Tag Archives: interventional cardiology

Should Radial Artery Access Be The Default Choice For PCI? Reply

by • Interventional Cardiology & Surgery • Tags: , , , ,

Over on CardioExchange six cardiologists, from fellows to senior faculty, talk about whether radial artery access should be the “default choice for PCI:

Megan Coylewright, MD, MPH (interventional fellow, Mayo Clinic): …radial PCI should be a part of every interventionalist’s toolkit…

Micah Eimer, MD (cardiologist, Glenview, IL): The data are pretty convincing on the lower rate of complications, and my clinicial experience confirms that. Patients who have undergone both radial and femoral approaches consistently and strongly prefer the radial approach…

L. David Hillis, MD, (Chair, Department of Internal Medicine) and Richard Lange, MD (Professor, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School): As old dogs (admittedly late in learning new tricks), we’re a part of “Gen-S” (“S” for Sones)… In Texas, where everything is bigger and better, we don’t feel a need to abandon the femoral approach.

Click here to read the entire discussion on CardioExchange.

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Are Cardiologists Worried About Being Accused Of Unnecessary PCI? 3

by • Interventional Cardiology & Surgery • Tags: , ,

In the last week two cases highlighted, yet again, the continuing shift in standards regarding PCI. In his interventional cardiology blog on CardioExchange, Rick Lange asks cardiologists: Could You Be Accused of Doing Unnecessary PCI?

“Public confidence is eroding as the number of reports of physician suspensions and monetary penalties for unnecessary PCIs grow. Accordingly, patients are questioning use of PCI, even when it is indicated and advisable.”

….

“Have investigations into unnecessary stenting changed your interventional practice? How so?”

 

DOJ Investigating Interventional Cardiology Services At HCA Reply

by • Interventional Cardiology & Surgery • Tags: , , ,

The hospital giant HCA has disclosed that the US Attorney’s Office in Miami is investigating the company and has “requested information on reviews assessing the medical necessity of interventional cardiology services provided at any Company facility (other than peer reviews).” Following its own preliminary investigation, the company said it was aware of such reviews in about 10 of its hospitals, most of which are located in Florida. The company said it did not know the full extent or nature of the investigation. (The disclosure can be found on page 16 of the company’s quarterly report.)

In a likely-related development, HCA also announced that the New York Times “may be publishing one or more articles about the company. Based upon its questions, the Times appears to be making broad points concerning patient care provided at our company’s affiliated hospitals.” HCA said the articles may focus on “how physician decisions are made regarding when it is medically necessary to perform cardiac procedures, such as cardiac catheterizations and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).” The company added that the Times may also address “the volume of cardiac catheterizations and PCIs.”