Echocardiography

Cardiac ultrasound uses reflected sound waves (echos) to create images of anatomy inside the body. Echocardiograms are the primary cardiac imaging modality used to assess the heart and diagnose or track cardiac issues. Echo is the gold standard imaging modality to assess the heart, particularly with calculating left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), which is a measure of cardiac output. In addition to noninvasive standard transthoracic echo (TTE), invasive transesophgeal echo (TEE) is also used when clearer, more detailed imaging of the heart is needed. Both 3D and 4D echo echo systems are rapidly gaining wider adoption and enable new types of assessments, especially in the structural heart space and in transcatheter procedural guidance. Find news on general ultrasound imaging.

Open-source AI model delivers accurate echocardiography assessments
The algorithm, trained on more than 150,000 TTE studies, can calculate 18 different measurements regularly used in echocardiography
Exploring the link between left ventricular diastolic function and AFib
Evaluating LVDF with echocardiography or AI-powered electrocardiography can help identify individuals at an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation, according to new data presented at the ASE 36th Annual Scientific Sessions.
3D echo guidance seeing increasing use in congenital heart surgery
Pei-Ni Jone, MD, FASE, director, echocardiography laboratory, Lurie Children’s Hospital Heart Center, member of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) Board, explains how 3D echo is being used to better plan, guide and follow up in congenital cardiac surgery.
GE HealthCare launches ‘ultra-premium’ Vivid Pioneer cardiovascular ultrasound system
The company describes Vivid Pioneer as its “most advanced, ultra-premium and adaptive cardiovascular ultrasound system yet.” It includes new and improved AI capabilities and a compact design that is still fully functional in tight workspaces.
Cardiovascular device approvals continue to lead the FDA's Breakthrough Device Program
Cardiology is number one in FDA Breakthrough Device designations at 218, the highest number out of all other clinical categories. This includes 16 new devices cleared in the past year.

Cardiologists have developed an open-source artificial intelligence (AI) model capable of accurately evaluating a long list of measurements on echocardiography results. The group detailed the development and validation of that model in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Open-source AI model delivers accurate echocardiography assessments

The algorithm, trained on more than 150,000 TTE studies, can calculate 18 different measurements regularly used in echocardiography

Exploring the link between left ventricular diastolic function and AFib

Evaluating LVDF with echocardiography or AI-powered electrocardiography can help identify individuals at an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation, according to new data presented at the ASE 36th Annual Scientific Sessions.

Pei-Ni Jone, MD, FASE, director, echocardiography laboratory, Lurie Children’s Hospital Heart Center, professor of pediatric cardiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, member of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) Board, and the chair of the ASE Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease Council Steering Committee, explains how 3D echo is being used to better plan, guide and followup in congenital cardiac surgery.

3D echo guidance seeing increasing use in congenital heart surgery

Pei-Ni Jone, MD, FASE, director, echocardiography laboratory, Lurie Children’s Hospital Heart Center, member of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) Board, explains how 3D echo is being used to better plan, guide and follow up in congenital cardiac surgery.

GE HealthCare Vivid Pioneer cardiovascular ultrasound

GE HealthCare launches ‘ultra-premium’ Vivid Pioneer cardiovascular ultrasound system

The company describes Vivid Pioneer as its “most advanced, ultra-premium and adaptive cardiovascular ultrasound system yet.” It includes new and improved AI capabilities and a compact design that is still fully functional in tight workspaces.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated the Breakthrough Device Program designations data this week, which now includes 1,176 Breakthrough Device designations, of which 160 have gained market clearance. Cardiovascular devices lead these with 243 devices, the highest number out of all other clinical categories. This includes 16 new cardiovascular devices cleared in the past year.

Cardiovascular device approvals continue to lead the FDA's Breakthrough Device Program

Cardiology is number one in FDA Breakthrough Device designations at 218, the highest number out of all other clinical categories. This includes 16 new devices cleared in the past year.

Pericarditis: New guidance takes on the diagnosis and management of a challenging heart condition

Pericarditis, inflammation of the pericardium, accounts for approximately 5% of all emergency department evaluations for chest pain. These new recommendations are designed to help guide clinicians through the ins and outs of patient care.

CCTA outperforms TEE after LAAO, new meta-analysis confirms

Researchers reviewed data from more than 1,300 patients who underwent both CCTA and TEE after undergoing LAAO. The two modalities were comparable in many ways, but cardiac CT was linked to a few key benefits.

AI company raises $55M with help from leading health systems

Ultromics plans to use the new funds to help expand its presence throughout the United States. In addition, the company is focused on developing additional AI-enabled software offerings.