BCBS.com: TEC Assessments

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:48:31 -0600

Depression is a serious psychiatric condition that sometimes does not respond to standard treatments such as medication and/or psychotherapy. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been studied in patients with depression. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted de novo marketing clearance for a specific TMS device for patients who have not responded to one adequate trial of antidepressant medication.

Cardiac Resynchronization - Therapy for Mild Heart Failure

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:48:31 -0600

Heart failure is common and rapidly increasing in incidence. It carries a poor prognosis, with an estimated 1-year mortality of 30???50% for patients with advanced disease. It is also associated with a high burden of illness, high resource utilization, and frequent hospitalizations. The current treatment for heart failure involves addressing the underlying cause(s), lifestyle modifications, and pharmacologic interventions. In the majority of cases, treatment is not curative but intended to ameliorate symptoms and improve function.

Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography in the Evaluation of Patients with Acute Chest Pain

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:48:31 -0600

No description available

Artificial Vertebral Disc Arthroplasty for Treatment of Degenerative Disease of the Cervical Spine

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:48:31 -0600

No description available

Special Report: Companion Diagnostics???Example of BRAF Gene Mutation Testing to Select Patients with Melanoma for Treatment with BRAF Kinase Inhibitors

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:48:31 -0600

No description available

Proton Beam Therapy for Prostate Cancer

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:48:31 -0600

No description available

Fractional Flow Reserve and Coronary Artery Revascularization

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:48:31 -0600

Deciding whether and when to revascularize atherosclerotic coronary arteries are subjects of controversy and some uncertainty. When revascularization is considered, evidence and guidelines recommend evaluating whether the lesion in question causes ischemia. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is used to measure the functional or ischemic consequences of obstruction to predict benefit from revascularization???which lesions to treat. Compared to noninvasive functional tests, the advantage of FFR is its vessel specificity and spatial resolution.

Special Report: Maintenance Therapy in Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:48:31 -0600

Lung cancer is the most frequently diagnosed major cancer in the world and the leading cause of worldwide cancer mortality. In 2010, in the U.S. alone, there were an estimated 221,000 cases and more than 157,000 deaths. More than 85% of cases are classified as non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a subgroup with unique biological, therapeutic, and prognostic features and that is identified most commonly (70% of cases) as advanced disease (i.e., stage III or IV).

Gene Expression Profiling as a Noninvasive Method to Monitor for Cardiac Allograft Rejection

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:48:31 -0600

No description available

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Schizophrenia

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:48:31 -0600

No description available