Cath Lab Today

Cardiovascular Interventional Tech Specialist – WEAU

CLT Staff — Sat, 19 May 2012 21:21:05 +0000

Cardiovascular Interventional Tech Specialist
Mayo Clinic Health System
Eau Claire, WI

Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, WI, is seeking a Cardiovascular International Tech Specialist to provide service to adults of all ages in the Cardiac Cath Lab and to adolescents, adults and older adults in Special Procedures. We will rely on you to:

• Help physicians during invasive, sterile procedures
• Respond quickly and accurately to changes in patient condition

• Be responsible for image management
• Help with maintenance of equipment and inventory
• Participate in performance and continuous quality improvement
• Assume on-call responsibility (1:9)

Our ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Active Wisconsin radiographer license
• ARRT registration (or within one year of hire)
• ARRT registry in CV, CI or VI recommended within two years of hire
• Current Basic Life Support certification (or within six months of hire)
• Hemodynamic and ECG monitoring experience preferred
• Ability to work flexible hours, including days, evenings, nights, holidays and weekends
• Prior Cath Lab experience strongly preferred

Mayo Clinic Health System is a network of clinics and hospitals dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of people in 70 communities throughout Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Our community-based physicians and their patients are supported by the highly specialized expertise and resources of Mayo Clinic.

Eau Claire, in west-central Wisconsin, is not your cookie-cutter destination. Located 90 miles from the Twin Cities, we offer brilliant schools, a low crime rate and affordable living, all within an authentic community offering a full spectrum of shopping, dining, entertainment and sporting options.

For more information and to apply online, please visit:
mayoclinichealthsystem.org and reference Job Req. # 11267 or contact:

Jamie Gower
Phone: (715) 838-6520
Email: gower.jamie@mayo.edu

Tobacco-free/Drug-free Workplace/EOE

Article source: http://www.weau.com/jobsearch/listings/152034445.html

Cardiovascular Technician (CVT) Full Time (125128) Cardiovascular Technician (CVT) Full Time (Job Number: 125128) Description WORKS...
Logan Regional Hospital begins new interventional cardiology program Scott Swenson was experiencing intensifying chest pain over time, and...
Stafford Hospital adds interventional procedures to its cardiac cath lab Stafford Hospital expanded its offerings this week with the addition...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Hospital opens state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization labs

CLT Staff — Sat, 19 May 2012 17:21:04 +0000

With the recent opening of state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization labs in Brownsville and Harlingen, Valley Baptist Medical Center has a new, high-tech ally in the treatment of cardiovascular problems.

At the heart of the labs is a machine called the GE Innova 3100. Among its benefits is that it allows doctors to get a clear view of fine blood vessels and to better perform critical procedures.

Dr. Fadi Alfayoumi, medical director of cardiology at VBMC-Brownsville, said the new lab allows doctors to tap into vital advances in the fields of cardiology and cardiovascular medicine over the last couple of years.

One example is how doctors capture images of lesions, or arterial blockages, in order to fix them. The standard approach is to send a tiny camera through the groin and up the femoral artery. But, multiple clinical trials have shown that going in through the hand and up the radial artery — the artery you press on when you take your pulse — presents a substantially lower risk of bleeding. That’s right in diagnostic procedures as well as angioplasty procedures involving the insertion of catheter balloons or stents. With the new “cath labs” physicians can go either way: femoral or radial.

Alfayoumi said that probably the most vital feature of the new labs is related to the Innova 3100’s “rotational” X-ray imaging capabilities — a huge improvement over older imaging technology. The new machine is able to quickly make precise 3-D images of cardiovascular distress spots by rotating its image detector — called the “flat panel” — around the patient. The ancient method involved positioning the flat panel, shooting an X-ray, repositioning the flat panel, shooting another X-ray, repositioning the flat panel, and so on. For the patient, the new equipment also means a lower dose of radiation, according to the manufacturer.

