Long-term cardiovascular outcomes improved in U.S. military veterans with type 2 diabetes who received intensive glucose control, although their rate of overall survival was similar to patients who received standard therapy.

Nearly one-third of patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to treat myocardial infarction (MI) did not fully adhere to their prescribed medications six weeks after their MI, according to an analysis of a study at 216 U.S. hospitals.

Patients undergoing cardiac operations or hip or knee arthroplasties who received a bundled intervention had a reduction in Staphylococcus aureus surgical site infections, according to a study of 20 hospitals in nine states.

Vision and value. Those two words may define what makes a cardiovascular service line successful in today’s changing healthcare environment.

Only a few years ago, many cardiovascular service lines focused on infrastructure and alignment. Some progressive programs now have taken it to the next level, using those foundations to provide value. On June 10-12, they will share strategies at MedAxiom’s annual symposium.

After three years, physician practices participating in a medical home pilot program in Pennsylvania showed improvements in the quality of care they delivered. Patients in the program also were less likely to visit the hospital and emergency department or see an ambulatory specialist.

Call it the smart stent. An international group of researchers has designed a multifunctional, bioresorbable, drug-toting stent fitted with sensors and memory storage devices to provide diagnostic feedback and localized therapy.

Sara Bleich, an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, provides an overview of what restaurants are doing to comply with an Affordable Care Act provision to post calories and nutrition facts on their menus.