PHOTO GALLERY: ACC.23 in New Orleans

A heart model showing biventricular hemodynamic support provided by Abiomed Impella RP and CP catheter-based heart pumps.

<p>The most popular selfie spot at ACC.23. At one point the first day of the conference, there were about 1,0000 attendees waiting in a line about two football fields long to get a photo in front of the logo. A testament to the first post-COVID pandemic ACC and large numbers of returning clinicians to the in person event. ACC.23 had more attendees and vendor booths than in pre-pandemic 2019. <a href="https://cardiovascularbusiness.com/topics/professional-associations/car… more</a>&nbsp;</p>

Steven E. Nissen, MD, chief academic officer of the Cleveland Clinic’s Heart Vascular & Thoracic Institute, presents late-breaking data March 4 at ACC.23/WCC. Read more or watch the video in CLEAR Outcomes trial shows statin-intolerant patients benefit from bempedoic acid.

Start-up vendor Pericor displayed a unique direct endoscope visualization port system to guide pericardial needle access at the Innovation Hub at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2023 meeting. The vendor said the button like port can be placed in neonates so needle access can be made under direct visualization, since the is little margin for error in the tight space. of a neonate chest.

A New Orleans jazz band plays at the ACC.23 meeting. 

Here are links to more details for all of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) late-breaking trial presentations at the ACC.23 meeting March 4-6, in New Orleans. These key late-breaking science sessions include studies in all aspects of cardiovascular medicine, including interventional cardiology, structural heart, cardiac surgery, electrophysiology and drug therapies. 

This jazz band welcomed attendees to New Orleans at the airport baggage claim area the day before the conference opened.

The press video interview room at the ACC media center at ACC.23. 

A cardiac MRI report in the Siemens syngo Dynamics cardiovascular information system (CVIS) during a demo at ACC.23.

A The FDA-pending Medtronic Spyral renal denervation system curled into its trademark corkscrew shape to ablate the nerves in the renal arteries leading to the kidneys to stop vasodialtion and prop them fully open. This is designed to help patients with uncontrolled hypertension where diuretics and other drugs are not enough. The system has regulatory clearance already in Europe and was submitted to the FDA for review in the fall of 2022 based on data from the  SPYRAL HTN-ON MED trial.

A simulator to help cardiologists with the placement of the PA catheter in the pulmonary artery and how to teach them to read the waveform readings in the hands-on simulator area at ACC23.

Michael Reardon, MD, who lead the Medtronic CoreValve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) trials, stops by the Medtronic booth at ACC.23 to speak with the TAVR product team.

The entrance into the cardiac critical care hands-on simulator training area at ACC.23.

Marcelo Di Carli, MD, Brigham and Women's, speaks to the ACC Imaging Section at ACC.23.

James Muller, MD, a cardiac specialist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, was named as an ACC Distinguished Scientist at ACC.23 for his work in the study of circadian rhythms in heart disease and developing the concept of vulnerable plaques. He stopped by the Cardiovascular Business booth at ACC.23 for a video interview. Muller also has the distinction of being the only cardiologist who earned a Nobel Peace Prize,. This was for his work in organizing U.S. and Russian doctors in the 1980s to oppose nuclear weapons. It was actually one of his discussions with the Pentagon that inspired the term "vulnerable" for plaques. Muller went on to help found a company that developed intravascular near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to look at the chemical signatures of coronary plaques and identify the ones that were vulnerable to rupture, or the culprit lesion involved in a heart attack.

A PA catheter hemodynamic waveform measuring pulmonary artery pressures as part of a hands-on cardiac critical care simulator at ACC.23.

Example of artificial intelligence (AI) automated echocardiogram measurements to save time and to avoid intra-operator variability using the syngo Dynamics cardiovascular information system (CVIS), demonstrated by Siemens at ACC.23. 

Frederick Masoudi, MD, and other key opinion leaders speak at one of the small, interactive theaters at ACC designed to increase attendee interaction and open-ended discussion, rather than traditional session presentations.

