Cardiology

ECMO spotlight: Expanding access for improved survival rates

Conditions
November 14, 2023

The recent coverage of ECMO by the Wall Street Journal has shone a spotlight on a therapy that, despite its decades-long existence, remains relatively obscure and underutilized. While the article thoughtfully delved into the ethical considerations surrounding the extended use of this life-saving therapy, it’s important to recognize that many hospitals have yet to offer ECMO as an available treatment option. The priority focus should be on expanding access to …

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The lifesaving power of CPR: a 30-year journey

Conditions
October 20, 2023

A woman who asked us to call her Strawberry taught me cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for the first time, more than thirty years ago. I was getting my Girl Scout badge in babysitting, and it was a requirement. The class involved an overview of the “ABC’s” and half-hearted compressions on our friends. We did a craft afterward.

A few years later, I took my second CPR class in my high school natatorium. …

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Using the language of art to create work-life balance

Physician
September 25, 2023

Most physicians cite work-life balance as a top priority. Yet there is little clarity on what exactly work-life balance means.

Some prefer the term work-life integration, suggesting that work and personal life should be intertwined. Work-life integration is a common buzzword in managerial circles. However, for most physicians, this way of life is already a reality. Taking calls, working late, and keeping up with CME and recertification already mean that much …

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Personalized hypertension care in pregnancy: Beyond evidence-based thresholds

Conditions
August 11, 2023

There has always been a research bias against the case of one. A success story that isn’t part of a research pool is called “anecdotal.” The implication is that no doctor should base treatment on a story of one. Then we devised the term “evidence-based” to reinforce the notion that physician decisions should be based entirely on numbers in research studies. However, the physician’s prerogative has always been to read …

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Princess Diana: Unraveling the enduring fascination of gossip and our innate curiosity

Physician
August 8, 2023

“What heart surgeon did Diana date?”

According to data from a popular search trend analysis website, this is one of the most highly searched phrases about heart surgery.

According to Cosmopolitan, Princess Diana dated cardiac surgeon Hasnat Khan for years and called him “Mr. Wonderful.” Mehera Bonner did a lovely job discussing this topic.

Nonetheless, it left me to ponder the following: Why do we want to know who the Princess of …

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Ensuring accurate blood pressure measurement [PODCAST]

Podcast
July 28, 2023
YouTube video

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We talk with Jordana Cohen, an internal medicine physician, about the importance of accurate blood pressure measurement. With the rise of telehealth and at-home monitoring, ensuring reliable readings is crucial. Jordana discusses concerns regarding device accuracy and …

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Unmasking the truth about ECMO [PODCAST]

Podcast
July 23, 2023
YouTube video

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Join John R. Mehall, a cardiothoracic surgeon and physician executive. We explore the lasting impact of the global pandemic on hospitals in the United States, uncover the underlying financial crisis often overlooked by headlines, and discuss innovative …

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The evolution of lighting vs. cholesterol treatments: a tale of innovation and value

Policy
July 20, 2023

An excerpt from Why Not Better and Cheaper: Healthcare and Innovation by James B. Rebitzer and Robert S. Rebitzer with permission from Oxford University Press, © 2023 by Oxford University Press.

In a famous essay, Nobel prize-winning economist William Nordhaus studied the evolution of lighting. From medieval times until the …

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Triathlete defies odds, qualifies for world championship after grueling half Ironman race

Physician
July 3, 2023

Rick Taylor was swimming the race of his life. The Virginia half-Ironman (70.3 miles) was underway, and Rick swam the 1.2-mile course in the Carvin Cove Reservoir in 30 minutes and 43 seconds, coming out of the water first in his age group at a blistering pace of 1 minute and 35 seconds per 100 m (1.36/100 m). What was more incredible was that his heart rate through that effort …

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Burnout and compassion fatigue: chronic workplace stress and emotional withdrawal

Physician
June 29, 2023

Over the past five years, the term “burnout” has become closely associated with the health care field. It has reached the point where more than 60 percent of surveyed physicians reported experiencing burnout in 2021, indicating that it has become an epidemic within our profession.

It’s important to understand that burnout is not a personal flaw or a psychological disorder; rather, it is a response to chronic stress in the workplace. …

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3 myths about ECMO that are costing hospitals and patients

Physician
June 17, 2023

Although the global pandemic is officially over, it has left a permanent mark on the health care landscape, reshaping the dynamics of hospitals in the United States. While staffing crises often dominate the headlines, health care institutions face an underlying financial crisis that remains largely underreported.

In 2022, a startling 50% of all U.S. hospitals concluded the year with a negative margin. Due to factors like elective surgical …

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How the U.S. blood pressure validated device listing (VDL) ensures accurate readings and revolutionizes hypertension control

Conditions
June 15, 2023

Blood pressure is an important upstream indicator of overall patient health, and high blood pressure can be a precursor to more serious medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and stroke. Measuring blood pressure frequently is the best way to stay on top of any changes, but as telehealth and at-home monitoring gain in popularity, how can you be sure your patients are getting accurate measurements outside of a physician’s …

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Unveiling the secrets to effective resuscitation and overcoming obstacles

Physician
June 8, 2023

Whether one is resuscitating or being resuscitated, the call for help is a cry for help. However, constructive help may be hard to come by and thus harder to let go.

When one is resuscitating or being resuscitated, the scenario may often be that they are or have been driving under the influence of tunnel vision, thus being blindsided by situational incompetence induced by it. Just like the best-case scenario for …

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From stroke survivor to mental health advocate: one cardiologist’s journey to recovery [PODCAST]

Podcast
May 18, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us in this episode as we talk to Mike Campsey, an interventional cardiologist who shares his inspiring journey of resilience and recovery after suffering from a massive stroke. Hear his advice on what stroke victims and …

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How I overcame a heart attack and health challenges with the help of faith, family, and skilled doctors

Conditions
May 18, 2023

I stood outside in my yard, which had been dormant during the winter season and was now awakening to the spring. Yard work was a familiar and enjoyable activity for me, one that I had been doing for years. But as I walked across the yard, I found myself out of breath and fatigued, to the point of needing to see if taking a nap would help. It did not. …

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Evidence-based medicine and bias: the truth about common therapies and clinical trials

Conditions
May 7, 2023

Evidence-based medicine is a term that attendings like to pepper into their teaching rounds, and medical students like to conspicuously incorporate into their assessment and plan. There is so much clinical trial data out there that it is impossible to stay up to date on the most recent guidelines or the newest landmark trial that all of our time goes into scrutinizing the results. However, we rarely delve into the …

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CME Spotlights