@drportnay

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Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Tort Reform, Tort Reform, Tort Reform. Where are thou?

Regional variation in cardiac cath rates linked to malpractice concern

Some surveyed cardiologists reported they order cardiac catheterization "frequently" or "sometimes" because of peer pressure or to avoid possible malpractice charges. Such concerns may partly explain...

For complete story visit theheart.org.


http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Theheartorg/~3/DTjB2rM9vm8/1067277.do

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2 comments:

  1. Michael Kirsch, M.D.April 15, 2010 at 7:23 AM

    27% of caths done for defensive purposes? Yikes! How many folks are carry stents for 'narrowed arteries' that would have never bothered them?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dr PortnayApril 15, 2010 at 6:13 PM

    I agree. Its scary to think what is possibly going on across the nation.

    I am a big believer in the science of physiologic assessment of coronary stenoses by using the Pressure Wire. When intermediate lesions with an FFR <0.8 (a 20% mmHg gradient across a stenosis) are stented, MACE is reduced significantly. Leaving lesions with FFR >0.8 alone, yields no significant increase in MACE.

    Thanks for following.

    ReplyDelete

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