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.

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and its associated leads viewed on a X-ray. Old leads are often abandon in veins and new ones added, but a new study of 1 million patients at ACC22 showed there is higher mortality if a device becomes infected and the leads are left behind. Image from RSNA.

VIDEO: Lowering mortality rates from infected EP implantable cardiac devices

Sean Pokorney, MD, director of the arrhythmia core lab, Duke Clinical Research Institute, assistant professor of Medicine, Duke University, discusses a late-breaking ACC 2022 study that shows mortality is higher in patients with implantable electrophysiology (EP) device infections where the leads are not explanted.

April 11, 2022

Smartwatch app accurately detects atrial fibrillation in large Chinese study

A Chinese study of 2.8 million participants found that 94% of users flagged for AFib indeed have the heart rhythm disorder.

April 11, 2022

Interventional cardiologists performing PCI

Is PCI without stenting safe for low-risk STEMI patients?

The study's authors examined data from the DANAMI-3 trial, focusing on such outcomes as all-cause mortality, recurrent MI and target vessel revascularization.

April 8, 2022

A late-breaking study at ACC.22 showed differences in COVID-positive heart attack patients between 2020 and 2021. #ACC22 #ACC2022

VIDEO: Vaccines boosted survival among STEMI heart attack patients with COVID-19

Santiago Garcia, MD, lead author of the study and director of the structural heart program at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, presented new data from the North American COVID-19 STEMI (NACMI) registry at ACC.22. Severity of heart attacks were reduced in vaccinated patients, with zero deaths in vaccinated patients in 2021.

April 8, 2022

Researchers are using an intra-atrial shunt to lower pressures between the upper chambers of the heart to relieve symptoms in HFpEF heart failure patients. The novel Noya device uses an RF ablation to cut a hole into the septum and then enlarge it using a stent that can then be removed from the body after the procedure.

Researchers share first human data on new interventional shunt procedure for HFpEF

The first-in-man study, completed by a team of cardiologists in China, included 10 patients presenting with HFpEF.

April 7, 2022

The mitral valve visualized by a a GE NuVision 4D intra-cardiac echo (ICE) catheter a life-like surgical rendering technology on the Vivid E95 cardiac ultrasound system. The catheter was co-developed with Biosense Webster to perform EP procedures. It also can be used in place of TEE in structural heart procedures to eliminate the need for an interventional echocardiography. #ACC22

Photo Gallery: ACC 2022 in pictures

Click through a wide variety of snapshots from ACC.22 in Washington, D.C.

April 7, 2022

While a vast majority of heart transplants in the United States are successful, unplanned hospitalizations after the procedures are still incredibly common. Top 10 reasons for readmission after heart transplant.

PCI vs. CABG for left main disease: Key takeaways from a new meta-analysis

Researchers explored data from five different randomized controlled trials, publishing their analysis in the American Journal of Cardiology.

April 5, 2022

Abbott’s Aveir single-chamber (VR) leadless pacemaker FDA approval for treating patients with bradycardia. Image courtesy of Abbott.

Abbott’s single-chamber leadless pacemaker gains FDA approval

Another single-chamber leadless pacemaker has officially hit the market.

April 5, 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