Ultrasound

Ultrasound, also referred to as sonography or diagnostic ultrasound, uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize soft tissue. Ultrasounds are frequently ordered to measure fetal anatomy during pregnancy, check for blood clots and to guide needle biopsy procedures of the breast, abdomen and pelvis. The imaging modality does not use any radiation to create images. Find news specific to cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography).

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.

The iCardio.ai EchoMeasure AI software to automate measurements for cardiac echo imaging. It was FDA cleared in October 2024.

FDA approves AI startup’s new software for echo assessments

iCardio.ai, co-founded by a cardiologist, is part of the Cedars-Sinai Accelerator program. The startup has already announced new partnerships with Viz.ai, Abbott and others in the cardiac health space. 

Ultrafast/high frame rate myocardial contrast echocardiography

Ultrafast myocardial contrast echocardiography shows early potential to evaluate CAD

Ultrafast MCE could go on to become a go-to treatment option for obstructive coronary artery disease, according to the authors of a new first-in-human clinical study.

ASE establishes vocabulary for cardiac POCUS to promote consistency

As cardiac point-of-care ultrasound use continues to grow outside of traditional echo labs, the American Society of Echocardiography is working to ensure everyone is on the same page.

The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) has shared new recommendations for performing medical imaging exams on heart failure patients with surgically implanted left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and temporary mechanical circulatory support (TMCS) devices. The guideline, published in full in the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography, represents ASE’s first update on the topic since 2015.[1]

ASE shares new guideline on imaging patients with implanted devices

The new guideline details the best imaging strategies for a variety of clinical scenarios. 

AISAP, an Israeli healthcare technology company focused on using artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance medical imaging results, has gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for its new point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) software platform, AISAP Cardio.

FDA clears AI-powered POCUS platform for structural heart disease, heart failure

The cloud-based platform was designed to help even inexperienced users scan and diagnose a majority of common heart issues within minutes without leaving the patient’s side.

Siemens Healthineers has gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for Acuson Origin, its new cardiovascular ultrasound system featuring advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. The Acuson Origin represents a significant update from the prior Siemens Healthineers cardiovascular ultrasound system, the Acuson SC2000.

Siemens Healthineers gains FDA clearance for new AI-powered cardiovascular ultrasound system

The Acuson Origin system includes advanced AI algorithms designed to assist users with the treatment of diagnostic, structural heart, vascular, electrophysiological and pediatric patients. It also comes packaged with a new 4D ICE catheter capable of multiplanar reconstruction imaging with or without the use of an electrocardiogram.

artificial intelligence consultation

Generative AI explains echo results to heart patients

Researchers used OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology to build 100 patient-friendly echo reports, evaluating each one for accuracy, relevance and understandability. The AI reports passed the test with flying colors. 

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.