Category Archives: Cardiology

Cardiology

Penn State Health teams rally to reopen Berks Cardiology facility in record time following burst water line – Penn State Health News

Penn State Health Spring Ridge Outpatient Center

When the Berks Cardiology team at Penn State Health Spring Ridge Outpatient Center went to work April 30, they were shocked to discover water pouring down from the ceilings and flooding three stories worth of hallways and exam rooms. The damage caused by a water heater that had burst overnight was so extensive and severe that staff first thought the facility in Wyomissing would be closed for several days or longer. But through quick response and actions by many Penn State Health teams, those fears proved unnecessary.

May 10, 2024Penn State Health The RITE Stuff

Within an hour, the Facilities team was on-site, turning off the water and electricity to the building and quickly evacuating staff. By early afternoon, a contracted restoration company had placed temporary walls on two floors where exam room and offices were most affected.

Meanwhile, Information Services, Emergency Management, Infection Control, Facilities, Security and Operations were in constant communication throughout the day, holding several huddles. Minimizing disruptions for patients was paramount. Penn State Health Medical Group staff contacted more than 300 patients who had appointments scheduled at Berks Cardiology on April 30 and May 1 to offer appointments with their same providers. The appointments were scheduled for May 1 at four other Medical Group locations in Berks County.

Berks Cardiology reopened partially to staff and patients on May 1. And the very next day just two days after the water heater burst the practice was fully back online.

Several Berks Cardiology employees temporarily lost their work spaces to the water damage, but Penn State Health Administration, Spring Ridge Family Practice and St. Joseph Medical Center have welcomed them to work at those sites as long as necessary.

Keeping Berks Cardiology running for our patients throughout this recovery was truly a team effort and a wonderful demonstration of our Penn State Health values, said Ruth Gundermann, interim administrative and operational lead, Penn State Health Medical Group. So many teams jumped into action to ensure that the impact of the flooding to our patients was minimal. Everyone involved deserves our heartfelt gratitude.

If you're having trouble accessing this content, or would like it in another format, please email the Penn State College of Medicine web department.

Continue reading here:

Penn State Health teams rally to reopen Berks Cardiology facility in record time following burst water line - Penn State Health News

Cardiology

American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) Issue New Hypertrophic … – Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology

May 9, 2024 The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) today released a new clinical guideline for effectively managing individuals diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The guideline, according to a written statement shared here, reiterates the importance of collaborative decision-making with patients who have HCM and provides updated recommendations for the most effective treatment pathways for adult and pediatric patients.

Incorporating the most recent data, this new guideline equips clinicians with the latest recommendations for the treatment of HCM, said Steve R. Ommen, MD, FACC, medical director of the Mayo Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Clinic and chair of the guideline writing committee. Ommen added, Were seeing more evidence that patients with HCM can return to their normal daily lives with proper care and management.

Updated recommendations in the guideline reflect recent evidence about HCM treatment and management including new forms of pharmacologic management; participation in vigorous recreational activities and competitive sports; and risk stratification for sudden cardiac death (SCD) with an emphasis on pediatric patients.

The guideline includes recommendations for adding cardiac myosin inhibitors, a new class of medication for patients with symptomatic obstructive HCM who do not get adequate symptom relief from first-line drug therapy. Symptomatic obstructive HCM is a type of HCM where the heart muscle is restricted. Cardiac myosin inhibitors are the first FDA-approved class of medication to specifically target the thickening of the heart muscle instead of treating the symptoms, however, they are monitored under the FDAs Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) program, which may create additional steps and time for both the clinician and the patient. Clinicians require special training to prescribe the medication, and patients require regular screenings.

These new drugs offer an alternative for patients who have failed first-line therapy and either want to delay or possibly avoid more aggressive options, Ommen said. With this guideline, were providing clinicians with point-of-care guidance about effectively using this first-in-class, evidence-based treatment option and improving their patients' quality of life.

