Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Cardiology for August 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
An Allergy to Red Meat May Be Tied to Heart Disease
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — An allergen in red meat may be tied to heart disease, according to a study published in the July issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.
Medical Bills in Collections Decrease With Patient Age
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Medical collections decrease substantially with age, possibly because of increased health insurance coverage and incomes, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Excess Cardiac Risk Varies With Age of Onset of T1DM
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Excess cardiovascular risk varies with age at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, according to a study published online Aug. 27 in The Lancet.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
No Meaningful Increase in Physician Compensation Last Year
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There was no meaningful increase in physician compensation in 2017, and a decline in productivity was noted, according to the results of a survey conducted by AMGA Consulting.
Press Release
Survey (subscription or payment may be required)
In Stroke Survivors, Cost-Related Non-Adherence Down After ACA
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Among adult survivors of stroke, health insurance coverage increased and cost-related non-adherence (CRN) decreased after implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to research published online Aug. 27 in JAMA Neurology.
Label Mix-Up Spurs Recall of Accord Blood Pressure Meds
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — One lot of high blood pressure medication is being recalled after a labeling mix-up, Accord Healthcare Inc. has announced.
light orange to peach colored, round, biconvex tablets debossed with H on one side and 1 on another side
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High, Low Carbohydrate Diets Linked to Increased Mortality
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Both high and low percentages of carbohydrates in diets are associated with increased mortality, according to a study published online Aug. 16 in The Lancet Public Health.
Positive Link for BMI and Blood Pressure in Chinese Population
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In a Chinese adult population (ages 35 to 80 years), there is a positive association between body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP), according to a study published online Aug. 17 in JAMA Network Open.
Marketplace Premiums Increase More With Monopolist Insurers
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Affordable Care Act Marketplace premiums increase more in areas with monopolist insurers, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Laryngeal Tube Insertion Beats Endotracheal Intubation in OHCA
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), 72-hour survival is better with initial laryngeal tube (LT) insertion compared to endotracheal intubation (ETI), while a supraglottic airway device (SGA) is no better than tracheal intubation (TI) for functional outcome at 30 days, according to two studies published in the Aug. 28 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Abstract/Full Text – Wang (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text – Benger (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Medical Practices Should Address Negative Online Reviews
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Medical practice staff can effectively handle negative online reviews by staying calm and positive, looking for solutions, apologizing, and thanking the reviewers, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Artificial Intelligence Holds Promise in Medicine
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Artificial intelligence (AI) in health care offers opportunities for early detection and triage, diagnostics and personalized medicine, and medical decision-making, according to an article published in Managed Healthcare Executive.
Cardiovascular Health Tied to Brain Function in Younger Adults
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Having a greater number of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors at recommended levels is associated with higher cerebral vessel density and caliber, higher cerebral blood flow, and fewer white matter hyperintensities among young adults without clinical evidence of cerebrovascular disease, according to a study published in the Aug. 21 issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Alcohol Is Leading Risk Factor for Global Disease Burden
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Globally, alcohol use is a leading risk factor for disease burden, according to research published online Aug. 23 in The Lancet.
Experts Address Loss of the National Guideline Clearinghouse
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The demise of the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) in July 2018 is likely to impact evidence-based health care around the world, according to an Ideas and Opinions piece published online Aug. 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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High LDL in Young, Healthy Adults Leaves Them Vulnerable to CVD
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) ≥160 mg/dL are independently associated with increased relative risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in a low-risk cohort, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in Circulation.
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Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Prevalence of E-Cigarette Use 4.5 Percent in U.S. Adults
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among U.S. adults is 4.5 percent, with higher prevalence among those aged 18 to 24 years, according to a study published online Aug. 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Most Research Participants Not Concerned About Data Sharing
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Few participants in clinical trials have strong concerns about the risks of data sharing, according to a special article recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Care Coordination Strategies Aid in Multiple Chronic Diseases
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Care coordination strategies can be beneficial for older patients with multiple chronic diseases, according to a review published in the Aug. 27 issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
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Editorial
AMA Adopts Policy Promoting Health Equity As a Goal
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has adopted a policy that sets health equity as a goal for the U.S. health care system, according to a report published in the organization’s AMA Wire.
Office Workstation Type Linked to Physical Activity, Stress
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Workers in open bench seating office workstations are more active and have lower perceived stress at the office, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in Occupational & Environmental Medicine.
