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.

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Nuclear cardiology is entering a new era—one that goes well beyond the traditional focus on myocardial perfusion imaging. According to Marcelo Di Carli, MD, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology and chief of the Division of Nuclear Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the field is rapidly expanding into diagnosing and monitoring complex cardiac diseases such as amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, myocarditis, and cardiac infections.

Nuclear cardiology expands beyond perfusion imaging as it enters a new era

Beyond amyloidosis, nuclear cardiology is also increasingly used to image inflammation and infection in the myocardium, especially in diseases such as cardiac sarcoidosis and myocarditis.

Daniel Addison, MD, Director of Translational Research in the Cardiology Division and Associate Director for Survivorship and Outcomes Research in the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. He also holds the Audre and Bernard Rapport Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center. explains the health disparities and inequities involved in cardio-oncology.

How clinicians can combat health disparities in cardio-oncology

Researchers, for example, could improve disparities by performing their tests on more diverse groups of patients. Daniel Addison, MD, shared his perspective with Cardiovascular Business. 

Positron emission tomography (PET) nuclear imaging has seen rapid expansion in cardiology and oncology due to its improve accuracy over SPECT and its ability to expand into new areas of cardiovascular imaging. A new review in the American Heart Association journal Stroke outlines another possible use of PET to assess carotid artery atherosclerosis for stroke prevention. Figure courtesy Stroke, https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/STROKEAHA.125.050399

PET holds promise for carotid plaque assessments

PET has already gained significant momentum in recent years. Now, researchers are pointing to another possible use for the popular imaging modality: assessing carotid artery atherosclerosis.

heart data research doctor cardiologist AI

New-onset AFib is common after CABG—but typically not persistent or symptomatic

The study's authors questioned if these patients should even be given oral anticoagulation as currently recommended.

Field Medical FieldForce Ablation pulsed field ablation

Field Medical’s PFA system for ventricular tachycardia shows early potential

More research is still required, but Field Medical's FieldForce Ablation System may represent a significant step forward in the treatment of scar-related ventricular tachycardia.

James Muller, MD, explains advances in vulnerable plaque imaging aim to predict and prevent heart attacks.

Advances in imaging could help predict, prevent heart attacks

Imagers can now identify vulnerable plaques that were once very challenging to find. The next steps include improving the screening process and determining which lesions need to be treated right away.

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Medtech companies working together on robotic PFA system

Stereotaxis and CardioFocus are collaborating on a new robotic pulsed field ablation system. After completing some initial research, the companies are now working toward the launch of a clinical trial. 

Marcelo Di Carli, MD, editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology, chief, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, and executive director, Cardiovascular Imaging Program, at Brigham and Women's Hospital, explains why there is rapid growth of PET imaging because of the extra value it brings in detecting microvascular disease.

How PET is transforming cardiac nuclear imaging

"PET has changed the practice of nuclear medicine in general and I think it is going to revitalize the practice of cardiology,"  Marcelo Di Carli, MD, told Cardiovascular Business. He noted that more practices seem interested in implementing PET than ever before.

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