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.

Global shortage of nuclear imaging isotopes may be over
The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.
‘A huge win’: CMS significantly increases Medicare payments for cardiac CT
CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.
FDA clears AI tool that flags signs of heart disease in chest CT scans
The newly cleared offering, AutoChamber, was designed with opportunistic screening in mind. It can evaluate many different kinds of CT images, including those originally gathered to screen patients for lung cancer.
AI-enabled plaque assessments help cardiologists ID high-risk CAD patients
AI-enabled coronary plaque assessments deliver significant value, according to late-breaking data presented at TCT. These AI platforms have gained considerable momentum in recent months, receiving expanded Medicare coverage in addition to a new Category I CPT code.
Abbott CGM sensors can now be worn during common imaging procedures
Sensors from the FreeStyle Libre 2 and Libre 3 continuous glucose monitoring systems can now be worn during X-rays, CT scans and MRI scans. The news represents a shift in policy from the FDA, one that came after the agency reviewed extensive testing data.

Recipe for joint appropriateness criteria: ACR, ACCF target cardiac imaging

The American College of Radiology (ACR) and the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) jointly developed a method to define appropriate utilization of cardiovascular imaging, and laid out their process for creating the joint documents in an article published in both the Journal of the American College of Radiology and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

April 23, 2013

ARRS: MDCT trumps echo in picking TAVI valve size

Multidetector CT (MDCT) is superior to 2D echocardiography in measuring annular size in patients with aortic stenosis who are candidates for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), according to a study abstract in the electronic exhibit program at the American Roentgen Ray Society Annual (ARRS) annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

April 15, 2013

SPECT-MPI in the PCP setting still offers high prognostic value

SPECT-myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) performed at a low-volume primary care physician’s (PCP’s) office has robust prognostic value in line with what is reported in tertiary or high-volume practice settings, according to a study published March 9 in Journal of Nuclear Cardiology.

March 20, 2013

FDA clears Siemens angiography systems

The Artis Q and Artis Q.zen angiography system families from Siemens Healthcare have been cleared by the FDA.

March 7, 2013

FDA clears Vital Images CT TAVR planning app

Vital Images, part of the Toshiba Medical Systems Group, has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for its CT TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) planning application. The company will showcase its TAVR planning application at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) annual scientific session, March 9-11 in San Francisco.

March 7, 2013

Cardiologists outpacing radiologists in MPI exams

Radiologists’ leading role in hospital-based radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) appears to be in jeopardy as cardiologists began to outpace them in performing MPI examinations, according to a study published in March in the American College of Radiology. This shift is occurring against a backdrop of a small decrease in MPI usage between 2000 and 2010, the authors reported.

March 6, 2013

CCTA: Training Wreck or on Track?

The honeymoon has ended for coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and the seven-year itch has commenced.

February 28, 2013

Structured CCTA reports provide clearer count of vessels with stenosis

Structured impressions on a coronary CT angiography (CCTA) report improved interpretation agreement with regard to the number of vessels with significant stenosis compared with free-form impressions, according to a study published online Feb. 27 in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

February 27, 2013

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Global shortage of nuclear imaging isotopes may be over

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

Cardiovascular Business

‘A huge win’: CMS significantly increases Medicare payments for cardiac CT

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.

Cardiovascular Business

FDA clears AI tool that flags signs of heart disease in chest CT scans

The newly cleared offering, AutoChamber, was designed with opportunistic screening in mind. It can evaluate many different kinds of CT images, including those originally gathered to screen patients for lung cancer.

Cardiac Imaging

Global shortage of nuclear imaging isotopes may be over

‘A huge win’: CMS significantly increases Medicare payments for cardiac CT

FDA clears AI tool that flags signs of heart disease in chest CT scans

AI-enabled plaque assessments help cardiologists ID high-risk CAD patients

Abbott CGM sensors can now be worn during common imaging procedures

Around the web