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.

ICD patients may experience fear, anxiety or depression due to their devices
Some patients feel anxiety due to the risk of being shocked. Others have device recalls and/or cybersecurity threats on their mind.
CCTA could make invasive angiography a thing of the past
John Puskas, MD, chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Emory University Hospital Midtown, feels strongly coronary CT angiography will very soon eliminate the need for catheterizing patients just to shoot pictures and may even be required for objective revascularization assessments.
FDA clears first robotically guided EP mapping catheter for ablation
Stereotaxis has received FDA clearance for the first mapping catheter of its kind. The company emphasized that this is just the first of many robotically navigated devices it is working to bring to the U.S. market.
New drug candidate for AFib fails in first-in-human trial—in fact, it made matters worse
Researchers had thought 2-HOBA might reduce the risk of AFib recurrence after catheter ablation procedures. What they found, however, was that treatment with the compound was actually harmful for patients instead of helpful.
How to choose between CABG and PCI when treating coronary artery disease
John Puskas, MD, chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Emory University Hospital Midtown, noted that both treatment options have their own benefits. It often depends on the patient's age and comorbidities, though there are other factors to consider as well.

Statue of Liberty New York City healthcare

Late-breaking clinical trials announced for New York Valves 2025

The three-day event is now in its second year. Each day will feature late-breaking clinical trials focused on a different heart valve.

Imagers reviewing flurpiridaz F-18 (Flyrcado) myocardial perfusion PET images. Image from GE Healthcare

FDA-cleared software increases throughput for flurpiridaz back-to-back rest-stress imaging

The new F-18 flurpiridaz radiotracer is expected to help drive cardiac PET growth, but it requires waiting between rest and stress scans. Software from MultiFunctional Imaging can help care teams combat that problem.

Cardiac imaging pioneer remembered for his joy and enthusiasm

Former American Society of Echocardiography president and well-known cardiac ultrasound pioneer Roberto Lang, MD, died at the age of 73. He helped develop 3D echo technology that is now used by care teams on a daily basis.

Severe COVID causes long-lasting coronary microvascular dysfunction, new data show

New MRI data demonstrate that patients who weathered severe cases of COVID-19 may sustain long-lasting heart damage.

SCAI AMA HOD delegates Jeff Marshall, MD, and And Edward Tuohy, MD, explain how the resolution will have AMA advocate for Medicare payment policy that removes high-ticket supplies from OBL physician payments and will enable these to be billed separately.

AMA to advocate for improved Medicare payments for office-based labs

SCAI and other healthcare groups want changes made to how healthcare providers are paid after performing office-based lab procedures. "As much as we love delivering care as doctors, if we are losing money doing something, we cannot sustain it," one cardiologist explained.

UTA's lower body negative-pressure pants for MRI stress tests

Inspired by astronauts, researchers use high-tech pants to uncover heart issues on MRI

New first-in-human data highlight the potential of pants designed to improve the quality of MRI-based cardiac stress tests.

Former American College of Cardiology (ACC) president Kim Allan Williams, Sr., MD, MACC, MASNC, FAHA, FESC, chair, department of medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, and an ACC delegate to the American Medical Association House of Delegates, discusses AMA Resolution 404 aimed at improving public awareness of low-dose CT lung cancer screening that can also identify coronary artery disease (CAD) ate the same time.

ACC backs AMA resolution to boost lung cancer and heart disease screenings in smokers with low-dose CT scans

Former American College of Cardiology president Kim Allan Williams, Sr., MD, an ACC delegate to the American Medical Association House of Delegates, discusses an AMA resolution aimed at improving public awareness of low-dose CT lung cancer exams that can screen for coronary artery calcium at the same time.

Part of the ASNC delegation that visited with congressional members to to explain policy and payment challenges that face. Members of ASNC's Health Policy Committee from left: Daniel Huck, MD, MPH, David E. Winchester, MD, MS, FASNC, Suman Tandon, MD, FASNC, Vikas Veeranna, MD, Friederike Keating, MD, FASNC, and Attila Feher, MD, PhD.

ASNC speaks to members of Congress about major trends in cardiology

The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology made its voice heard, pushing for legislation to repeal Medicare payment cuts and tie payments to inflationary increases. Prior authorization and a proposed tariff on radioisotopes were also discussed.

Cardiac Imaging

ICD patients may experience fear, anxiety or depression due to their devices

CCTA could make invasive angiography a thing of the past

FDA clears first robotically guided EP mapping catheter for ablation

New drug candidate for AFib fails in first-in-human trial—in fact, it made matters worse

How to choose between CABG and PCI when treating coronary artery disease