HCM is an inherited cardiac condition most often caused by a gene mutation that makes the heart muscle too thick (hypertrophy), which impairs its ability to adequately pump blood throughout the body. HCM affects approximately 1 in every 500 individuals; however, a significant portion of cases remain undiagnosed because many people do not exhibit symptoms. Occasionally, the first time HCM is diagnosed is after a sudden death. People who do have symptoms may experience episodes of fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath or irregular heartbeats.

In addition to medication treatment, growing evidence is showing that the benefits of exercise outweigh the potential risks for patients with HCM. Low to moderate intensity recreational exercise should be part of how HCM patients manage their overall health. For some HCM patients, competitive sports may be considered in consultation with HCM clinical specialists.

Recommendations for physical activity continue to evolve with research, Ommen said. As part of a healthy lifestyle, patients with HCM are now encouraged to engage in low-to-moderate intensity physical activities. Were seeing how vigorous physical activities can be reasonable for some individuals. With shared decision-making between the clinician and the patient, some patients may even be able to return to competitive sports.

Poorly managed HCM may lead to many complications including SCD. The new guideline includes recommendations for assessing and managing the risk of SCD by establishing clear risk markers. Guidance for integrating risk markers with tools to estimate an individual patients SCD risk score is recommended to aid in the patient/clinician shared decision-making regarding implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement, incorporating a patients personal level of risk tolerance and specific treatment goals including quality of life.

Several recommendations in the new guideline extend to pediatric patients. A specific pediatric risk stratification for SCD is emphasized, with risk calculators specific to children and adolescents and stressing the importance of HCM centers with expertise in pediatrics. The new guideline extends exercise stress testing recommendations to include children diagnosed with HCM to help determine functional capacity and provide prognostic feedback.

The 2024 AHA/ACC/AMSSM/HRS/PACES/SCMR Guideline for the Management of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is published simultaneously today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, JACC, and American Heart Association's journal, Circulation.

In addition to the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, the guideline was written in collaboration with and endorsed by the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, the Heart Rhythm Society, the Pediatric & Congenital Electrophysiology Society, and the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.

More information: http://www.acc.org, http://www.heart.org

Related content:

Part 1: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: One on One with a Cardiovascular Research Leader

Part 2: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Focus

Part 3: Award-winning Researcher Shares Update on Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Work and Value of Mentoring

ONE ON ONE WITH CHRISTINE SEIDMAN, MD, FACC, ON HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY

Read more:

American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) Issue New Hypertrophic ... - Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology

Cardiology

The push for an independent cardiology board continues – Cardiovascular Business

"We submitted an application to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the governing body that certifies physicians across the country. In January of 2024, the House of Cardiology came together, saying, it's time to make a new board separate from the American Board of Internal Medicine. The new board of cardiovascular medicine cardiologists would be governed by cardiologists to assess that we are all competent clinicians taking care of patients," Kuvin explained.

Key organizations driving this initiative include the ACC, American Heart Association (AHA), Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI). While there has been talk about braking off from the ABIM to create a cardiology board for years, serious discussions have been ongoing since 2019. Those discussions culminated with the official ABMS submission earlier this year.

One of the biggest reasons these groups want to create an independent cardiology board is the constant complaints from cardiologists about how the ABIM manages certification and recertification. Kuvin and the societies supporting the movement for an independent board said the requirements of the ABIM do not match the needs of cardiologists, are too complex and can lead to some cardiologists being left uncertified.

Central to the proposal is the concept of tailoring certification and continuing education to the needs of cardiologists throughout their careers. Kuvin outlined a vision for a streamlined, competency-based approach that prioritizes practical application over traditional examination formats.

"This isn't just about passing tests," he remarked. "It's about ensuring that cardiologists possess the knowledge and skills essential for delivering high-quality patient care."

