News

FDA clears new-look robotic system from Stereotaxis

GenesisX represents the company’s most accessible robotic system to date. It requires no room shielding or structural anchoring, for example, and the size has been significantly reduced.

Sahil Parikh, MD, director of endovascular services, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, associate professor of medicine at Columbia University, and a program director for the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) meeting, explains the growing focus in interventional cardiology on endovascular procedures for stroke, pulmonary embolism, peripheral artery disease and renal denervation.

Interventional cardiology showing more interest in endovascular procedures

Sahil Parikh, MD, said it was clear at TCT 2025 that the specialty is getting more and more involved with endovascular procedures for stroke, pulmonary embolism and peripheral artery disease.

‘Father of ECMO’ Robert H. Bartlett remembered for his passion, kindness

Robert H. Bartlett, MD, was a pioneer surgeon who helped develop the world's first ECMO technology. He died at the age of 86 following a long illness.

Confirmed: AI software from Heartflow flags high-risk coronary plaques for cardiologists

Researchers tracked data from nearly 8,000 patients evaluated with Heartflow's FDA-cleared Plaque Analysis software. Overall, the technology's Plaque Staging feature was found to provide significant value during the diagnosis and management of these patients.

New pill lowers cholesterol for patients already on statins—no needles required

The new drug from Merck was linked to several benefits for patients who are already on statins. If an oral PCSK9 inhibitor gains FDA approval, it could be a game-changer for the field of preventive medicine.

Some reviewers opposed FDA's approval of new drug for life-threatening disease

When the FDA approved elamipretide for the treatment of Barth syndrome, not everyone agreed with the agency's decision.

Carlos Collet, MD, PhD, director, cardiovascular imaging, physiology and translational therapeutics, Cardiovascular Research Foundation, explains how noninvasive coronary CT angiography (CCTA) assessments will play a major role to eliminate invasive diagnostic angiography and to pre-plan percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures.

CCTA will play an essential role in the cath labs of the future

Noninvasive coronary CT angiography is growing more and more important as time goes on, helping cardiologists make critical treatment decisions. Carlos Collet, MD, PhD, discussed the technique's potential to be a real game-changer for patient care in a new interview.

Is long-term melatonin use safe? New study highlights heart risks

Taking melatonin for a year could increase a person's risk of developing heart failure by 90%. While more research is still needed to confirm these findings, the data suggest patients should think twice about relying on melatonin to sleep.

Several ACC 2022 late-breaking trials may have impacts on clinical practice for interventional cardiology and structural heart. One trial compared FFR vs. IVUS guided PCI for intermediate coronary lesions. Photos by Dave Fornell

Key interventional cardiology takeaways from ACC.22

Several late-breaking clinical trials at ACC.22 will likely impact clinical practice. Below are summaries of a few key trials and their takeaways for interventional cardiology and structural heart interventions.

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and its associated leads viewed on a X-ray. Old leads are often abandon in veins and new ones added, but a new study of 1 million patients at ACC22 showed there is higher mortality if a device becomes infected and the leads are left behind. Image from RSNA.

VIDEO: Lowering mortality rates from infected EP implantable cardiac devices

Sean Pokorney, MD, director of the arrhythmia core lab, Duke Clinical Research Institute, assistant professor of Medicine, Duke University, discusses a late-breaking ACC 2022 study that shows mortality is higher in patients with implantable electrophysiology (EP) device infections where the leads are not explanted.

Smartwatch app accurately detects atrial fibrillation in large Chinese study

A Chinese study of 2.8 million participants found that 94% of users flagged for AFib indeed have the heart rhythm disorder.

Is PCI without stenting safe for low-risk STEMI patients?

The study's authors examined data from the DANAMI-3 trial, focusing on such outcomes as all-cause mortality, recurrent MI and target vessel revascularization.

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.