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 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.
FDA announces recall of more than 300,000 catheter kits after 10 injuries, 1 death
This recall is due to reports of “increased resistance” when using the devices. There have been 194 customer complaints about the issue so far.
AI helps cardiologists deliver personalized healthcare—but there is still plenty of work to do
A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association explores the many ways AI and machine learning are being used to improve care for heart patients.
How a big CMS update on carotid stenting could impact interventional cardiology
Ken Rosenfield, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital, and William Gray, MD, of Lankenau Heart Institute, detailed the long-term impact of a key policy shift.
What does radiology have to do with climate change?
Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

Sam Jones, MD, explains why CMS reduced payments for EP ablation and how it will negatively impact electrophysiology. #HRS #HRS2023 #EPeeps #EPlab #Medicare

Making sense of the huge Medicare reimbursement cuts in electrophysiology

Samuel Jones, MD, examines the large reimbursement reductions in cardiac ablations and what the impact might be on access to care in EP labs.

May 31, 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) analysis from a remote ECG monitor showing the AI generated report on the Philips Cardiologs system, during a demonstration of the technology at Heart Rhythm 2023. Photo by Dave Fornell

AI correctly IDs ventricular arrhythmias in 88% of patients with sustained VT

New research suggests AI could offer physicians a new, state-of-the-art approach to sudden cardiac arrest risk management.

May 24, 2023

The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare includes numerous algorithms for electrophysiology (EP). Jagmeet Singh, MD, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and founding director of the Resynchronization and Advanced Cardiac Therapeutics Program and Mass General Hospital, spoke with Cardiovascular Business at Heart Rhythm 2023 to explain how AI is being used in EP. #HRS2023 #HRS #AI

There are now numerous AI algorithms for electrophysiology. Jagmeet Singh, MD, examined how this advanced technology is being applied.

May 24, 2023

An example of HeartFlow's new RoadMap Stenosis software that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to show areas of interest for possible stenting based on a patient's CT scan and FFR-CT. This software is still undergoing beta testing at several hospitals and will likely be rolled out commercially later in 2023.

Cardiology has embraced AI more than most other specialties

Cardiology is linked to the second largest group of FDA-cleared clinical AI algorithms, and the number is still growing.

May 12, 2023

Marcelo DiCarli, MD, chief, division of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging, executive director for the cardiovascular imaging program, Brigham and Women's Hospital, discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting cardiac imaging.

What is the ROI for adopting AI in cardiac imaging?

Marcelo DiCarli, MD, and Rob Beanlands, MD, discussed the long-term value of investing in the development and implementation of AI technologies.

May 11, 2023

Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) is asking its interventional cardiologist members to take action to prevent further cuts in Medicare payments in 2024 by contacting their Congressmen. There were substantial cuts in Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) payments to physicians in 2023 further cuts each year can only be prevented if Congress changes the laws for how CMS pays physicians.

SCAI blasts Medicare payment cuts to cardiology, asks members to take action

The group hopes its members can increase congressional support of a new bill introduced in the House.

April 12, 2023

VIDEO: American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) President Mouaz Al-Mallah, MD, chair of cardiovascular PET and associate director of nuclear cardiology, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, and ASNC President-elect Larry Phillips, MD, director of nuclear cardiology, NYU Langone, outline the new technologies available and why upgrading cardiac nuclear labs matters and what is the ROI. #ASNC

What is the ROI for upgrading nuclear cardiology labs?

Some nuclear cardiology labs are still using SPECT systems that are 20-25 years old. Is it time to make an upgrade?

April 12, 2023

AI predicts the likelihood of a common TAVR complication

Many patients still require a permanent pacemaker following TAVR. In fact, it is more common after TAVR than after surgical aortic valve replacement.

April 10, 2023

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiology groups share key update: ABMS seeking feedback on proposed Board of Cardiovascular Medicine

Five of the largest U.S. medical societies focused on cardiovascular health are one step closer to seeing their paradigm-shifting proposal become a reality.

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiologists, thoracic surgeons applaud FTC’s ban of most noncompete clauses

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions and Society of Thoracic Surgeons have both shared statements in support of the ban, which is already being challenged in court. The American Hospital Association, meanwhile, opposes the policy shift, saying it “errs by seeking to create a one-size-fits-all rule”

Cardiovascular Business

Why the business side of cardiology was a key focus at ACC.24

Alison Bailey, MD, co-chair of the business of cardiology sessions at ACC.24, emphasized that reimbursement cuts can have a long-term negative impact on patient.

Cardiac Imaging

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

FDA announces recall of more than 300,000 catheter kits after 10 injuries, 1 death

AI helps cardiologists deliver personalized healthcare—but there is still plenty of work to do

How a big CMS update on carotid stenting could impact interventional cardiology

What does radiology have to do with climate change?

Around the web