Kuvin said the misalignment between cardiology and ABIM policy has led to several fights over the years. A good example of this took place in August 2023, when SCAI issued a new statement urging the ABIM to rethink its maintenance of certification (MOC) policies. SCAI said some of its members have seen their privileges threatened and even revoked despite passing the necessary exams and reporting procedural volumes as required. According to the SCAI statement, ABIM has linked certification status with yearly MOC participation in a way that could potentially have a negative impact on patient care.

The two organizations have previously worked together to ensure cardiologists have more options when working to meet MOC requirements, but SCAI said ABIM changed course by requiring interventional cardiologists to complete their assessment through a very complex process, achieve 100 self-assessment points every five years and perform a predetermined number of procedures every five years, all to keep ABIM certification for the full 10-year window. Failing to meet these requirements can lead to a loss of certification.

This situation unacceptably exacerbates the interventional cardiology workforce shortage and threatens to directly impact the care of patients suffering life threatening cardiovascular emergencies, according to an SCAI statement at the time. It is the position of SCAI that the ABIM must immediately abandon its complex practice and stop mixing nonparticipation in MOC with not certified status.

SCAI said its members must be protected from ABIMs pattern of making changes to the certification process. Simple and credible rules are advisable, while a labyrinth of regulations is both unfair and unjustified, the group concluded.

Read more

The ACC has also had disagreements with internal medicine experts making certifications decisions for cardiologists instead of experts in cardiology.

"We felt the best way for cardiologists to be certified they are competent would be by measures that other cardiologists would ascribe to them. Essentially, we wanted to make certification qualifications relevant to the cardiology practice," explained former ACC President Hadley Wilson, MD, executive vice chair of Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, in an interview with Cardiovascular Business last fall. "We believed that was no longer possible through just being grouped with internal medicine, and we felt like cardiovascular medicine is its own distinct specialty. In fact, about 50% of cardiology division programs in the country are either completely separate from internal medicine divisions or at least separate financially. And that number of independent cardiology departments that are separate, distinct entities just continues to grow."

The fact that several large cardiology groups are rallying support demonstrates the widespread endorsement for the board initiative.

"Cardiology has evolved into its own specialty. We need a board that reflects the unique training pathways, competency statements, and technological advancements inherent to cardiovascular medicine," Kuvin emphasized.

The ABMS has opened its public comment period and will collect comments until July 24. The comment submission form can be found here.

More information about the proposed board is available here.

Link:

The push for an independent cardiology board continues - Cardiovascular Business

Cardiology

Cardiologist charged with 9 more sex crimes as police search his home and private practice – Cardiovascular Business

A cardiologist in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, is now facing additional charges for allegedly raping a 10-year-old child.

Damian Brezinski, 61, was originally arrested on May 3. At the time, he was charged with indecent liberties with a child and first-degree statutory sexual offense.

According to new reporting from WECT, a local television station based out of Wilmington, North Carolina, Brezinski has now been charged with nine additional counts, including the rape of a child by an adult offender and the solicitation of a child by computer.

Brezinskis judge raised his bond from $1.5 million to $5 million after the new charges were announced. The judge also said Brezinski could face life in prison without parole if convicted.

WECT obtained copies of multiple search warrants related to the case, revealing new details. Those warrants allowed investigators to search Brezinskis home, cars and even his private practice, Island Cardiology, for evidence.

Click the link below for the full story:

More here:

Cardiologist charged with 9 more sex crimes as police search his home and private practice - Cardiovascular Business

Cardiology

CB cardiologist facing sex crimes with 10-year-old appears in court – Port City Daily

CAROLINA BEACH A local doctor charged with first-degree sex offense and indecent liberties with a child appeared virtually in court Monday.

READ MORE: Local cardiologist, nonprofit founder arrested for sex crimes with a minor

Damian Alexander Brezinkski, 61, was arrested Friday, May 3, at his practice, Island Cardiology on Pleasure Island, for an incident that allegedly happened April 17. He is being held at the New Hanover County Detention Center under a $1.5 million bond.

