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Updated AFib Guidelines Recommend NOACs to Prevent Stroke in AFib Patients

January 31, 2019

Highlights From JACC

Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) – including dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban – are now recommended as the preferred alternative to warfarin for reducing the risk of stroke associated with atrial fibrillation (AFib), unless patients have moderate-to-severe mitral stenosis or a mechanical heart valve, according to the 2019 AHA/ACC/HRS Focused Update of the 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation released Jan. 28 by the ACC, American Heart Association and Heart Rhythm Society and simultaneously published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Valentine

Joint-ACC-ASE-Presidents-Message-on-Advocating-Together-to-Provide-Quality-Care

December 7, 2018

In a joint President's Message published Dec. 3 in the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography, ACC President C. Michael Valentine, MD, FACC, and American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) President Jonathan R. Lindner, MD, FACC, FASE, discuss the benefits of greater cooperation between the different societies in cardiology to provide a unified message on quality patient care.

ACC Information Graphic

DOAC Dosing For AFib Infographic Now Available

October 15, 2018

Featured Infographic

Inappropriate dosing of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is not uncommon in treating patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib). To that end, the College has created an infographic to provide information on how clinicians should appropriately dose DOACs.

Cardiology Magazine, Sept. 2018

Electrophysiology Section | The September Issue of Cardiology, YOUR Member Magazine, is Live! Read it All Online!

September 21, 2018

Highlights From Cardiology Magazine

The September 2018 issue of Cardiology, YOUR member magazine, is now live! Cardiology provides cardiovascular professionals with comprehensive clinical, professional and health policy news; feature-length articles on the top trends and innovations in cardiovascular medicine; expert commentary from leaders in the cardiovascular field; quick-read summaries of the latest research from the JACC Journals and other major cardiovascular journals; profiles of ACC members, like you; and so much more!

ACC.19 Update

ACC Members, ACC.19 Registration is Now Open!

September 12, 2018

ACC Annual Scientific Session 2019

ACC.19 registration is NOW OPEN exclusively for ACC members. Nonmember registration will open Wednesday, Sept. 26. Register early for the lowest rates and best selection of hotel rooms!

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JACC CV Health Promotion Series Address Top 8 Risk Factors

September 7, 2018

Highlights From JACC

A series of eight state-of-the-art reviews is now publishing in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). One review is publishing each week, examining the top risk factors affecting the cardiovascular health of patients: diet, tobacco, lipid control/cholesterol, blood pressure, psychological health, weight, physical activity and blood sugar.

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ACC EP Council Looks at Promising Future For His Bundle Pacing

August 17, 2018

His bundle pacing may have significant potential for future applications in patients who are traditional candidates for right ventricular pacing, as well as cardiac resynchronization therapy, according to a council perspective from ACC's Electrophysiology Section Leadership Council published Aug. 13 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Cardiology Magazine August 2018

Electrophysiology Section | The August Issue of Cardiology, YOUR Member Magazine, is Live! Read it All Online!

August 16, 2018

Highlights From Cardiology Magazine

The August 2018 issue of Cardiology, YOUR member magazine, is now live! Cardiology provides cardiovascular professionals with comprehensive clinical, professional and health policy news; feature-length articles on the top trends and innovations in cardiovascular medicine; expert commentary from leaders in the cardiovascular field; quick-read summaries of the latest research from the JACC Journals and other major cardiovascular journals; profiles of ACC members, like you; and so much more!

Pacemaker

Electrophysiology Without Borders

August 7, 2018

Although complications can occur, Fellows in Training (FITs) and Early Career cardiologists may benefit from involving themselves in the subfield of “humanitarian electrophysiology” at home and abroad, according to an FIT/Early Career column published July 30 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Geoffrey Rubin, MD, describes his experiences training abroad and notes that it is eye-opening to leave the comfort zone and daily routines of a resource-laden U.S. medical center, especially for training physicians. MORE...

Member Benefits

Two Newest JACC Journals Now on PubMed, PubMed Central

April 13, 2018

JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology has been accepted for full indexing in PubMed, a free, online archive powered by the National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine (NIH/NLM). The database comprises more than 28 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals and online books.

Member Benefits

JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology Now on PubMed

April 13, 2018

JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology has been accepted for full indexing in PubMed, a free, online archive powered by the National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine. The database comprises more than 28 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals and online books.

Member Benefits

ACC Provides New Analysis, Guidance on CMS ICD Determination

April 13, 2018

The ACC recently provided an analysis regarding the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) new national coverage determination (NCD) policy governing implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation for Medicare fee-for-service patients. The new NCD, released by CMS mid-February, includes developments in several areas – including shared decision-making, clinical indications and data collection – that ACC members should consider.

