ACC: American College of Cardiology

Should patients with moderately elevated levels of triglycerides be treated, even while cardiologists await the results of a trial that may provide a definitive answer?

The triple aim promised by healthcare reform-better quality care, greater patient satisfaction, at a lower cost-will play out procedure by procedure, as physicians find ways to deliver better care and find savings.

Evidence linking sugar-sweetened sodas to cardiovascular damage has been the subject of studies presented by the American Diabetes Association and even on 60 Minutes. Now, diet sodas are getting their turn.

Wendell Primus, PhD, the veteran legislative aide for US House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-California, got right to the point when he asked those gathered for the 63rd Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiologists if, so far, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was helping them, as opposed to their patients.

From a session called How to Navigate the Maze of Pharmacotherapy in Diabetes? to oral abstracts and posters, the relationship between cardiac risks and rising incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus received plenty of attention Saturday at the 63rd Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology, being held in Washington, DC.

Results from 3 phase 3 studies unveiled Saturday showed that investigational treatment for hyperlipidemia, evolocumab, significantly lowered low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, that the results were sustained over time, and that the drug was well-tolerated without neurological side effects that are of concern to US Food and Drug Administration.

The electronic health record (EHR) has been touted as a tool that has the power to improve the quality of patient care, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency in healthcare. At this year's American College of Cardiology 62nd Annual Scientific Session and Expo, information was presented from a study challenging that long-held belief.

Frederick Masoudi, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado, says there has been an increase in focus on outcomes. They allow for systems accountability and focus on patient care.

One of the more popular sessions at this year's American College of Cardiology 62nd Annual Scientific Session and Expo featured a discussion on regulatory oversight and the need for better protection of patients' interests.

Peter Berger, MD, Chairman of Cardiology and Co-Director of the Geisinger Heart & Vascular Institute, Director, Cardiovascular Center for Clinical Research at Geisinger Clinic, thinks the biggest challenges that physicians face when treating patients with acute coronary syndrome is individualizing treatment for patients.

Jeffrey Berger, MD, Assistant Professor, NYU Langone Medical Center, says that improving adherence of therapies in patients with acute coronary syndrome is a major goal.

Childhood obesity is an epidemic in the United States, and one that not only endangers the health of children, but also costs our healthcare system a great deal of time, money, and resources when considering the comorbid conditions that often present as a result.

Michael Farkouh, MD, Director of Clinical Trials and Associate Professor of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, says that there are many strategies to both prevent and control diabetes mellitus, but he notes that obesity prevention is key.

The American College of Cardiology 62nd Annual Scientific Session & Expo featured a daylong program on advances in pharmacology. One session in particular, "Pharmacologic Considerations with the New Oral Anticoagulants," focused on the importance of individualized therapy when it comes to selecting antithrombotic therapy for atrial fibrillation.

Readmissions are one of the many Achilles' heels of healthcare. Whether it is a failure in communication, problems with medication adherence, or an overall lack of quality healthcare delivery, readmissions cause many headaches within the system. Saturday at the American College of Cardiology 62nd Annual Scientific Session and Expo featured a discussion on successful transitions of care to help prevent readmissions.

Paul Hauptman, MD, Professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Health Management & Policy, School of Public Health, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, says that clinicians tend to focus on non-patient focused outcomes.

The Affordable Care Act has left many healthcare professionals pondering the future of healthcare delivery. This all-encompassing discussion has many layers; however, at the American College of Cardiology 62nd Annual Scientific Session and Expo, a panel of experts discussed some of the specific variables-such as the need for better data and a more prominent role for nurses-as they relate to healthcare delivery in this transitory time.

"There is often a disconnect between research and policy," said Harlan Krumholz, MD, Department of Internal Medicine/Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.