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.

There has been a growing shortage of cardiologists the past several years, but this has accelerated due to burnout from the pandemic, falling reimbursements and increasing administrative burdens. This prompted a joint session on this topic with the ACC and the Heart Rhythm Society at HRS 2024, with ACC President Cathie Biga, MSN, FACC, president and CEO of Cardiovascular Management of Illinois, former ACC president Ed Fry, MD, chair of the Ascension National Cardiovascular Service Line, and EP Parin Patel.

Addressing staffing shortages in cardiology

ACC President Cathie Biga, MSN, RN, Edward Fry, MD, and electrophysiologist Parin Patel, MD, discuss the growing cardiologist shortage.

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Medical device company raises $104M to fund PFA research

Early research suggests Kardium's PFA system could give cardiologists a new tool for the fight against atrial fibrillation. The company plans to study its technology even more with this latest round of funding. 

Stuart Connolly, MD, a veteran cardiologist known for his groundbreaking work in the field of electrophysiology, died June 2 after a long battle with neuroendocrine cancer.

Cardiologist Stuart Connolly remembered as a ‘generational thinker,’ electrophysiology pioneer

Connolly spent 40 years at McMaster University as a professor and researcher, founding the school’s cardiac arrhythmia service line and serving as its cardiology chair. He remained active in electrophysiology research until the end of his life.

Paul Zei, MD, director of the comprehensive atrial fibrillation program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, explained key findings from the late-breaking REAL-AF Registry at the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) 2024 conference. This registry study evaluated the short- and long-term outcomes of radiofrequency ablation (RF) in treating both paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) and persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF), revealing significant advancements in procedural techniques and patient safety. #EPeeps #HRS2024

Interest growing in fluoroscopy-free workflows during RF ablation

Paul Zei, MD, discusses late-breaking data from the REAL-AF Registry, which looked at the short- and long-term outcomes of radiofrequency ablation in paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation.

Jagmeet Singh, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Founding Director of the Resynchronization and Advanced Cardiac Therapeutics Program at Mass General Hospital, delivered a key note address at HRS 2024 on the future of artificial intelligence in EP and AI applications in cardiology. #HRS #EPeeps #HRS2024 #HRS24 #HealthAI

Embracing AI to enhance EP: Insights from cardiologist Jagmeet Singh

Jagmeet Singh, MD, delivered a keynote address at HRS 2024 on the future of AI in electrophysiology. He spoke to Cardiovascular Business, sharing additional thoughts about the topic.

Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) President Kenneth Ellenbogen, MD, FHRS, director of clinical cardiac electrophysiology and pacing, Virginia Commonwealth University, discussed two key initiatives for 2024-25 with Cardiovascular Business. These include helping create a new, independent cardiovascular medicine board, and supporting the movement toward more outpatient procedures being performed in office-based labs (OBL) and ambulatory surgical centers (ASC). #EPeeps #HRS #HRS24 #HRS2024

Heart Rhythm Society shows support for new cardiovascular board, outpatient EP centers

Cardiovascular Business spoke with HRS President Kenneth Ellenbogen, MD, about two key initiatives the group is focused on this year.

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has helped cardiologists, radiologists, nurses and other healthcare providers embrace precision medicine in a way that ensures more heart patients are receiving personalized care.

AI uses imaging results to ID high-risk TAVR patients with speed, accuracy

Researchers developed an advanced AI model capable of extracting measurements from unprocessed CT images in seconds. It then uses those data to evaluate the patient's mortality risk if they underwent TAVR.

Heart Rhythm Socity (HRS) President Kenneth Ellenbogen, MD, explains key electrophysiology (EP) trends at the HRS 2024 meeting. #HRS #HRS24 #HRS2024 #EPeeps

Key trends in electrophysiology include PFA, dual-chamber leadless pacemakers

HRS President Kenneth Ellenbogen, MD, detailed some of the biggest trends in electrophysiology at Heart Rhythm 2024 in Boston.