Alfayoumi clarifies that this rotational imaging capacity is a “huge deal” in cases where doctors have to go into a patient’s carotid artery and directly infuse TPA, a blood thinner, in order to dissolve a blood clot. This invasive procedure is reserved for patients who, after suffering a stroke, go more than three hours without having TPA administered intravenously. Rotational imaging is a major asset when it comes to administering TPA directly, Alfayoumi said.

Having such technology makes plenty of sense in the Valley, given the prevalence of obesity, diabetes, sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary choices and other factors that lead directly to coronary disease, he said. Alfayoumi noted that cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the United States.

“Imagine when you look at the statistics for Brownsville and the Valley,” he said.

Alfayoumi praised VMBC for the investment, “a couple of millions dollars,” despite falling Medicare reimbursements for hospitals and doctors. Rather than making the investment expecting to make a return, the hospital did so in order to stay up to date, he said. Alfayoumi said that hospitals these days struggle with the dilemma of providing the best treatment on one hand versus being able to afford it on the other.

“This becomes an issue for administration,” he said. “The ancient days are gone. Now we run a very tight budget.”

Nevertheless, physicians are in the business of helping patients and it’s vital that they have the best available tools to do so, Alfayoumi said.

“I’m very pleased,” he said. “I’m very excited about it. I’m really pleased to see an administration that’s willing to invest in what’s best for the public and the patient.”

Article source: http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/articles/doctors-140350-labs-catheterization.html

State rejects cardiac cath labs for Niagara County Tracey Drury Buffalo Business First Reporter – Business First Email...
Loyola University Hospital Opens Hybrid Operating Room Newswise — MAYWOOD, Ill. — Loyola University Medical Center has...
Brandywine invests $1 million in cardiac cath lab CALN — Brandywine Hospital unveiled its $1 million cardiac catheterization...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

ACCF, SCAI publish new standards defining best practices for modern cardiac …

CLT Staff — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:36:30 +0000

The consensus statement was developed by an expert panel of the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), in collaboration with the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the Society for Vascular Medicine. It updates a similar document released in 2001.

“There have been a lot of changes since 2001, some of them dramatic,” said Thomas M. Bashore, MD, writing committee chair and professor of medicine and clinical chief of cardiology at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. “This document sets the stage for what’s really happening in cath labs today and updates everyone on accepted quality standards and best practices.”

Among the changes has been a shift in focus from diagnostic tests to catheter-based therapies, from coronary disease alone to include the treatment of valvular heart disease, congenital defects of the heart and arterial disease in the legs, brain, and other organs. An increasing number of medical centers are developing hybrid cath labs that combine all the features of a surgical suite with those of a cath lab. And pediatric cath labs?now devoted nearly exclusively to therapy?apply minimally invasive catheter techniques to congenital disease that once required major heart surgery, with procedures now being performed on unborn fetuses and newborns, as well as older children.

The new consensus statement addresses the features of modern cath labs, including:

Cardiac catheterization laboratories without on-site cardiac surgical back-up: Today up to one-third of angiograms (x-rays used to diagnose coronary artery disease) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) are performed in cath labs without onsite surgery. The consensus document states the risk of major complications with most invasive coronary procedures is very low and proposes requirements for establishing off-site surgical back-up while lifting many prior restrictions on the types of patients eligible for such procedures.
PCI for heart attack patients in hospitals without on-site cardiac surgical back-up: The authors stress that partnership with a major medical center with cardiac surgery capability is mandatory, including the establishment of a written plot for transfer should complications arise. The document withholds endorsement of programs that offer PCI for heart attack only during daytime business hours (no nights or weekends).
Minimum case volumes for diagnostic cardiac catheterization: The authors found no data to support the use of minimum case volumes as an indicator of physician quality in performing diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Instead, they state that an effective quality assurance program is the key to ensuring that cardiac catheterization studies are appropriate, and performed and interpreted correctly. A related document is in development and will address minimal case volume for physicians who perform PCI procedures.
Quality assurance/quality improvement programs: The new standards document defines essential elements of a quality assurance/quality improvement program, including participation in a national clinical database, tracking of specific quality indicators, benchmarking against peers, and monitoring of procedure appropriateness and quality.
Hybrid cath labs: The authors review in detail the role of the hybrid cath lab, including the types of procedures suitable for a hybrid lab and special considerations in designing, building and equipping the lab.
Training requirements: The document outlines the current training requirements for physicians who perform invasive and interventional procedures in the coronary and peripheral arteries, and for the treatment of structural heart disease.
Pre-procedural preparation: The authors recommend steps to protect kidney function during invasive procedures, including ensuring adequate hydration, shortening the time patients are instructed to go without drinking before the procedure and linking the maximum volume of contrast media to pre-catheterization kidney function tests. The document also suggests a routine protime is no longer required before the catheterization unless there is a reason to suspect an abnormality.
Imaging: The authors also summarize major changes in x-ray imaging, with the adoption of digital image acquisition, show and storage.
Radiation safety: The document outlines techniques to reduce radiation exposure to cath lab patients and staff.
Treatment of infants and children: The authors explore in depth special concerns involving the pediatric cardiac catheterization laboratory.

