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.

Biosensors nabs Spectrum Dynamics for $51M

Biosensors International Group will acquire Spectrum Dynamics in a deal estimated at $51 million.

HRS: 7% of S-ICD patients inappropriately shocked

Seven percent of patients implanted with subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (S-ICDs) experienced inappropriate shocks, according to an analysis of registry data presented May 9 at the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) scientific sessions in Denver.

HRS: Watchman bumps out warfarin in PROTECT AF

The Watchman wait may be over. An analysis of long-term data found the Watchman left atrial appendage closure device to be superior to warfarin for primary efficacy and mortality.

HRS: Registry data point to shortfall in anticoagulant therapy

Patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) were less likely to receive guideline recommended anticoagulation therapy compared with persistent AF patients. The analysis presented May 8 at the Heart Rhythm Society scientific sessions in Denver included registry data on more than 62,000 patients.

Infinix-i System displays radiation dose exposure to improve patient safety

Providing clinicians real time data to optimize radiation dose management during cardiac procedures, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. introduces the FDA-cleared Dose Tracking System for InfinixTM-i cardiovascular X-ray. The Dose Tracking System visualizes X-ray emissions like never before through an easy-to-read color-coded display.

Interpreting angiograms: Docs err toward higher severity

Physicians who visually interpreted the severity of coronary stenosis tended to estimate diameter stenosis higher than assessments via quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) in a study that compared the two methods. But the 8.2 percent difference actually heralds an improvement, wrote editorialists.

UltraSPECT partners with PharmaLogic to offer dose reduction solution

UltraSPECT, a leading provider of nuclear medicine (NM) image reconstruction technology that reduces radiopharmaceutical dose and acquisition time, announces their distribution agreement with PharmaLogic for the sale of UltraSPECT’s Cardiac and Bone imaging applications. The agreement will enable PharmaLogic to provide its hospitals and imaging centers with access to UltraSPECT’s Xpress line of products for significantly lower radiation dose with no diminished image quality. 

HRS: Societies share goals in joint sessions

Anne M. Gillis, MD, president of the Heart Rhythm Society and a professor at the University of Calgary, will co-chair a joint session on clinical registries on May 9 at Heart Rhythm 2013 in Denver. In a Q&A with Cardiovascular Business, she discussed the evolution of joint sessions and other program details.

Around the web

Several key trends were evident at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 meeting, including new CT and MR technology and evolving adoption of artificial intelligence.

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