| Editor's Choice: Care Delivery | 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. 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. | | |
| Cardiovascular disease is already the No. 1 killer among women—and new projections from the American Heart Association suggest things are going to get much worse. There are certain things that clinicians and patients can do, however, to help reverse this trend and save countless lives. Cardiovascular disease is already the No. 1 killer among women—and new projections from the American Heart Association suggest things are going to get much worse. There are certain things that clinicians and patients can do, however, to help reverse this trend and save countless lives. | | |
| The new guidance, the first of its kind, focuses on the importance of making a prompt diagnosis and providing care as quickly as possible. While some PE patients with mild cases can be discharged early, others may require an immediate catheter-based intervention or surgery. The new guidance, the first of its kind, focuses on the importance of making a prompt diagnosis and providing care as quickly as possible. While some PE patients with mild cases can be discharged early, others may require an immediate catheter-based intervention or surgery. | | |
| Cardiologist Nathaniel Lebowitz, MD, reviews the latest updates in lipoprotein(a) awareness, testing and drug development. Cardiologist Nathaniel Lebowitz, MD, reviews the latest updates in lipoprotein(a) awareness, testing and drug development. | | |
| 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. 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. | | |
| Mandates for universal ECG screening are gaining momentum as a way to combat the risk of SCA. However, the ACC warned, modern healthcare systems were not built to withstand such a rise in demand. These mandates will also result in higher costs and other unintended consequences. Mandates for universal ECG screening are gaining momentum as a way to combat the risk of SCA. However, the ACC warned, modern healthcare systems were not built to withstand such a rise in demand. These mandates will also result in higher costs and other unintended consequences. | | |
| Cardiac complications after noncardiac surgeries are a significant concern, especially as patients keep living longer and surgical volumes continue to rise. Cardiac complications after noncardiac surgeries are a significant concern, especially as patients keep living longer and surgical volumes continue to rise. | | |
| The American Stroke Association's first major update in 7 years highlights the importance of coordinated care and expands patient access to critical treatments. It also includes the first detailed recommendations for treating stroke in pediatric patients. The American Stroke Association's first major update in 7 years highlights the importance of coordinated care and expands patient access to critical treatments. It also includes the first detailed recommendations for treating stroke in pediatric patients. | | |
| Total plaque volume and total plaque burden can help find patients who may be closer to suffering a heart attack than they realize. Total plaque volume and total plaque burden can help find patients who may be closer to suffering a heart attack than they realize. | | |
| HRS has shared an updated guidance on managing Boston Scientific defibrillation leads at risk of experiencing a significant malfunction. The issue, first reported in July 2025, is believed to impact approximately 350,000 leads still being used today. HRS has shared an updated guidance on managing Boston Scientific defibrillation leads at risk of experiencing a significant malfunction. The issue, first reported in July 2025, is believed to impact approximately 350,000 leads still being used today. | | |
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