Consensus documents serve many purposes, but the most vital is to define high-quality clinical practice, Dr. Bashore said.

“We don’t always have randomized clinical trials to rely on,” he said. “The purpose of this document is to define a practice standard for how you set up and run a cath lab, the people in the cath lab, the quality assurance programs?all the things cath lab teams should be thinking about.”

More information: The document can be accessed at http://www.cardiosource.org and http://www.SCAI.org . It will also be published in the June 5, 2012, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and in a forthcoming issue of Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions.

Provided by

American College of Cardiology

–>

Article source: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-05-accf-scai-publish-standards-modern.html

ACCF, SCAI publish new standards defining best practices for modern cardiac … Modern cardiac catheterization laboratories bear scant resemblance to the cath...
SCAI Publishes Best Practices for Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories Paper Promotes Patient Safety and Quality Improvement in Interventional Today...
SCAI Statement on “Etiologies of Delay and Associated Mortality in Patients … A study published this week in the journal Circulation emphasizes...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Matters of the Heart

CLT Staff — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:36:21 +0000

To reflect its comprehensive line of services, the former Cardiac Care Center at Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis has been renamed The Heart Vascular Center.

Heidi Brandam, left, and Beth Nelson prepare a Cardiac Cath Lab in the recently renamed Heart Vascular Center at Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis, 5959 Park Ave.

(Photo: Lance Murphey)

“We changed the name to encompass the full range of cardiac and vascular care that’s available here at Saint Francis,” said Michelle Britton, director of the Heart Vascular Center. “We really wanted the name to fully reflect what we can offer here at Saint Francis for our patients.”

Services offered include open-heart surgery; a chest pain emergency center; cardiac intensive care unit; cardiac rehabilitation; and a variety of diagnostic services such as angiography.

“In addition to just cardiovascular surgery, which most people would know to be heart surgery, that also involves surgery of the aorta in the chest, aneurisms, aortic defections – that sort of thing,” said Dr. James Blatchford, a cardiac surgeon at The Heart Valve Center. “It also involves peripheral vascular surgery, which would include things like abdominal aortic aneurisms, which we now treat mostly with stent grafts in a minimally invasive process.”

The center several years ago was remodeled and refurbished to give it a more streamlined, modern appearance. In alignment with its rebranding efforts, the facility also recently updated some of its technology.

Those additions included the installation of a groundbreaking new peripheral catheterization laboratory, “so we can expand our vascular capabilities and imaging to use the latest technology and advancements for both cardiac and vascular patient care,” Britton said.

Saint Francis also hired two new specialty trained cardiovascular surgeons: Dr. G. Phillip Schoettle, Jr., who’s new to Saint Francis but has a long history in Memphis health care, and Blatchford, who relocated to the area from Montgomery, Ala., earlier this year to join the staff at Saint Francis.

“We do have highly qualified top physicians from all over the metro area that practice here to provide that quality care to our patients, as well as highly qualified staff,” Britton said.

Blatchford said he was attracted to “the fact that Saint Francis was making a huge commitment to hire surgeons and new cardiologists. I had the sense that in the past Saint Francis probably did a lot more cardiac surgery and they felt like this was perhaps slipping away,” he said. “And they were making a huge commitment to sort of regain a market share and a commitment to maintaining excellence in that area.”

