This Week at ACC
ACCF,
AHA, SCAI Unveil Updated Guidelines for STEMI, PCI
The ACC Foundation,
along with the American Heart Association and the Society for Cardiovascular
Angiography and Interventions, today is releasing a focused update that
applies to two sets of Guidelines — the management of patients with
ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and the management of patients
undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The update makes new recommendations
to ensure patients reach lifesaving therapy for STEMI as quickly as possible.
The update recommends that
each community develop a STEMI system for triage and transfer of patients
that complies with the standards set forth by Mission Lifeline. The system
should include destination protocols to STEMI Receiving Centers and transfer
protocols for patients who arrive at STEMI Referral Centers and are primary
PCI candidates and/or are fibrinolytic ineligible and/or in cardiogenic
shock.
Another significant change
recommended in the update is greater acceptance of PCI of the left main
coronary artery. The update suggests it may be considered based on favorable
anatomic condition and an increased risk of adverse surgical outcomes.
For more recommendations
from the focused update, click
here.
ACC
Resources for Physician Fee Schedule Cuts
The
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released its 2010
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule, which includes policy
proposals that significantly reduce payments for cardiovascular-related
services. Because of your efforts to date, we have succeeded in buying
a little time with its four year phase in for some of the cuts. However,
whether immediate or spread out over time, these cuts are simply unacceptable.
The ACC understands
the very real impacts these cuts will have on practice viability and patient
access to quality cardiovascular care and is exploring all regulatory,
legislative and legal options and are working to provide tools and resources
to help practices survive in this challenging new environment. We will
need your tireless support during this battle. Take action by:
- Getting up to date
on what's included in the final rule. Slides
from ACC's Nov. 12 all-member call about the rule and its impacts are
available.
- Assessing the basic
impacts of the cuts by using ACC's practice
expense calculator. You can also get specifics on new coding changes,
as well as answers to frequently asked questions, on the practice
management section of ACC's Web site.
- Spreading the message
within your community and with your elected officials about the specific
impacts of these cuts on your practice and your patients. Send
a letter to your members of Congress asking them to stop the cuts.
For questions, please
contact advocate@acc.org.
Registration
Closing Soon for New York CV Symposium
There
are only a few weeks left to register for the 42nd Annual New York Cardiovascular
Symposium led by renowned cardiologist Valentin Fuster, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.C.
Review current diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative approaches to
cardiovascular disease at the three-day event that is highlighted by the
year-in-review session focusing on cutting edge topics in cardiology.
Time is running out on registration for this popular event. Register
today.
Vote
Today for Your ACC Leadership
Elections
are currently being held for ACC Governors and Chapter Presidents in
British Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan,
Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma , Quebec,
South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
All ACC members in
these states and regions are eligible to vote and have been sent ballots
by email and postal mail. The deadline for voting is Nov. 24 at 5:00 p.m.
(EST). If you are a member in one of the above states, please go to www.acc.org/vote
to cast your vote.
Contact Taryn Gold
at tgold@acc.org for your ID and ballot
control number.
New
on Cardiosource: Case Study in Diabetes, CVD
A
new case study on Cardiosource focuses on a 52-year-old man with Type
2 diabetes mellitus who presents with the chief complaint of increased
fatigue and elevated blood sugar. Earn CME with the case study and learn
more about the history, findings, diagnosis, treatment and follow up on
Cardiosource
now.
AHA
2009 Coverage on Cardiosource
Go
to Cardiosource
for the most complete coverage of trial results and rapid news briefs
from the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions held Nov. 14 –
18 in Orlando, Fla.
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