Cardiac Imaging

While cardiac ultrasound is the widely used imaging modality for heart assessments, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear imaging are also used and are often complimentary, each offering specific details about the heart other modalities cannot. For this reason the clinical question being asked often determines the imaging test that will be used.

Apple Watch AFib feature becomes first-ever digital tool approved by FDA to evaluate medical devices
Healthcare technology companies can now use AFib findings recorded by an Apple Watch to help demonstrate the effectiveness of their devices to the FDA.
Radial vs. femoral access during PCI: Real-world data show proof of a ‘sea change’ in cardiology
The use of radial access during PCI procedures is increasing throughout the United States, and new data presented at the SCAI's annual meeting suggest that could be beneficial for patients.
Cardiologists and surgeons perform world’s first robot-assisted TEER
A 62-year-old women presented with severe MR and recurrent heart failure episodes. Initial data suggest the procedure was a success.
FDA approves Abbott’s resorbable stent for BTK arteries
The bioresorbable stent, examined at length for the LIFE-BTK clinical trial, stays in place for up to three years before completely dissolving.
Confirmed: AFib ablation more beneficial for patients with HFrEF than those with HFpEF
Researchers explored data from nearly 2,500 AFib ablation patients, sharing their findings in JAMA Cardiology.

With the shortage, which pertains specifically to all formulations and concentrations of GE Healthcare’s Omnipaque (iohexol), expected to last until mid-June, several organizations have eluded that conservation efforts are of critical importance.#contrastshortage #CTcontrast #iodinatedcontrast

GE provides update on contrast media shortage

The COVID lockdowns at the Shanghai plant began on March 31, and although the plant there has since resumed operations, they are not yet at 100% capacity.

May 18, 2022

A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed at Intermountain Healthcare. Image from Intermountain Healthcare. Sex differences in TAVR one-year mortality.

TAVR vs. surgery: A new look at 1-year outcomes among moderate-risk patients with severe, symptomatic AS

All-cause mortality after one year was 4.6% for the TAVR group and 6.6% for the SAVR group

May 18, 2022

VIDEO: Cardiology getting more involved in pulmonary embolism response teams

Terry Bowers, MD, director of vascular medicine at Beaumont Hospital and national co-chair of the Pulmonary Embolism Research Collaborative (PERC), explains the trend toward creating pulmonary embolism (PE) response teams that include cardiology.

May 18, 2022

Renal denervation is associated with improved blood pressure (BP) control and a reduced risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, according to two late-breaking clinical trials presented at EuroPCR 2022 in Paris. Both clinical trials focused on three-year data related to Medtronic’s Symplicity Spyral Renal Denervation (RDN) System, which was designed to lower BP through the use of a curling catheter that ablates overactive nerves.

Renal denervation improves blood pressure control, lowers risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes

Two late-breaking clinical trials at EuroPCR 2022 in Paris focused on the potential benefits of renal denervation.

May 17, 2022

A comparison on the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy (left) with PET cardiac myocardial perfusion nuclear imaging exams (right). The cardiac diagnosis of the galactic heart is motion artifact. Black hole image from the EHT Collaboration

Cardiologist and ASNC president diagnoses the heart of the galaxy based on black hole imaging

The first image of the black hole at the heart of our Milky Way galaxy amazed the scientific community, but left cardiologists with questions about the true cardiac health of the galaxy.

May 16, 2022

ACC.22 kicked off on Saturday, April 2, in Washington, D.C.

VIDEO: Key technology trends in cardiology, as seen at ACC.22

American College of Cardiology President Edward T. A. Fry, MD, discusses his general takeaways on technology advances seen during ACC.22.

May 13, 2022

Medtronic’s more deliverable drug-eluting stent gains FDA approval

According to Medtronic, the Onyx Frontier DES features improved catheter flexibility and a lower crossing profile.

May 13, 2022

A key update: 1 year later, no signs of long-term heart damage among college athletes who had COVID-19

More than 3,500 college athletes with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis were included in the new study. The median follow-up period was more than one full year.

May 12, 2022

Around the web

Health Imaging

New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

Radiology Business

What does radiology have to do with climate change?

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

Cardiac Imaging

Apple Watch AFib feature becomes first-ever digital tool approved by FDA to evaluate medical devices

Radial vs. femoral access during PCI: Real-world data show proof of a ‘sea change’ in cardiology

Cardiologists and surgeons perform world’s first robot-assisted TEER

FDA approves Abbott’s resorbable stent for BTK arteries

Confirmed: AFib ablation more beneficial for patients with HFrEF than those with HFpEF

Around the web