Cardiology Associations

This page includes news coverage of cardiology societies and associations. Follow these links for specific cardiology society news pages: American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA), American Society of Echocardiography (ASE), American Society Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC), European Society of Cardiology (ESC), Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), Society for Cardiovascular Angiography Interventions (SCAI), Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT), Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT), and Vascular Interventional Advances (VIVA).

New balloonless IVL catheter offers an alternative to atherectomy in tight lesions, CTOs
J.D. Corl, MD, shared his experience using two new IVL catheters from Shockwave Medical to treat patients with heavily calcified peripheral arteries. He considers both new devices a significant upgrade.
SCCT leaders unpack the 2025 Medicare payment increase for coronary CTA
The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography is cheering as a “huge win” the 2025 CMS payment increase for coronary CTA that more than doubles the current payment and “better aligns with the cost of providing CCTA services." The panel expects the move to bring an increase in CT utilization, more adoption with financial sustainability and greater access in currently underutilized areas.
No-contact blood pressure and diabetes screening with AI shows promise
The new technology, still under development, could help physicians screen patients for diabetes and hypertension with high-speed video recordings.
Self-expanding vs. balloon-expandable TAVR valves: How they compare after 5 years
SOLVE-TAVI focused on the long-term impact of selecting different second-generation transcatheter heart valves and anesthesia strategies for transfemoral TAVR procedures.
New data put a spotlight on troubling TAVR trends
Philippe Genereux, MD, principal investigator of the EARLY TAVR trial, noted that many patients with severe AS still go untreated.

Live in Las Vegas: SCAI.19 Expands Focus on Live Cases

SCAI has diversified its planning committees and expanded the focus on live cases for its 2019 scientific sessions, says Program Chair Sunil Rao, MD.

May 3, 2019

Program chair previews HRS.19 highlights

The Heart Rhythm Society's 2019 scientific sessions will be held May 8-11 in San Francisco, a venue that enabled the program committee to tap into Silicon Valley’s expertise with digital health, emerging technology and innovation. HRS.19 Program Director Christine Albert, MD, MPH, gave Cardiovascular Business a preview of meeting highlights.

April 16, 2019

SCAI publishes consensus document on PFO closure

An expert consensus statement published by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) offers guidance for the safe and effective use of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure devices to prevent recurrent stroke.

March 25, 2019

Ultrasound societies want the FDA to remove contrast label warning

The International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS) is again urging the FDA to remove the “black box” warning from ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) labels, following its filing of a September 2018 citizen petition with the federal agency.

March 6, 2019

Edwards’ Pascal TMVR system gains CE mark

The Pascal transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) system has received its CE mark for the treatment of patients with mitral regurgitation, device manufacturer Edwards Lifesciences announced Feb. 19.

February 20, 2019

SCAI chimes in on concerns about paclitaxel devices

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) weighed in on the ongoing debate regarding the long-term safety of paclitaxel-coated balloons and stents on Jan. 25, largely agreeing with the FDA’s stance that the benefits of such devices appear to outweigh the risks until more information becomes available.

January 28, 2019

American Society of Echocardiography unveils new guidelines for comprehensive TTE

The American Society of Echocardiography has released new guidelines for performing a comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) examination. The recommendations, which were endorsed by 22 other cardiology/echocardiography societies from around the world, were published in the January edition of the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography.

January 22, 2019

Plaque characteristics boost predictive power of CTA risk scoring

A CT angiography (CTA)-derived score that also incorporated the extent, location and composition of coronary plaque outperformed a model that focused only on the severity of stenosis, researchers reported Jan. 16 in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging.

January 18, 2019

Cardiology Associations

New balloonless IVL catheter offers an alternative to atherectomy in tight lesions, CTOs

SCCT leaders unpack the 2025 Medicare payment increase for coronary CTA

No-contact blood pressure and diabetes screening with AI shows promise

Self-expanding vs. balloon-expandable TAVR valves: How they compare after 5 years

New data put a spotlight on troubling TAVR trends