Top stories in cardiology: Use of ICDs not meeting Medicare criteria, links between gene, Brugada syndrome questioned

Among the top stories in cardiology is cardioverter defibrillators saw a decrease in volume for primary prevention and in the proportion of devices that did not meet CMS National Coverage Determination from 2007 to 2015. After the clinical validity of 21 genes believed to be associated with causing Brugada syndrome, only one was deemed to be definitive evidence. Other top stories include patients who were evaluated for CAD with cardiac hybrid imaging had accurate predictions of long-term adverse cardiac events, apixaban was associated with lower risk for bleeding than warfarin among patients with atrial fibrillation and dialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease, and Boston Scientific will acquire Cryterion Medical Inc.

Use of ICDs not meeting Medicare criteria declined after DOJ investigation

After a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into implantable cardioverter defibrillators, there was a decrease in the volume of ICDs for primary prevention and in the proportion of devices that did not meet CMS National Coverage Determination from 2007 to 2015. Read More.

Links between genes, Brugada syndrome questioned

After a panel examined the clinical validity of 21 genes believed to be associated with causing Brugada syndrome, it deemed evidence to be definitive for only one gene. Read More.

Cardiac hybrid imaging predicts long-term adverse events in CAD

Patients who were evaluated for CAD with cardiac hybrid imaging, which combined single-photon emission CT myocardial perfusion imaging with coronary CTA, had accurate predictions of long-term adverse cardiac events, according to a study published in Radiology. Read More.

Apixaban may be safer than warfarin in AF, end-stage renal disease

Among patients with atrial fibrillation and dialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease, apixaban was associated with lower risk for bleeding than warfarin, researchers reported. Read More.

Boston Scientific to acquire cryoablation firm

Boston Scientific announced it will acquire Cryterion Medical Inc. for approximately $202 million in cash. Read More.