The approval of two new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes acknowledges echocardiographic myocardial strain imaging and myocardial contrast perfusion echocardiography as emerging technologies, often a necessary step before a code is promoted to payable status.

Several medical societies recently released updated appropriate use criteria (AUC) for coronary revascularization in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

Professor William Wijns, co-director of EuroPCR and chairman of PCR, has joined NUI Galway as a professor of medical devices. He will head the $5 million research project to develop wearable sensors for patients at high risk of heart attacks.

New major recommendations for the use of surgical ablation in treating atrial fibrillation have been issued by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Dec. 19 in an effort to improve surgical outcomes and the quality of patient care.

Organizations are working in sync to put a focus on mandating optimized radiation doses in nuclear cardiology studies performed across the nation and beyond. 

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement offers valuable lessons that can be applied to its mitral valve counterpart, according to imagers on the frontlines for both techniques.

Peripheral artery disease is under scrutiny as the number of endovascular interventions has soared. In a field where clinical evidence is sparse, experts are asking how the financial and societal costs of revascularization compare with amputating the problem and whether early detection and treatment could save lives, limbs and perhaps healthcare dollars.

Trial results on same-day discharge for elective implantable cardioverter-defibrillator procedures may reassure centers, but whether the approach lowers cost is anyone’s guess.