Brezinksi was arrested on two felonies of sex offenses with a juvenile that, according to arrest warrants, is 10 years old.

First degree statutory sex offense, by state statute, is when a perpetrator at least 12 years old and four years older than the victim engages in a sex offense with someone under the age of 13. It carries a144 months to life imprisonment sentence, if found guilty.

Indecent liberties with a child refers to incidents when a person over 16 years of age and at least five years older than the victim takes immoral liberties with someone under 16 for the purpose of arousal and meeting sexual desire. Its a Class F felony, which means anyone found guilty may face a maximum sentence of 59 months imprisonment and potential fines.

Documents show Brezinski must go under electronic house arrest and surrender his passport if he makes bond. It was determined by Judge Noecker on his arrest date.

It also mandates Brezinski have no contact with any minor children, nor with the victim or victims family.

He was required to turn in a DNA sample under state statue 15A266.3A.

Tips or comments? Emailinfo@localdailymedia.com.

Want to read more from PCD? Subscribenowand then sign up for our morning newsletter,Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.

Read the original here:

CB cardiologist facing sex crimes with 10-year-old appears in court - Port City Daily

Cardiology

Cardiologists want better data on how legal marijuana will impact heart health in the US – Cardiovascular Business

Rezkalla and Kloner did note that marijuana use has been linked to certain health benefits. However, they added, it has also been associated with a variety of cardiovascular complications, including myocardial infarction, stroke and congestive heart failure. With recreational marijuana use now legal in approximately half of the country, should cardiologists expect the number of patients presenting with these adverse events to increase dramatically?

Many studies have indicated an increase in cardiovascular events, and some indicated an increase in mortality, in people who use marijuana, Rezkalla and Kloner wrote. An important question is, did legalization of marijuana in any states cause an increase in cardiovascular events and/or mortality?

Overall, the duo concluded, there is an urgent need for the National Institutes of Health and other federal agencies to step forward and fund studies that can provide some definitive answers. Learning more about the cardiovascular impact of marijuana legislation will benefit the general public and it may even help influence future policies and industry guidelines.

Click here to read the full manuscript in Cardiology Research.

Visit link:

Cardiologists want better data on how legal marijuana will impact heart health in the US - Cardiovascular Business

Cardiology

Applications of Nanotechnology in the Field of Cardiology – Cureus

Specialty

Please choose I'm not a medical professional. Allergy and Immunology Anatomy Anesthesiology Cardiac/Thoracic/Vascular Surgery Cardiology Critical Care Dentistry Dermatology Diabetes and Endocrinology Emergency Medicine Epidemiology and Public Health Family Medicine Forensic Medicine Gastroenterology General Practice Genetics Geriatrics Health Policy Hematology HIV/AIDS Hospital-based Medicine I'm not a medical professional. Infectious Disease Integrative/Complementary Medicine Internal Medicine Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Medical Education and Simulation Medical Physics Medical Student Nephrology Neurological Surgery Neurology Nuclear Medicine Nutrition Obstetrics and Gynecology Occupational Health Oncology Ophthalmology Optometry Oral Medicine Orthopaedics Osteopathic Medicine Otolaryngology Pain Management Palliative Care Pathology Pediatrics Pediatric Surgery Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Plastic Surgery Podiatry Preventive Medicine Psychiatry Psychology Pulmonology Radiation Oncology Radiology Rheumatology Substance Use and Addiction Surgery Therapeutics Trauma Urology Miscellaneous

Visit link:

Applications of Nanotechnology in the Field of Cardiology - Cureus

Cardiology

Tri-City Cardiology’s Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Leads the Way in Revolutionizing Heart Failure Management – PR Newswire

MESA, Ariz., April 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --In the ongoing battle against heart failure, continuous monitoring stands as a beacon of hope. Among the array of innovative solutions, the CardioMEMS HF System shines brightly, offering a groundbreaking approach to managing this debilitating condition. Imagine a world where patients can receive crucial heart failure management in the comfort of an outpatient setting, such as an Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC). This vision is now a reality, with Tri-City Cardiology's ASC at the forefront of this medical revolution. Access to cutting-edge technology is key in reshaping the landscape of heart failure management. The CardioMEMS HF System embodies this shift, offering a minimally invasive procedure that provides real-time monitoring of pulmonary artery pressurea vital metric in tracking heart failure progression.

