Medical imaging overutilization--a growing concern in the U.S.--exposes patients to unnecessary radiation, while also adding to rising healthcare costs, according to a study published online Aug. 24 in Radiology. In an interview, William R. Hendee, PhD, lead author, reviewed various methods by which medical imaging could be curtailed.

The FDA is investigating the combination drug Stalevo (Novartis), used to treat Parkinsons disease, after results of the STRIDE-PD trial reported results that showed the drug may have the potential to increase cardiovascular risk in patients.

CT, ultrasound and MRI have helped shift biopsy techniques away from more invasive approaches toward image-guided percutaneous techniques, according to a study published in the September issue of Radiology. The trend toward less-invasive approaches translates into enhanced safety and efficiency and could lead to more interaction between patients and radiologists.

For patients with severe aortic stenosis, offering either the Edwards Lifesciences Sapian or Medtronic CoreValve devices allows a greater number of patients to be suitable for transcatheter aortic valve implantation, according to a study published in the August edition of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Changes are comnig to the 2011 Interoperability Showcase and Connectathon events, said Celina Roth, HIMSS manager of informatics, IHE Secretariat, during a IHE [IIntegrating the Healthcare Experience] webinar Aug. 17.

Guidelines suggest repair rather than replacement should be the first course of action for asymptomatic severe mitral valve regurgitation, but more often it is not. Researchers suggest that cardiologists should become more familiar with the guidelines to ensure proper surgical referral, according to a study in the Aug. 16 edition of the European Heart Journal.

Pfizer has reported financial results for second quarter of 2010, which reflect legacy Wyeth products and operations that are not reflected in the first two quarters of 2009, since the Wyeth acquisition was completed in late 2009.

The FDA is proposing to withdraw approval of the drug midodrine hydrochloride, used to treat the low blood pressure condition orthostatic hypotension, because required post-approval studies that verify the clinical benefit of the drug have not been done.