cardiologist

In Elyria, Ohio, patients with blocked coronary arteries are four times as likely to undergo angioplasties than patients elsewhere in the nation. There's no evidence that providers are doing something wrong, but the statistics are so unusual that Medicare has taken notice and is investigating the phenomenon. "As it turns out, nearly all the procedures at the Elyria hospital are performed by a group of cardiologists who dominate coronary care in [Elyria] and have an unabashed enthusiasm …

The Los Angeles Times reports that a shortage of physicians is likely to seriously impact the U.S. healthcare system within the next decade. The paper argues that the potential shortfall is putting pressure on medical schools to increase enrollment and on lawmakers in Washington to allow more foreign physicians to immigrate into the country. The American Medical Association argue that medical school enrollment has remained "virtually flat" over the past 25 years. The newspaper …

San Diego is considering a new system that would require ambulances to take patients experiencing serious heart attacks only to hospitals that have catheterization labs on site to insure that potentially-life saving treatment is given quickly. Currently, all but two of San Diego County's hospitals are failing to get patients into the cath lab within 90 minutes, which considered the standard by most experts.

"The way it is now, it's a free-for-all. Anybody goes anywhere, and …

The Heart Rhythm Society, a leading cardiologist's group, released a much-anticipated set of guidelines governing how the healthcare industry should handle medical device recalls. The group recommend methods of collecting safety data to catch potential safety problems. It also says manufacturers should engage outside experts to monitor the performance of their products. Among the specific changes is a call for better reporting on malfunctions and routine inspections in cases in which a …

A new study by cardiologists at Duke has found evidence that appears to back the effectiveness of wireless systems that transmit electrocardiogram data from ambulances on their way to hospitals. Doctors were able to access data on heart attacks on their PDAs, giving them more time to evaluate cases before they arrived in the emergency department. That difference, the researchers argue, is critical.

Lead researcher George Adams comments, "When the cardiologist can directly see an …

A Canadian woman has become the first person in North America to receive a new kind of artery stent, believed to carry far lower risks of complications than drug-eluting stents. Doctors at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto performed the procedure. The Genous antibody-coated stent is manufactured by Hong Kong's OrbusNeich Medical. According to the Wall Street Journal, about 500 people worldwide have been treated with the stent. Supporters argue antibody-coated stents lower the risk …

The Cleveland Clinic named cardiologist Dr. Steven Nissen as an interim replacement for Dr. Eric Topol, who left his post as head of cardiovascular medicine last week over a feud with Clinic CEO Delios "Toby" Cosgrove. The promotion just may make Nissen the most powerful cardiologist in the country, at least for now. In March he is scheduled to assume the role of President of the American College of Cardiology.

Dr. Nissen is a relative rarity, The Wall Street …

Cleveland Clinic cardiologist Dr. Eric Topol is leaving his job at the Cleveland Clinic over his feud with CEO Dr. Toby Cosgrove, triggering headlines across the country. There are clear indications that Topol will pursue legal action against his former employer. Topol told Forbes that he has retained Houston attorney W. Mark Lanier to represent him. This week the Clinic said it will adopt new conflict-of-interest policies following Topol's criticism of his colleagues, including …

Facing criticism over his decision to strip cardiologist Eric Topol of his post at the Cleveland Clinic's medical school, CEO Delos "Toby" Cosgrove said the hospital will authorize an independent review of potential organizational conflicts of interest. Topol is believed to have lost his position partly as result of criticism of the CEO's role at Foundation Medical Partners, a venture capital fund which made investments in technologies used at the clinic.

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In an effort to restore public confidence in prescription and over-the-counter painkillers, the Cleveland Clinic will lead a major international study on the safety and efficacy of commonly used brands. The study will bring in pharmaceutical industry voices, academia and government and be led by Cleveland Clinic cardiologist Dr. Steven Nissen. The research will test Celebrex, Naproxen and Ibuprofen. Pfizer is funding the study for $100 million, which looks partly like advancing science …