This Week at ACC
New
Document for Coronary Revascularization
The
American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) and its partners today
released a new clinical document addressing appropriateness in coronary
revascularization, jointly developed with the Society for Cardiovascular
Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), the Society of Thoracic Surgeons
(STS), the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS), the American
Heart Association (AHA) and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology
(ASNC). The ACCF/SCAI/STS/AATS/AHA/ASNC
2009 Appropriateness Criteria for Coronary Revascularization
examines 180 common clinical scenarios where coronary revascularization
might be considered, and assesses whether it would be appropriate, inappropriate,
or uncertain based on several factors. It is first-ever appropriateness
criteria to focus on cardiac treatment rather than diagnostic testing.
The document, along with additional resources, can be found on Cardiosource.
ACC.09
& i2.09 Late-Breaker Deadline: Jan 7!
The
last day for Late-Breaking Clinical Trial and Late-Breaking Emerging Technology
submissions for ACC.09 and i2 Summit is Jan. 7.
Submit
your science today from studies including:
-
Major randomized trials that will have significant impact on clinical
practice
- New
technologies and innovations in general and interventional cardiology
focusing on smaller clinical trials with new technologies, first-in-man
studies and large translational animal studies
Click
here for more information on submitting your science!
E-Prescribing
Program Begins
Under
new federal law, beginning on Jan. 1, 2009, physicians who successfully
e-prescribe will be eligible to participate in a new incentive program.
Physicians who successfully e-prescribe under the program requirements
will receive incentive payments of 2 percent in 2009. The size of the
payment will decrease to 1 percent in 2011 – 2012 and 0.5 percent
in 2013. Those who have not adopted e-prescribing by 2012 will be penalized
by 1 percent of Medicare-allowed charges, with the penalty size growing
in 2013 and beyond. CMS has released the technical
specifications for e-prescribing systems that must be present to qualify
for the program.
The ACC highly encourages members
to adopt e-prescribing, and offers tools and resources to members to assist
in the adoption and use of health information technology, including a
“how-to”
guide to help clinicians make informed decisions about how and when
to transition from paper to e-prescribing systems. Visit ACC’s Web
site at http://www.acc.org/HealthIT
for more information.
 In
Memoriam: Henry McIntosh, M.D., M.A.C.C.
ACC
Past President Henry McIntosh, M.D., M.A.C.C., passed away on Dec. 26
at the age of 89.
Dr. McIntosh received his medical
degree from the University of Pennsylvania and completed his subsequent
training at Duke University. He became chief of cardiology at Duke in
1966. In 1970 he became chairman of medicine at Baylor in Houston. Dr.
McIntosh served in countless leadership roles at the ACC and the American
Heart Association over the years, including the ACC presidency in 1974.
He spearheaded prevention initiatives and became an outspoken critic of
the cigarette industry. Dr. McIntosh was the founder of the ACC Florida
Chapter — the first of the ACC Chapters.
Dr. McIntosh served his country
and his patients with exceptional valor. He was a captain in the U.S.
Parachute Infantry Office of Strategic Services during World War II and
parachuted behind enemy lines in France. He was the recipient of the Silver
Star, Croix de Guerre, and two Bronze Stars. Later, Dr. McIntosh received
a Presidential Citation from President Reagan for his work to develop
Heartbeat International, a philanthropy that provides lifesaving pacemakers
to needy patients around the world. In his eighties, Dr. McIntosh served
as a volunteer receptionist and advocate for a free clinic in Florida.
He is survived by his wife
of 62 years, Harriet, two sons, one daughter, seven grandchildren, and
one great-grandchild. His loss will be deeply felt by the cardiovascular
community.
The ACC is honoring
Dr. McIntosh with a memorial contribution to one of his most enduring
achievements, Heartbeat
International.
On
Cardiosource: Best of 2008
Take
a look back at 2008. Visit Cardiosource
for the Editorial Board's selections for the best content of 2008. See
the top 10 case studies, journal scans, clinical trials, and more!
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