The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has put in its two cents to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) about the Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals for 2013, urging CMS to rework some of its proposed rules, such as dismembering the implementation of a hospitalwide 30-day readmission measure.

To nobodys surprise, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed Minnesota Republican Erik Paulsens bill to repeal the 2.3 percent excise tax on medical devices set to kick in next January as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

CHICAGOAs the world of cardiovascular care continues to transform, hospital administrations constantly look for ways to remain financially viable; however,  the most difficult task may be getting physicians to help share in cost-saving responsibilities. Reginald Blaber, MD, of Lourdes Health System in Camden, N.J., said physicians won't come on board until they know exactly how change will impact quality.

The Canadian healthcare system could avoid annual costs of up to $682 million CAD ($662.4 million USD) if it followed a comprehensive and optimal stroke management regime, according to a study published online May 24 in Stroke. The authors encouraged healthcare decision makers to use the results to guide investments in stroke care systems in Canada and elsewhere.

BOSTONCardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) is an attractive option for mild-to-moderate heart failure (HF) patients. When compared with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), these patients may get more bang for their buck in two wayslower costs and better outcomes, according to an economic analysis of the RAFT trial presented May 11 at the annual scientific sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society.

The use of newer technologies in renal artery stenting, such as drug-eluting stents, distal protection devices and intravascular ultrasound, appear to have no advantageous effect on re-hospitalization and mortality and add more than $43,000 to the healthcare system, according to a retrospective study presented May 9 as a scientific poster at the 35th annual meeting of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI). The study co-investigator told Cardiovascular Business that larger, prospective trials are needed to validate the use of these technologies.

Treating patients with acute ischemic stroke at a primary stroke center (PSC) compared with a non-PSC setting is cost effective, researchers reported in a study published online April 25 in Stroke. Based on their analyses, increasing the number of patients annually admitted to a PSC improved cost effectiveness.

In 2007, nearly four million emergency department visits in the U.S. were linked to cardiovascular disease. As medical costs for cardiovascular disease are set to triple by 2030 to $800 billion, the U.S. must find a way to simultaneously become more cost-effective and efficient, and employing a national cardiovascular emergency care system could be the answer.