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.

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.
AI predicts cardiovascular risk during CT scans—no invasive tests or contrast required
Two advanced algorithms—one for CAC scores and another for segmenting cardiac chamber volumes—outperformed radiologists when assessing low-dose chest CT scans.
CT procedure shown to reduce need for invasive cardiac testing
In a study, CT-FFR was shown to reduce the need for invasive tests to measure coronary artery blockage from 74.5% to 25.5%.
First-in-human trial shows potential of guiding CABG with cardiac CT and AI—no ICA required
An independent heart team blinded to ICA results was able to deliver helpful guidance for CABG procedures for 99.1% of patients using just CCTA and FFR_CT alone. This approach is safe and feasible, researchers wrote, and the next step is to gather additional data.
Cardiology, radiology groups urge insurance provider to rethink imaging policy
SCAI and four other major healthcare organizations signed a joint letter in support of intravascular ultrasound.

Video of Denise Garris, ASE regulatory consultant and principal of the Korris Group, explaining how reimbursements from insurance andMedicare work to pay or cardiac ultrasound exams. #ASE #ASE360 #ASE23 #ASE2023 #healthcarereimbursment

Understanding reimbursements and coding for echocardiography

"I think everyone would agree that the current fee-for-service model is not working appropriately and there needs to be a fix," regulatory consultant Denise Garris explained in a new interview.

September 13, 2023

Arzhang Fallahi, MD, and David Hsi, MD, discussing imaging-based aortic stenosis screening

Q&A: Cardiologists explore the potential impact of a screening program for aortic stenosis

We already screen patients for breast cancer and lung cancer on a regular basis. Why not establish screening programs for aortic stenosis?

September 11, 2023

Jackie Sohn, DO, explains the use and trating requirements for intensivists and anesthesiologists to train on using point of care ultrasound (POCUS) at ASE 2023.

Training noncardiologists to perform basic POCUS exams

Jackie Sohn, DO, discussed how POCUS is now incorporated into fellowship training programs and the different ways these handheld and smaller cart-based systems are being utilized in hospitals.

September 11, 2023

Purvi Parwani, MD, director of echocardiography, Loma Linda University Medical Center, explains the trend where heart failure imaging guidelines are driving a rising use of mixed multimodality imaging. #ASE #ASE2023

Multimodality imaging helps cardiologists manage heart failure patients—with an assist from AI

Purvi Parwani, MD, discussed the trend toward multimodality imaging for heart failure management. All modalities have their own weaknesses, she explained.

September 7, 2023

Example of the Siemens Origin AI-automated cardiac ultrasound system performing auto contours and measurements after the AI sees what is being imaged and the operator hits the AI button on the console. The system is designed to be an assistant to the operator and knows the next steps in the exams.

Siemens Healthineers unveils 'truly revolutionary' AI-enabled echo system

The new-look system is able to evaluate a situation and anticipate what users may need next.

August 25, 2023

Video of ASE President Stephen Little, MD, discussing trends in interventional echo at the ASE 2023 annual meeting.

Interventional echocardiography expected to grow thanks to new structural heart procedures

American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) President Stephen Little, MD, says there will be an increasing need for interventional echocardiographers in the near future.

August 22, 2023

Video of Partho Sengupta, MD, explaining two major shifts in AI for echocardiography at ASE 2023. These include GPT and deep learning to automate measurements. #ASE23 #ASE2023 #ASE #AI

2 key reasons the use of AI in echocardiography is growing

Partho Sengupta, MD, an expert on the use of AI in cardiology, says some of the technologies being developed today will fundamentally change how cardiologists and sonographers do their jobs.

August 16, 2023

HCM expert Sherif F. Nagueh, MD, FACC, FASE, professor of cardiology, Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, explains the key points of HCM imaging. #ASE #HCM

How medical imaging helps cardiologists treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy expert Sherif F. Nagueh, MD, examined imaging's role in treating this serious condition.

August 9, 2023

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Cardiovascular Business

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.

Cardiovascular Business

AI predicts cardiovascular risk during CT scans—no invasive tests or contrast required

Two advanced algorithms—one for CAC scores and another for segmenting cardiac chamber volumes—outperformed radiologists when assessing low-dose chest CT scans.

Radiology Business

Google teams with Bayer to address radiologist burnout via AI

"Gen AI can help tackle repetitive tasks and provide insights into massive datasets, saving valuable time," Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, said Tuesday.

Cardiac Imaging

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

AI predicts cardiovascular risk during CT scans—no invasive tests or contrast required

CT procedure shown to reduce need for invasive cardiac testing

First-in-human trial shows potential of guiding CABG with cardiac CT and AI—no ICA required

Cardiology, radiology groups urge insurance provider to rethink imaging policy

Around the web