Cardiovascular Health Tied to Dementia Risk in Older Adults
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For older adults, increased numbers of optimal cardiovascular health metrics are associated with reduced risk of dementia, according to a study published in the Aug. 21 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Living in Deprived Area Is Risk Factor for Cognitive Dysfunction
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Area-level deprivation is an independent risk factor for cognitive dysfunction in older adults, according to a study published in the July issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Breastfeeding Linked to Lower Risk of Stroke Post-Menopause
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of stroke among older women, with a stronger correlation for longer duration of breastfeeding, according to a study published online Aug. 22 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Frailty in Middle-Aged With Multimorbidity Tied to Mortality
THURSDAY, Aug. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For middle-aged individuals with multimorbidity, frailty is significantly associated with mortality, according to a study published in the July issue of The Lancet Public Health.
Most Surgical Residents Want Financial Education
THURSDAY, Aug. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Surgical residents feel strongly that personal financial education should be offered during medical training, according to a study published in the August issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
Sodium Intake, BP Linked in Communities With Highest Intake
THURSDAY, Aug. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Mean systolic blood pressure is increased with increasing sodium intake only in communities in the highest tertile of sodium intake, according to a study published online Aug. 9 in The Lancet.
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Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Automated Flight Systems Associated With Health Costs
THURSDAY, Aug. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Health costs associated with noise from changing flight patterns over populated areas outweigh the benefits of reduced flight times, according to a study published in the August issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
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Small Practices Also at Risk for Data Breaches
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Data breaches can happen to small medical practices, but staff can take steps to prevent them, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Strategy Outlined for Shooter Incident in Health Care Facility
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Adhering to a “secure, preserve, fight” strategy is recommended for health care professionals working with a vulnerable patient population, according to a Medicine and Society piece published in the Aug. 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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National Provider Identifiers Are Vulnerable to Theft
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — National Provider Identifiers (NPIs) are vulnerable to identity theft, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Lower Long-Term Survival for In-Hospital Cardiac Arrests in Blacks
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Older black survivors of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) have worse long-term survival than whites, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in Circulation.
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Paramedic-Led Intervention Cuts Ambulance Calls
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For low-income older adults who live in subsidized housing, the Community Paramedicine at Clinic (CP@clinic), a paramedic-led, community-based health promotion program to prevent diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and falls for residents 55 years of age and older, lowers the number of ambulance calls and improves quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), according to a study recently published in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
Abstract/Full Text
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Advantages for HDHP Enrollees in Large Versus Small Firms
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Workers in small firms are more likely to have higher deductible levels and lack employer contributions to help pay for out-of-pocket expenses compared to workers in larger firms, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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Doctors Often Not Discussing Risk Factors With Patients
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patients report that doctors are routinely not discussing known risk factors for common causes of death, according to a survey conducted by ImagineMD.
Plan to Relax Coal-Fired Power Plant Rules Could Up Mortality
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Trump administration’s plan to relax pollution rules for coal-fired power plants will increase carbon emissions and cause up to 1,400 premature deaths a year, according to details released Tuesday.
The New York Times Article
EPA News Release
Pennsylvania Case Could Affect Evidence for Malpractice Defense
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could affect what evidence physicians may present in defense during medical malpractice suits, according to an article published in the American Medical Association’s AMA Wire.
Large Number of Presumed Sudden Cardiac Deaths Are Not
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A large percentage of deaths attributed to cardiac arrest are neither sudden nor unexpected, according to a study published recently in Circulation.
Experts Offer Tips for Provider Appeal of Denied Medical Claims
MONDAY, Aug.20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Knowing payer policies and regulatory requirements is critical to appealing denials, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
NYU Becomes First Medical School to Cover All Tuition
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The NYU School of Medicine has announced that it is offering full-tuition scholarships to all current and future students in its M.D. degree program, regardless of need or merit.
Wildfire Smoke Causing Poor Air Quality in U.S. Pacific Northwest
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Smoke from wildfires will cause poor air quality in parts of the U.S. Pacific Northwest this week, officials warn.
AP News Article
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Tobacco Content Still Common on U.K. Prime-Time Television
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Audiovisual tobacco content remains common in prime-time U.K. television programs and is virtually unchanged from 2010, according to a study published online Aug. 13 in Tobacco Control.
Declines in Life Expectancy in Many High-Income Countries
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Life expectancy has declined in recent years in some high-income countries, and in the United States, midlife mortality has increased due to several causes, according to two studies published online Aug. 15 in The BMJ.
