Sunday, March 14, 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM   The shortage of technetium-99m agents has posed significant challenges for nuclear cardiologists. Practices have had to be creative with patient appointments or utilize other imaging modalities. In this integrated imaging spotlight, cardiologists can brush up on how to use various modalities to assess myocardial viability.

Sunday, March 14, 8:00 AM - 9:30 AMMedical imaging radiation exposure, echo contrast agents and medico-legal issues will all be covered in this integrated imaging spotlight.

Much of a cardiologist's work centers around the findings of imaging studies. It is important, therefore, for them to understand the cutting-edge science and landmark trials that inform todays practice, as well as tomorrows.ACC.10, taking place next week at in Atlanta, will feature many sessions devoted to cardiovascular imaging. Cardiologists use various imaging modalities in their daily work and can find sessions that explore the complementary roles of echo, nuclear medicine, CT and MRI. As reimbursement for certain imaging procedures wax and wane, and as the supply of nuclear medicine isotopes remains precarious, cardiologists must stay up to date on how these complementary imaging techniques can be substituted in times of need, with no loss of diagnostic confidence.In addition, cardiologists are well aware of the risks involved with certain imaging procedures. The ACC regularly issues evidence-based guidelines so cardiologists are armed with the safest and most current practices. Nevertheless, cardiovascular imaging has come under fire lately for a number of reasons including self-referral, inappropriate testing, excessive radiation exposure and scant evidence to support a techniques widespread adoption. Cardiologists can expect to find the right practice management sessions at ACC.10 that will help them navigate the sometimes complex world of imaging medicolegal issues.To get our daily news updates of education sessions from ACC.10 delivered to your inbox or mobile device, be sure youre signed up for Cardiovascular Business News at CardiovascularBusiness.com.

Black and Hispanic heart failure (HF) Medicare beneficiaries are less likely to receive hospice care than white patients with the same diagnosis, according to a study published in the March 8 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

While non-farm payroll employment saw little change in February (36,000 jobs lost and an unemployment rate holding at 9.7 percent), the U.S. healthcare industry continues to be one of the few bright spots in what continues to be a pretty dismal employment picture.

ATLANTA During an education session Wedhesday at HIMSS10, Gregory Oliver, DO, primary physician at Oliver Family Healthcare, shared his insight into how to implement a fully functional EMR in a solo practice and raise profits by 25 percent annually through efficiency and the laddering of technologies.

Aggressive device therapy, more frequent follow-ups and better heart failure management programs could help decrease mortality and readmission rates of heart failure patients, according to a study published online March 1 in the European Journal of Heart Failure.

ATLANTADisseminating physician scorecards within a healthcare facility can be a powerful tool to drive clinical practice change, if the cultural barriers can be overcome, according to a presentation by an informatics executive from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston Monday at HIMSS10.