Use of a dedicated 1.5T breast MR system may overcome shortcomings of conventional breast MR such as lack of specificity and relatively high false positive and recall rates, according to a study published online Aug. 24 in Radiology. The improved negative predictive value of these systems also may reduce further testing and costs and may obviate biopsy in some cases.

Physicians, hospitals and medical organizations should refrain from sponsoring direct-to-consumer screening tests such as ultrasonography of carotid arteries, according to the authors of an opinion piece published online Aug. 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Such screening may lead to unnecessary downstream testing and additional costs with no benefit for patients.

Merck will seek regulatory approval of two cardiovascular drugs in the U.S. and Europe, the company announced Aug. 26 at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich. The drugs are a thrombin receptor antagonist (Vorapaxar) and extended release niacin/laropirprant (Tredaptive), the latter of which is designed to reduce high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

The FDA has approved Siemens Healthcare's Somatom Definition Edge single-source CT systemthe first single-source CT to use Siemens Stellar Detectorhas been approved for sale in the U.S.

The American College of Cardiology's (ACC) Council on Clinical Practice has issued a new white paper to describe the various aspects of developing and managing a successful cardiovascular (CV) service line.

The time is right for a unified, organized approach toward updating breast cancer screening practices, according to an article published in the September issue of Radiology.

Medtronic's Arctic Front Advance cardiac cryoballoon ablation device has received both FDA approval and CE Mark for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Toshiba America Medical Systems has received FDA clearance for its Aquilion RXL Edition CT system, which reconstructs images and includes radiation dose reduction technologies.