The self-expanding A-Flux device is implanted in the coronary sinus to increase pressure on the venous side of the heart and improve perfusion in smaller vessels.
Both treatment options were found to be effective in a new meta-analysis of nearly 20,000 patients. Surgery, however, had the most substantial long-term impact.
UnitedHealthcare now requires patients enrolled in certain Medicare Advantage plans to receive a PCP referral before seeing a cardiologist. On May 1, the insurer will start denying all claims that do not include the necessary referral. UnitedHealthcare argues that "stronger PCP engagement" is good for patient care, but many stakeholders disagree.
In fact, researchers wrote, TAVR and SAVR were linked to comparable long-term outcomes for heart patients who have previously been exposed to mediastinal radiation.
The introduction of a 3D pediatric transesophegeal echo probe is having a major impact on how these pediatric congenital heart patients are being treated.
Many experts still recommend SAVR over TAVR for patients younger than 65 years old with severe aortic stenosis. However, transcatheter treatments are growing more and more popular when these younger patients require a valve replacement.
Follow-up care after a successful heart transplant can be challenging—both for providers and their patients. Consider, for example, the fact that so many patients who develop complications never actually present with symptoms.
