Heart Rhythm

Hearts should have normal rhythm to their beats, but when these beats are out of synch, it causes inefficient pumping of blood. Irregular heart arrhythmias occur when the electrical signals that coordinate the heart's beats do not work properly. This can cause beats that are too fast (tachycardia), or too slow (bradycardia). Tachycardias include atrial fibrillation (AFib), supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia (VT). Bradycardias include sick sinus syndrome and conduction block. Electrophysiology arrhythmia treatments include medications, life style changes, and the EP lab interventions of catheter ablation, and implantable pacemakers or defibrillators.

Contrast protocol assists 3D clarity in MR angiography

In MR angiography (MRA) of peripheral arteries, injecting contrast medium at a slow, balanced rate can alleviate contamination of veins in the calves while maintaining image quality, according to a multinational team of researchers from China and the United States. Their study, published this month in the American Journal of Roentgenology, suggests that it is possible to increase arterial visibility in the calf while signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios at higher levels are maintained.

Contrast protocol assists 3D clarity in MR angiography

In MR angiography (MRA) of peripheral arteries, injecting contrast medium at a slow, balanced rate can alleviate contamination of veins in the calves while maintaining image quality, according to a multinational team of researchers from China and the United States. Their study, published this month in the American Journal of Roentgenology, suggests that it is possible to increase arterial visibility in the calf while signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios at higher levels are maintained.

Fear is a great motivator.

Art Bell was specifically referring to the effect that Sept. 11 had on the American public, but nearly a decade later, the current economic crisis might serve to be an equally motivating force across the U.S., especially as the fiscal turbulence begins to affect healthcare providers and cardiovascular vendors.

EP expert gives overview of the specialty

The evolution of electrophysiology technology and treatment has exploded over the last few years. Andrea Natale, MD, executive medical director of the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute in St. Davids Medical Center in Austin, Texas, provided an overview of the field to Cardiovascular Business News.

Burning Question: Does Laser Heart Therapy for Angina Really Work?

In 1996, physicians told Pat Gibbs, a 67-year-old cardiac patient from Alabama with severe angina, that nothing could be done for her. Refusing to give up, Gibbs underwent transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMR) therapy and today, lives pain-free. Some cardiologists say TMRs benefit is merely a placebo effect, others say it is real. A growing market for the procedure, however, could muzzle the naysayers.

Virtual bronchoscopy shows strength in stent surveillance

Multidetector CT (MDCT) scans are highly accurate in detecting airway stent complications according to a recent study performed at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School in Boston and published this month in the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Moodys forecasts Obama healthcare plan will be boon for hospitals

As the financial market speculates about the impact of president-elect Barack Obamas proposed economic initiatives, Moodys Investors Services issued a report late last week forecasting that his election will provide a boon to United States hospitals.

Texas hospital develops center for treatment of heart rhythm disorders

St. David’s HealthCare, along with Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia, hasdeveloped the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute (TCAI) at St. David’sMedical Center in Austin.

Around the web

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.

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.