Blatchford said the facility has also hired two new interventional cardiologists, who will “markedly expand the number of cardiologists who are here at Saint Francis.”

The Heart Vascular Center, on Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis’ 42-acre campus at 5959 Park Ave. in East Memphis, is also providing backup cardiac surgical support to its quick-growing sister hospital, Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett, which has seen a record numbers of patients after unveiling its $34 million, 83,000-square-foot expansion in March. Around the same time, Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis experienced a milestone of its own when it started using Medtronic’s Resolute Integrity Drug-Eluting Stent, approved to treat a range of patients with coronary artery disease, including diabetes.

“And one thing we’re kind of tooting our horn about is that we were the first hospital in the state of Tennessee and one of the first few in the nation to really implant the new Medtronic stent that came on the market,” Britton said. “It has a diabetic indication, and that is huge for our population here.”

Britton said the with the center’s rebranding, the message Saint Francis wants to express to patients and to the community is that Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis’ Heart Vascular Center offers “a full, comprehensive service line of heart and vascular care, and that we are employing the latest technology and advancements in the Memphis metro area.”

Article source: http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2012/may/17/matters-of-the-heart/

Saint Francis begins use of newly approved Medtronic stent The Heart Vascular Center at Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis has begun...
Saint Francis heart and cancer institute opening early The $84 million Heart Hospital and Cancer Institute will open...
Brandywine invests $1 million in cardiac cath lab CALN — Brandywine Hospital unveiled its $1 million cardiac catheterization...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Ugandan children get new lease on life at D.C. hospital

CLT Staff — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:36:20 +0000

Paula Wolfson, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – Twelve-year-ancient Darwin Wafoymungu could never do the simple things most boys his age could do.

But now, he’s a kid with a plot.

“I want to play,” Darwin says.

Darwin’s mom, Betty Acken, looks around his room at Children’s National Medical Center as if she’s landed in another world. They’ve traveled from a village in Uganda to Washington, D.C. where a group of strangers fixed her son’s heart.

Acken whispers to an interpreter and smiles.

“She feels so grateful and so pleased about everything,” says the interpreter. “He is a miracle child and a miracle boy!”

Darwin is one of two Ugandan children currently at the D.C. hospital for treatment, part of a volunteer effort by doctors at Children’s to improve pediatric cardiac care in Uganda. The doctors are regular visitors to Kampala, the capital of Uganda, where they diagnose cases, perform surgeries and provide specialized training.

The program was started by Dr. Craig Sable, director of Echocardiology at Children’s. He first went to Uganda on his own in 2002 when he screened 50 kids for heart problems, and brought six back for surgery.

At first, the emphasis was on improving the ability of doctors in Uganda to diagnose heart issues. But through the years, the program has evolved to the point where the Ugandans are being trained to perform ever more complex operations, and the infrastructure for more sophisticated treatment is falling into place.

Sable says it’s a labor of like for the Children’s team.

“It is very different from here, where most children are going to get the health care they need one way or another,” Sable says. “There, you know you are helping someone who may not otherwise get help.”

Sable says most of the doctors who travel to Uganda form a special bond with the country and the people. He says they are seeing a small education program grow into a model for other developing countries.

“We reckon by building a sustainable program in East Africa, we may be able to develop a blueprint to help a lot of these children around the world,” Sable says.

Dr. Charlie Berul, chief of Cardiology at Children’s, went to Uganda for the first time in February, where he met 3-year-ancient Myron Kinobe and his family. Myron had a problem with his heart rhythm that couldn’t be fixed in Uganda, and in a delicate procedure at Children’s, Berul inserted tiny catheters into the toddler’s legs and used computer images to guide them to the distress spot.

“With this procedure, we find the abnormal distress spot and we either heat or freeze that spot,” Berul says. “While protecting the rest of the inside of the heart muscle.”

Berul says the procedure is honestly common at the hospital.

“We do this routinely in children and teenagers. But in East Africa, it is not even done in adults.”