Meetings

Hear From the Experts on the Hottest Trials From AHA 2017

November 22, 2017

In the latest ACC Cardiology Hour, Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC, is joined by Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, FACC; Rachel J. Lampert, MD, FACC; Prediman K. Shah, MD, MACC; and Chadwick W. Stouffer, MD, in a roundtable discussion of the hottest trials from AHA 2017 in Anaheim, CA. Among the trials discussed are DACAB, CANVAS, EXSCEL, POISE-2 and more.

Member Benefits

New Guidelines Focus on Ventricular Arrhythmias, Sudden Cardiac Death Prevention

November 2, 2017

The ACC, along with the American Heart Association and the Heart Rhythm Society, have published new guidelines for the treatment of adult patients with ventricular arrhythmias (VA) or who are at risk for sudden cardiac death. The new guidelines replace the 2006 ACC/AHA/SC Guidelines for Management of Patients With Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death and provide recommendations regarding general evaluation of patients with documented or suspected VA; treatments, therapies and prevention of VA; acute management of specific VA; and VA in the structurally normal heart.

Member Benefits

Complete RUC Surveys to Help ACC

October 20, 2017

Surveys assessing the physician work necessary to perform (1) leadless pacemaker implantation and explantation, (2) pulmonary wireless monitor implantation and management and (3) pediatric thermodilution studies are being distributed to members throughout the month of October. If you are randomly selected and receive a survey, please take 15 – 30 minutes to thoughtfully complete it. Annual updates to the physician work relative values are based on recommendations from the Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC).

Meetings

Join the EP Council in Participating in AFib Awareness Month!

September 14, 2017

The College’s EP Section Leadership Council and CardioSmart in partnership with the Global Atrial Fibrillation Alliance invite you to assist in raising awareness during Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month this September! If you are interested in organizing an event at your institution or in your city, the EP Council and GAFA volunteers created a set of several PowerPoint presentations on a variety of topics related to AFib, including lifestyle modifications, medication, stroke, sleep apnea and others.

Join Us

Apply for ACC’s Membership Committee by Sept. 22

September 13, 2017

In conjunction with the ACC Committee Nominations cycle, the College’s Membership Committee is now accepting applications through Sept. 22. The Membership Committee was established as part of the 2015 College’s governance transformation and serves as standing committee of the College, reporting directly to the Board of Trustees.

Cardiology August 2017

The August 2017 Issue of Cardiology, ACC's Flagship Member Magazine, is LIVE!

August 21, 2017

The August 2017 issue of Cardiology, ACC’s flagship member magazine, is now live! Cardiology provides cardiovascular professionals with comprehensive clinical, professional and health policy news; feature-length articles on the top trends and innovations in cardiovascular medicine; expert commentary from leaders in the cardiovascular field; quick-read summaries of the latest research from the JACC Journals and other major cardiovascular journals; profiles of ACC members, like you; and so much more!

Member Benefits

Get JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology in the Format That Fits Your Needs

July 28, 2017

ACC members have numerous ways to stay up to date on the practice-changing science published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. The journal publishes the latest developments and state-of-the-art clinical research in epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias 12 times per year.

Member Benefits

Comments Needed: Draft Lifelong Learning Statement for Clinical EP Specialists

July 26, 2017

The ACC is seeking public comments on the ACC/HRS Lifelong Learning Statement for Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology (CCEP) Specialists. The statement builds on the  2015 Advanced Training Statement on CCEP to identify the lifelong learning competencies for CCEP specialists, similar, though not identical to the competencies for advanced training.

Member Benefits

LAAO Registry Now Open For Research Proposal Applications

July 25, 2017

The LAAO Registry research and publications subcommittee is now accepting research proposal applications (RPAs) for hypothesis-driven research studies that employ the baseline data collected in the registry. To be considered during this initial review cycle, investigators should submit their RPAs by noon ET on Oct. 16, 2017.

Cardiology Magazine, July 2017

The July 2017 Issue of Cardiology, ACC's Flagship Member Magazine, is LIVE!

July 20, 2017

The July 2017 issue of Cardiology, ACC’s flagship member magazine, is now live! Cardiology provides cardiovascular professionals with comprehensive clinical, professional and health policy news; feature-length articles on the top trends and innovations in cardiovascular medicine; expert commentary from leaders in the cardiovascular field; quick-read summaries of the latest research from the JACC Journals and other major cardiovascular journals; profiles of ACC members, like you; and so much more!

