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.

Radiation in the cath lab: Tracking state-level regulations for cardiologists
Researchers hope these policies can be standardized in the future to help avoid confusion and improve clinician safety.
PFA market heats up as medtech companies announce new investments
While Kardium raised $250 million in an oversubscribed funding round, Field Medical raised $35 million. Both companies are focused on designing and developing new pulsed field ablation technologies to help treat challenging arrhythmias.
AI turns low-quality MRI scans into helpful heart images
A team of biomedical engineers, radiologists and cardiologists has developed a new AI model capable of restoring low-quality cardiac MRI scans.
Johnson & Johnson MedTech faces threat of permanent injunction after losing antitrust case
After being ordered to pay $442 million in damages—a ruling the company has said it may appeal—Johnson & Johnson MedTech is now facing the possibility of a permanent injunction that could impact certain business practices. A hearing is scheduled for July.
Cardiologists, radiologists and surgeons share ‘landmark’ document on assessing prosthetic heart valves with CT
RSNA and several other industry societies have shared a new expert consensus document on the significant value of cardiac CT. Echo remains an effective first-line imaging option, the groups wrote, but CT can make a big impact as well.

An example of spectral cardiac CT being used to show iodine density in the myocardium to show perfusion deficits. Shown by Philips healthcare at ACC 2022.

VIDEO: Mitigating the contrast media shortage impact on CT imaging

Brian Ghoshhajra, MD, MBA, division chief, cardiovascular imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and associate professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the impact of the iodine contrast shortage on computed tomography (CT) and cardiac imaging.

The Advanta V12 and iCast (bottom image) balloon expandable covered stents were recalled by Atrium/Getinge because the balloons may not deflate quickly when using thicker contrast for endovascular use.

More than 68,000 stents recalled after multiple injuries

Dozens of customers have reported issues with the device’s balloon or catheter hub separating from the delivery system, mostly during off-label use in a patient's blood vessels.

Same-day discharge after TAVR is safe for low-risk patients, leads to considerable cost savings

Researchers aimed to shine light on this key topic, tracking data from nearly 200,000 patients.

Contrast shortage update: GE expects supply to 'progressively recover' soon

Production at the facility in Shanghai is expected to be near 100% starting on June 6.

Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 3 glucose monitor gains FDA clearance

Regulatory Roundup: FDA clears 2 new devices, grants breakthrough designation to advanced AI model

Catch up on several recent FDA announcements, including an update on the agency's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cardiac MRI findings can predict incident CVD years before onset

Prior imaging of the descending thoracic and abdominal aorta in study participants revealed thoracic aortic wall area (AWA), plaque prevalence and plaque volumes to be independently associated with incident CVD.

Survival on the rise among high-risk pulmonary embolism patients

The study's authors examined data from more than 1.4 million patients, noting that pulmonary embolism response teams appear to be playing a significant role.

Transcatheter PVL closure linked to lower 30-day mortality than surgery

Long-term mortality, meanwhile, is similar between the two treatment options.

Cardiac Imaging

Radiation in the cath lab: Tracking state-level regulations for cardiologists

PFA market heats up as medtech companies announce new investments

AI turns low-quality MRI scans into helpful heart images

Johnson & Johnson MedTech faces threat of permanent injunction after losing antitrust case

Cardiologists, radiologists and surgeons share ‘landmark’ document on assessing prosthetic heart valves with CT