Notably, while this technology has been available in hospital settings, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recognition to perform these procedures at our ASC marks a significant advancement in accessibility and convenience for patients.At Tri-City Cardiology's ASC, patients can now undergo this procedure with ease, thanks to its streamlined approach and expertise in outpatient care. Being one of the first ASCs selected to perform this procedure, Tri-City Cardiology demonstrates its commitment to innovation and patient-centered care. Once implanted, the CardioMEMS sensor seamlessly transmits data to healthcare providers, empowering them to monitor patients remotely and make timely interventions. This proactive monitoring enables early detection of changes in pulmonary artery pressure, allowing for personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's needs. The benefits of CardioMEMS extend beyond early detection; they encompass a clinically proven improvement in quality of life. By preventing heart failure exacerbations and reducing hospitalizations, patients can experience fewer symptoms and regain a sense of independence and mobility. Moreover, the integration of CardioMEMS into mainstream healthcare practices holds the promise of significant cost savings by minimizing the need for emergency interventions and hospitalizations.

Tri-City Cardiology's ASC serves as a pioneer in advancing cardiac care, integrating innovative technologies like CardioMEMS into outpatient settings. As technology continues to advance, such initiatives herald a brighter and healthier future for individuals battling heart failure. In the journey towards better heart failure management, the CardioMEMS HF System represents not just a milestone, but a paradigm shift. With Tri-City Cardiology, patients can rest assured knowing that they are receiving the most advanced and personalized care available, right in their own community.

About Tri-City Surgical Centers and Tri-City Cardiology

In 2022, the Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) opened, offering a wide range of services, including the latest innovations in heart failure management. Tri-City Surgical Centers is a modern, free-standing, state-of-the-art ambulatory surgical center designed to help patients receive quality care outside of the traditional hospital setting, allowing Tri-City Cardiologists to complete the continuum of care for our patients while offering a multitude of additional benefits.

Tri-City Surgical Centers allows patients to be seen quicker with a more predictable schedule and in some cases lower cost. The center offers many out-patient surgical procedures including pacemaker and defibrillator insertion, replacement, loop recorder insertion, heart catheterizations, cardiac angioplasty, cardiac stenting, and peripheral angiograms and interventions.

Established in 1979, Tri-City Cardiology is widely known for its progressive and innovative approach to heart and vascular services. Tri-City Cardiology consists of 27 board-certified physicians coming from some of the top medical universities and fellowship programs in the country. We provide comprehensive services, including medical cardiology, diagnostic testing, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, peripheral vascular testing, medical imaging, vein center, and disease management clinics (heart failure, anticoagulation, and device). Tri-City Cardiology has multiple office locations in the Phoenix Metropolitan area and has affiliations with both Banner and Dignity Hospital Facilities for inpatient services.

For more information, visit: Tri-City Surgical Centers - Tri City Cardiology Consultants Heart & Vascular Care in Phoenix, AZ | Tri City Cardiology CardioMEMS HF System Procedure Overview | Abbott (cardiovascular.abbott) CardioMEMS HF System Animated Implant Procedure Overview (youtube.com)

Contact: Mark Chkeiban Phone: 480-505-5279 [emailprotected]

SOURCE Tri-City Cardiology

Here is the original post:

Tri-City Cardiology's Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Leads the Way in Revolutionizing Heart Failure Management - PR Newswire