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.

A late-breaking study at ACC.22 showed differences in COVID-positive heart attack patients between 2020 and 2021. #ACC22 #ACC2022

VIDEO: Vaccines boosted survival among STEMI heart attack patients with COVID-19

Santiago Garcia, MD, lead author of the study and director of the structural heart program at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, presented new data from the North American COVID-19 STEMI (NACMI) registry at ACC.22. Severity of heart attacks were reduced in vaccinated patients, with zero deaths in vaccinated patients in 2021.

Australian tech company opens new US office, eyes FDA approval for AI CAD solution

The company's flagship offering uses AI to evaluate 3D images of a patient's heart for signs of atherosclerotic plaque.

Blood leg clotting thrombosis ultrasound

COVID-19 linked to greater risk of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and bleeding events long after recovery

The increased risk of deep vein thrombosis lasts for up to three months, researchers found.

MitraClip vs mitral valve edge to edge repair (TEER).

VIDEO: MitraClip vs. surgical mitral valve replacement

Joanna Chikwe, MD, founding chair of the department of cardiac surgery at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, compares transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) to mitral valve surgery for primary mitral regurgitation.

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.