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.

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.
AMA resolution backs expanded low-dose CT screenings for lung cancer, heart risk
Dana Smetherman, MD, CEO of the American College of Radiology, discusses the policy, which urges for more robust promotion of low-dose CT as a public health tool.
Angiographic catheters recalled due to safety risk
The new Class I recall includes nearly 27,000 devices that could potentially experience a harmful defect during use.

CT CAC scoring endorsed to estimate heart disease risk

The American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) have endorsed CT coronary artery calcium (CAC) testing as a decision aid to determine a patient’s risk of heart disease.

3D imaging technique enables customized care for mitral valve disease patients

A team of researchers from the University of Texas (UT) at Austin developed a noninvasive 3D imaging technique that can provide surgeons customized models of the hearts of mitral valve (MV) disease patients for presurgical planning, according to research published in the January issue of Annals of Biomedical Engineering.

MRI cardiac stress test effective at predicting fatal heart disease

Stress cardiac MRI (CMR) isn’t common in clinical practices, but Duke Health researchers found the modality may hold promise as an alternative to more commonly used cardiovascular techniques for predicting fatal heart disease, according to a Feb. 8 study published in JAMA: Cardiology.

Visual assessment of stroke scans can have negative impact on patient care

Visually assessing diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) infarct volumes proved to be inaccurate and, when using DAWN criteria, would have led to wrong decisions on thrombectomy in 19 percent of cases, according to a recent study in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery.

Cardiac MRI, SPECT imaging may improve ventricular tachycardia ablation

Researchers found that combining iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) SPECT imaging with cardiac MRI helped identify specific subsets of heart tissue more prone to arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat, according to research published in the January issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Female stroke victims less likely to receive specialized imaging than men

Hospitalized women with ischemic stroke are less likely than men to be evaluated by stroke specialists and receive specialized imaging scans and other diagnostic testing in hospitals, according to research being presented at this year's American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference in Honolulu.

SCAI chimes in on concerns about paclitaxel devices

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) weighed in on the ongoing debate regarding the long-term safety of paclitaxel-coated balloons and stents on Jan. 25, largely agreeing with the FDA’s stance that the benefits of such devices appear to outweigh the risks until more information becomes available.

Measures of subclinical atherosclerosis differ by sex in heavy smokers

An analysis of more than 5,000 heavy smokers who underwent CT scans revealed that male smokers experienced a greater burden of coronary artery calcium (CAC) while women tended to have higher volumes of thoracic aorta calcium (TAC). Both measures were associated with increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, researchers reported in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging.

Cardiac Imaging

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

AMA resolution backs expanded low-dose CT screenings for lung cancer, heart risk

Angiographic catheters recalled due to safety risk