On the heels of the FDAs approval of Amyvid, Siemens Healthcare has applied for FDA 510(k) approval for syngo.PET Amyloid Plaque neurology quantification software. The software may be paired with Amyvid and Siemens biograph mCT PET/CT to comprise an integrated diagnostic imaging system for the detection of amyloid plaques in the living brain

Source: Siemens HealthcareLung cancer screening as an insurance benefit in high-risk populations could save thousands of lives with costs that compare favorably to other cancer screenings, and commercial insurers should consider the practice to be high-value coverage, according to an actuarial study published in the April issue of Health Affairs.

An FDA Advisory Panel is scheduled to decide whether to recommend approval of a new breast cancer screening indication for somov Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) System on April 11. If approved by the FDA, somov would be approved for use as an adjunct to mammography for women with dense breasts.

The American Heart Association (AHA) and the Society of Chest Pain Centers joined forces in September 2011 to improve the care of patients suffering from a STEMI. The AHA's Mission: Lifeline Heart Attack Referring/Receiving Center Accreditation program recognizes hospitals for their capability to treat heart attack patients.

The FDA has approved an expanded indication for Medtronic's cardiac resynchronization therapy with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (CRT-D) devices.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a lifeline to eligible professionals and group practices participating in the Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program Group Practice Reporting Option that werent successful e-prescribers in 2011, so they can avoid the 2013 eRx Incentive Program payment adjustment.

The most common treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and while the procedure has been shown to be effective at reducing cancer mortality, women undergoing BCS should be prepared for the possibility of future diagnostic mammograms and invasive breast procedures for as long as 10 years after surgery, according to research published online April 5 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

The FDA's advisory panel has proposed a review of Edward Lifesciences' premarket approval (PMA) application for its Edwards Sapien transcatheter heart valve on June 13. Edwards submitted a PMA application in April 2011 based on data from the high-risk cohort (Cohort A) of the PARTNER Trial, for approval of this therapy in the treatment of patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis who are at high risk for surgery.