Innovation is the topic du jour among lawmakers and others lately. Recently the co-chairs of the House Medical Technology Caucus, Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), held a briefing on Treating Cardiovascular Disease: Advancements in Medical Technology Innovation. A panel of experts shared examples of many ways in which cardiovascular technology innovation is changing the industry and the way health care is delivered.

Mayo Clinic was featured for being on the cutting edge of education and research, spending $421 million in these areas in 2011 alone. Mayo’s 2020 vision, “Mayo Everywhere,” involves engaging technology to impact patient care globally.  For example, instead of bringing patients to Rochester, MN for treatment, Mayo is focused on delivering affordable health care to their patients wherever they live using home monitoring and other technological approaches that foster mobility and independence.

Industry representatives were also on hand to describe the latest innovations stemming from extensive cardiovascular research and development. The Edwards Lifesciences’ SAPIEN Transcatheter Heart Valve, which recently received FDA approval, was an obvious example (read more about transcatheter valve therapy here). The MitraClip, a Mitral Valve Repair System that EVEREST II deemed safe for patients with moderate to severe mitral regurgitation, was touted as another impactful innovation that is currently in FDA review.

Meanwhile, it was noted that while the U.S. has been a strong force in medical technology, China, Brazil, India and other countries are surpassing us in the innovation arena due to the structure of current U.S. policies.  Rep. Eshoo, a long-time champion for technology and innovation, stressed the need for the U.S. to regain its status as the leader in medical advancement and set the gold standard for the world. She echoed the need for transforming the FDA and other agencies into innovation drivers, versus hindrances, and encouraged her congressional colleagues to visit technology companies in order to gain a first-hand perspective of the impact they have on the medical system.

This focus on innovation provides a great opportunity for the College to showcase our leadership and expertise when it comes to cardiovascular advances both in the past and moving forward.  Our work on TAVR is the most recent example. Hopefully this will be the new paradigm moving forward working with the FDA, CMS and our fellow specialty societies.

In addition innovative programs like Hospital to Home and D2B are already contributing to major gains in reducing cardiovascular hospital readmissions and D2B times, respectively. Other programs like PINNACLE, FOCUS and SMARTCare are well on their way.

We have a lot to be proud of. We’ll be showcasing a lot of this innovation and exploring what cardiovascular care might look like in a number of sessions and activities at ACC.12 for those of you headed to Chicago this month. Definitely plan to check out the Heart of Innovation Featured Learning Destination during the Expo, which is specifically designed to showcase the continuum of advances in cardiovascular innovation and provide a unique glimpse of what the future can be. It’s truly amazing.