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Top cardiovascular technology trends of 2012

on January 11, 2013  |  Permalink

Topics: Service Lines, Clinical Technology, Clinical Research, Cardiovascular, Vascular, Cardiac Cath, Cardiac Surgery, Electrophysiology, Medical Cardiology

Haley David

With 2013 in full swing, we’ve taken a step back to review the major CV technology stories of 2012. From devices gaining FDA approval to therapies demonstrating paradigm-shifting potential, 2012 was a year of significant innovation across CV services. To help CV leaders nationwide distill the most impactful new research, data, and FDA approvals, we’ve broken down the four top stories of 2012 and what you need to know in 2013.

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Top cardiovascular technology trends of 2012

With looming readmission penalties, hospitals turn attention to managing heart failure care continuum

on September 6, 2011  |  Permalink  | Comments (1)

Topics: Medical Cardiology, Cardiovascular, Service Lines, Continuum Integration, Methodologies, Performance Improvement

Carly Anderson, Technology Insights

Heart failure management throughout the care continuum has become an increasing focus for hospitals lately given health care reform’s upcoming readmission penalties for these patients.  Yet, managing individuals with HF is fraught with challenges.  For one, HF patients are of advanced age and highly comorbid, with complicating conditions ranging from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), severe renal dysfunction, and diabetes, all of which can make treatment more difficult and increase the likelihood of hospital readmission.  Second, patients with HF may be located throughout the hospital as they are likely to be admitted for reasons outside of heart failure alone.  This challenge may be contributing to the estimated 40 to 50 percent of HF patients with relatively preserved systolic function who do not receive specific guideline-recommended therapies.  Furthermore, there is a general lack of evidence-based interventions and medications showing consistent positive outcomes for HF patients in the acute care setting; for instance, in the ASCEND-HF trial, the FDA-approved drug nesiritide (Johnson & Johnson) was recently found to have no benefit in HF patients, even leading to hypotension for some.

 

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With looming readmission penalties, hospitals turn attention to managing heart failure care continuum