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.

Medtronic Onyx Frontier DES stent with an enlarged 3D print of the stent used in bifurcation stenting. Photo by Dave Fornell

PHOTO GALLERY: Interventional cardiology technologies at TCT 2023

Browse through some of the many highlights from TCT 2023 in San Francisco.

November 9, 2023

Ultromics EchoGo AI platform. When the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the 2024 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System final rule, it included an updated reimbursement for the EchoGo Heart Failure platform from Ultromics. EchoGo Heart Failure is now associated with an ambulatory payment classification (APC) code of APC 5743 and a payment rate of $284.88.

CMS increases reimbursement for AI-powered heart failure platform

Ultromics thinks the significant payment increase will help ramp up utilization among U.S. healthcare providers.

November 8, 2023

Kendra Grubb discusses TAVR vs SAVR and the most recent data to explain choices with patients.

TAVR or SAVR? Where things stand now, from a surgeon's perspective

Kendra Grubb, MD, one of the country's leading experts on cardiac surgery, discussed what she tells her patients when they ask if TAVR is better than SAVR for treating severe aortic stenosis.

November 3, 2023

QDOT MICRO Biosense Webster Johnson and Johnson. The QDOT MICRO catheter is contact force-sensing device designed for temperature-controlled RF ablation. It received CE mark approval in 2020 and U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in 2022. When in the QMODE+ setting, the device delivers high-power ablation for up to four seconds per burst, a feature designed to improve the ablation’s likelihood of success.

Next-gen RF catheter from Biosense Webster improves QOL in patients with paroxysmal AFib

After 12 months, researchers found that the device was associated with control of AFib in 99% of patients and relief from AFib symptoms in 93.1% of patients.

November 2, 2023

Example of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) shown as part of the multimodality imaging capability on the Fujifilm CVIS.

IVUS-guided PCI boosts 2-year survival, reduces need for bypass surgery

IVUS was especially effective when treating patients with a complex coronary anatomy, researchers found.

November 2, 2023

Samir Kapadia, MD, Cleveland Clinic, explains the WATCH TAVR study results that combined LAAO with transcatheter aortic valve replacement at TCT 2023. #TCT2023 #TAVR #Watchman #LAAO

TAVR and LAAO at the same time? Samir Kapadia breaks down the WATCH-TAVR trial

Could this late-breaking clinical trial from TCT 2023 be a sign of things to come in the years ahead? Samir Kapadia, MD, explored the topic in a new interview.

November 2, 2023

Toku's AI-powered CLAiR technology offers physicians another way to evaluate a patient’s cardiovascular health with noninvasive retinal images captured during routine eye exams.

FDA grants breakthrough device designation to AI-powered, retinal imaging-based CVD assessments

CLAiR offers physicians another way to evaluate a patient’s cardiovascular health: non-invasive retinal images captured during routine eye exams.

November 2, 2023

Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) therapy to break up calcified coronary lesions will now be reimbursed at a higher rate under new in-hospital codes the went into effect Oct. 1. Illustration of the Shockwave lithoplasty procedure using sonic waves to bust calcium without trauma.

IVL gains higher level of reimbursement with one of biggest coding updates for PCI in decades

Intravascular lithotripsy therapy to break up calcified coronary lesions will now be reimbursed at a higher rate under new in-hospital codes the went into effect Oct. 1.

November 1, 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."

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