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.

Example of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) shown as part of the multimodality imaging capability on the Fujifilm CVIS.

IVUS-guided PCI boosts 2-year survival, reduces need for bypass surgery

IVUS was especially effective when treating patients with a complex coronary anatomy, researchers found. 

Samir Kapadia, MD, Cleveland Clinic, explains the WATCH TAVR study results that combined LAAO with transcatheter aortic valve replacement at TCT 2023. #TCT2023 #TAVR #Watchman #LAAO

TAVR and LAAO at the same time? Samir Kapadia breaks down the WATCH-TAVR trial

Could this late-breaking clinical trial from TCT 2023 be a sign of things to come in the years ahead? Samir Kapadia, MD, explored the topic in a new interview. 

Toku's AI-powered CLAiR technology

FDA grants breakthrough device designation to AI-powered, retinal imaging-based CVD assessments

CLAiR offers physicians another way to evaluate a patient’s cardiovascular health: non-invasive retinal images captured during routine eye exams.

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IVL gains higher level of reimbursement with one of biggest coding updates for PCI in decades

Intravascular lithotripsy therapy to break up calcified coronary lesions will now be reimbursed at a higher rate under new in-hospital codes the went into effect Oct. 1.

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‘More dangerous than useful’: 1 in 5 coronary stents implanted by cardiologists are unnecessary, wasting $800M per year

A cardiologist-led think tank tracked data from more than 1 million procedures, exploring the clinical and economic impacts of implanting low-value coronary stents. 

Robert Yeh, MD, explains the details of the AGENT IDE trial clinical trial results for the Agent drug-coated balloon vs plain angioplasty for in-stent restenosis at TCT 2023. #TCT #TCT2023 #DCB

Coronary drug-coated balloon superior to standard of care for in-stent restenosis

Robert Yeh, MD, detailed the importance of the pivotal AGENT IDE trial, which focused on the use of a paclitaxel-coated balloon to treat in-stent restenosis. 

TCT 2023 San Francisco

PARTNER 3, Evolut and more: TAVR takes the spotlight in 4 late-breaking clinical trials at TCT 2023

All eyes were on TAVR during the first round of late-breaking clinical trials at TCT 2023 in San Francisco. Researchers shared key updates related to devices from Edwards Lifesciences, Medtronic, Boston Scientific and JenaValve Technology.

Medtronic extravascular ICD Aurora EV-ICD MRI SureScan

FDA approves Medtronic’s extravascular ICD for abnormal heart rhythms

The Aurora EV-ICD MRI SureScan is similar in size and shape to traditional ICDs, but it is implanted outside of the patient’s heart and veins.

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.