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.

FDA approves Abbott’s resorbable stent for BTK arteries
The bioresorbable stent, examined at length for the LIFE-BTK clinical trial, stays in place for up to three years before completely dissolving.
Confirmed: AFib ablation more beneficial for patients with HFrEF than those with HFpEF
Researchers explored data from nearly 2,500 AFib ablation patients, sharing their findings in JAMA Cardiology.
AI improves CT assessments, boosts care for real-world heart patients
Automated AI-generated measurements combined with annotated CT images can improve treatment planning and help referring physicians and patients better understand their disease, explained Sarah Jane Rinehart, MD, director of cardiac imaging with Charleston Area Medical Center.
FDA clears new catheter for peripheral blood clots
The new-look catheter came out of a medical device incubator started by entrepreneur Eitan Konstantino, PhD, who has years of experience in the vascular space.
American Heart Association thinks pharmacists can play a bigger role in AFib care
Pharmacists interact with patients on a regular basis and are seen as a trusted source of health information. Can they help cardiologists improve care for AFib patients?

Troponin test shows potential in detecting CAD—but imaging still needed to confirm

A high-sensitivity troponin I (hsTnI) assay was independently predictive of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with stable chest pain in the outpatient setting, researchers reported in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging. However, it’s not ready to be used as a standalone diagnostic tool for CAD.

March 22, 2018

Brain scanner helmet ideal for children who can't keep still

A neuroimaging helmet may be a breakthrough for children with epilepsy, babies or patients with physical disorders, according to a March 21 article published by Reuters.

March 21, 2018

Study Shows Positive Results with Medtronic Cryoballoon for Patients with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

DUBLIN and BARCELONA, Spain - MARCH 19, 2018 - Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT) today announced one-year results from the CRYO4PERSISTENT AF study of ablation with the Arctic Front Advance(TM) Cryoballoon to isolate the pulmonary veins in patients with symptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).

March 19, 2018

Closure devices used in PFO treatment more beneficial than medication alone

A new trial suggested patients exhibiting patent foramen ovale (PFO), who received a medical device to close the opening in the heart after a stroke, had better outcomes compared to patients who received only stroke-preventing medications.

March 16, 2018

University of Minnesota produces first whole-body 10.5 Tesla MRI

The University of Minnesota has become the first to take an MRI of the entire human body using a 10.5 Tesla magnet, according to a Feb. 28 university news release.

March 14, 2018

Seeing the Big Picture: Training Today’s Imagers to ‘Think Multimodality’

Cardiologists are receiving more exposure to different imaging modalities during their fellowships, but their job prospects and training vary widely. A more comprehensive and multimodality training approach could lead to better results.

January 18, 2018

Medtronic Unveils New Aortic and Peripheral Data from Two Late-Breaking Clinical Trials at VIVA 2015

Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT) today announced new clinical data in interventional treatments for aortic and peripheral vascular diseases in a late-breaking trial session at Vascular Interventional Advances (VIVA) 2015.

November 3, 2015

PET technique visualizes amyloid deposits in heart

PET with 11C-PIB provides a noninvasive method for visualizing amyloid deposits in the heart, according to a study published in the February issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. The researchers suggest that 11C-PIB eventually may be used in the clinical setting as both a diagnostic tool and a treatment follow-up method.

February 10, 2013

Cardiac Imaging

FDA approves Abbott’s resorbable stent for BTK arteries

Confirmed: AFib ablation more beneficial for patients with HFrEF than those with HFpEF

AI improves CT assessments, boosts care for real-world heart patients

FDA clears new catheter for peripheral blood clots

American Heart Association thinks pharmacists can play a bigger role in AFib care