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.

Gilbert H. Tang, MD, professor in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine and surgical director of the Structural Heart Program at the Mount Sinai Health System, explains how to overcome the limited imaging windows of the tricupid valve using a TEE and intracardiac echo (ICE) at TCT 2024.

How to overcome imaging challenges during tricuspid valve procedures

Gilbert Tang, MD, surgical director of the structural heart program at the Mount Sinai Health System, discussed a key challenge care teams often encounter during tricuspid valve procedures. 

PCI

Contrast injections during angiography, PCI unlikely to cause coronary injuries

The pressure changes associated with contrast injections are minimal, researchers noted, especially once you move away from the tip of the catheter. 

Charles E. Mullins, MD, a U.S. Army veteran known as a legend of interventional pediatric cardiology, died Nov. 17. He was 92 years old.

Charles E. Mullins remembered as a pioneer of interventional pediatric cardiology

Charles E. Mullins, MD, a U.S. Army veteran who went on to practice medicine for five decades, died at the age of 92. SCAI shared a loving tribute to Mullins, calling him the "father of modern interventional pediatric cardiology."

Positron NeuSight PET-CT 64 slice scanner

Positron partners with Upbeat Cardiology Solutions to improve cardiac PET/CT access

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has helped cardiologists, radiologists, nurses and other healthcare providers embrace precision medicine in a way that ensures more heart patients are receiving personalized care.

FDA clears AI screening tool for cardiac amyloidosis

Ultromics designed EchoGo Amyloidosis to evaluate routine echocardiogram results for signs of cardiac amyloidosis. It received the FDA's breakthrough device designation back in 2023.

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

IVUS-guided PCI reduces risks in patients with diabetes

PCI can be more challenging in high-risk patients presenting with diabetes and ACS. IVUS guidance was associated with improved outcomes among these patients compared to angiography guidance alone. 

Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with the Watchman FLX device from Boston Scientific is associated with positive outcomes and limited adverse events after one year, according to new findings published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions.[1] Many prior Watchman FLX studies, including PINNACLE FLX, had focused on the device’s performance in a controlled setting. The study’s authors hoped to gain a better understanding of its real-world impact by reviewing registry data from more than 97,000 U.S

LAAC with Watchman FLX reduces bleeding risks after AFib ablation

The new data, presented during AHA Scientific Sessions 2024, suggest LAAC with Boston Scientific's Watchman FLX could be a safe, effective alternative to OAC for limiting post-ablation strokes.

Immediate Past President of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Hadley Wilson, MD, FACC, executive vice chair of Atrium Health Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute and a clinical professor of medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, details the top late-breaking studies at AHA 2024. #AHA24 #AHA2024

9 key takeaways from AHA 2024 in Chicago

Hadley Wilson, MD, spoke to Cardiovascular Business at the three-day event to discuss key late-breaking studies and trends. Topics included new drug treatments, AI and much more.

Around the web

GE HealthCare said the price of iodine contrast increased by more than 200% between 2017 to 2023. Will new Chinese tariffs drive costs even higher?

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.