Not all cardiologists treat patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction according to established guidelines, and these variations in care are largely due to practice-level factors, according to a study published online Oct. 15 in Circulation: Heart Failure.

CNN reported that the blockage in former President George W. Bush’s coronary artery was “in the ballpark of 95 percent.” He underwent PCI in August, which at the time was criticized as possibly a case of overuse of stenting.

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) has named Jack Lewin, MD, as its president and CEO. He was also appointed to the board of directors.

St. Jude Medical acquired Nanostim, a developer of miniaturized leadless pacemakers, for $123.5 million after a two-year partnership with the company.

An expert panel recommended changing the definition of an MI after coronary revascularization to incorporate what the cardiologists defined as a more clinically relevant MI. “We need to make sure that what we measure makes an impact on clinical outcomes,” lead author Issam D. Moussa, MD, explained in an interview with Cardiovascular Business.

Although people are living longer with cardiovascular disease, there are likely to be both economic costs and quality of life costs associated with the longer life span. According to a study published in the October issue of Health Affairs, the combination of an aging population, the high prevalence of obesity and lower cardiovascular disease mortality will increase costs and lower quality of life.

Despite congressional efforts to delay Affordable Care Act implementation, the Health Insurance Marketplaces, where individuals and groups (or families) can find, compare, choose and buy private health insurance, officially opened in all 50 states and the District of Columbia on Oct. 1, as scheduled.

Since the topic of anticoagulation management is complex and surrounded by debate, representatives from medical specialty societies, industry and other stakeholder groups gathered at the American College of Cardiology’s (ACC) Heart House in September for the Anticoagulation Consortium Roundtable, to address the gaps in care.