The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized its Medicare inpatient payment rule for fiscal 2021, and Boston Scientific Corp., of Marlborough, Mass., was perhaps a surprise winner with a new technology add-on payment (NTAP) for its Eluvia paclitaxel-coated stent for the lower limbs. The Eluvia had faltered at a previous NTAP application due to the controversy over paclitaxel in devices for the peripheral vasculature, but Boston Scientific said in a Sept. 3 press release that the decision to grant an NTAP payment “is particularly important,” given the scrutiny applied to paclitaxel’s use in these devices.
Cryoablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is not the standard of care, but a recent study may change at least some clinicians’ thinking on that score.
Keeping you up to date on recent developments in cardiology, including: 3D printing of heart valve models; Findings challenge recommendations for antiplatelet treatment after TAVI; Telehealth could help those with high BP avoid heart attack, stroke.
Keeping you up to date on recent developments in cardiology, including: Deep chest compressions help save brain; Selfies for heart disease?; Looking to the past to understand the heart.
Transit Scientific LLC’s XO Cross Microcatheter platform was used in its first cases worldwide last week following its May 2020 clearance by the U.S. FDA and showed improved control and imaging. The company designed the platform to facilitate guidewire support, guidewire exchange, and contrast media injection during complex peripheral vascular interventions such as late-stage peripheral artery disease (PAD) and critical limb ischemia (CLI).
Keeping you up to date on recent developments in cardiology, including: Assessing stroke risk via metabolic syndrome; Under pressure; While less deadly, atrial fibrillation still raises concerns.
In a single draft coverage memo, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed to eliminate national coverage for artificial hearts and to provide coverage of ventricular assist devices (VADs) coverage for those in need of short-term ventricular support. Coverage of artificial hearts would thus revert to Medicare administrative contractors, while the change in VAD coverage would resolve a long-running dispute between cardiologists and the agency.
Keeping you up to date on recent developments in cardiology, including: Mutation could hint at heart disease therapeutic target; Nanoparticle system captures heart-disease biomarker; Helping predict chest pain in those with heart disease.
HONG KONG – A Chinese med-tech company plans to take to market what it claims is the first electrocardiography (ECG) diagnostic machine powered by AI, but as it moves to markets beyond China, it could face significant competition.
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