After the PALLAS trial, which was studying the effects of dronedarone (Multaq) in permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, was halted by Sanofi-Aventis earlier this week, a further FDA review has shown that the drug increased death two-fold, and stroke and hospitalization three-fold.

Nuclear cardiologists are increasingly forced to focus on practice management considerations, in addition to improving the clinical outcomes of their patients, during this time of uncertainty in the evolving U.S. healthcare model. Thus, ensuring that their labs are compliant and adhering to new regulations and transparency expectations are increasing in importance; yet, some U.S. practices are scrambling to catch up.

Strong employment, high earnings and valued shipments are among the direct and indirect benefits of the medical technology industry to the U.S. economy, according to a June report from the Lewin Group, which found that the industry is continuing to experience growth despite declines in other sectors.

High-pitch, dual-source CT scanners may enable physicians to sustain diagnostic accuracy while allowing up to seven-fold reductions in pediatric radiation dose, according to a study presented this weekend at the Society of Cardiovascular CT (SCCT) in Denver.

An interim final rule for electronic transactions, published in the Federal Register July 8, would standardize electronic data interchange in an effort to streamline financial and administrative transactions, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Despite some concerns about an inverse relationship between dose reduction and image quality, it is possible to apply an 80 percent CCTA dose reduction protocol and maintain image quality, according to a study published in the August issue of Academic Radiology.

Adapting a DICOM structured reporting template to content-based image retrieval (CBIR) could help integrate CBIR into PACS workflow and clinical practice, according to an article published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.

CT coronary artery calcium (CAC) screening for low- or intermediate-risk individuals remains a topic of great debate among providers, with strong, varied opinions about when and if to introduce the test into the patient care continuum. Despite the critics of the screening technology, new clinical data and society initiatives have resulted in steady gains of acceptance.