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Some hospitals under the microscope for steep pricing

Some hospitals under the microscope for steep pricing

The New York Times and Los Angeles Times report on specific hospitals that have been shown to be among the most expensive in the nation. Meanwhile, Modern Healthcare reports on interest from some senators in overhauling Medicare's hospital payment system. [More]
First Edition: May 17, 2013

First Edition: May 17, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about the GOP vote to repeal the health law -- for the 37th time -- as well as how the current IRS scandal is being connected to the health law's implementation. [More]
Northwestern University scientists identify gene important to morning wake-up call

Northwestern University scientists identify gene important to morning wake-up call

Northwestern University scientists have shown a gene involved in neurodegenerative disease also plays a critical role in the proper function of the circadian clock. [More]
Operating without interrupting warfarin treatment during cardiac device surgery reduces hematomas

Operating without interrupting warfarin treatment during cardiac device surgery reduces hematomas

A new Canadian study shows that operating without interrupting warfarin treatment at the time of cardiac device surgery is safe and markedly reduces the incidence of clinically significant hematomas compared to the current standard of care. [More]
New data help explain hospital pricing, but experts caution that Medicare and insurers get much lower rates

New data help explain hospital pricing, but experts caution that Medicare and insurers get much lower rates

Although the government releases a list of what hospitals across the country charge for common procedures in an effort to make health costs more transparent, few patients or their insurers pay that. [More]
BIOTRONIK receives FDA approval for ICD/CRT-D series

BIOTRONIK receives FDA approval for ICD/CRT-D series

BIOTRONIK, a leading manufacturer of cardiovascular medical technology, announced that the Food and Drug Administration granted approval for its Ilesto 7 implantable cardioverter-defibrillator/cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator series. [More]
Toshiba offers InfinixTM-i cardiovascular X-ray system for EP procedures

Toshiba offers InfinixTM-i cardiovascular X-ray system for EP procedures

Electrophysiology (EP) clinical teams require a unique set of technologies to perform accurate and safe exams. Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. offers these clinicians an InfinixTM-i cardiovascular X-ray system tailored for EP procedures with a new package of features, accessories and technologies. This package maximizes room utilization, improves workflow and enhances safety. [More]
Biventricular pacing best in atrioventricular block patients

Biventricular pacing best in atrioventricular block patients

Use of biventricular rather than conventional right ventricular pacing results in better clinical outcomes in patients who have heart failure with atrioventricular block and left ventricular systolic dysfunction, show the results of BLOCK HF. [More]

CVRx enrolls first patient in Barostim HOPE4HF clinical trial

CVRx, Inc., a private medical device company, announced the first patient enrolled in the Barostim HOPE4HF clinical trial. The study is evaluating the effectiveness and safety of CVRx's Barostim neo in heart failure patients. [More]
Scientists probe source of pulsing signal in the sleeping brain

Scientists probe source of pulsing signal in the sleeping brain

New findings clarify where and how the brain's "slow waves" originate. These rhythmic signal pulses, which sweep through the brain during deep sleep at the rate of about one cycle per second, are assumed to play a role in processes such as consolidation of memory. [More]
EKG could predict cardiovascular illness

EKG could predict cardiovascular illness

A common test that records the heart's electrical activity could predict potentially serious cardiovascular illness, according to a UC San Francisco-led study. [More]
Researchers discover 14 new genetic variations associated with heart rate

Researchers discover 14 new genetic variations associated with heart rate

Through a collaborative genome-wide study on individuals, researchers have discovered 14 new genetic variations that are associated with heart rate. [More]
Physicians stimulate patients' medial forebrain bundles to reduce major depression

Physicians stimulate patients' medial forebrain bundles to reduce major depression

Researchers from the Bonn University Hospital implanted pacemaker electrodes into the medial forebrain bundle in the brains of patients suffering from major depression with amazing results: In six out of seven patients, symptoms improved both considerably and rapidly. [More]

Non-invasive battery recharger system for electronic implants

Ant-nio Abreu, a Sustainable Energy Systems PhD Student under the MIT Portugal Program, currently developing research work at LNEG (Laborat-rio Nacional de Energia e Geologia I.P.) has developed a non-invasive battery recharger system for electronic implants that allows a longer life for the internal implantable devices in the human body such as, pacemakers, defibrillators, electric heart, delaying considerable the usual customary surgery intervention for replacement. [More]

DBS helps anorexia patients achieve and maintain improvements in body weight, mood and anxiety

In a world first, a team of researchers at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre and the University Health Network have shown that Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in patients with chronic, severe and treatment-resistant Anorexia Nervosa (anorexia) helps some patients achieve and maintain improvements in body weight, mood, and anxiety. [More]

Scientists discover how to detect abnormal brain rhythms associated with Parkinson's

A team of scientists and clinicians at UC San Francisco has discovered how to detect abnormal brain rhythms associated with Parkinson's by implanting electrodes within the brains of people with the disease. [More]

CIS now offers Toshiba’s Aplio 500 cardiac ultrasound

Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) now offers its patients the most advanced cardiac ultrasound, thanks to its purchase of 10 Aplio 500s from Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. [More]

BIOTRONIK receives FDA approval for Lumax 740 DX System

BIOTRONIK, a leading manufacturer of cardiovascular medical technology, announced the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted final approval for the BIOTRONIK Lumax 740 DX System. [More]

Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in Phoenix launches new clinic

The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in Phoenix has launched a new clinic aimed at streamlining the process for the growing number of patients who are potential candidates for Deep Brain Stimulation. [More]
Oxidized CaMKII may increase risk of death in diabetics following heart attack

Oxidized CaMKII may increase risk of death in diabetics following heart attack

Having diabetes doubles a person's risk of dying after a heart attack, but the reason for the increased risk is not clear. A new University of Iowa study suggests the link may lie in the over-activation of an important heart enzyme, which leads to death of pacemaker cells in the heart, abnormal heart rhythm, and increased risk of sudden death in diabetic mice following a heart attack. [More]