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.

Cardiologists are first in world to use new cooling device to terminate AFib during surgery
Patients often develop AFib during cardiac surgery, leading to longer hospital stays, additional healthcare costs and a higher risk of mortality. Cooling the oblique sinus of the patient's heart as soon as AFib starts to develop may represent a new way to stop the problem in its tracks.
CCTA shows colchicine's impact on atherosclerosis progression
Matthew Budoff, MD, detailed new data highlighting CCTA's value when it comes to tracking the progression of coronary atherosclerosis.
AI-enabled CCTA evaluations reduce use of invasive imaging exams
This two-year analysis of the FISH&CHIPS study found that using advanced AI from Heartflow to evaluate cardiac CT is safe, effective and limits the use of unnecessary follow-up tests.
World’s first leadless LBBAP procedures linked to ‘promising’ outcomes
Cardiologists are turning to leadless pacemakers more and more for cardiac pacing, but those devices have not previously been able to perform LBBAP. This new analysis includes new data on the world’s very first leadless LBBAP procedures.
AI predicts LBBB risk in TAVR patients prior to treatment
The authors tested out a variety of machine learning techniques, including large language models and more traditional algorithms. They focused on data that can be gathered prior to treatment, ensuring cardiologists know as much as possible before the procedure.

Going green in the cath lab makes economic sense

New research explored the potential savings of turning off angiography systems at night and on weekends.

Expert calls for education, research to spur adoption of intravascular ultrasound

Eric Secemsky, MD, from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, says a lack of hands-on training and reimbursement challenges are hindering the adoption of IVUS.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Abiomed is recalling its instructions for certain Impella left-sided blood pumps due to significant safety concerns. New and revised instructions for use (IFU) have been sent to all affected customers.

FDA announces new recall impacting more than 66,000 Impella heart pumps after 49 deaths

More than 100 patients have been seriously injured as a result of a significant safety concern. The Impella devices can still be used, according to the recall, if customers refer to Abiomed's new and revised instructions for use.

Kumar Madassery, MD, director of peripheral vascular intervention and critical limb ischemia (CLI) program at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, explains techniques and tools used to restore blood flow to the foot to help foot wounds heal and prevent amputation. He is part of a campaign to raise awareness through the PAD Pulse Alliance.

Interventional techniques can help limit amputations among CLI patients

Kumar Madassery, MD, detailed some of the techniques and tools used to restore blood flow to the foot to help foot wounds heal and prevent amputation.

Hoping to improve care for these patients, Hermann et al. turned to the ŌNŌ retrieval system, a catheter-delivered device cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2022. The device was developed by Ōnōcor, a U.S. healthcare startup with roots in the Penn Center for Innovation.

Cardiologists are first in world to remove unstable Watchman devices with FDA-cleared retrieval system

A team of specialists in Houston made history, using the new-look device to treat three patients over the age of 80. The group shared its experience in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.

Breast arterial calcifications (BACs) identified on screening mammograms may help identify women who face a heightened risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a new analysis published in Clinical Imaging.

Incidental breast calcifications on mammograms linked to much higher risk of cardiovascular disease

These findings may say a lot more about a patient's long-term health than clinicians realized.

Researchers develop small, wearable photoacoustic imaging system

The imaging interface is contained in a wristwatch, and the system produces high-resolution images of blood vessels.

The HeartBeam AIMIGo device is approximately the size of a credit card and uses the company’s patented 3D vectorelectrocardiography (3D VECG) technology to capture signals from three different projections and deliver a synthesized 12-lead ECG.

New research underway on credit card-sized heart monitor that synthesizes 12-lead ECGs

The portable device uses HeartBeam's patented 3D vectorelectrocardiography (3D VECG) technology to capture signals from three different projections and deliver a synthetic 12-lead ECG.

Cardiac Imaging

Cardiologists are first in world to use new cooling device to terminate AFib during surgery

CCTA shows colchicine's impact on atherosclerosis progression

AI-enabled CCTA evaluations reduce use of invasive imaging exams

World’s first leadless LBBAP procedures linked to ‘promising’ outcomes

AI predicts LBBB risk in TAVR patients prior to treatment