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.

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.
AI improves CT assessments, boosts care for real-world heart patients
Automated AI-generated measurements combined with annotated CT images can improve treatment planning and help referring physicians and patients better understand their disease, explained Sarah Jane Rinehart, MD, director of cardiac imaging with Charleston Area Medical Center.
FDA clears new catheter for peripheral blood clots
The new-look catheter came out of a medical device incubator started by entrepreneur Eitan Konstantino, PhD, who has years of experience in the vascular space.
American Heart Association thinks pharmacists can play a bigger role in AFib care
Pharmacists interact with patients on a regular basis and are seen as a trusted source of health information. Can they help cardiologists improve care for AFib patients?
AI predicts cardiovascular risk during CT scans—no invasive tests or contrast required
Two advanced algorithms—one for CAC scores and another for segmenting cardiac chamber volumes—outperformed radiologists when assessing low-dose chest CT scans.

The steps involved to gain transcaval access between the inferior vena cava and the aorta to avoid problematic anatomical areas that would have otherwise disqualified a patient for a femoral access TAVR procedure. Illustration of the NIH

Transcaval TAVR outperforms transaxillary TAVR when femoral access is not an option

Transcaval TAVR was linked to a much lower stroke rate and fewer bleeding complications.

May 6, 2022

The Shockwave Medical M5+ new peripheral intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) catheter cuts procedures times in half and was showed for the first time at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2022 meeting. It is designed to break up calcium in heavily calcified arteries to avoid the need for vessel trauma caused by high pressure angioplasty.

VIDEO: Shockwave Medical demonstrates faster intravascular lithotripsy at ACC.22

The new Shockwave Medical M5+ peripheral intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) catheter made its debut at ACC.22.

May 5, 2022

COVID-19 vaccine associated myocarditis on short-axis 1.5T MRI images of a 19-year-old man who presented with chest pain three days following the second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

New cardiac MRI analysis offers updated insight into long-term impact of vaccine-related myocarditis

Months after their initial myocarditis diagnosis, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was observed in 62% of patients on follow-up cardiac MRI.

May 4, 2022

Cardiac implantable electronic devices can be safely reprogrammed to MRI-safe mode via remote operator

In 209 study participants, the remote reprogramming resulted in a successful, event-free MRI scan for every patient.

May 4, 2022

VIDEO: Example of photo-counting cardiac CT with calcified coronaries

Siemens Healthineers showed examples at ACC 2022 of cardiac computed tomography (CT) from its new Naeotom Alpha photon-counting CT scanner cleared by the FDA in 2021.

May 4, 2022

Boston Scientific’s EMBOLD Fibered Detachable Coil.

Regulatory roundup: FDA clears new solutions from Boston Scientific, CathVision, Franklin Mountain Medical

It has been a busy few weeks for the FDA, with plenty of big-name approvals and recalls making the news, but there have also been some other big announcements related to solutions receiving FDA clearance.

May 4, 2022

The GE healthcare vScan Air was one of several point of care ultrasound (POCUS) systems on display at the ACC 2022 meeting.

VIDEO: Point-of-care ultrasound systems at ACC 2022

There were several point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) systems on display by vendors at ACC 2022. Here are two of them.

May 4, 2022

The Boston Scientific Watchman device is a transcatheter device implanted in the left atrial appendage (LAA) to seal it off so atrial fibrillation patients can got off of anticoagulant therapy.

Real-world Watchman patients experiencing fewer complications after LAAO than seen in clinical trials

The study's authors compared findings from the PROTECT-AF and PREVAIL clinical trials with data from the NCDR LAAO Registry, focusing on short-term and long-term outcomes.

May 3, 2022

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Cardiac Imaging

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

AI improves CT assessments, boosts care for real-world heart patients

FDA clears new catheter for peripheral blood clots

American Heart Association thinks pharmacists can play a bigger role in AFib care

AI predicts cardiovascular risk during CT scans—no invasive tests or contrast required

Around the web