Meetings

Call For Applications: Annual Scientific Session Vice Chair

July 20, 2017

The ACC is seeking qualified candidates to serve as vice chair of the Annual Scientific Session for a two-year term of office for ACC.19 and ACC.20, moving on to assume another two-year term as chair of ACC.21 and ACC.22.

Member Benefits

ACC Comments on Medicare Coverage For ICDs

July 11, 2017

Last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began the information collection process to update the national coverage determination (NCD) governing ICD implants.

Cardiology

The June 2017 Issue of Cardiology, ACC's Flagship Member Magazine, is LIVE!

June 27, 2017

The June 2017 issue of Cardiology, ACC’s flagship member magazine, is now live! Cardiology provides cardiovascular professionals with comprehensive clinical, professional and health policy news; feature-length articles on the top trends and innovations in cardiovascular medicine; expert commentary from leaders in the cardiovascular field; quick-read summaries of the latest research from the JACC Journals and other major cardiovascular journals; profiles of ACC members, like you; and so much more!

Join Us

Submit Comments on Draft Practice Guidelines For Procedural Moderate Sedation and Analgesia

April 25, 2017

The American Society of Anesthesiologists, in collaboration with the ACC, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Radiology, American Dental Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists, is seeking comments on their early draft of the Practice Guidelines for Procedural Moderate Sedation and Analgesia.

Join Us

Advances in Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices 2016

April 14, 2017

A recent Expert Analysis, authored by Yong-Mei Cha, MD, FACC; Byron Kwock Lee, MD, FACC; and Mina K. Chung, MD, FACC, members of ACC’s Electrophysiology (EP) Section Leadership Council, examines advances in cardiac implantable electric devices (CIEDs) in 2016, including pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), cardiac resynchronization therapy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible CIEDs, CIED implant complications and battery recalls.

Leonard S. Dreifus, MD, MACC

In Memoriam: ACC Past President Leonard S. Dreifus, MD, MACC

April 14, 2017

ACC Past President Leonard S. Dreifus, MD, MACC, passed away on March 30 at the age of 92 in his home in Florida. Dreifus and his wife, Seline, are well-known for their philanthropic work, especially the gracious donation of the "Man Helping Man" sculpture installed at Heart House in Washington, DC.

ACC.17

This Saturday: All-Section Meeting & Reception at ACC.17

March 14, 2017

Attending ACC.17? Join us for the All-Section Meeting & Reception at ACC.17! The event happening THIS Saturday, March 18, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis will give you a chance to learn more about what ACC's 19+ Member Sections are working to accomplish and to connect with members in your specialty or interest areas.

Join Us

Medicare Coverage For Leadless Pacemakers

March 3, 2017

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a national coverage determination for leadless pacemakers. Responding to comments submitted by the ACC, in collaboration with the Heart Rhythm Society and the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions, CMS finalized coverage that includes leadless pacemakers implanted in accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved label indications in prospective longitudinal studies.

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ACC Submits Comments on CMS Leadless Pacemaker Coverage Determination

December 21, 2016

The ACC, in collaboration with the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) and Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recommending changes to its draft national coverage determination for use of leadless pacemakers.

Data

ICD/CRT Appropriate Use Criteria App

November 4, 2016

The ICD/CRT Appropriate Use Criteria App provides decision and documentation support for clinicians assessing the suitability of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Join Us

Keep Up on the Latest Discoveries From JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology

November 4, 2016

Discover original research and in-depth analysis with JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. Increasing to 12 publications a year in 2017, the journal covers all aspects of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Get on-the-go highlights with in-depth audio summary recorded by Editor-in-Chief David Wilber, MD, FACC.

Cardiology Magazine

Electrophysiology: A “Poster Child” For Advanced Training

July 6, 2016

The Spring issue of Cardiology magazine, examines the broader implications of the Advanced Training Statement for clinical electrophysiology (EP) released by the ACC, American Heart Association and the Heart Rhythm Society in September 2015. In a recent Leadership Page in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, Kristen K. Patton, MD, FACC, a member of the Electrophysiology Section Leadership Council, explains that “a major immediate effect...

JACC Cover

Performance, Quality Measures Updated For Treating AFib

July 5, 2016

Updated clinical performance and quality measures for treating adult patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) or atrial flutter have been expanded to include the inpatient setting, and now address care domains that were not previously included, such as patient safety, effective clinical care, communication and care coordination. The updated measure set was released June 27 by the ACC and the American Heart Association, and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology....