Abstract/Full Text – Ho and Hendi
Abstract/Full Text – Woolf
Editorial
Heat-Driven Air Conditioning May Contribute to Additional Deaths
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In what can be described as a vicious catch-22, approximately 5 to 9 percent of exacerbated air-pollution-related deaths will be due to increases in power sector emissions from the extra air conditioning use resulting from climate change, according to a study published online July 3 in PLOS Medicine.
Novel hs-cTnT Protocol Better Rules Out Myocardial Infarction
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A novel high-sensitivity (hs) cardiac troponin T (cTnT) protocol for ruling out myocardial infarction (MI) rules out more patients than the existing protocol, according to a research letter published online Aug. 6 in Circulation.
Comments Open on End of NIH Review for Gene Therapy Studies
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A U.S. National Institutes of Health oversight panel will no longer review all applications for gene therapy experiments. Instead, the panel will assume an advisory role, while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will assess gene therapy experiments and products as it does with other treatments and drugs. The proposed change will take effect after a public comment period which runs through Oct. 16.
AP News Article
NIH Statement
Comment on Regulations
CDC: Increase in Tianeptine Exposures From 2014 to 2017
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2014 to 2017 there was an increase in tianeptine exposure calls reported by poison control centers to the National Poison Data System, and they mainly occurred among those aged 21 to 40 years, according to research published in the Aug. 3 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Risk of Death Not Up in T2DM When Risk Factors Within Target
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Little excess risk of death is seen for patients with type 2 diabetes with five risk-factor variables within target ranges, according to a study published in the Aug. 16 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Residents’ Sleep Deteriorates During Training
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — First-year residents experience worsening sleep duration and quality as well as daytime sleepiness, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
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Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Practice Names, Logos Should Be Carefully Designed
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Practice names and logos should be carefully designed to emphasize what is unique about a practice, according to a blog post published in Physicians Practice.
NIH Panel Will No Longer Review Gene Therapy Experiments
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A U.S. National Institutes of Health oversight panel will no longer review all applications for gene therapy experiments, according to a perspective piece published online Aug. 15 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text
NIH Statement
Vit D Independently, Inversely Tied to Cholesterol in Children
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is independently and inversely associated with total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in children, according to a study published in the July issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Weight Gain After Quitting Smoking May Up T2DM Risk
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Smoking cessation accompanied by weight gain is linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in the Aug. 16 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Steps Provided for Discharging Patient From Practice
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Certain steps should be taken when discharging a patient for failure or inability to meet financial obligations, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Patient Portals Don’t Appear to Have Much Traction
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patient portals have not taken off as expected, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
ACA Coverage Gains Include Workers Without Insurance
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — After the expanded coverage provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) were implemented in 2014, self-employed individuals and wage earners without employer-sponsored health coverage offers had coverage gains equal to or greater than those of people not employed, according to a report published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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Labetalol Use Up for Patients With Preeclampsia and Asthma
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Higher rates of β-blocker use are seen among women with preeclampsia and asthma, according to a study published in the July issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Triple Combo Blood Pressure Pill Can Improve BP Control
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Treatment with a pill combining low doses of three antihypertensive drugs results in an increased proportion of patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension achieving their target blood pressure (BP), according to a study published in the Aug. 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
6 Factors Related to Inclusion in Health Care Workplace ID’d
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There are six broad factors that can affect inclusion within health care organizations, according to a study published online Aug. 3 in JAMA Network Open.
Physicians With Medicine/Psych Training Can Help Complex Cases
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Physicians boarded in both medicine and psychiatry can offer a way to address some of the challenges associated with caring for medical patients with psychiatric comorbidities, according to an article published in Psychiatric Times.
Both Abstinence and High Alcohol Use Linked to Dementia
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Abstinence in midlife and consumption of more than 14 units of alcohol per week are associated with increased risk of dementia, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in The BMJ.
Abstract/Full Text
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Four Pros to Integrating EHR, Practice Management Software
MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Consolidating electronic health records and practice management software allows practices to save time and money, make fewer mistakes, and reduce the risk of privacy breaches, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
C. difficile Tied to Increased Graft Loss in Solid Organ Recipients
MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is associated with increased graft loss, according to a study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Transplantation.
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In Teens, Young Adults, High BMI May Hurt Cardiovascular Health
MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Higher body mass index (BMI) is likely to cause worse cardiovascular health in youth, according to a study published online July 30 in Circulation.
