(Reuters) — Americans are reporting improved health and better healthcare two years after health insurance became available under the Affordable Care Act, according to a new study published on Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study of more than 500,000 Americans found improvements in insurance coverage, access to primary care and prescription […]
Journal of the American Medical Assn. (JAMA)
Diabetes: Study finds bariatric surgery beats diet, exercise
A study designed to compare bariatric surgery with lifestyle interventions found that Type II diabetics treated with gastric bypass or banding procedures fared better than patients who watched their diets and exercised. The question is, how much does it cost? Results from “Bariatric Surgery versus Intensive Medical Therapy for Diabetes – 3-Year Outcomes,” which was funded […]
Study: Medicare’s ACO pilot saved hundreds of million of dollars
Study: Afib doubles stroke risk after surgery
Results from a new study suggest that atrial fibrillation (AF) may pose a significant threat to patients undergoing surgery, especially those having non-cardiac procedures.
In an analysis of more than 1.7 million patients, researchers found that perioperative AF was associated with twice the risk of stroke in patients who had non-cardiac surgery. Patients who underwent a cardiac procedure saw a 30% increase in their stroke risk.
Valve-in-valve surgery shows promise in new registry study
New research released this week provides more support for the use of transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve (VIV) implantation as a means of replacing previously implanted valves that have deteriorated over time.
Less-sick patients may benefit from preventive ICDs, study says | MassDevice.com On Call
MASSDEVICE ON CALL — New data on implantable cardioverter defibrillators suggests that devices may help even less-sick patients prolong their lives.
The implants are generally indicated for patients who have fairly severe deficiencies in the heart’s left ventricle’s ability to pump blood coming from the left atrium out to the aorta. Normal left ventricular ejection fraction, or LVEF, is generally defined as between 50%-70%. Lower rates are considered a sign of potential dysfunction or heart failure.
Drug-eluting stent patients may cut down post-procedure blood-thinners, study says
Patients getting drug-eluting stents may be able to cut their post-procedure blood thinner regimen by as much as 75%, according to study published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Assn.
Study: Rising prices, not rising demand, driving up cost of of U.S. healthcare
A team of U.S. physicians joined forces to examine the rising cost of healthcare, concluding that rising prices play a major role in driving up national healthcare spending and that patients are ultimately getting the short end of the stick.
Replacement heart valves: Real-world results for Sapien equivalent to trial results
Mitral valve surgery: The sooner the better, study says
Patients with severe mitral regurgitation showed significantly better survival rates after early surgery, compared with a "watchful waiting" approach, according to a study published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Assn.
Medicare’s cost-cutting efforts work, but regional disparities loom
A new study published this month in JAMA found lingering disparities in regional rates of major cardiovascular procedures, a problem that Medicare’s Advantage program was meant to help curb.