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.

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.
Radiology AI company gains FDA clearance for new CT offerings focused on PE, stroke
The newly approved AI models are designed to improve the detection of pulmonary embolisms and strokes in patients who undergo CT scans.
SPECT still has an important role to play in nuclear cardiology
"I see, at least for the next decade, this being a SPECT and PET world, not one or the other," explained Tim Bateman, MD.

A study published this week in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC): Cardiovascular Imaging shows artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can more rapidly and objectively determine calcium scores in computed tomographic (CT) and positron emission tomographic (PET) images than physicians.[1] The AI also performed well when the images were obtained from very-low-radiation CT attenuation scans. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcmg.2022.06.006

Artificial intelligence can objectively determine cardiac calcium scores faster than doctors

A new study shows artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can more rapidly and objectively determine calcium scores in CT and PET/CT images than physicians.

September 16, 2022

Examples of structural heart transcatheter valve replacement procedure planning CT scans and post procedure followup for TMVR and TAVR.

VIDEO: CT imaging for TAVR and TMVR structural heart interventions

Joao Cavalcante, MD, director, cardiac MRI and structural CT labs, Minneapolis Heart Institute, discusses the use of cardiac CT imaging to plan and guide structural heart procedures.

September 15, 2022

Erin D. Michos, MD, associate director of preventive cardiology, division of cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and co-editor in chief of the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology, discusses gender differences in heart disease presentations. Woman Heart Attack

VIDEO: Gender differences in women with cardiovascular disease and implications for imagers

Erin D. Michos, MD, co-editor in chief of the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology, discusses gender differences in heart disease presentations.

September 14, 2022

Comparison of flurpiridaz F-18 PET, SPECT and angiography of the 60-year-old female patients in the Aurora trial. The SPECT scan appeared normal, but flurpiridaz was shown to be more sensitive and showed the ischemia from two blockages in the right coronary artery. The new radiotracer may help expand cardiac PET. #ASNC

Flurpiridaz data shows promise to expand and enhance cardiac PET

The biggest news from the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) 2022 meeting was positive late-breaking data on the phase 3 Aurora trial for the flurpiridaz (F-18) PET radiotracer agent.

September 12, 2022

Interview with Rebecca T. Hahn, MD, Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Chief Scientific Officer of the Echo Core Lab at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation and Director of Interventional Echocardiography at the Columbia Structural Heart and Valve Center. She discusses some of the trends of growing use of interventional echocardiographic guidance in transcatheter structural heart procedures, the growing number of tricuspid valve procedures, and use of 3D ICE.

VIDEO: Trends in structural heart procedural imaging - a discussion with Rebecca Hahn

Rebecca T. Hahn, MD, Director of Interventional Echocardiography at the Columbia Structural Heart and Valve Center, discusses some of the trends in the growing use of interventional echocardiographic guidance in transcatheter structural heart procedures.

September 9, 2022

Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) has evolved into a much more helpful resource than interventional cardiologists may have originally believed. In fact, the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) emphasized in a new expert consensus statement that CCTA provides specialists with an effective tool in the preparation and optimization of coronary procedures. The 2021 chest pain guidelines elevated CTA to a class 1A recommendation. Harold Litt , MD, explains the use of CCTA in the ED.

CCTA a helpful tool for interventional cardiologists planning coronary procedures

A new consensus statement from the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography emphasized the increasing importance of CCTA among interventional cardiologists. It is no longer seen as “a mere diagnostic tool," the group observed.

August 30, 2022

Echocardiography shows smoking is even more damaging to the heart than previously believed

Compared to the individuals without a history of smoking, both current and former smokers had thicker, weaker and heavier hearts.

August 25, 2022

PET imaging uncovers a surprising new way COVID-19 affects the heart

A new study in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging focuses on a potential new side effect of COVID-19, highlighting the continued importance of monitoring these patients going forward.

August 18, 2022

Around the web

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.

Cardiovascular Business

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.

Cardiovascular Business

Radiology AI company gains FDA clearance for new CT offerings focused on PE, stroke

The newly approved AI models are designed to improve the detection of pulmonary embolisms and strokes in patients who undergo CT scans.

Cardiac Imaging

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

Radiology AI company gains FDA clearance for new CT offerings focused on PE, stroke

SPECT still has an important role to play in nuclear cardiology

Around the web