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 research 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.

Illustration showing four innovative heart failure technologies: The V-Wave interaterial shunt to relieve pressures between the left and right sides of the heart; the Carillon Transcatheter mitral valve annuloplasty system; the Revivent TC system and the AccuCinch device. Interventional cardiology heart failure cleveland clinic

4 promising heart failure therapies interventional cardiologists should keep an eye on

The devices, currently being investigated by teams of heart specialists, could make a big impact in the years ahead.

May 3, 2022

Brugada arrhythmogenic substrate that causes VT and sudden cardiac death. This study showed ablation of this substrate area could help prevent sudden cardiac arrest in these patients.

Epicardial ablation in Brugada syndrome reduces sudden cardiac death

A late-breaking study at Heart Rhythm 2022 found epicardial ablation in Brugada syndrome helped significantly reduce sudden cardiac arrest in these patients, increasing their survival.

May 3, 2022

A large proportion of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) end up in emergency rooms (ERs), but there are inherent issues with most hospital ERs handing off these patients to electrophysiologists for followup care. The ER2EP Study presented at the 2022 HRS meeting found better results of there is an organized pathway for AF patients to follow. #AFib

New-look protocol boosts outcomes among AFib patients in the ER

A large proportion of patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) end up in emergency rooms (ERs), but there are inherent issues with most hospital ERs handing off these patients to electrophysiologists for follow-up care.

May 2, 2022

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using higher power energy ablation was found to be safe, more effective and was able to cut procedure time, but there was a signal of increased emboli.

High power vs. standard RF ablation leads to improved pulmonary vein isolation, shorter procedures

New research, presented at Heart Rhythm 2022, found a 96% percent freedom from reoccurrence of atrial fibrillation in patients treated with high power vs. standard power radiofrequency ablation.

May 2, 2022

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

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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