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.

Same-day discharge for AFib ablation a success thanks to telehealth

The new analysis, presented during Heart Rhythm 2022, focused on patients treated at a high-volume facility during the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 2, 2022

A late-breakling study session at the 2022 Heart Rhythm DSociety (HRS) conference. Here is a list of all the late breaking studies at #HeartRhythm22

Links to the late-breaking studies at Heart Rhythm 2022

Heart Rhythm 2022, held from April 28 to May 1 in San Francisco, included a wide range of studies presented by some of the industry's leading specialists.

May 2, 2022

Study urges radiologists to report CAC findings on all chest CTs, regardless of clinical indication

Although current guidelines recommend radiologists evaluate CAC on all non-gated, non-contrast chest CT scans, the authors of the study note that these guidelines are not consistently followed.

May 2, 2022

STROKE AF study shows insertable cardiac monitors detect 4 times more AFib than Holter monitoring

New data from the STROKE AF clinical trial shows large and small vessel ischemic stroke patients who receive short-term or intermittent monitoring with Holter and 30-day external monitors had fewer AFib episodes detected that continuous implantable cardiac monitors.

April 29, 2022

Statin reduces risk for non-obstructive CAD patients but no significant risk reduction for aspirin

The results of a study published in Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging call into question the value of initiating aspirin therapy in certain instances.

April 29, 2022

Heartflow FFR-CT allows noninvasive assessment of a patient'c coronary arteries without the need for a diagnostic angiogram.

VIDEO: HeartFlow FFR-CT sees increased interest after inclusion in the 2021 Chest Pain Guidelines

HeartFlow’s non-invasive cardiac computed tomography derived fractional flow reserve (FFR-CT) technology enables FFR values for the entire coronary tree of a patient using just a CT scan. This can show the significance of any coronary plaque lesions and if a patient needs to be sent to the cath lab for revascularization, or if they can be treated medically.

April 28, 2022

The Linq and Linq II implantable cardiac monitors at ACC22.

VIDEO: How to implant a Linq implantable cardiac monitor

The Medtronic Linq and Linq II implantable cardiac monitors (ICM) have become some of the most popular ICM devices on the market, partly because they are easy to insert.

April 28, 2022

Illustration of a left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedure using a Watchman device. Image courtesy of Johns Hopkins Medicine. #LAA #LAAO

Same-day discharge after LAAO associated with strong outcomes, significant cost savings

A new analysis found that 30-day outcomes do not significantly change when LAAO patients go home the same day as their procedure.

April 28, 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