Defibrillator Implantation A Greater Risk For Underweight Patients
Patients who are underweight or small in stature are twice as likely to experience complications or die during insertion of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) compared to obese and normal-weight patients, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session. The Scientific Session, the premier cardiovascular medical meeting, brings cardiovascular professionals together to further advances in the field. ICDs are small, battery-powered devices implanted in the chests of people at risk for sudden cardiac arrest.
Medicare Medicaid Rule Increases Costs Without Improving Patient Outcomes For Defibrillator Implants
The cost to place an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) increased by $844 per case after a new requirement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) went into effect in February 2010, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session. The Scientific Session, the premier cardiovascular medical meeting, brings cardiovascular professionals together to further advances in the field. That cost, if applied to the approximately 150, 000 ICDs implanted in the United States each year, translates to $126 million in additional medical costs.
An Increase In Bystander CPR In Denmark Led To Marked Improvements In Survival Rates After Cardiac Arrest
A nationwide effort in Denmark to increase the number of people trained in CPR led to an increase in bystander CPR and ultimately contributed to increased cardiac arrest survival rates in that country, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session. The Scientific Session, the premier cardiovascular medical meeting, brings cardiovascular professionals together to further advances in the field. The study, which examined 29, 000 cardiac arrest cases in Denmark, found that the proportion of cases in which a bystander performed CPR more than doubled between 2001 and 2010.