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.

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‘A troublesome trend’: Top imaging groups slam insurer-directed test substitution policies

Advocates say payers' push for single first-line imaging tests for all patients isn't backed by evidence and may cause harm.

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1 in 10 young adults with left-sided breast cancer develop heart disease

The average follow-up period was 14 years, giving any radiation-associated complications time to develop.

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TEER benefits all HF patients with SMR, but men see more long-term benefits

The study's authors examined data from men and women who underwent TEER with the MitraClip device in addition to guideline-directed medical therapy. 

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CCTA helps ID atherosclerosis in adults with no known heart disease

Signs of atherosclerosis were even seen in patients with a CAC score of 0. 

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How delayed peridevice leak after LAAC affects patient outcomes

Delayed PDL was identified in more than 10% of patients undergoing the procedure. 

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Valve-in-valve TMVR an effective option for patients with mitral prosthesis dysfunction

Adjusted mortality and perioperative complications were both lower among patients undergoing ViV TMVR.

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Survival rates similar when treating secondary MR with TEER or surgery

Surgical mitral valve repair, however, was also associated with multiple benefits.

Monitoring high-risk patients for AFib fails to reduce stroke risk

"These findings might imply that not all AFib is worth screening for, and not all screen-detected AFib merits anticoagulation," researchers wrote. 

Around the web

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.