Myron’s cardiac catheterization went extremely well, according to the medical team. His mother, Deborah Aguno, says he can now “be a really pleased child and live like other children.”

A non-profit group called Samaritan’s Purse made the arrangements to bring the Ugandan children and their mothers to Washington for treatment. The doctors at Children’s provided their services free of charge, and even some of the catheters were donated by manufacturers.

Samaritan’s Purse volunteer Marsha Duckwitz hosted the two families at her Sterling, Va. home during their month-long stay, and was a constant presence at the hospital.

“I feel honored just to be a pat of it,” Duckwitz says. “These guys are doing fantastic things … and it is just incredible to see these miracles happen.”

Follow WTOP on Twitter.

The Kiss

Meet the local woman who was swept off her feet by this sailor.

Larger Than Life

A massive statue of Marilyn Monroe arrives in Palm Springs. (Photos)

Community Buzz

Meet the newest members of a D.C. shared garden. (Photos)

Ring of Fire

This rare eclipse hasn’t been seen in the U.S. in nearly 20 years.

Article source: http://www.wtop.com/?nid=740&sid=2867928

Manatee Memorial Hospital team quickly saved this life Thanks to the incredible skill, speed and dedication of Drs....
Doctor: Quick-thinking cops, medics helped save officer’s life – WSBT MISHAWAKA – What started as a routine “complaint” investigation in...
Mulago gets Cath lab heart equipment Ultimate Media The Mulago hospital based Uganda Heart Institute is...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Worthing Hospital heart lab needs fund-raising support

CLT Staff — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:36:18 +0000

Published on Wednesday 16 May 2012 13:00

IT could never happen to me – that was the view of a Worthing man who was shocked to find his healthy lifestyle did not prevent him from getting heart disease.

Stephen Peckham needed two operations at Worthing Hospital’s cardiac cath lab to relieve blockages in his heart.

Now, he wants to tell his tale to encourage people to support the hospital’s £1million fund-raising appeal for a second cath lab, which will help even more people each year.

Stephen, 69, said: “I assumed by leading what I considered to be a healthy lifestyle I was immune to any severe health conditions.

“Last August, I was playing golf and felt some discomfort in my chest. I thought nothing of it and considered it was a symptom of the ageing process.

“Fortunately, my wife encouraged me to make an appointment with my GP when we returned home and I was diagnosed with angina.”

Angina is caused by lack of blood supply due to a narrowing of the coronary arteries. The diagnosis was the start of a process that lead to surgery and a recovery programme for Stephen.

Stephen, of Rectory Road, then had an angiogram which revealed two blockages, so in December, and again in February, he had coronary angioplasty, a technique to relieve blockages or narrowing of arteries. On both occasions a stent was inserted.

He said: “The angioplasty took place in the cath lab unit and it was a fascinating experience. I was talked through the procedure by members of both the surgery and nursing team and I was able to see what was happening on a television screen.

“The quality of the treatment I received from the clinicians, nursing staff and physiotherapists was superb.

“Fortunately, due to the skill and dedication of the members of the cardiac team and the physiotherapy department, the majority of people who suffer a heart condition thrive and lead a full and active life. But, while there is the capability within Worthing Hospital to deliver a first-class and effective service to the increasing number of patients needing cardiac treatment, there is a desperate need for additional facilities and equipment. A second cath lab is, therefore, urgently required and, therefore, essential for all of the community to support the appeal.”

The original cath lab is capable of treating 4,000 patients each year, with a second one, the cardiac department will be able to treat up to 6,000 patients in its first year alone.

The appeal, which needs to raise another £500,000 by December, will pay for a second control room, a second cath lab, a new recovery ward and an improved coronary care unit.

Dhamrait Sukhbir, cardiac consultant at the hospital, said: “A cardiac cath lab is used to carry out heart investigations, where we use specialist equip-ment to diagnose coronary block-ages and heart failure.

“The lab is also used for the treatment of patients in inserting coronary stents, complex pacemakers and complex defibrillators.

“A second cardiac cath lab will be invaluable because it will mean that in future patients who have critical heart conditions will be able to get the treatments they so desperately need more quickly.”

