Arizona cardiology group to pay $4.75M over unnecessary vein procedures; 3D-printed bandage to help heal chronic wounds; VR may reduce anxiety before medical procedures – Morning Medical Update

Arizona cardiology group to pay $4.75M over unnecessary vein procedures

Tri-City Cardiology, a Phoenix-area physician group, along with three individual physicians, have agreed to pay $4.75 million to resolve allegations they performed medically unnecessary vein ablations and billed federal health programs for the procedures. The Department of Justice (DOJ) said the physicians conducted ablations on perforator veins that did not meet accepted medical standards between 2017 and 2022, allegedly altering or misreporting details in medical records — including vein measurements, blood flow duration and patient symptoms — to justify the treatments. Federal officials said unnecessary procedures drain resources from Medicare and other programs, while the settlement resolves the allegations without a determination of liability.

3D-printed bandage designed to heal chronic wounds

Researchers at the University of Mississippi have developed a customizable 3D-printed wound scaffold designed to help treat chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers and pressure sores. The breathable patch, described in the European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, uses chitosan, a biodegradable material derived from crustaceans, insects and fungi, combined with plant-based antimicrobial compounds to promote skin regeneration, reduce inflammation and limit infection risk without relying on long-term antibiotics. Because the scaffold can be printed to match the exact size and shape of a wound, researchers say the technology could offer personalized treatment options and potentially be produced in remote settings such as military field environments. The biodegradable material gradually absorbs into the body, eliminating the need for removal procedures. Further testing and regulatory review will be required before the device can reach clinical use.

VR may reduce anxiety before medical procedures

A new study presented at the European Association of Urology Congress (EAU26) suggests virtual reality (VR) could help patients better understand medical procedures and reduce anxiety before treatment. Researchers at University Hospital Southampton tested a VR-based explanation for shockwave lithotripsy, a common noninvasive treatment for kidney stones, allowing patients to explore a virtual operating room and watch a 3D demonstration of the procedure. Among 150 participants aged 22 to 80, patients reported improved understanding of the procedure and lower anxiety levels after the VR experience, with the strongest effects seen in adults 65 and older. Researchers say the technology could help address widespread health literacy challenges and improve the informed consent process, though they emphasize VR should complement, not replace, discussions with clinicians.