Thomson Reuters has once again given kudos to the top 50 cardiovascular hospitals that have provided patients with top-notch inpatient services and excellent cardiac care. The 13th annual report distinguishes hospitals that have better risk-adjusted survival, lower complications and fewer readmissions.

The cost-effectiveness of continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) has improved significantly compared with pulsatile flow devices, according to a study published online Nov. 3 in Circulation: Heart Failure, but it still fails to meet the standard threshold for being a cost-effective therapy. Nonetheless, the cost reductions obtained in a short window of time suggest these devices may reach that economic benchmark, the authors wrote.

Scios, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, has pleaded guilty to charges by the FDA that alleged Scios introduced its heart failure drug, Natrecor (nesiritide), to the market for an indication that was not approved by the FDA, violating the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Scios will be forced to pay an $85 million criminal fine, according to the Department of Justice.

Galectin-3, a protein implicated in myocardial fibrosis and remodeling, may predict the likelihood of a heart failure readmission, according to a study presented Sept.19 during a poster session at the 15th annual scientific meeting of the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) in Boston.

This Texas provider is testing a nurse-led transitional care pilot program to reduce heart failure readmissions. It works, but at a price.

BOSTON--Fifty-four percent of overall healthcare costs are related to rehospitalizations. While less than half of rehospitalizations are related to heart failure (HF), integrated strategies that could prevent HF rehospitalizations currently are being underutilized, Prakash C. Deedwania, MD, chief of cardiology at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, said during a presentation Sept. 19 at the 15th annual Heart Failure Society of Americas (HFSA) scientific sessions.

A new measurement tool, developed by researchers at the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah, can stratify mortality risk in heart failure (HF) patients who have been implanted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), according to a study presented during the rapid fire abstract sessions Sept. 19 at the 15th annual Heart Failure Society of American (HFSA) scientific meeting.

BOSTONWhile left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) may be a good destination therapy for heart failure patients, how do patients feel about receiving one? Researchers from Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston found that patients may not be opposed to them, and may actually be keen on receiving a device, Garrick C. Stewart, MD, said during the rapid fire abstracts session Sept. 19 at the 15th annual Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) scientific meeting.