Email to a friend
Print this page

Your view

Please sign in to be able to comment on this tale.

Article source: http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/news/worthing-hospital-heart-lab-needs-fund-raising-support-1-3841561

Go Red in Feb to help Worthing Hospital Published on Tuesday 24 January 2012 11:00 DO you have...
Sacred Heart opens Heart & Vascular Center, relies on community support for … Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast held the grand...
PLC Medical Systems Uses Revenue in the EU to Fund Phase III Development in the US Print PDF Mark Tauscher, President and CEO of PLC Medical...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Boston Scientific and Philips Healthcare Announce Collaboration to Enhance …

CLT Staff — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:21:01 +0000

My news for Investors

Collaboration expected to improve access to imaging data used to treat patients

NATICK and ANDOVER, Mass., May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) and Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) announced a collaboration enabling Philips to sell Boston Scientific Imaging equipment in connection with its Allura Xper™ catheterization (cath) lab systems in territories throughout the world.

The Boston Scientific iLab™ Ultrasound Imaging System serves as a versatile platform for utilizing Boston Scientific’s imaging catheters. The iLab System features exceptional image quality and allows physicians the ability to choose from a variety of imaging catheters for coronary, peripheral and intracardiac applications. The iLab System is compatible and can be integrated with all major X-ray systems including the Philips Allura Xper system. This agreement gives Philips the ability to offer customers an integrated imaging solution that is compatible with current and next-generation Boston Scientific imaging catheters.

Boston Scientific’s Imaging business includes a full line of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) imaging catheters and a robust pipeline of new technologies. These devices enable physicians to assess diseased arteries and intracardiac structures to aid in appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Philips is the worldwide leader in angiographic systems for the cardiology lab. The Philips Allura Xper system offers customers exceptional image clarity and deeper insight for diagnosing and treating cardiac disease. Interventional tools work smoothly in sync with the X-ray system which can be tailored for multiple interventional cardiology and cardiovascular mixed-use environments.

“Boston Scientific is pleased to collaborate with Philips and establish the foundation for an ongoing relationship,” said Isaac Zacharias, general manager of Boston Scientific’s Imaging business. “As premier providers of medical technology for cardiologists and electrophysiologists, this collaboration is expected to expand the ability of Boston Scientific and Philips to offer integrated solutions that improve ease of use and workflow for our worldwide customers.”

“This collaboration is a further step in Philips’ strategy to offer seamlessly integrated interventional solutions. Philips works with companies like Boston Scientific to continuously enhance the integrated functioning of our cath labs and further enhance the user experience,” said Bert van Meurs, senior vice president and general manager, Interventional X-Ray, for Philips Healthcare.

About Boston Scientific
Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices that are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties. For more information, please visit: www.bostonscientific.com.

About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 122,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 22.6 billion in 2011, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like “anticipate,” “expect,” “project,” “believe,” “plot,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar words. These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and estimates using information available to us at the time and are not intended to be guarantees of future events or performance. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding the collaboration between Boston Scientific and Philips, new technologies and products, business strategy and product performance and effects. If our underlying assumptions turn out to be incorrect, or if certain risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. These factors, in some cases, have affected and in the future (together with other factors) could affect our ability to implement our business strategy and may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements expressed in this press release. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements.

Factors that may cause such differences include, among other things: future economic, competitive, reimbursement and regulatory conditions; new product introductions; demographic trends; intellectual property; litigation; financial market conditions; and future business decisions made by us and our competitors. All of these factors are hard or impossible to predict accurately and many of them are beyond our control. For a further list and description of these and other vital risks and uncertainties that may affect our future operations, see Part I, Item 1A – Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we may update in Part II, Item 1A – Risk Factors in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q we have filed or will file hereafter. We disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which those expectations may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this document.

