Cardiac Imaging

While cardiac ultrasound is the widely used imaging modality for heart assessments, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear imaging are also used and are often complimentary, each offering specific details about the heart other modalities cannot. For this reason the clinical question being asked often determines the imaging test that will be used.

Cardiologists recommend complete revascularization, intravascular imaging in new ACS guidelines

The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association published the new guidelines with assistance from other leading U.S. medical societies. 

The late-breaking U.S. multicenter admIRE clinical trial at the Heart Rhythm Society 2024 meeting, showed positive data on the long-term safety and effectiveness of the the Biosense Webster Varipulse pulsed field ablation (PFA) system in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. #HRS #HRS2024 #PFA

FDA announces catheter recall for Johnson & Johnson PFA system due to stroke risk

The recall comes after approximately 3% of patients treated with the device during the early stages of its U.S. rollout experienced a stroke or transient ischemic attack following surgery. The expected stroke rate is closer to 1%, the FDA explained.

Why cardiac CT adoption remains low among primary care providers

The rapid rise of CCTA represents one of cardiology’s biggest ongoing trends, but most primary care providers are still not embracing a CT-first strategy.

Teleflex to acquire Biotronik’s vascular intervention business for $791M, split into 2 separate entities

The acquisition helps Teleflex expand its interventional and vascular portfolios. Biotronik, meanwhile, is shifting its focus toward implantable devices and digital healthcare. 

The Medtronic CoreValve Evolut and the Edwards Lifesciences Sapien 3 TAVR valves.

Popular TAVR valves linked to comparable long-term outcomes

Second-generation TAVR valves from Medtronic, Edwards Lifesciences and Boston Scientific are all associated with similar seven-year outcomes, according to a new retrospective study out of Italy. 

Kestra Medical Technologies

Wearable heart device company to go public, raise up to $155M

Kestra Medical Technologies, known for its wearable heart monitors and defibrillators, intends to sell 10 million common shares priced somewhere between $14 and $16 per share. 

Charalambos Antoniades, MD, the British Heart Foundation Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Oxford, is a co-founder of the company Caristo, which has developed technology to image coronary inflammation on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) scans to visualize a key factor of residual cardiovascular risk.

Detecting coronary inflammation on CT imaging could reshape preventive cardiology

New technology now being considered by the FDA for approval can capture coronary inflammation on CCTA images and provide risk assessments. What could this mean for the future of cardiac care? We spoke to one researcher to learn more.

The new cardiac PET radiotracer flurpiridaz F-18 is posed to be a major game changer and will likely lead to increased adoption of cardiac PET.

‘A significant milestone’: First US patients receive doses of new PET radiotracer for CAD

Back in September, the FDA approved GE HealthCare’s new PET radiotracer, flurpiridaz F-18, for patients with known or suspected CAD. It is seen by many in the industry as a major step forward in patient care. 

Around the web

Tom Price, MD, former secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), said one way to address the growing shortage of physicians is to expand medical resident positions, but these are tied to Medicare spending so alternative means may be needed.

"Domestic radiopharmaceutical suppliers, who receive isotopes from abroad, would be impacted by price changes and uncertainty caused by additional tariffs,” SNMMI President Cathy Cutler, PhD, wrote in a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce this week.