It can be difficult for cardiologists to adequately manage their practices when the state of reimbursement is either in flux or in a downward spiral. Earlier this month, the CMS received a recommendation from one of its advisory panels to boost payment to physicians and and hospital by 1 percent. While that might not seem like much, it could be a harbinger of things to come.

On March 10, the American College of Cardiology (ACC), along with more than 130 U.S. medical organizations and societies, sent letters to the House of Representatives and the Senate urging lawmakers to replace the flawed sustainable growth formula (SGR) with a workable system that keeps pace with practice costs and ensures high-quality care.

In 1625, an Italian physician measured body temperature by applying a numerical scale to his thermoscope. From that primitive thermometer to todays highly sophisticated surgical, portable and wireless telemetry monitors, patient surveillance has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry. But the technology is only as good as the professionals who respond to them.

Waiting longer after an MI to undergo elective surgery could actually be beneficial, according to a study published in the May issue of the Annals of Surgery.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S., followed closely by stroke at No. 3. Together, they claim nearly half a million lives each year, or one life each minute. Statistically speaking, women are more likely to die from CVD than anything else. They also are more likely to die from CVD than men.

As specialty practices and physician groups grapple with Stage 1 requirements, Stage 2 might be on their distant horizon, priority-wise. But it shouldnt be. It is closer than you think.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has estimated that Medicare physician payments will be cut by 29.5 percent in 2012 unless a long-term solution is adopted.

A review of this month's Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association indicates the pervasive use of informatics systems in healthcare, as well as the niche challenges. As cardiology departments refine their cardiology PACS and cardiovascular information systems (CVIS), and integrate them into the larger hospital-wide EMR/EHR, they would be wise to note potential problem areas with informatics implementation and their solutions.