News in brief: TAVI outcomes acceptable in high risk patients; Cardiac Service MBS item changes introduced; CSANZ launches mobile app

Medicopolitical

8 Jul 2021

TAVI outcomes acceptable in high risk patients

Australian data shows TAVI is producing acceptable medium term outcomes even in high-risk elderly patients.

The study of 186 patients receiving first and second generation devices at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital between 2009 – 2015 found an 85% survival rate at two years and 56% at five years.

The investigators said their results were consistent with other series of high risk TAVI patients and with a large meta-analysis of more than 13,000 patients.

However there was a trend for worsening haemodynamics that needs to be monitored closely, particularly for the ES and ESXT prostheses.

The study found median survival time was significantly greater in patients with creatinine <200 mmol/L compared to >200 mmol/L (68.8 v 48.0 months).

Heart, Lung and Circulation


Cardiac Service MBS item changes introduced

Revised MBS items for cardiac services have come into effect from 1 July 2021 based on recommendations from the MBS Review Taskforce.

According to Medicare, the changes relate to a range of cardiac surgical and imaging services and include updates to item descriptors, combining similar surgical procedures, introducing items that represent a complete medical service, incentivising advanced techniques, removal of procedures that no longer represent best practice, and reducing low value angiography and coronary artery stenting by aligning the items with appropriate use criteria.

The selective coronary angiography items changes are modelled on claiming a single item based on inclusion criteria and vessel complexity. There is consolidation of item for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) into a single item.

Cardiac surgery item changes relate to Implanted Cardiac Devices (pacemakers, defibrillators, ECG loop recorders & cardiac resynchronisation devices)

There are also amendment to exercise ECG stress testing, echocardiography items and myocardial perfusion scans (MPS) items.


CSANZ launches mobile app

The CSANZ has launched a mobile app for its members.

The app will provide access to resources such as guidelines and position statements as well as access to the Society’s journal Heart Lung and Circulation.

It also has engagement and discussion forums for member groups such as advanced trainees, allied health, sonographers and nurses and across interests such as clinical trials and genetics.

The app will also host member news and a member directory, and education as well as CSANZ scientific meeting presentations.

 

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