Volume XVI | Issue 4 | April 2024 | |
HCI's Monthly Review of the Healthcare Industry | |
Robert J. Stilley
President, CEO
HeartCare Imaging, Inc.
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Dear Colleagues –
This month I want to focus on those that have served our country.I recently returned from my third visit to the hallowed D-Day beaches in Normandy, France, and I must say, the experience remains as impactful as ever. In a world where revisiting familiar places often diminishes their impact, Normandy stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of our forefathers' remarkable achievements.
The courage displayed by those brave men who stormed the beaches is nothing short of astounding. They faced the grim reality that they might not survive the day, yet their resolve remained unshakable. Even in the face of unimaginable horror, they pressed forward, scaling cliffs, engaging enemy positions, and advancing against all odds.
During my visit, I had the privilege of reading letters recovered from the brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice. Their words echoed with a profound sense of duty and sacrifice for the greater good of humanity. As we bid farewell to April and approach May, a month dedicated to honoring their memory through Memorial Day, let us hold them and all those who laid down their lives for our country in our thoughts and prayers.
Best Regards,
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New SPECT/CT Technique Shows Impressive Biomarker Identification, Offers Increased Access for Prostate Cancer Patients
A novel SPECT/CT acquisition method can accurately detect radiopharmaceutical biodistribution in a convenient manner for prostate cancer patients, opening the door for more personalized treatment. Utilizing lead-212 (212Pb), the new imaging technique has the potential to change practice and increase access for patients around the world. The first-in-human images from this method were published in the April issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
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HFR Reactor Restart Delayed; Some Disruption to Mo-99 Supply Expected
The Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG) communicated that a deviation had been found in the cooling system of the Petten High Flux Reactor (HFR) in Petten, Netherlands, which delayed the restart of HFR for its next cycle.
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Novel Theranostic Tool Allows for Noninvasive Identification and Treatment of Ovarian Cancer
A new radiotheranostic system has the ability to detect and treat ovarian cancer noninvasively, according to new research published in the April issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Combining the highly specific huAR9.6 antibody with PET and therapeutic radionuclides, this theranostic platform may provide more personalized treatment to improve health outcomes for ovarian cancer patients.
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PET/MRI may reduce unnecessary prostate biopsies by 83%
New research shows how PET/MRI can not only improve the diagnostic accuracy of prostate cancer, it can help patients avoid unnecessary biopsies. In a study out of China, researchers found PET/MRI could reduce biopsies by 80 percent, at a cost of missing one out of eight clinically significant prostate cancers. The findings are published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
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SPECT still has an important role to play in nuclear cardiology
In cardiac nuclear imaging, there has been a push for labs to upgrade aging equipment that can sometimes be 15-20 years old with new technology that can offer more diagnostic information and clearer images. A big focus has been on positron emission tomography (PET) because of its increased capabilities over the traditional workhorse technology of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). However, most nuclear imaging experts say SPECT can still provide value.
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Bayer subsidiary granted FDA’s fast track designation for new congestive heart failure treatment
AskBio and Bayer announced that AB-1002 has been granted the FDA’s fast track designation, which is designed to help accelerate the review process for drugs that treat “serious conditions and fill an unmet need.” This will ramp up the review process for AskBio and Bayer, ensuring they can meet and communicate with FDA representatives as needed.
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2 out of 5 AFib patients develop heart failure later in life
Heart failure is the most common cardiovascular complication among patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib), according to new data published in The BMJ.[1] This may be a surprise to many, researchers said, because of how much attention is generally given to the relationship between AFib and stroke.
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Telemedicine Boosts GDMT Rates for HFrEF in Navajo Nation
A telemedicine-based outreach to patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) across the rural expanse of the Navajo Nation in Arizona and New Mexico significantly increased rates of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) within 30 days of signing them up, results of a clinical trial showed.
