Echocardiography

Cardiac ultrasound uses reflected sound waves (echos) to create images of anatomy inside the body. Echocardiograms are the primary cardiac imaging modality used to assess the heart and diagnose or track cardiac issues. Echo is the gold standard imaging modality to assess the heart, particularly with calculating left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), which is a measure of cardiac output. In addition to noninvasive standard transthoracic echo (TTE), invasive transesophgeal echo (TEE) is also used when clearer, more detailed imaging of the heart is needed. Both 3D and 4D echo echo systems are rapidly gaining wider adoption and enable new types of assessments, especially in the structural heart space and in transcatheter procedural guidance. Find news on general ultrasound imaging.

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.
Vector flow and blood speckle echocardiography imaging may unveil new clinical insights
Luc Mertens, MD, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, explains research and potential uses for ultrafast echo imaging.
Key things to remember when creating a cardio-oncology program
Marielle Scherrer-Crosbie, MD, explains what is needed to create a cardio-oncology program, and the role played by cardiac imagers.
Interest in strain echo imaging is rising, but hurdles remain
Marielle Scherrer-Crosbie, MD, told Cardiovascular Business that the current lack of reimbursement for strain echocardiography has been a challenge for care teams.
American Society of Echocardiography shares updated expert recommendations on pediatric, neonatal echo
These new guidelines provide a fresh look at topics ASE has not addressed with official society recommendations in many years.

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.

April 3, 2024

Luc Mertens, MD, section head of echocardiography at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, explains application of ultrafast ultrasound and blood speckle imaging in echocardiography

Vector flow and blood speckle echocardiography imaging may unveil new clinical insights

Luc Mertens, MD, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, explains research and potential uses for ultrafast echo imaging.

February 20, 2024

Video interview with Marielle Scherrer-Crosbie, MD, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, who explains details of creating a cardio-oncology program, whoi should be involved and the role of cardiac imaging.

Key things to remember when creating a cardio-oncology program

Marielle Scherrer-Crosbie, MD, explains what is needed to create a cardio-oncology program, and the role played by cardiac imagers.

February 12, 2024

Marielle Scherrer-Crosbie, MD, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, discusses the latest trends in cardiac strain echo.

Interest in strain echo imaging is rising, but hurdles remain

Marielle Scherrer-Crosbie, MD, told Cardiovascular Business that the current lack of reimbursement for strain echocardiography has been a challenge for care teams.

February 9, 2024

transthoracic echocardiogram images from 2024 ASE guidelines

American Society of Echocardiography shares updated expert recommendations on pediatric, neonatal echo

These new guidelines provide a fresh look at topics ASE has not addressed with official society recommendations in many years.

February 6, 2024

Philips received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for a compact transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) ultrasound transducer. The X11-4t Mini 3D TEE transducer was designed to improve image quality when evaluating certain patient populations, including pediatric patients and adults who present with a heightened risk of complications.

FDA clears smaller 3D TEE transducer for imaging children, high-risk adult patients

The newly approved device is much smaller than previous offerings, helping operators capture 3D images during structural heart evaluations.

January 31, 2024

Jeremy Slivnick, MD, presents at the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) 2023 meeting on how artificial intelligence (AI) can help make echocardiography better able to detect subtle signs of early cardiac amyloid disease when it is easier to treat with better outcomes. ssistant professor of medicine and an advanced cardiac imager at the University of Chicago.

AI models for cardiac amyloidosis could make a world of difference

Jeremy Slivnick, MD, spoke with Cardiovascular Business about AI's potential to transform how cardiac amyloidosis is diagnosed and treated.

January 30, 2024

ICE guidance reduces risk of permanent pacemaker implantation after TAVR with a self-expandable valve

Heart teams can limit the risk of conduction disturbances that lead to permanent pacemaker implantation by utilizing both the cusp-overlap method and intracardiac echocardiography.

January 17, 2024

Around the web

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.