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Harlan Krumholz, MD, SM, editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), and a cardiologist and the Harold H. Hines, Jr. Professor of Medicine at the Yale school Medicine, explains some of the key technology advances he is watching across cardiology.

Harlan Krumholz, MD, editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, explains some of the key technology and treatment trends he has his eyes on.

Read more about JACC editor excited by progress during a 'very important moment' for cardiology

The ACC released a new guideline asking interventional cardiologists to use intravascular imaging to improve outcomes in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a catheter-based imaging technology that allows physicians to visualize blood vessels from the inside out. Image courtesy of Philips.

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a catheter-based imaging technology that allows physicians to visualize blood vessels from the inside out. Image courtesy of Philips.

Which modality should care teams choose for PCI guidance? While there's an argument to be made for choosing IVUS over OCT, some specialists think the two treatment options are close to equal in terms of patient outcomes.

Read more about Intravascular imaging during PCI: Should cardiologists choose IVUS or OCT?

Shockwave Medical, a Johnson & Johnson MedTech company, has officially launched its Shockwave E8 Peripheral IVL Catheter in the United States. Shockwave’s E8 catheter was designed specifically to treat patients with calcified femoropopliteal and below-the-knee (BTK) peripheral artery disease (PAD), including those diagnosed with complex chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

The new device, already cleared by the FDA, was designed to treat femoropopliteal and below-the-knee PAD.

Read more about Shockwave Medical launches new FDA-approved IVL catheter for PAD, CLTI

Biotronik has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to make its Solia S lead and Selectra 3D catheter available for a new indication: left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP).

Image courtesy of Biotronik.

LBBAP is a relatively new alternative to biventricular pacing. The FDA's decision was based largely on data from the BIO-CONDUCT clinical trial.

Read more about FDA approves Biotronik lead, catheter for left bundle branch area pacing

SpectraWAVE, a Massachusetts-based imaging company focused on treatments for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), has closed a $50 million funding round. Johnson & Johnson Innovation led the round, and other participants included S3 Ventures, Lumira Ventures, SV Health Investors, Deerfield Management, NovaVenture and Heartwork Capital.

The HyperVue system uses both DeepOCT and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) imaging to help guide stent placement during interventional cardiology procedures

The funds, including a significant investment from Johnson & Johnson, are expected to go toward expanding access to the company's HyperVue Imaging System and exploring new features.

Read more about SpectraWAVE raises $50M for FDA-cleared intravascular imaging technology

A demonstration of SenitAR's augmented reality (AR) technology for electrophysiology lab procedures during the Heart Rhythm Society 2024 meeting. This is one of at least six FDA-cleared clinical AR and virtual reality applications aimed at enhancing cardiology workflow and patient outcomes. Photo by Dave Fornell.

Heart teams already have access to several augmented reality and virtual reality offerings, and many more are on the way.

Read more about A glimpse into the future: FDA has cleared multiple AR, VR tools for cardiology

A heart team at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center (KFSHRC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, made a bit of history, completing the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant. The procedure, which lasted roughly two and half hours, was performed on a 16-year-old patient with end-stage heart failure. One reason this patient was selected was the fact that he had specifically requested the heart team not open his chest.

Image courtesy of King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center.

The procedure, which lasted roughly two and half hours, was performed on a 16-year-old patient with end-stage heart failure.

Read more about Surgeons make history, perform world’s first fully robotic heart transplant

Nemours Children's Hospital pediatric cardiologists explain lessons learned about cardiac involvement and long-term issues from multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a rare but serious disease caused by exposure to the COVID-19 virus. #MIS-C #COVID #coronavirus #SARSCoV2

MIS-C is caused by exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and includes skin rashes and can cause inflammation of the heart and other organs.

The rise of MIS-C during the COVID-19 pandemic alarmed physicians and patients alike, and the exact cause was unclear. Now, new NIH-funded research appears to provide some answers.

Read more about A key update on how COVID-19 caused dangerous MIS-C inflammation in children

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has helped cardiologists, radiologists, nurses and other healthcare providers embrace precision medicine in a way that ensures more heart patients are receiving personalized care.

The cloud-based platform identifies and measures cardiac structures in CT scans.

Read more about FDA clears AI platform for planning ahead of TAVR, other heart procedures

For almost nine years since the adoption of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) established the requirement for appropriate use criteria (AUC) to receive payment for advanced diagnostic imaging, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) has lobbying Congressional leaders change or repeal AUC mandate. Those efforts have paid off in the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule, where AUC program has been paused and all of its regulations were rescinded. Photo by Dave Fornell.

SPECT is still the most common modality used to evaluate CAD patients, but cardiac PET is gaining more and more momentum.

Read more about Cardiac PET on the rise among U.S. cardiologists