significantly increase the risk of a stroke, even after depressive symptoms remit, a new study suggests. The report was published online May 13 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
New Health Care Index Reports Increases in Consumer Costs
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A new Health Care Index shows increases in consumer costs, according to a report published by U.S. News & World Report.
Guidance Offered to Help Doctors Deal With ‘Dr. Google’
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Good communication is the key to resolving conflicts between the tests and treatment a patient may want based on online searches and those a physician believes are necessary, according to an article published online in Medical Economics.
Disc Degeneration Tied to Severe Abdominal Aortic Calcification
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Greater abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) severity, faster AAC progression, and higher mortality are seen for older men with severe disc degeneration, according to a study published in the May issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
About 60 Percent of PCI Patients Referred to Cardiac Rehab
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Cardiac rehabilitation referral rates are about 60 percent for U.S. patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), with considerable site-specific variation in rates of referral, according to a study published in the May 19 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Nondisclosure Clauses Often Used in Malpractice Settlements
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nondisclosure clauses are frequently used in malpractice settlement agreements, according to research published online May 11 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
AMA: Six Traits of Financially Prepared Female Physicians
MONDAY, May 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The traits of a financially prepared female physician include having a retirement portfolio that is on track or ahead of schedule for age and career stage, having a liquid emergency fund, and feeling adequately protected in the event of a disability, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Active Video Games Offer Health Benefit for Children/Teens
MONDAY, May 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Active video games (AVGs) are a good alternative to sedentary behavior, and can provide health benefits comparable to laboratory-based exercise or field-based physical activity, according to research published online May 6 in Obesity Reviews.
CCHD Screening Would Detect Many Nonsyndromic Cases
MONDAY, May 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Universal critical congenital heart defect (CCHD) screening is expected to detect a considerable number of nonsyndromic CCHD cases, but a similar number of false-negative screenings are also likely, according to a study published online May 11 in Pediatrics.
CDC: Triglyceride Levels Falling for Americans
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Americans’ levels of triglycerides have dropped significantly in the past decade, according to a May data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
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Medical Students Want to Focus Learning on Preparing for Future
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Medical students report wanting to learn more about topics that are not currently being taught, including leadership training, health policy, health economics, and experiential learning, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
ACA Tied to Nearly 17 Million Gaining Health Coverage
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — As a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), nearly 17 million previously uninsured Americans now have health coverage, according to a 2013 to 2015 report from the Rand Corporation.
CDC: Mortality Rate Declining Among Aging Boomers
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A new study finds mixed results for the health of America’s aging “Baby Boom” generation, with nearly half of people ages 55 to 64 taking a prescription cardiovascular drug and about one in five dealing with diabetes. However, the report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also finds that the overall mortality rate in this age group has gone down over the past decade.
Strategies Provided for Maximizing Payment
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physicians should use standard billing practices, including regular statements, to maximize accounts, and know that collection agencies and lawyers can help collect payment when necessary, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
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Full Rx Coverage Ups Outcomes for Patients Discharged After MI
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients discharged from hospital after myocardial infarction, full prescription coverage is associated with improved health outcomes and less resource use, according to research published online May 5 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
PCI Beats Medical Tx in Stable Ischemic Heart Disease
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) and objective evidence of ischemia, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with lower mortality than medical therapy (MT), according to research published in the May 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Bit of Extra Weight Tied to Better Survival in T2DM
TUESDAY, May 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Compared to underweight or normal-weight people with type 2 diabetes, those who are overweight but not obese may be less likely to die over a 10-year study period, according to research published in the May 5 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Digoxin Tied to Higher Mortality Risk in A-Fib, Heart Failure
TUESDAY, May 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Use of digoxin may increase the risk of premature death in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure, according to research published online May 4 in the European Heart Journal.
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Spotlight on Off-Label Use of Suturing Device
TUESDAY, May 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Heart surgeons are making regular, and potentially dangerous, off-label use of a suturing device in patients with atrial fibrillation, according to a report published online May 4 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
High-Value Research of 2014 Presented for Geriatric Medicine
TUESDAY, May 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Articles relating to overtreatment of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and dementia care, as well as reduction of polypharmacy and adverse drug effects, are included in a special update summary published online April 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Five ‘Top Issues’ to Be Discussed at AMA Medical Student Forum
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Issues that will be at the forefront of the National Medical Student Meeting include vaccinations, health care economics, Medicaid expansion, medical education loans, and the nationwide opioid epidemic, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
Trade-Off for Six Weeks Versus Six Months of Triple Tx Post Stent
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients receiving oral anticoagulation after drug-eluting stent implantation, six weeks of triple therapy is not superior to six months of therapy with respect to net clinical outcomes, according to a study published in the April 28 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Multiple Repeat Procedures Seem Beneficial in A-Fib Recurrence
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Most patients experience benefit after three or more catheter ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study published in the April issue of the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology.
Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Outcomes Vary by Time to CPR
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), outcomes differ by time to first cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first documented rhythm, according to a study published online April 30 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
2 Minute Walk Each Hour May Reduce Odds of Premature Death
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Getting up and walking for two minutes every hour could help reverse the negative health effects from prolonged sitting, new research suggests. The findings were published online April 30 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
High-Value Research of 2014 Presented for Internal Medicine
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Articles relating to atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolism, acute bronchitis, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for hypertension screening, and guidelines relevant to generalist practice are included in a special update summary published online April 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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