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Genetic Testing of Some Patients With Early-Onset AF Advised
Genetic testing may be considered in patients with early-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), particularly those with a positive family history and lack of conventional clinical risk factors, because specific genetic variants may underlie AF as well as "potentially more sinister cardiac conditions," a new white paper from the Canadian Cardiovascular Society suggested.
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Cardiac Events Common in Older, Hospitalized RSV Patients
More than one in five older adults hospitalized for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection experienced an acute cardiac event, an observational study found.
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Why can zebrafish regenerate damaged heart tissue, while other fish species cannot?
A heart attack will leave a permanent scar on a human heart, yet other animals, including zebrafish, can clear cardiac scar tissue and regrow damaged muscle as adults. Biologists sheds new light on how zebrafish heal heart tissue by comparing how this species responds to heart injury with medaka, a fish species that cannot regenerate cardiac tissue.
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Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy increase risk of cardiovascular death after giving birth
Among the hypertensive disorders that cause dangerously high blood pressure during pregnancy -- chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia without severe features, preeclampsia with severe features, superimposed preeclampsia and eclampsia -- all but gestational diabetes were associated with a doubling in the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease compared to women with normal blood pressure.
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Midlife heart health potential risk factor for early cognitive decline in Black women
Lower CV health scores at midlife may be tied to early signs of cognitive decline among Black women.
The same was not observed in white women, whose processing speed did not appear affected by midlife CV health.
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Genes may play role in heart attack risk during stressful times
Genetic predisposition to stress increased risk for heart attack during periods of high stress, such as major holidays. Heart attack risk was even higher for people with a diagnosis of anxiety or depression.
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Nearly 40% of people in the US live with unhealthy air pollution, report says
More people across the United States – nearly 40% – are living in places with unhealthy levels of polluted air, according to a new report from the American Lung Association.
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A woman with failing kidneys receives genetically modified pig organs
Lisa Pisano was lying in a hospital bed at NYU Langone Health, hooked up to beeping monitors and an array of tubes. Her surgical wounds were still healing, and she looked tired. But the 54-year-old New Jersey woman said she hasn't felt this good in years.
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CDC issues health advisory about risks of counterfeit or mishandled Botox injections
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an advisory Tuesday about the risks of counterfeit or mishandled Botox injections after dangerous fake versions of the product have been found in several states.
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AI could predict whether cancer treatments will work, experts say: ‘Exciting time in medicine'
GE HealthCare’s model predicts which patients will respond to immunotherapy — and which will have adverse effects.
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Researchers create artificial cells that act like living cells
Researchers describe the steps they took to manipulate DNA and proteins -- essential building blocks of life -- to create cells that look and act like cells from the body. This accomplishment, a first in the field, has implications for efforts in regenerative medicine, drug delivery systems and diagnostic tools.
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Teleneurology for Suspected Stroke Speeds Treatment
Alerting neurologists via telemedicine that a patient with suspected acute stroke is en route to the hospital significantly enhances the speed at which thrombolysis is administered and increases the number of patients who receive timelier, potentially lifesaving treatment, new research showed.
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This year's measles case total is now the highest in the U.S. since 2019
This year's measles case total is now the highest of the last five years. The United States has seen 125 cases across 17 states as of Thursday — its largest annual tally since 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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New tools from NOAA and CDC show people their risk from heat as another hot summer looms
Federal officials on Monday unveiled a set of tools aimed at helping protect people in the United States from the dangers of extreme heat.
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Infertility Is Rising Among Young Married Women
The percentage of married American women under the age of 50 who are infertile rose between 2011 and 2019, new government statistics show.
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There's an 'Epidemic' of Loneliness Among U.S. Parents, Poll Finds
A broad majority of parents experience isolation, loneliness and burnout as a result of the demands of parenthood.
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Health Care Industry News | |
The True Cost of Megamergers in Healthcare: Higher Prices
Prices for surgery, intensive care and emergency-room visits rise after hospital mergers. The increases come out of your pay. Hospitals have struck deals in recent years to form local and regional health systems that use their reach to bargain for higher prices from insurers. Employers have often passed the higher rates onto employees.