Mitral valve regurgitation seen on echo during a demonstration of the Siemens cardiac PACS system at ACC23.

Example of a multi-modality CVIS system at the Siemens booth at ACC.23.

A simplified 12-lead resting ECG lead system labeled where everything goes for easier workflow and placement than traditional leads. Shown by QT medical at ACC 2023.

Comparison of the Abiomed Impella RP (right heart), top, and CP (left heart) catheter-based heart pumps for hemodynamic support.

Model in the Abiomed booth showing placement of the Impella 5.5 liters per minute catheter heart pump. This is used for patients who need more support than a conventional Impella CP can offer, but do not require level of supported from ECMO.

A demonstration of the pumping power of the Impella CP hemodynamic support system, its controller and waveforms at the Abiomed booth at ACC.23.

Comparison of the Abiomed CP (top) and 5.5 Impella heart pump catheters at ACC.23.

The vendor AtriCure explains the hybrid approach to atrial fibrillation treatment using both a left atrial appendage (LAA) occluder and ablation to improve outcomes. The vendor sells a surgically implanted clip LAA occluder.

The main walkway through the vendor expo floor at ACC.23.

An interesting addition to the American Collage of Cardiology (ACC) 2023 expo floor this year were several artificial intelligence (AI) vendors with FDA-cleared products. Two of these vendors situated next to each other with similar products were Viz.AI and Aidoc. Both offer AI that can pre-read CT exams and auto-detect stroke, PE, AAA and other acute conditions and send an alert to the acute care teams. These alerts are sent before a radiologist confirms the finding on imaging and can help speed activation of cath labs. Viz.AI also released a cardiology AI app that pulls all of a patient’s data, reports, imaging and ECG wave forms into a mobile friendly format.

Amyloidosis man waving hello to attendees from AstraZeneca booth at ACC.23. Imaging volumes for cardiac amyloidosis have increased in recent years now that there is a treatment for the condition.

Example of artificial intelligence (AI) integration for automated echo measurements and quantification integrated into the Ascend Cardiovascular CVIS reporting system demonstrated at ACC.23. Several vendors at ACC showed deeper AI integrations to help speed workflows and standardize quantification in imaging to avoid intra-operator variability.

Example of artificial intelligence (AI) integration for automated echo measurements and quantification integrated into the Ascend Cardiovascular CVIS reporting system demonstrated at ACC.23 this past week. Several vendors at ACC showed deeper AI integrations to help speed workflows and standardize quantification in imaging to avoid intra-operator variability.

Cardiology department analytics data pulled into the CVIS demonstrated so it can be viewed on easy to use dashboards in the Ascend Cardiovascular booth at ACC23.

An example of cath lab report automation offered by several cardiovascular information system (CVIS) vendors, where modification to the interactive coronary tree model auto completes sections of the report, shown here highlighted in green. This example was demonstrated by Ascend Health at ACC.23.

Example of a hemodynamic recording system for use in the cardiac cath lab showing the procedure log reporting and times of events. This is the Merative hemodynamic system on display at ACC.23.

Hemodynamic system from Merative (formerly IBM Watson/Merge) being demonstrated by the vendor at ACC.23 last week. Merative won the Best in KLAS 2023 awards for both CVIS and hemodynamic monitoring systems just before the conference.

Example of a hemodynamic recording system for use in the cardiac cath lab. This is the Merative hemodynamic system on display at at ACC.23.

A surgical clip device to close off the left atrial appendage (LAA) in atrial fibrillation patients to prevent strokes. Shown by AtriCure on the expo floor at ACC.23.

An interesting display in the booth for the drug Injectfer (ferric carboxmaltrose) at ACC.23.

Example of a 3D-printed heart from the 3D printing vendor Ricoh at ACC.23. The company offers contract medical-grade 3D printing to hospitals that do not have a 3D print lab. The models are often used to help cardiologists better understand complex cases and to help guide procedures.

