Most Clicked ASNC SmartBrief Stories
1. Researchers transform skin cells into beating heart tissue
ASNC SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
Israeli researchers converted skin cells from patients with heart failure into healthy and functioning heart tissue, according to a study in the European Heart Journal. The team added valproic acid and three genes to the nuclei of the skin cells. "We have shown that it's possible to take skin cells from an elderly patient with advanced heart failure and end up with his own beating cells in a laboratory dish that are healthy and young -- the equivalent to the stage of his heart cells when he was just born," according to the lead researcher from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. Reuters (05/23)
2. Rheumatoid arthritis patients face higher cardiovascular risk
ASNC SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
DailyRx.com (05/22)
3. CDC: Fewer diabetes patients die of heart disease, stroke
ASNC SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
The risk of heart disease- and stroke-related deaths declined 40% and the overall mortality rate fell 23% in patients with diabetes from 1997 to 2006, CDC researchers reported in Diabetes Care. Diabetes patients were more likely to be obese but less likely to smoke and more likely to be physically active than in the past. Reuters (05/22) WebMD (05/22)
4. Statins reduce cancer risk in heart transplant patients in Swiss study
ASNC SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
A Swiss study found that taking statins after heart transplant reduces a patient's risk of developing cancer by 65%. Out of 255 transplant patients, 22% of those who took statins developed cancer in 12 years, compared with 42% of nonstatin users. Overall survival also improved for statin users. The findings were presented at the Heart Failure Congress in Serbia. DailyRx.com (05/20)
5. Study shows higher health risks for people in sedentary jobs
ASNC SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
People who sit a lot at work have a higher risk of all-cause mortality and of cardiovascular and metabolic disease mortality compared with colleagues whose jobs require walking, lifting or heavy physical labor, Australian and Norwegian researchers reported. The study also found mortality risks were highest among sedentary workers with a high BMI. Medscape (free registration) (05/21)
6. J&J's Xarelto anticoagulant gets mixed reviews from FDA staff
ASNC SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
Reuters (05/21)
7. Latest ASNC Journal of Nuclear Cardiology (JNC) Podcast available today!
ASNC SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
Current ASNC President John Mahmarian, MD, FASNC, is the faculty on the latest JNC Podcast of 2012. In Assessing Risk in Acute Chest Pain: The Value of Myocardial Perfusion in Patients Admitted Through the Emergency Department, Dr. Mahmarian discusses the results of his recent study evaluating low-to intermediate-risk patients admitted through the emergency room with acute chest pain. Dr. Mahmarian is the Director of the Nuclear Cardiology and Computed Tomography (CT) Services at the Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center in Houston. Blank (08/03)
8. There's help for physicians disputing health plan policies
ASNC SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
It's possible for physicians to influence health plan decisions and policies, but they may need help to do so. Membership in a medical society can be beneficial because groups can lobby on physicians' behalf. Experts say physicians may also need to seek help from a government agency or even the media to ensure problems get attention. "If you're doing it alone, you're never going to succeed," said Dr. Richard Lander of Livingston, N.J. American Medical News (free content) (05/21)
9. Have you registered for ASNC2012 and its ancillary programs?
ASNC SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
ASNC is pleased to offer two ancillary programs as part of ASNC2012. Both programs are designed to address the specific needs of certification candidates and technologists. Course content complements the main curriculum presented at ASNC2012 and provides an in-depth review of important topics. Blank (05/20)
10. Lawmakers ramp up efforts to repeal medical device tax
ASNC SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, is set to introduce a measure that would strike down the health care law's 2.3% medical device tax, which he said would hurt innovation, job creation and economic growth. The House also is likely to consider overturning the tax: The Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2011 so far has 238 co-sponsors. Modern Healthcare (subscription required) (05/22)
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