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To eat or not to eat: Is fasting still necessary before heart procedures?

As one may expect, patient satisfaction was considerably higher for individuals who did not have to fast for a minimum of six hours prior to treatment. There were no other significant differences.

cardiologists evaluating the human heart to provide a treatment strategy
Stem cell patch shows potential to heal heart patients—no surgery or transplant required

The new patch is implanted through a tiny incision and held in place with a biocompatible adhesive. It then helps the heart recover over time, replacing dead tissue that would typically never be able to regenerate. 

Video Robert Lookstein on mechanical thrombectomy beating anticoagulation alone in pulmonary embolism in the late-breaking STORM-PE trial at TCT 2025.
Mechanical thrombectomy beats anticoagulation alone in STORM-PE

Highly anticipated trial data comparing mechanical thrombectomy to anticoagulation alone for intermediate- and high-risk pulmonary embolism showed that the more aggressive strategy improved outcomes.

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Mitral annular calcification linked to higher heart failure risks

In fact, researchers wrote, MAC appears to influence a patient's odds of developing HFpEF even more than their BMI.

FDA panel to review first heart failure device of its kind

The shunt device being reviewed showed a 52% reduction in hospitalizations and favorable trends in mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. 

centennial
AI helps TriStar Health advance care for pulmonary embolism patients

Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains one of the leading causes of cardiovascular death in the United States. TriStar Health, part of HCA Healthcare, has made PE a priority by bringing together a multidisciplinary team and adopting AI-enabled workflows to support timely diagnosis and treatment. This approach is designed to drive consistent, high-quality care – whether patients are seen at a large hospital or a community ER.

Shockwave Medical Javelin Peripheral IVL Catheter
Shockwave Medical’s IVL catheter for peripheral lesions linked to positive 1-year data

The new findings, presented during a late-breaking presentation, focused on 110 PAD patients treated with Shockwave Medical's Javelin Peripheral IVL Catheter.

startup business healthcare medtech heart
Medtech startup co-founded by cardiologist seeks FDA clearance for new-look perfusion device

Tulyp Medical, a French medtech startup, has emerged from stealth focused on securing FDA clearance for a patented perfusion device.

Brian Ghoshhajra, MD, MBA, division chief, cardiovascular imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and associate professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, and a board member of the Society of cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) explains the rapidly expanding interest in cardiac computed tomography (CT) under the new chest pain evaluation guidelines.
VIDEO: The new role of cardiac CT in chest pain evaluation

Brian Ghoshhajra, MD, MBA, division chief, cardiovascular imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and associate professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, and a board member of the Society of cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT), explains the rapidly expanding interest in cardiac computed tomography (CT) under the new chest pain evaluation guidelines.

RAAS inhibitors lower risk of aneurysm rupture among patients with high blood pressure

Researchers also noted that uncontrolled hypertension, exposure to second-hand smoke and untreated type 2 diabetes were all associated with a greater rupture risk.

cocaine heart failure HFrEF LVEF hospitalizations beta-blockers hypertension cardiology
How cocaine use affects outcomes for hospitalized heart failure patients

When cocaine users are hospitalized for heart failure, what should physicians expect? Are beta-blockers an effective treatment strategy? 

An example of spectral cardiac CT being used to show iodine density in the myocardium to show perfusion deficits. Shown by Philips healthcare at ACC 2022.
VIDEO: Mitigating the contrast media shortage impact on CT imaging

Brian Ghoshhajra, MD, MBA, division chief, cardiovascular imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and associate professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the impact of the iodine contrast shortage on computed tomography (CT) and cardiac imaging.
 

Around the web

Radiology Business
4D MRI techniques could help advance the development of artificial hearts

Researchers recently used advanced 4D flow MRI to track blood in a pulsating artificial heart, revealing dynamics that closely mirror those of a healthy human organ.

Health Exec
MGMA: Congress needs to act soon to preserve access to telemedicine programs

Congress needs to act soon to extend telemedicine services that were greatly expanded under COVID provisions, or they will expire by October. Anders Gilberg, senior vice president of government affairs at the Medical Group Management Association, explains concerns raised by doctors and lawmakers.

 

Health Exec
MGMA: Ending ACA subsidies could strain health system, leave millions uninsured

Anders Gilberg, senior vice president of government affairs at the Medical Group Management Association, explains the political and patient care issues involved with ending Affordable Care Act subsidies.