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Drug Shortages in America Reach a Record High
Shortages of drugs in the U.S. have risen to an all-time high. Supplies are low for everything from lifesaving injections to diabetes medications, according to data from the University of Utah Drug Information Service, which tracks shortages. Among the medicines affected are the popular diabetes drug Ozempic; the lifesaving allergy treatment epinephrine; child-friendly forms of a common antibiotic, amoxicillin; chemotherapy medications; and injections hospitals commonly use in intensive care.
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Most nursing homes don't have enough staff to meet the federal government's new rules
The Biden administration finalized nursing home staffing rules Monday that will require thousands of them to hire more nurses and aides — while giving them years to do so.
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UnitedHealth confirms ransom, compromised health data from Change attack
More than 20 screenshots of potentially stolen patient data were posted on the dark web for about a week, the insurer said Monday.
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Telehealth linked to modest quality, cost increases, study finds
The findings suggest it would be challenging to restrict telehealth payment in Medicare, researchers said. Some pandemic flexibilities are set to expire at the end of 2024.
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Providers, drugmakers at odds over new 340B dispute resolution process
HRSA finalized a rule on Thursday meant to make arbitration more accessible and efficient.
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Bright Light, Sharper Mind: Lighting Affects Cognition
A new study explores how different light levels impact cognitive function by influencing hypothalamic activity in the brain. The study utilized advanced 7 Tesla fMRI to show that higher levels of light improve cognitive performance during complex tasks.
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Risks of Antipsychotic Use in Dementia Patients
A new study revealed significant risks associated with antipsychotic use in dementia patients, including increased chances of stroke, heart failure, pneumonia, and other serious conditions. The research analyzed data from 173,910 dementia patients in England, tracking those prescribed antipsychotics post-diagnosis against those who were not.
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Blood Test Predicts Multiple Sclerosis Years Before Symptoms Appear
Researchers identified a specific pattern of autoantibodies in the blood that precedes the clinical onset of multiple sclerosis (MS), potentially paving the way for early diagnosis and treatment. Their study found that 10% of MS patients displayed a unique set of autoantibodies against both human proteins and common pathogens like the Epstein-Barr Virus years before showing symptoms.
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Treatment Relieves Chronic Lyme Disease’s Neurological Symptoms
Fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibitors, commonly used in cancer treatment, could effectively reduce neurological symptoms in patients with post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. The study shows these inhibitors can decrease inflammation and cell death in brain and nerve tissues affected by Lyme disease.
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Physical activity reduces stress-related brain activity to lower cardiovascular disease risk
Over a ten-year period, biobank participants who met recommended levels of physical activity had a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and the protective effects were even more pronounced in individuals with depression.
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Federal Trade Commission Bans Noncompete Agreements, Urges More Protections for Healthcare Workers
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted Tuesday to ban noncompete agreements, possibly making it easier for doctors to switch employers without having to leave their communities and patients behind. But business groups have vowed to challenge the decision in court.
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Physicians Own Less Than Half of US Practices; Federal Agencies Want Outside Input
Physician practice ownership by corporations, including health insurers, private equity firms, and large pharmacy chains, reached 30.1% as of January for the first time surpassing ownership by hospitals and health systems (28.4%), according to a new report.
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California, Oregon eye universal health coverage
The states have proposed creating insurance systems similar to Medicare for All. But the plans need approval from the federal government, and major health systems and insurers oppose the bills.
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US Chamber of Commerce sues to block FTC noncompete ban
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is asking a federal court to halt the Federal Trade Commission's noncompete ban, alleging it violates the law in "numerous ways."
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Medicaid final rules hand hospitals win on supplemental payments
In two final rules issued Monday, the CMS also moved to crack down on financing gimmicks used by states and hospitals to increase federal Medicaid funding — though not until 2028.
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HeartCare Imaging, Inc. | Phone: 561-746-6125 | Fax: 561-741-2036 | info@heartcareimaging.com | | | | |
