SCAI president reviews big achievements in 2024 | Boston Scientific recalls more than 200,000 pacemakers

SCAI President James Hermiller, MD, recently outlined the key achievements for 2024, including creation of the first interventional cardiology match program, successful advocacy and efforts to increase women in the field.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the recall notice for more than 200,000 pacemakers because a battery issue could lock the device in safe mode. 

Remote patient monitoring helps clinicians track heart patients as they recover from major operations. One surgeon described the technology as a "game-changer," highlighting the confidence patients feel when they have "an extra set of eyes on them."  

While the technology and techniques associated with TAVR have advanced over the years, treating patients who present with baseline atrial fibrillation is still associated with certain risks.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, talked to Cardiovascular Business about healthcare spending, inconsistent patient outcomes and much more.

Johnson & Johnson MedTech partnered with the Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network to confirm these devices could safely and effectively treat younger patients. 

The new technology shows early potential to make a significant impact on imaging workflows and patient care. 

The Patients Before Monopolies Act, introduced in both the House and Senate, gives parent companies of PBMs three years to divest from pharmacies or face penalties. 

In patients with suspected stroke, contrast allergies present a significant dilemma, as contrast-enhanced imaging is often used to guide treatment decisions.

Last Christmas, Anna Jaques Hospital in Massachusetts suffered a ransomware attack. Now, nearly a year later, it confirms hackers stole personal information on 316,342 patients. 

The Federal Trade Commission did not accuse the companies of wrongdoing. However, it advised them to stay out of trouble by not deploying robocalls, impersonating the government or other common illegal marketing strategies. 

Kit Crancer, RBMA board member, speaks with Radiology Business about key legislative developments on the Hill that will affect the specialty. 

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, explains the need for hospitals to perform quality assurance checks on clinical artificial intelligence to ensure these technologies don't "drift" from what was originally cleared by the FDA.
 

The struggling pharmacy chain is reportedly in talks for a sale to Sycamore Partners, a New York-based firm that specializes in consumer retail companies.