Bariatric Surgery Lowers Microvascular Disease Risk
MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Bariatric surgery is tied to lower overall incidence of microvascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), according to a study published online Aug. 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Bundling Doesn’t Cut Medicare Payments for Medical Conditions
FRIDAY, Aug. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Bundling of payments for five common medical conditions is not associated with changes in Medicare payments per episode or health outcomes, according to a study published in the July 19 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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AMA Adopts Policy on Augmented Intelligence
FRIDAY, Aug. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has adopted a policy on augmented intelligence, according to a report published in the association’s AMA Wire.
Review Addresses Nutritional Hype for Popular Foods
FRIDAY, Aug. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — While many dietary patterns, foods, and nutrients receive substantial media attention and are hyped as having cardiovascular benefits, some have evidence for these benefits and others do not, according to a review published in the July 31 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Cardiac Profiles Up With Exercise, Less Sitting in Early Old Age
FRIDAY, Aug. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For adults aged 60 to 64 years, greater light physical activity (PA) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA and less sedentary time are associated with more favorable cardiovascular profiles, according to a study published online Aug. 8 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Teen Sudden Cardiac Death Causes Often Not ID’d on Screens
FRIDAY, Aug. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Among adolescent soccer players in the United Kingdom, the incidence of sudden cardiac death is 6.8 per 100,000 athletes, and most of the deaths were due to cardiomyopathies not identified on cardiac screening, according to a study published in the Aug. 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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AHA: A Diverse Diet May Not Promote a Healthy Weight
THURSDAY, Aug. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The long-standing recommendation to eat a variety of foods may not be a sound way to promote healthy eating patterns and a healthy body weight, according to an American Heart Association science advisory published online Aug. 9 in Circulation.
AMA Adopts Policy to Advance Gender Equity in Medicine
THURSDAY, Aug. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has adopted a new policy to study, act for, and advocate to advance gender equity in medicine, according to a report published in the association’s AMA Wire.
High BP Seen at School Age for Extreme Preterm Infants
THURSDAY, Aug. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Both overweight and normal-weight children who were born as extreme preterm (EPT) infants are at risk for high blood pressure (BP) and hypertension, according to a study published in the August issue of Pediatrics.
USPSTF: Insufficient Evidence to Screen for Atrial Fibrillation
THURSDAY, Aug. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is insufficient evidence to support screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) with electrocardiography (ECG) in older, asymptomatic patients, according to a U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) final recommendation published in the Aug. 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Final Recommendation
Evidence Report
Perspectives on USPSTF A-Fib Screening Recommendation
THURSDAY, Aug. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Service Task Force published a final recommendation on Aug. 7 citing insufficient evidence to assess the benefits and harms of screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) with electrocardiography (ECG) in asymptomatic, older adults. A series of editorials published in the JAMA network journals offer additional perspectives, with recognition of the need to develop a national screening strategy.
USPSTF Final Recommendation
Editorial – JAMA
Editorial – JAMA Cardiology
Editorial – JAMA Internal Medicine
American Heart Association Urges Screen Time Limits for Youth
THURSDAY, Aug. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Heart Association (AHA) is concerned about the impact screen time is having on sedentary behavior in children and teens, according to a scientific statement published online Aug. 6 in Circulation.
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Healthy Lifestyle With Diabetes Cuts Cardiovascular Risk
THURSDAY, Aug. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Greater adherence to an overall healthy lifestyle is associated with a substantially lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and mortality among adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to a study published in the June 26 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Cyber Insurance Recommended for All Physician Practices
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The growing threat of hacking is increasing the number of physicians buying cyber insurance, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Unsheltered Homeless Have High Mortality Rates
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Mortality rates for unsheltered homeless adults are higher than those for the general adult population and sheltered homeless adults, according to a study published online July 30 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Walking Tied to Better QoL in Those With/at Risk for CVD
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Walking is associated with improved quality of life (QoL) among those at risk for or living with cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a study published in PLOS ONE.
Steps Taken to Increase Use of Electronic Tools in Medicine
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Additional codes have been approved by the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Editorial Panel for chronic care remote physiologic monitoring and internet consultations, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
AMA Proposes Policy Opposing Medicaid ‘Lockout’ Provisions
TUESDAY, Aug. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A new policy opposing lockout provisions that block Medicaid patients from the program for lengthy periods and instead supporting allowing patients to reapply immediately for redetermination was adopted by the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates during the AMA’s annual meeting in Chicago, according to an article published in the association’s AMA Wire.
