Dear AuntMinnie Member,
SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) may be a useful tool in predicting which patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) are at risk of sudden cardiac death.
That's according to a new article in our Molecular Imaging Digital Community. The story describes work performed by researchers from Duke University in Durham, NC, who wanted to find a better way to determine which patients with CAD might benefit from treatments such as implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
The study focused specifically on patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measurements greater than 35%, which the researchers said has been a relatively unexamined patient population. Adding SPECT MPI readings to LVEF measures and clinical history helped improve predictions of sudden cardiac death, they said.
Find out how much by clicking here, or visit the community at molecular.auntminnie.com.
Meaningful use rules issued
In other news, some clarity has finally emerged over the definition of "meaningful use" of healthcare IT technology, which healthcare facilities must demonstrate in order to receive federal stimulus funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) this week issued two final rules that define the objectives for healthcare providers and facilities must meet to qualify for stimulus payments. The new rules also define technical capabilities for electronic health records. Learn more by clicking here.
Will the publication of the final rules lead to increased purchasing and deployment of healthcare IT systems? Look for that answer in upcoming coverage in your Healthcare IT Digital Community.