A PDA from a congenital heart 3D printed model from the 3D printing vendor Ricoh at ACC.23. The company offers contract medical-grade 3D printing to hospitals that do not have a 3D print lab. The models are often used to help cardiologists better understand complex cases and to help guide procedures.

Example of a 3D-printed heart from the 3D printing vendor Ricoh at ACC.23. The company offers contract medical-grade 3D printing to hospitals that do not have a 3D print lab. The models are often used to help cardiologists better understand complex cases and to help guide procedures.

Example of the pulmonary veins on a 3D printed heart from the 3D printing vendor Ricoh at ACC.23. The models are often used to help cardiologists better understand complex cases and to help guide procedures.

Example of a 3D-printed heart from the 3D printing vendor Ricoh at ACC.23. These models are often used to help cardiologists better understand complex cases and to help guide procedures.

Example of a 3D-printed heart from the 3D printing vendor Ricoh at ACC.23. These models are often used to help cardiologists better understand complex cases and to help guide procedures.

Example of a 3D-printed heart from the 3D printing vendor Ricoh at ACC.23. These models are often used to help cardiologists better understand complex cases and to help guide procedures.

Example of a 3D-printed heart from the 3D printing vendor Ricoh at ACC.23. These models are often used to help cardiologists better understand complex cases and to help guide procedures.

Example of a 3D-printed heart from the 3D printing vendor Ricoh at ACC.23. These models are often used to help cardiologists better understand complex cases and to help guide procedures.

Anatomical model showing an axillary artery vascular access site for an Impella 5.5 catheter heart pump in the Abiomed booth at ACC.23.

Example of a FFR-angio, image-derived hemodynamic flow model performed table side in the cath lab. It was reconstructed using three different C-arm contrast image acquisitions. This technology from CathWorks can eliminate the need for pressure wires and adenosine to assess FFR pressures. These measurements are used to determine the hemodynamic significance of a stenosis and determine if a stent is necessary or if a patient can be treated medically.

Example of a FFR-angio, image-derived hemodynamic flow model performed table side in the cath lab. It was reconstructed using three different C-arm contrast image acquisitions. This technology from CathWorks can eliminate the need for pressure wires and adenosine to assess FFR pressures. These measurements are used to determine the hemodynamic significance of a stenosis and determine if a stent is necessary or if a patient can be treated medically.

Example of an automated artificial intelligence (AI) assessment of soft coronary plaque in a CT scan from the vendor Cleerly. The AI gives a very detailed report for all the plaque types in all the coronary vessels. Some cardiology experts believe this may be the way of the future to screen patients for early coronary disease and monitoring the impact of prevention efforts such as statins to determine if more aggressive treatments are needed.

Example of an automated artificial intelligence (AI) assessment of soft coronary plaque in a CT scan from the vendor Cleerly. The AI gives a very detailed report for all the plaque types in all the coronary vessels. Some cardiology experts believe this may be the way of the future to screen patients for early coronary disease and monitoring the impact of prevention efforts such as statins to determine if more aggressive treatments are needed.

Example of an AI-enabled assessment of coronary plaque using Cleerly's advanced AI platform. Image captured during ACC.23. 

Example of an automated artificial intelligence (AI) assessment of soft coronary plaque from a CT scan from the vendor Cleerly. This image shows the AI's reconstruction of a patient's coronary tree and color codes the vessel segments by the amount of overall plaque burden. The AI gives a very detailed report of all the plaque in all the coronary vessels. Some cardiology experts believe this may be the way of the future in screening patients for early coronary disease and monitoring the impact of prevention efforts such as statins to determine if more aggressive treatments are needed.

Example of an automated artificial intelligence (AI) assessment of soft coronary plaque in a CT scan from the vendor Cleerly. The AI gives a very detailed report for all the plaque types in all the coronary vessels. Some cardiology experts believe this may be the way of the future to screen patients for early coronary disease and monitoring the impact of prevention efforts such as statins to determine if more aggressive treatments are needed.

