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.

The Pascal transcatheter mitral valve repair system. Similar to the latest version of the MitraClip, the Pascal can operate each leaflet independently to grasp the mitral valve leaflets. Results of the CLASP IID trial at #TCT2022.

Pascal transcatheter mitral repair device performs as well as MitraClip in late-breaking CLASP IID Trial 

Comparison between transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) devices found Pascal was non-inferior compared with MitraClip in the CLASP IID pivotal trial.

Use of ultrasound to guide needles used for femoral vascular access for cath lab procedures can help reduce bleeding and vascular complications. But the Universal Trial at TCT 2022 showed no difference. Image courtesy of Sonosite

Ultrasound guidance for femoral access did not reduce bleeding or vascular complications in TCT late-breaker

The UNIVERSAL Trial, one of the largest multicenter randomized trials comparing ultrasound with fluoroscopic guidance vs. fluoroscopic guidance alone, found there was no reduction in major vascular access complications. 

Sentinel Boston Scientific PROTECTED TAVR stroke disabling stroke

TAVR embolic protection devices fail to reduce stroke risk, but some cardiologists—and a leading vendor—remain encouraged

The PROTECTED TAVR results presented at TCT 2022 resulted in a mix of reactions. For some cardiologists, the slight reduction in the risk of a disabling stroke after TAVR is a positive result. For others, it was simply not enough. 

A study published this week in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC): Cardiovascular Imaging shows artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can more rapidly and objectively determine calcium scores in computed tomographic (CT) and positron emission tomographic (PET) images than physicians.[1] The AI also performed well when the images were obtained from very-low-radiation CT attenuation scans. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcmg.2022.06.006

Artificial intelligence can objectively determine cardiac calcium scores faster than doctors

A new study shows artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can more rapidly and objectively determine calcium scores in CT and PET/CT images than physicians.

he U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted market clearance ion September 2022 for the Edwards Lifesciences Corp. Pascal Precision transcatheter valve repair system for transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER). It is indicated for the treatment of patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR).

FDA clears Edwards Pascal device for transcatheter mitral valve repair

This is the second FDA-cleared transcatheter repair device for the mitral valve. Data from pivotal trial comparing Pascal vs. MitraClip will be presented at TCT 2022.

Examples of structural heart transcatheter valve replacement procedure planning CT scans and post procedure followup for TMVR and TAVR.

VIDEO: CT imaging for TAVR and TMVR structural heart interventions

Joao Cavalcante, MD, director, cardiac MRI and structural CT labs, Minneapolis Heart Institute, discusses the use of cardiac CT imaging to plan and guide structural heart procedures. 

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Cardiologist compensation hits $622K, up 32% from 10 years ago

According to a new analysis from MedAxiom, an American College of Cardiology company, cardiologist compensation has nearly returned to where it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. The detailed report also examined new patient visits, cardiac imaging utilization and much more. 

A structural heart Presentation during the TVT 2022 conference. #TCT #TCT22 #TCT2022

TCT 2022 late-breaking clinical presentations announced

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) announced the 32 late-breaking studies being presented at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics 2022 annual meeting at in Boston, Sept. 16-19.