SOURCE Boston Scientific Corporation

RELATED LINKS
http://www.bostonscientific.com

Article source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boston-scientific-and-philips-healthcare-announce-collaboration-to-enhance-imaging-equipment-offering-151356675.html

Boston Scientific and Philips Healthcare Announce Collaboration to Enhance … NATICK and ANDOVER, Mass., May 14, 2012 — /PRNewswire/ – Boston...
Boston Scientific and Philips Healthcare Announce Collaboration to Enhance … NATICK and ANDOVER, Mass., May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/...
Does Boston Scientific’s CEO Pick Mark a Ceasefire With J&J? Deal Journal’s colleagues over at Health Blog filed this dispatch...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Boston Scientific and Philips Healthcare Announce Collaboration to Enhance …

CLT Staff — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:21:00 +0000

NATICK and ANDOVER, Mass., May 14, 2012 — /PRNewswire/ – Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) and Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) announced a collaboration enabling Philips to sell Boston Scientific Imaging equipment in connection with its Allura Xper™ catheterization (cath) lab systems in territories throughout the world.

About Boston Scientific Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices that are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties. For more information, please visit: www.bostonscientific.com.

About Royal Philips Electronics Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 122,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 22.6 billion in 2011, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like “anticipate,” “expect,” “project,” “believe,” “plot,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar words. These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and estimates using information available to us at the time and are not intended to be guarantees of future events or performance. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding the collaboration between Boston Scientific and Philips, new technologies and products, business strategy and product performance and effects. If our underlying assumptions turn out to be incorrect, or if certain risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. These factors, in some cases, have affected and in the future (together with other factors) could affect our ability to implement our business strategy and may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements expressed in this press release. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Boston Scientific Corporation

Article source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/14/4488168/boston-scientific-and-philips.html

Boston Scientific and Philips Healthcare Announce Collaboration to Enhance … NATICK and ANDOVER, Mass., May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/...
Does Boston Scientific’s CEO Pick Mark a Ceasefire With J&J? Deal Journal’s colleagues over at Health Blog filed this dispatch...
Philips releases Xper Flex Cardio Physiomonitoring system for hemodynamic … WHAT: Philips Healthcare announced the release of the Xper Flex...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Boston Scientific and Philips Healthcare Announce Collaboration to Enhance …

CLT Staff — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:20:59 +0000

NATICK and ANDOVER, Mass., May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –
Boston Scientific Corporation

/quotes/zigman/220154/quotes/nls/bsx BSX
-1.44%

and Royal Philips Electronics

/quotes/zigman/264418/quotes/nls/phg PHG
+0.22%

(aex:PHI) announced a collaboration enabling Philips to sell Boston Scientific Imaging equipment in connection with its Allura Xper(TM) catheterization (cath) lab systems in territories throughout the world.

The Boston Scientific iLab(TM) Ultrasound Imaging System serves as a versatile platform for utilizing Boston Scientific’s imaging catheters. The iLab System features exceptional image quality and allows physicians the ability to choose from a variety of imaging catheters for coronary, peripheral and intracardiac applications. The iLab System is compatible and can be integrated with all major X-ray systems including the Philips Allura Xper system. This agreement gives Philips the ability to offer customers an integrated imaging solution that is compatible with current and next-generation Boston Scientific imaging catheters.

About Boston Scientific Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices that are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties. For more information, please visit:
www.bostonscientific.com .

About Royal Philips Electronics Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands

/quotes/zigman/264418/quotes/nls/phg PHG
+0.22%

(aex:PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 122,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 22.6 billion in 2011, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at
www.philips.com/newscenter .

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like “anticipate,” “expect,” “project,” “believe,” “plot,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar words. These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and estimates using information available to us at the time and are not intended to be guarantees of future events or performance. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding the collaboration between Boston Scientific and Philips, new technologies and products, business strategy and product performance and effects. If our underlying assumptions turn out to be incorrect, or if certain risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. These factors, in some cases, have affected and in the future (together with other factors) could affect our ability to implement our business strategy and may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements expressed in this press release. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements.

Factors that may cause such differences include, among other things: future economic, competitive, reimbursement and regulatory conditions; new product introductions; demographic trends; intellectual property; litigation; financial market conditions; and future business decisions made by us and our competitors. All of these factors are hard or impossible to predict accurately and many of them are beyond our control. For a further list and description of these and other vital risks and uncertainties that may affect our future operations, see Part I, Item 1A – Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we may update in Part II, Item 1A – Risk Factors in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q we have filed or will file hereafter. We disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which those expectations may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this document.


