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.

The increased use of implantable loop recorders (ILRs) is associated with identifying more bradyarrhythmias such as bradycardia, according to new findings published in JAMA Cardiology.

Increased AFib screening improves bradyarrhythmia detection—but is it a mixed blessing?

When long-term continuous monitoring detects bradyarrhythmia in an asymptomatic patient, is it still providing value? 

February 21, 2023
Medtronic shared some good news with attendees at ESC Congress 2022 in Barcelona, the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology, noting that its Extravascular Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (EV ICD) system met its safety endpoints in a global clinical trial. Medtronic EV ICD clinical trial safety endpoints ESC Congress 2022 #ESC #ESC2022 #ESC22

Medtronic’s new extravascular ICD gains key approval

Unlike other ICDs, the lead for this new-look device is placed under the patient's breastbone, outside of their heart and veins. 

February 17, 2023
The ACC released a new guideline asking interventional cardiologists to use intravascular imaging to improve outcomes in percutanous coronary intervention (PCI). Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a catheter-based imaging technology that allows physicians to visualize blood vessels from the inside out. Image courtesy of Philips. 

ACC urges all interventional cardiologists to use intravascular imaging during PCI

New recommendations from the American College of Cardiology detail how intravascular imaging can help clinicians before, during and after PCI procedures. 

February 16, 2023
candles funeral dead respect

Bijoy K. Khandheria, a cardiologist known for his generosity and kindness, dies at 66

"He will be deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure of interacting with him and learning from him," according to a loving tribute from the American Society of Echocardiography.

February 15, 2023
Ed Nicol, MD, consultant cardiologist and honorary senior clinical lecturer with Kings College London and president-elect of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT), explained artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiac CT is here to stay and its use is expanding. He noted that one AI-based algorithm is already included in recent cardiology guidelines and more will likely follow. #SCCT

Cardiac imagers need to understand AI as it enters clinical use and ACC guidelines

Most FDA-cleared AI algorithms are related to radiology and cardiology, meaning radiologists and cardiologists need to make an effort to learn how these technologies work.

February 15, 2023
A CT coronary calcium scoring exam at Northwestern Medicine's Central DuPage Hospital in the Chicago Suburbs. Dave Fornell

The remaining gaps in evidence for cardiac CT

While the ACC/AHA 2021 Chest Pain Assessment Guidelines included cardiac CT angiography as a top level recommendation, gaps in evidence still need to be filled.

February 10, 2023
GE healthcare has purchased Caption Health. This added cardiac ultrasound AI guidenance to GE's echocardiogram systems so even inexperienced sonographers and point of care ultrasound (POCUS) users will be able to obtain high-quality echo exams.

GE Healthcare to acquire AI imaging specialists Caption Health

Caption Health has been a major player in the cardiac imaging space in recent years, gaining attention for its AI-powered echocardiography solutions. 

February 10, 2023
A 3D intracardiac echo (ICE) view of a surgical mitral valve using the NuVision ultrasound catheter developed by Biosense Webster in partnership with GE Healthcare.

Can intracardiac echo replace TEE during structural heart procedures?

TEE has been used to guide most transcatheter structural heart cases over the past decade, but 3D ICE is changing how some centers image those patients. 

February 10, 2023

Around the web

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

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

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