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.

AI-powered coronary plaque assessments show ‘strong agreement’ with IVUS
HeartFlow's noninvasive Plaque Analysis technology, which uses AI to evaluate CCTA images, delivered assessments that mostly lined up with IVUS results.
Medical device startup gains FDA clearance for new RF guidewire, raises $12.5M
Atraverse Medical, a San Diego-based medical device company founded in 2022, designed the guidewire to give physicians as much freedom as possible while treating heart patients.
$Performing CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) improves the accuracy of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and helps limit unneeded invasive coronary angiography (ICA), according to a new study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. Heartflow$
AI-based CAD assessments dramatically improve vascular surgery outcomes
PAD patients evaluated with HeartFlow's noninvasive FFR_CTAnalysis technology prior to surgery experienced much better outcomes, including a 63% lower risk of all-cause mortality after five years.
Cardiology ranked No. 2 among all specialties with 122 FDA-cleared AI models
Only radiology is associated with more FDA-cleared AI algorithms than cardiology, according to new federal data.
PaceMate names former Philips, BioTelemetry leader its new chief commercial officer
JR Finkelmeier has more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare and medical device industries.

Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) 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. Illustration of the Shockwave lithoplasty procedure using sonic waves to bust calcium without trauma.

Coronary IVL now recommended at all cath labs, even those without surgical backup

The latest SCAI guidance on the safety of PCI procedures included a key change that could expand coronary IVL utilization throughout the United States.

February 1, 2023

Example of a cardiovascular information system (CVIS) cath lab reporting module with a coronary tree model that will auto complete sections of the report based on how the cardiologist modifies the model. Image from the ScImage booth at ACC 2022. Photo by Dave Fornell

VIDEO: 4 key trends in cardiovascular information systems, according to Signify Reseach

Signify Research shares the latest big trends in cardiovascular IT systems, including the role of EMR cardiology modules vs. third-party CVIS, structured reporting, integration into enterprise imaging and inclusion of ambulatory surgical centers.

February 1, 2023

CardiacSense, an Israel-based healthcare technology company, gained FDA clearance for its CSF-3 medical watch

Regulatory Roundup: FDA clears new medical watch, considers empagliflozin for CKD and much more

Our monthly review of FDA-related news items in the world of cardiology includes updates from CardiacSense, MedAlliance, Lupin, Realize Medical and Eli Lilly and Company.

January 31, 2023

Drug-coated balloons were associated with a lower risk of bleeding after PCI than drug-eluting stents, the study's authors reported.

Interventional cardiologists can safely perform PCI without on-site surgical backup

The finding comes from a new expert consensus statement published by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. Several industry societies, including the ACC and AHA, have endorsed the document.

January 30, 2023

FDA issues new recall for circulatory support system after software update

The device was first recalled in 2022, but a new software update has now been released that addresses the issue. The FDA wanted a new recall to be issued to ensure all customers went through with the update.

January 30, 2023

Atrial Fibrillation and its location in the atrium detected using the Vektor arrhythmia detection software. COVID infection can cause the development of AFib, AF, in patients as a long-COVID symptom.

VIDEO: The link between COVID-19 and atrial fibrillation

Peter Libby, MD, a cardiovascular medicine specialist with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, discussed the cases of AFib being seen in long-COVID patients.

January 30, 2023

Severe gum infections linked to heightened AFib risk

Researchers are still working to determine if gum disease leads to heart rhythm issues or if is actually the other way around.

January 27, 2023

$Extracorporeal CPR refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest$

Extracorporeal CPR for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: New research fails to provide answers

While a previous study had found that extracorporeal CPR outperformed conventional CPR among patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, a newer analysis suggests the two treatment options result in similar outcomes.

January 27, 2023

Around the web

Health Imaging

New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

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

Radiology Business

What does radiology have to do with climate change?

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."

Cardiac Imaging

AI-powered coronary plaque assessments show ‘strong agreement’ with IVUS

Medical device startup gains FDA clearance for new RF guidewire, raises $12.5M

AI-based CAD assessments dramatically improve vascular surgery outcomes

Cardiology ranked No. 2 among all specialties with 122 FDA-cleared AI models

PaceMate names former Philips, BioTelemetry leader its new chief commercial officer

Around the web