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.

A coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) scan assessment to show blockages in the arteries noninvasively for better risk assesments without needing to catheterize a patient. Image from the Canon Vitrea software.

One-stop CT, MR imaging: Future in diabetic care?

Quantifying body fat and other clinical factors in obese patients with diabetes using CT or magnetic resonance (MR) may help physicians detect and manage comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, according to a review published in the May issue of Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics. But is that enough to justify “one-stop shop” imaging?

May 15, 2013

Beaumont cardiologist Kavitha Chinnaiyan, M.D., receives excellence in research award

Kavitha Chinnaiyan, M.D., director of Advanced Cardiac Imaging Education at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, has received the Frank J. McDevitt, D.O., Award for Excellence in Health Policy Research for Physicians.

May 14, 2013

The Heart Rhythm Society announces Dr. Hugh Calkins as the organization’s 35th president

Hugh Calkins, MD, FHRS, CCDS, was named the president of the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) during the 34th Annual Scientific Sessions, held in Denver last week.  Announced during the Presidents’ Reception on Friday, May 10th, Dr. Calkins now serves as the 35th president of HRS, making Anne M. Gillis, MD, FHRS, the immediate past president. Dr. Calkins is currently a Nicholas J. Fortuin Professor of Cardiology and Professor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland.  

May 13, 2013

HRS: 7% of S-ICD patients inappropriately shocked

Seven percent of patients implanted with subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (S-ICDs) experienced inappropriate shocks, according to an analysis of registry data presented May 9 at the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) scientific sessions in Denver.

May 10, 2013

HRS: Watchman bumps out warfarin in PROTECT AF

The Watchman wait may be over. An analysis of long-term data found the Watchman left atrial appendage closure device to be superior to warfarin for primary efficacy and mortality.

May 9, 2013

HRS: Registry data point to shortfall in anticoagulant therapy

Patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) were less likely to receive guideline recommended anticoagulation therapy compared with persistent AF patients. The analysis presented May 8 at the Heart Rhythm Society scientific sessions in Denver included registry data on more than 62,000 patients.

May 9, 2013

Infinix-i System displays radiation dose exposure to improve patient safety

Providing clinicians real time data to optimize radiation dose management during cardiac procedures, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. introduces the FDA-cleared Dose Tracking System for InfinixTM-i cardiovascular X-ray. The Dose Tracking System visualizes X-ray emissions like never before through an easy-to-read color-coded display.

May 8, 2013

UltraSPECT partners with PharmaLogic to offer dose reduction solution

UltraSPECT, a leading provider of nuclear medicine (NM) image reconstruction technology that reduces radiopharmaceutical dose and acquisition time, announces their distribution agreement with PharmaLogic for the sale of UltraSPECT’s Cardiac and Bone imaging applications. The agreement will enable PharmaLogic to provide its hospitals and imaging centers with access to UltraSPECT’s Xpress line of products for significantly lower radiation dose with no diminished image quality. 

May 3, 2013

Around the web

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

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."

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