Society for Cardiovascular Angiography Interventions (SCAI)

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) represents interventional cardiology through education, advocacy, research, setting guidelines and quality patient care. SCAI provides thought leadership in cath lab procedures, new technology and policy.

Kumar Madassery, MD, director of peripheral vascular intervention and critical limb ischemia (CLI) program at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, explains techniques and tools used to restore blood flow to the foot to help foot wounds heal and prevent amputation. He is part of a campaign to raise awareness through the PAD Pulse Alliance.

Interventional techniques can help limit amputations among CLI patients

Kumar Madassery, MD, detailed some of the techniques and tools used to restore blood flow to the foot to help foot wounds heal and prevent amputation.

On the frontline of the epidemic of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and related 400 leg amputations per day in the U.S., Kumar Madassery, MD, director of peripheral vascular intervention and critical limb ischemia (CLI) program at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, explains there is a glaring health inequities in rural and low income areas of the country.

Peripheral artery disease is out of control in many rural, low income communities

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) leads to more than 400 leg amputations per day in the U.S. Kumar Madassery, MD, discussed the importance of increasing awareness and reaching patients before it is too late. 

Medicare data stethoscope healthcare trends graphs finance financials

ACC, SCAI say new funding bill did not do enough to limit Medicare reimbursement cuts to cardiology services

President Joe Biden signed a funding bill worth $460 billion on March 9, but it only included partial relief for cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and other cardiology professionals. 

A diabetic foot ulcer that does not heal due to low blood supply from peripheral artery disease (PAD), and the before and after interventional angiograms of the patient's revascularization treatment. Images courtesy of Foluso Fakorede, MD

Experts hope improved PAD awareness can lead to fewer leg amputations

Nearly 80% of Black and Hispanic adults said they never discussed PAD with a doctor, which vascular experts say is a major problem.

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Implementing a same-day PCI discharge pathway boils down to correct patient selection

Safety is key to which individuals are selected for SDD, and there can be benefits to both patients and health systems as this becomes the predominant model of care in elective PCI.

Example of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) shown as part of the multimodality imaging capability on the Fujifilm CVIS.

Cardiologists, radiologists and surgeons push for increased adoption of IVUS during peripheral vascular interventions

Increasing the use of intravascular ultrasound when performing lower-extremity revascularization procedures could limit complications and improve patient outcomes, according to new recommendations from several medical societies.

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Cardiologists lead push for Aetna to reconsider ‘restrictive,’ ‘inconsistent’ reimbursement proposals

The policies cover a wide range of interventional therapies, including Shockwave Medical's IVL technology and intravascular ultrasound. 

Medtronic Symplicity Spyral renal denervation

FDA approves another renal denervation system for hypertension

This is the second time in a matter of weeks the FDA has approved an RDN system for uncontrolled hypertension. The SCAI issued a statement about this trend, calling it a “game-changer for both interventional cardiology and the treatment of hypertension."

Around the web

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

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