PCP Statin Prescribing Up With Automated Patient Dashboard
TUESDAY, Aug. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Guideline-concordant statin prescribing rates are increased modestly with use of an automated dashboard using active choice framing and peer comparison, according to a study published online July 27 in JAMA Network Open.
Postmortem Cardiac Implantable Device Interrogation Useful
TUESDAY, Aug. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Postmortem cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) interrogation can improve the accuracy of identification of the time and cause of death at forensic autopsy, according to a study published in the June 19 issue of Circulation.
‘Good’ Cholesterol May Not Be So in Postmenopausal Women
TUESDAY, Aug. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) may not always be cardioprotective in postmenopausal women, according to a study published online July 19 in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.
AMA Calls for Greater Electronic Cigarette Regulation
TUESDAY, Aug. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) has adopted several policies to improve the regulation of tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), according to an article published in the association’s AMA Wire.
Death Records Estimate 1,139 Deaths Due to Hurricane Maria
TUESDAY, Aug. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Based on death records following Hurricane Maria, the hurricane-related mortality burden of excess deaths through December 2017 is estimated to be 1,139, higher than the official death toll of 64, according to a research letter published online Aug. 2 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
CDC: Half of U.S. Adults Tried to Lose Weight From 2013 to 2016
MONDAY, Aug. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Nearly half of U.S. adults have tried to lose weight from 2013 to 2016, according to a July data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics.
Increase in Proportion of TAVR Used From 2012 to 2015
MONDAY, Aug. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2012 to 2015, there was an increase in the number of patients overall and age 65 years and younger receiving transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), according to a research letter published online July 23 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Variation in Specialty Drug Coverage Across Health Plans
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable variation in specialty drug coverage across commercial health plans, according to a study published in the July issue of Health Affairs.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Some Bacteria Now More Tolerant of Alcohol-Based Sanitizers
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Some types of bacteria are developing tolerance of alcohol-based hand sanitizers used in hospitals, according to a study published in the Aug. 1 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
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Ciprofloxacin May Up Likelihood of Aortic Dissection, Rupture
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In a mouse model of moderate, sporadic aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD), ciprofloxacin increases susceptibility to aortic dissection and rupture, according to a study published online July 25 in JAMA Surgery.
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Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Groups Urge CMS to Reconsider Suspending Risk Adjustment
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In a letter sent to Administrator Seema Verma of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), medical organizations are urging reconsideration of the decision to suspend payments to insurers as required under the Affordable Care Act’s risk-adjustment program.
Health Affairs Announces Launch of New Three-Year Initiative
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A council on health care spending and value has been established by the journal Health Affairs.
Three Financial Metrics Can Improve Practice Performance
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — By understanding three indices and metrics, physicians can change the financial outcome of their medical practice, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
AHA Introduces Heart Failure Certification Program
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A hospital certification program offered by the American Heart Association (AHA) and The Joint Commission will be made available to hospitals seeking to implement exceptional efforts to foster better quality of care and outcomes for patients with advanced heart failure, according to a AHA July 19 news release.
New Short-Term Health Plans Have Large Coverage Gaps
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There are large coverage gaps in short-term health plans that were approved Wednesday by the Trump administration, and are described by critics as “junk insurance.”
E-Cigarettes Don’t Seem to Aid Smoking Cessation Efforts
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is most common among current smokers, according to a study published online July 20 in JAMA Network Open.
How Doctors Receive Feedback Is Key for Antimicrobial Programs
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Anticipation of how providers will receive feedback is important for antimicrobial stewardship programs to consider in informing educational messaging, according to a study published online June 7 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
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National Guideline Clearinghouse Offline Due to Funding Cuts
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) and National Quality Measures Clearinghouse (NQMC) websites were taken down on July 16 when funding for these federal databases ended, according to an announcement by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Protease Inhibitors May Worsen Outcomes for HIV + Heart Failure
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor (PI) therapy is associated with worse outcomes, including death, in patients with HIV and heart failure, according to a study published in the July 31 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Steps Can Be Taken by Doctors to Minimize Risk of Lawsuits
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Targeted steps can be taken to minimize future risks of lawsuits, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Several Invasive Procedures Linked to Infective Endocarditis
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Several invasive medical procedures, including cardiovascular procedures and procedures of the skin and management of wounds, are associated with increased risk of infective endocarditis, according to a study published in the June 19 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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