Example of an automated artificial intelligence (AI) assessment of soft coronary plaque from a CT scan from the vendor Cleerly. This image shows the different types of soft plaques the system can identify.

ACC President Ed Fry speaking at the opening session at ACC.23.

An example of HeartFlow's new RoadMap Stenosis software that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to show areas of interest for possible stenting based on a patient's CT scan and FFR-CT. The software was rolled out commercially in April 2023.

The ACC Future Hub included small kiosk booths for innovative startup companies and a theater with presentations on new cardiovascular technologies. 

Example of a cardiac MRI displayed in the syngo Dynamics CVIS.

Example of a FFR-angio, image-derived hemodynamic flow model performed tableside in the cath lab. It is reconstructed using three different C-arm contrast image acquisitions. This technology from CathWorks, which has had a lot of investment from Medtronic, can eliminate the need for pressure wires and adenosine to assess FFR pressures. These measurements are used to determine the hemodynamic significance of a stenosis and determine if a stent is necessary or if a patient can be treated medically.

Example of an FFR-angio report. This technology from CathWorks, which has had a lot of investment from Medtronic, can eliminate the need for pressure wires and adenosine to assess FFR pressures. These measurements are used to determine the hemodynamic significance of a stenosis and determine if a stent is necessary or if a patient can be treated medically.

Vivek Reddy, MD, director of Cardiac Arrhythmia Services The Mount Sinai Hospital, speaks about the latest data on LAA occlusion using the Watchman occluder at a Boston Scientific session at ACC23.

Example of a cardiac MRI displayed in the syngo Dynamics CVIS.

Attendees use a thoracic echocardiography training simulator at the cardiac critical care hands-on simulation area at ACC23.

ACC has recognized telemedicine is a growing and important part of patient care and offers information for centers looking to set up telecardiology programs. Read an article on how telecardiology greatly expanses during COVID and how to set up a program and use the technology.

A stent enhancement and image stabilization feature on angiography demonstrated by Siemens a ACC 2023.

The rest and relaxation lounge for ACC23 attendees where they could hold, pet and play with puppies. 

Example of the Quant FFR-angio, image derived fractional flow reserve system integrated with Siemen's angiography systems shown at ACC23. The technology allows operators to image a vessel in the cath lab without the need for pressure wires or adenosine to assess the severity and percentage of stenosis. This is a licensed version of the vFFR technology from Pie Imaging.

Abbott Vascular Chief Medical Officer Nick West presents at the ACC.23 Innovation Hub Theater on a new deep-learning intravascular imaging technology will use artificial intelligence to offer immediate interpretation of what is seen on intra-coronary imaging, which can sometimes be hard to assess. The AI also makes suggestions for interventional cardiologists on next steps.

Slides from Abbott Vascular Chief Medical Officer Nick West's presentation on a new deep-learning intravascular imaging technology will use artificial intelligence to offer immediate interpretation of what is seen on intra-coronary imaging.

Todd C. Villines, MD, chief medical officer at Elucid, presents at its booth at ACC.23 on a new FFR-CT technology the AI vendor is developing. It uses an algorithm that assesses the plaques in the arteries to determine hemodynamic flow non-invasively. The company also showed its FDA-cleared AI that performs detailed soft plaque assessment to go beyond calcium scoring for a more accurate measure of patient risk and to monitor the progress of preventive therapies.

Example of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) from the Acist HDi system on the expo floor at ACC23.

A coronary centerlines overlay on angiography with a color code to show areas of tortuosity. This was shown by Siemens as one of the features on their cath lab angiography imaging systems at ACC.23. It is designed to help improve workflow and understanding of the anatomy during procedures.

An example of the Nipro combined IVUS and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) intravascular imaging system on display at ACC.23. The system has been available for a few years and allows the operator see a color code and location of lipid-rich soft plaques. It was designed to help identify vulnerable plaques inside vessels and add additional information about lesions seen on IVUS.

