cardiologist

The Wall Street Journal examines the Cleveland Clinic's decision to strip top cardiologist Dr. Eric Topol of his post at the hospital's medical school. A clash between Topol and Cleveland Clinic CEO Delos "Toby" Cosgrove is believed to have been a contributing factor. Topol has drawn considerable attention over the last year for his criticisms of the FDA and his participation in hearings over the safety of Merck's fallen Cox-2 inhibitor Vioxx. According to the cardiologist, …

Three years after a raid by FBI agents at Tenet's Redding Medical Center focused national attention on the company, two heart surgeons are accused of conducting unnecessary heart surgeries on hundreds of Medicare patients. Heart Surgeon Fidel Realyvasquez and cardiologist Chae Moon have agreed to civil settlements. Both doctors will pay fines of $1.4 million. The inquiry into billing practices at the hospital is generally seen as a turning point that began a run of epic bad luck for …

New Jersey will allow hospitals without cardiac surgery units to perform elective angioplasties. Over the protests of local cardiologist groups, New Jersey Health Commissioner Dr. Fred Jacobs said the state will join five others participating in a national pilot program that will evaluate the idea. Critics argue that allowing the procedure at clinics without cardiac surgery units on hand for backup represents a risk if anything should go seriously wrong. Backers counter that the debate is …

Justice Department officials delivered a subpoena to Johnson & Johnson yesterday, saying they want to know more about the company's marketing of the controversial heart failure drug Natrecor. There are concerns that the drug, which was approved conditionally by the FDA for inpatient use, is now being prescribed widely for outpatients. Some studies have suggested that Natrecor may lead to kidney damage in some cases. That has made Natrecor a topic of much debate in professional …

The Miami Herald examines the phenomenon of doctors working for corporations, looking at the case of a Miami cardiologist who recently decided to give up her independence and start working for Pediatrix, a large corporation which employs physicians. The company says it pays about what physicians in private practice earn and "respects their independence." The American Medical Association announced earlier this month that it wants a ban on corporate employers, saying the …

Taking his cue from the recent controversy surrounding end-of-life issues, a Florida cardiologist has developed a high-tech approach to obtaining informed consent from patients. Scott Pollak says his idea saves hospitals both time and money by automating a cumbersome process which can distract staff from other duties. The system uses a simple computer display mounted on a rolling cart which can be easily moved from room to room. Patients navigate a series of screens asking them if they …