        CONTACT: Steven Campanini
                 508-652-5740 (office)
                 Media Relations
                 Boston Scientific Corporation
                 steven.campanini@bsci.com
                 Sean Findlen
                 617-520-7268 (office)
                 Media Relations
                 Weber Shandwick
                 sfindlen@webershandwick.com
                 Sean Wirtjes
                 508-652-5305 (office)
                 investor_relations@bsci.com
                 Investor Relations
                 Boston Scientific Corporation
                 Ian Race
                 978-659-4624 (office)
                 Philips Healthcare
                 ian.race@philips.com

SOURCE Boston Scientific Corporation

/quotes/zigman/220154/quotes/nls/bsx

Add to portfolio

BSX

/quotes/zigman/264418/quotes/nls/phg

Add to portfolio

PHG

/quotes/zigman/264418/quotes/nls/phg

Add to portfolio

PHG

Article source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/boston-scientific-and-philips-healthcare-announce-collaboration-to-enhance-imaging-equipment-offering-2012-05-14

Does Boston Scientific’s CEO Pick Mark a Ceasefire With J&J? Deal Journal’s colleagues over at Health Blog filed this dispatch...
St. Jude Medical Expands Hospital Access to Wireless Fractional Flow Reserve … ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov 08, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) – St....
Philips releases Xper Flex Cardio Physiomonitoring system for hemodynamic … WHAT: Philips Healthcare announced the release of the Xper Flex...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Should we ask more questions about invasive heart procedures? – Sarasota Herald

CLT Staff — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:20:58 +0000

My father was diagnosed with heart failure about three years before he died in December, at the age of 85. It’s supposed to be a relatively gentle, peaceful way to go — but my father had other thoughts.

In the summer before his death he questioned for, and easily obtained at a taxpayer cost of at least $10,000, an invasive procedure to clear a blockage and insert a stent in a vessel near his heart. He survived the angioplasty — after giving his doctor instructions not to revive him if his heart stopped in the cath lab — but the interventional cardiologist who showed my mother and me the angiogram results simply shook his head at the number of other vessels that were hurt beyond repair.

My father left the hospital firmly believing his life had been saved.

But by the end of the summer, after more hospitalizations, he had found a way to joke about his own mortality. “I know this has to be the last year of my life,” he liked to say, “because Medicare patients always cost the most money in the last years of their lives.”

Last week the Yale University School of Medicine released results of a study finding that hospitals that perform expensive, invasive cardiovascular procedures on a disproportionate number of patients are more costly for all heart failure patients. An average hospital stay for heart failure patients who never even saw the inside of the cath lab cost $5,259 at hospitals that performed few invasive cardiac procedures, and $6,965 at hospitals that did a lot of them.

It appears to be based on a simple economic formula: Once a hospital invests in costly technology and personnel to support a cardiac catheterization lab, that hospital will find more occasions to use those resources.

“This study highlights that the high cost of high-procedure hospitals is not only the result of doing more invasive procedures,” said lead author Serene I. Chen. “Instead, it may be that hospitals that have an intensive style of practice — those that do more procedures — also do more of everything else, such as imaging studies, medication administration, and laboratory testing, even for heart failure patients who are medically managed.”

I know that nobody likes the word “rationing” when it comes to health care spending, especially when our own loved ones are involved. But it seems to me that the word “rational” has to enter the public conversation at some point — the sooner, the better.

Article source: http://health.heraldtribune.com/2012/05/14/should-we-ask-more-questions-about-invasive-heart-procedures/

Doctors Hospital downplays concerns over its new heart procedures – Sarasota Herald Doctors Hospital of Sarasota plans to start angioplasty and stenting...
How do you know if it’s a heart attack? – Sarasota Herald If you reckon you are having a heart attack, don’t...
Peace River Regional to open $25 million heart center – Sarasota Herald Peace River Regional Medical Center in Port Charlotte plans a...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.