Acute Coronary Syndromes

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is most commonly caused by a heart attack (myocardial infarction) where blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked. This is usually caused by a blood clot from a ruptured coronary artery atherosclerotic plaque. Other causes include spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), which most commonly occurs in women. ACS is usually treated in a cath lab with angioplasty and the placement of a stent to prop the vessel open.

$Performing CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) improves the accuracy of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and helps limit unneeded invasive coronary angiography (ICA), according to a new study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. Heartflow$
New cardiac imaging strategy could reduce ICA, PCI rates
Radiologists with Massachusetts General Hospital found that the selective use of cardiac CT and AI-based CAD evaluations could make a significant impact on patient care.
Critics call out ‘woefully inadequate’ CMS proposal for inpatient Medicare payments
CMS has issued its proposed rule for the 2025 Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment system, suggesting a payment increase of 2.6%. According to the American Hospital Association, this update would not be enough at a time when hospitals are already struggling to stay open.
FDA grants new imaging tool for CTO interventions its breakthrough device designation
The new device delivers real-time OCT visualization during revascularization procedures.
ACC.24: Impella CP boosts survival for patients with STEMI-related cardiogenic shock
“This is the first time in a very long time that we have a positive study for managing cardiogenic shock,” one cardiologist said.
Day 1 at ACC.24: Late-breakers examine potential new heart attack, heart failure treatments
ACC.24 in Atlanta began Saturday, April 6, with a series of late-breaking clinical trials exploring brand new treatment strategies.

Avertix Medical, known for its implantable heart attack detection devices, to go public with initial value of $195M

The healthcare technology company, previously known as Angel Medical Systems, is merging with BIOS Acquisition Corporation to form a new publicly traded company.

May 3, 2023

E-tattoo chest heart monitor designed by engineers with the University of Texas at Austin

A key step forward: Engineers take wearable ‘e-tattoo’ technology for heart disease to the next level

The new-look device, which captures ECG and seismocardiogram measurements at the same time, is completely wireless and runs on batteries that last up to 40 hours.

May 2, 2023

Paul M. Ridker, MD, MPH, director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, and the Eugene Braunwald Professor of Medicine, cardiovascular medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, who presented the results of late-breaking study on residual inflammatory risk in contemporary statin treated patients. The study used an analyses of 31,197 patients in the PROMINENT, REDUCE-IT and STRENGTH trials.

What new data can teach cardiologists about statin use and treating inflammation

"If we do not attack the inflammation, we just are not going to get the best outcomes for our patients," one researcher told Cardiovascular Business.

May 1, 2023

Janet Wei at Cedars-Sinai Hospital explains INOCA and MINOCA at ACC 2023.

Understanding INOCA and MINOCA epidemiology

Janet Wei, MD, associate medical director of the Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, and co-director of the stress echocardiography lab at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, explains the current information on the INOCA and MINOCA.

April 26, 2023

Elderly patient doctor. Despite an expanded indication from the FDA and lower prices, patient access to these cholesterol-lowering medications remains a significant issue.

New details on the link between CVD and cancer, from a study of 27M patients

According to the large new study, published in JACC: CardioOncology, atherosclerotic CVD is associated with an especially high risk of cancer.

April 18, 2023

HeartFlow announces US launch of AI-powered solution for evaluating coronary arteries

The AI-powered tool gained FDA clearance back in October 2022.

April 18, 2023

American Heart Association and Joint Commission launch new Comprehensive Heart Attack Center certification.

ACS and revascularization after TAVR: New data on a high-risk scenario

“It is vital to identify patients who are at a high risk for ACS after TAVR for potential treatment beforehand,” according a new analysis published in the American Journal of Cardiology.

April 17, 2023

Clopidogrel linked to better long-term outcomes than aspirin in PCI patients with and without diabetes

Clopidogrel is especially effective at limiting major adverse cardiovascular events among PCI patients with diabetes, researchers found.

April 13, 2023

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."

Acute Coronary Syndromes

New cardiac imaging strategy could reduce ICA, PCI rates

Critics call out ‘woefully inadequate’ CMS proposal for inpatient Medicare payments

FDA grants new imaging tool for CTO interventions its breakthrough device designation

ACC.24: Impella CP boosts survival for patients with STEMI-related cardiogenic shock

Day 1 at ACC.24: Late-breakers examine potential new heart attack, heart failure treatments

Around the web