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.

To eat or not to eat: Is fasting still necessary before heart procedures?
As one may expect, patient satisfaction was considerably higher for individuals who did not have to fast for a minimum of six hours prior to treatment. There were no other significant differences.
Pulmonary embolism thrombectomy use increases by more than 700%
Medicare claims submitted between 2017 and 2022 showed a 712% increase in thrombectomy for pulmonary embolism (PE) and a 137% increase in thrombectomy for deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Private equity-backed Medline files for IPO
The company, founded in 1966, has been providing supplies to cardiac surgery suites and cath labs for decades.
Key takeaways for interventional cardiology from TCT 2025
B. Hadley Wilson, MD, talked to Cardiovascular Business about several standout late-breaking clinical trials presented at TCT 2025. Topics of those trials included drug-coated balloons, TAVR valve durability, pulmonary embolism treatments and much more.
FDA clears new AI-enabled coronary plaque analysis software
Circle Cardiovascular Imaging, a Canadian medtech company, received the key approval for its cvi42 | Plaque platform.

Gadolinium MRI links left atrial fibrosis to high risk of arrhythmias in endurance athletes

Research presented at the 2018 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) annual meeting found that left atrial fibrosis in endurance athletes could increase risk of arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation (AFib), according to an article published Aug. 31 by Cardiovascular Business.

Quicker, cheaper CMR protocol may improve cardio care in developing nations

A streamlined cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging protocol utilizing a contrast agent allowed Peruvian clinicians to improve care for patients with various heart conditions, a new Journal of the American Heart Association study found. The findings may prove invaluable in bringing CMR imaging to developing regions.

Radiologists increasingly utilize coronary CT angiography

Researchers re-examined CT angiography’s value in a recent Journal of the American College of Radiology study, finding utilization rates are rising in the Medicare population, with radiologists apparently leading the charge.

New protocol cuts costs, time for CMR imaging

A simplified cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) protocol using a contrast agent allowed clinicians in Peru to diagnose heart ailments more quickly and cheaply, a new study found. The results, published online Aug. 29 in the Journal of the American Heart Association, highlight a potential pathway to realizing the benefits of CMR in developing nations.

Woman sues Chicago's Northwestern Medicine, physician for mistreatment following CT scan

A woman is suing Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group in Chicago and several physicians for allegedly failing to properly diagnose her with terminal cancer from a CT scan of her liver, according to a report published Aug. 28 by the Cook Country Record.

UK's NHS: 22% of patients wait more than 6 weeks for imaging tests

Recent statistics from the National Health Service (NHS) show that almost a quarter of patients wait more than six weeks for key diagnostic tests such as MRI and CT scans, the BBC reported on Aug. 27.

Perivascular fat attenuation index CT scans showing the amount coronary wall inflammation. This measure is being tested in trials to see if it can accurately predict which coronary artery lesions will progress to cause heart attacks.

Novel cardiac imaging biomarker could predict risk of coronary inflammation, heart attack

A team of international researchers has developed a new imaging biomarker able to non-invasively predict a patient’s risk of coronary inflammation and heart attack, according to research published Aug. 28 in The Lancet.

xPerivascular fat attenuation index CT scans from a drug study showing a reduction in coronary wall inflammation. This measure is being tested in trials to see if it can accurately predict which coronary artery lesions will progress to cause heart attacks. The method also can show a reduction in risk with therapy, as seen here.

FAI helps quantify vascular inflammation, predict future CVD events in cardiac imaging patients

The addition of perivascular fat attenuation to routine coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) improves risk stratification in heart patients, according to research presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)’s annual symposium in Munich, surpassing current prognostic models to re-classify and predict cardiac deaths with more accuracy.

Cardiac Imaging

To eat or not to eat: Is fasting still necessary before heart procedures?

Pulmonary embolism thrombectomy use increases by more than 700%

Private equity-backed Medline files for IPO

Key takeaways for interventional cardiology from TCT 2025

FDA clears new AI-enabled coronary plaque analysis software