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Watch JACC Grand Rounds Video Highlights From HRS 2016

June 9, 2016

David Wilber, MD, FACC, editor in chief of JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, and other experts explore the hottest electrophysiology research and trends presented during the Heart Rhythm Society’s 37th Annual Scientific Sessions (HRS 2016) in San Francisco, CA, in a series of video interviews. Read more >>>

Meetings

ACC/AHA Task Force Seeks Comment on Sudden Cardiac Death Measure Set

February 25, 2016

The ACC/AHA Task Force on Performance Measures has developed a prevention of sudden cardiac death measure set. The Task Force is seeking public comments on the measure set. Before completing the survey, please review the draft prevention of sudden cardiac measure set. To provide comments, please access the survey here. If you need to exit the survey before you have finished commenting, you can save your responses and return to the survey later.

Meetings

Share Your Opinion About JACC Audio Summaries

February 25, 2016

Audio summaries from Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) Editor-in-Chief Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC, and JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology Editor-in-Chief David Wilber, MD, FACC, are interactive features offered by the journals. Fuster, Wilber and the JACC journals team want to hear from you about these summaries in order to make them even better.

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ACC Launches LAAO Registry to Track Use, Results of New Stroke Prevention Technology in AFib Patients

January 8, 2016

The ACC has launched a new LAAO Registry to capture data on a new class of medical devices used in left atrial appendage occlusion procedures, which will help assess real-world procedural indications and outcomes as well as short- and long-term safety of procedures and devices for closing the left atrial appendage. The registry will serve not only as the formal U.S. Food and Drug Administration-mandated post-approval study for the WATCHMAN device, but it is also expected to serve as a long-term clinical registry for all patients undergoing occlusion of the left atrial appendage, regardless of the device used.

Best of ACC.org

Best of ACC.org: Electrophysiologist Outlines Extended Training Program Changes

December 3, 2015

Since its inception as an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-approved sub-subspecialty training program in 1992, clinical cardiac electrophysiology (CCEP) has continued to evolve in both scope and complexity. At present, electrophysiology trainees complete a one-year specialty program, in addition to the requisite three years of general cardiology. However, as CCEP and the cardiovascular field have continued to evolve, this one-year program has seemed increasingly short.

Journal of the American College of Cardiology

ACC Council Addresses Management of Arrhythmia-Induced Cardiomyopathies

October 23, 2015

Early recognition of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathies results in symptom resolution for patients, according to a Council Perspective from the ACC’s Electrophysiology Council published Oct. 5 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The Council notes that in managing patients with arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy, clinicians should focus on eliminating the arrhythmia with catheter ablation and “attempt careful and aggressive control of rate and rhythm.”

Hospital

ACC Public Reporting Opportunity Now Available For CathPCI Registry and ICD Registry Hospitals

October 20, 2015

All hospitals participating in the NCDR’s CathPCI Registry and/or ICD Registry now have the opportunity to review and voluntarily report their results on several registry-specific measures. Hospitals that choose to participate in this effort will have their rating posted on CardioSmart.org starting in late October or early November. The ACC is encouraging eligible hospitals to take advantage of this opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to transparency and quality improvement.

Maintenance of Certification

ABIM Eliminates ‘Double Jeopardy’ MOC Requirement

July 1, 2015

In response to input provided by the ACC and other cardiology specialty societies (SCAI, HRS and HFSA) around the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM’s) new requirements for Maintenance of Certification (MOC), the ABIM today announced it is eliminating the requirement to maintain underlying certification in a foundational discipline in order to remain certified in a subspecialty. The ABIM Council unanimously passed the proposal to eliminate this “double jeopardy” provision, noting it was clearly an important topic to the internal medicine community.

FDA Update

Updated Pacemaker Implantation Coding Requirements

June 22, 2015

Consistent with the updated national coverage determination that took effect in 2013, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued updated coding requirements that take effect next month. Starting July 6, claims for these services will only be processed when the KX modifier is included on the claim line as attestation by the provider of the service that documentation is on file verifying the patient has non-reversible symptomatic bradycardia due to sinus node dysfunction, second degree and/or third degree AV block.

Metabolic

Study Looks at Obesity and AFib Risk

May 29, 2015

Increases in body mass index (BMI) may significantly raise the risk of incident, post-operative and post-ablation atrial fibrillation (AFib) according to a recent study published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. The researchers, led by Christopher X. Wong, MBBS, MSc, from the Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute at the University of Adelaide and the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Adelaide, Australia, examined data from 51 studies including 626,603 participants.