An example of the Nipro combined IVUS and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) intravascular imaging system on display at ACC.23. The system has been available for a few years and allows the operator see a color code and location of lipid-rich soft plaques. It was designed to help identify vulnerable plaques inside vessels and add additional information about lesions seen on IVUS.

Example of hemodynamic assessment using invasive FFR with a pressurewire with the Acist RXi system at ACC.23.

An example of artificial intelligence automated coronary artery calcium scoring shown by Coreline at ACC23. The AI also identifies and color codes the anatomy so help show the reviewing radiologist or cardiac imager what and where things were calculated.

Todd C. Villines, MD, chief medical officer at Elucid, presents at its booth at ACC.23 on a new FFR-CT technology the AI vendor is developing that uses an algorithm that assesses the plaques in the arteries to determine hemodynamic flow non invasively. The company also showed its FDA-cleared AI that performs detailed soft plaque assessment to go beyond calcium scoring for a more accurate measure of patient risk and to monitor the progress of preventive therapies.

A late-breaking session being presented in the Main Tent theater at ACC.23. Here are links to all the American College of Cardiology late-breaking studies for ACC.23

The types of soft plaque color-coded by artificial intelligence on a patient's coronary CT scan by Elucid's AI software.  

A list of cardiovascular drugs a patient is taking in a graphical format in the Cardioviso atrial fibrillation patient management application GE Healthcare showed at ACC.23.

A 4D intra-cardiac echo (ICE) image of an Amulet left atrial appendage occluder on a GE S70N cardiac ultrasound system.

Example of PET/CT myocardial perfusion nuclear imaging scan to assess the blood flow in the heart muscle. This was imaged on a GE Healthcare Omni Legend.

The new Philips 5500CV cardiac ultrasound shown at ACC.23.

Cardiac care and the continuum of care in the GE Booth at ACC23.

Example of a coronary CT angiography scan 3D rendering of the vessels with automated labeling in the Fujifilm Synapse 7X CVIS system.

Example of a DICOM reading work list for cardiology in the Fujifilm Synapse 7X CVIS system. It allows users to click on notes in front of STAT read items to get more information before opening the exam.

Example of a cardiology image report with graphical display of the coronaries for notation in the Fujifilm Synapse 7X CVIS system.

Example of a cardiology cath lab report with graphical display of the coronaries that can be modified and annotated. These changes translate as text directly into the report to help the cardiologist save time. Example from the Fujifilm Synapse 7X CVIS system.

Example of a cardiology cath lab report with graphical display of the coronaries that can be modified and annotated. These changes translate into text directly into the report to help the cardiologist save time. Example from the Fujifilm Synapse 7X CVIS system.

The rest and relaxation lounge for ACC23 attendees where they could hold, pet and play with puppies. 

Start-up vendor Egnite has artificial intelligence (AI) software to data-mine a healthcare system’s existing EMR and echocardiography patient data to find patients who may have structural heart disease, atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Using this targeted approach, centers can then followup with these patients for possible TAVR, LAA occlusion or other therapies.

Start-up vendor Egnite has artificial intelligence (AI) software to data-mine a healthcare system’s existing EMR and echocardiography patient data to find patients who may have structural heart disease, atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Using this targeted approach, centers can then followup with these patients for possible TAVR, LAA occlusion or other therapies.

Start-up vendor Egnite has artificial intelligence (AI) software to data-mine a healthcare system’s existing EMR and echocardiography patient data to find patients who may have structural heart disease, atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Using this targeted approach, centers can then followup with these patients for possible TAVR, LAA occlusion or other therapies.

Start-up vendor Egnite has artificial intelligence (AI) software to data-mine a healthcare system’s existing EMR and echocardiography patient data to find patients who may have structural heart disease, atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Using this targeted approach, centers can then followup with these patients for possible TAVR, LAA occlusion or other therapies.

