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.

Medtronic has secured CE mark approval for its Affera Sphere-360 catheter,

Medtronic’s newest all-in-one PFA catheter gains critical approval

The all-in-one mapping and single-shot PFA catheter was developed with electrophysiologist feedback in mind. 

The Boston Scientific Seismiq intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) system entered commercial use in the U.S. in January 2026.

IVL competition heats up as Boston Scientific enters US market

Shockwave Medical, now a part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, sits at the top of the IVL market, but things are starting to get more competitive. Boston Scientific gained its own IVL system when it acquired Bolt Medical in 2025.

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Abbott’s medtech sales climbed in Q4 thanks to strength of heart devices

Abbott pointed to double-digit growth for its Navitor TAVR valve as well as big gains for the TriClip and MitraClip devices. The company also shared positive sales figures for its EP, heart failure and rhythm management portfolios. 

Ryan Madder, MD, Program Director, Interventional Cardiology Fellowship, William Beaumont University Hospital, Corewell Health East, and Michael Abiragi, MD, cardiology fellow, Frederik Meijer Heart and Vascular Institute, Corewell Health West in Grand Rapids, explain a study showing a small number of high dose cases contribute the majority of staff dose, especially STEMI.

STEMI cases bring high doses of radiation to the cath lab

“We're so focused on quickly taking care of the patient ... we may be forgetting about radiation safety,” one researcher explained. 

mages of the Globe Pulsed Field System courtesy of Kardium

FDA-approved PFA system linked to positive 1-year data, ‘impeccable’ durability

The Globe Pulsed Field System, which secured FDA approval in September 2025, features high-density mapping capabilities and a 122-electrode spherical array.

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Johnson & Johnson CEO celebrates company’s cardiovascular business during Q4 earnings call

Johnson & Johnson reported $24.6 billion in sales for the fourth quarter of 2025, up 9.1% from the previous year. On an earnings call with investors, the company's CEO sang the praises of the company's cardiovascular health division.

Andriy Vengrenyuk, MS, senior data analyst for interventional cardiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, explains a pilot program where artificial intelligence (AI) virtual agents call patients prior to their cath lab procedures to save nursing staff time doing administrative tasks.

AI agent calling cath lab patients to help them prepare for treatment

Mount Sinai Hospital in New York is now using AI-powered virtual agents to call some patients before cath lab procedures. The move was designed to help nurses focus more on patient care and reduce their risk of burnout.

Abbott recently announced it is partnering with AtaCor Medical to develop a next-generation extravascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (EV-ICD) system. AtaCor's investigational extravascular ICD lead will be paired with Abbott's investigational extravascular ICD system.

Abbott works with AtaCor Medical on extravascular ICD system

Extravascular ICDs were developed to avoid complications such as vascular injuries, lead fractures and lead infections. Although rare, these issues can cause serious, life-threatening complications for patients.