The FDA approved a pill that combines a calcium channel blocker and an ACE inhibitor as a treatment for hypertension.

Sometimes, more isn’t better. Research suggests that myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and coronary computed tomography angiography may be bringing more patients with chest pain to the cath lab following a trip to the emergency room than is necessary. 

The FDA named cardiologist Robert Califf, MD, deputy commissioner of medical products and tobacco. He will assume the post in late February.

In light of the fatal shooting of a cardiac surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, some cardiologists are contemplating how imperfect medicine can be. While medicine has made great strides in healing difficult maladies, there are times when physicians, treatments and patients fail, writes electrophysiologist T. Jared Bunch, MD.

The FDA granted priority review status to alirocumab, a monoclonal antibody designed to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in statin-intolerant patients.

Talk about a catch-22. Providers need evidence to convince payers that telemedicine improves outcomes at perhaps lower costs, but inadequate or zero reimbursement poses a barrier to implementing these programs.

Telemedicine allows cardiology programs to improve the quality of the care they provide patients.  Applied strategically, it also increases efficiency, lowers costs, increases patient and staff satisfaction and helps medical centers expand their footprint.

Developing venous thromboembolism is a serious risk but the best strategy to combat it prophylactically remains unclear.