AI vendor Elucid showed a work-in-progress FFR-CT technology that uses an algorithm to assess the soft plaques in the arteries and then determines the hemodynamic flow noninvasively. The company also showed its FDA-cleared AI that performs detailed soft plaque assessment to go beyond calcium scoring for a more accurate measure of patient risk and to monitor the progress of preventive therapies.

The GE Vivid IQ compact cardiac ultrasound system was a newer system the vendor highlighted at ACC23. 

A giant heart and display on the science behind how to improve pumping function in heart failure patients in the Cytokinetics booth at ACC23.

Cardiac patient and HeartFlow employee Tom Murphy shows off his cardiac CT, FFR-CT and angiogram at ACC23. While he had a low calcium score and was considered a low-risk patient, he experienced chest pain and went to a hospital that uses the Heartflow FFR-CT technology for an evaluation. It was found he was indeed having a heart attack and was rushed to the cath lab. He shows his own imaging to explain the value of the technology, which helped save his life

Image showing the 0.4 mm extension of the blade from its sheath on the Philips Healthcare TightRail Guardian lead extraction system for electrophysiology. The short extension of the blade aids safety. The system is powered like a drill so the operator does not have to hand-actuate the trigger hundreds of times to cut through the scar tissue adhesions on EP device leads. This can make the lead management procedures faster.

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

A 4D intracardiac echo (ICE) view of a left atrial appendage using the GE S70N ultrasound system. 

A 4D intracardiac echo (ICE) view of a left atrial appendage using the GE S70N ultrasound system. 

A 4D intracardiac echo (ICE) view of a left atrial appendage for sizing a Watchman device using the GE S70N ultrasound system. 

Example of mitral regurgitation seen on an echocardiogram using Doppler flow on a GE Vivid IQ system.

View of a mitral valve seen on an echocardiogram using a GE Vivid IQ system.

View of a mitral valve seen on a 4D cardiac ultrasound using a Philips 5500CV system.

View of a mitral valve showing gaps in the commissures that cause mitral regurgitation. Imaged using 4D cardiac ultrasound on a Philips 5500CV system.

A large heart in the Multaq (dronedarone) booth at ACC23.

An example of HeartFlow's new RoadMap Stenosis software that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to show areas of interest for possible stenting based on a patient's CT scan and FFR-CT. It is designed to help interventional cardiologists see all the areas that may contribute to a patient's ischemia to help make decisions on how to best treat the patient and plan PCI procedures. This software is still undergoing beta testing at several hospitals and will likely be rolled out commercially later in 2023.

An example of HeartFlow's new RoadMap Stenosis software that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to show areas of interest for possible stenting based on a patient's CT scan and FFR-CT. It is designed to help interventional cardiologists see all the areas that may contribute to a patient's ischemia to help make decisions on how to best treat the patient and plan PCI procedures. This software is still undergoing beta testing at several hospitals and will likely be rolled out commercially later in 2023.

Transesophageal echo (TEE) training simulator in the ACC23 GE Healthcare booth to help show how a smaller pediatric probe the vendor released is easier to insert and image with.

A new, smaller pediatric 3D/4D transesophageal echo (TEE) probe being highlighted at the ACC23 GE Healthcare booth. The smaller probe is easier to insert and image with in smaller patients.

A demonstration of augmented reality (AR) for use in the cath lab in the GE booth at ACC23. This is a partnership with start-up vendor Mediview VR. The headset allows operators to still perform their case and see the overhead screen, but they also can project 3D models the operator can manipulate or enlarge in mid-air. They also can place different screens from the overhead screen into the heads-up AR display so they do need to move their heads or take their eyes off what they are doing with the patient.

A Watchman left atrial appendage (LAA) occluder seen on 4D ICE in the GE Booth.

The sign for the Women in Cardiology Lounge at ACC, where there were presentations during ACC23.

A presentation in the Women in Cardiology Lounge at ACC23.