In the refresher course Addressing Newer Threats to Radiology: Commoditization, Fear of Radiation, Utilization Control and Proposed New Payment Systems, speakers examine a variety of threats to radiology and provide practical methods and potential responses to help address these issues.

Whether its Extreme Radiology in Afghanistan or Year Two of Health System Reform: Where Are We Now, the 97th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the RSNA in Chicago Nov. 27 to Dec. 2 is host to more than its fair share of compelling sessions. Presented below are Health Imagings top picks for hot topics, as well as a quick refresher on a few of these topics.

Abbotts cholesterol drug fenofibrate (Trilipix) has made news again after the FDA put out a drug safety communication statement warning the public that the drug may not be all it's cracked up to be in terms of lowering a patients risk of MI or stroke. These data are based on the ACCORD Lipid trial, which evaluated the safety of fenofibrate plus simvastatin combination therapy versus simvastatin (Zocor, Merck Pharmaceuticals) alone in diabetic patients.

ORLANDO, Fla.In medically ill patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE), an extended course of thromboprophylaxis with apixaban (Eliquis, Bristol-Myers Squibb) was not found to be a superior course with enoxaparin (Lovenox, Sanofi-Aventis) and led to more bleeding in the ADOPT trial, presented Nov. 13 as a late-breaker at the 2011 American Heart Association (AHA) conference. However, the study was ultimately underpowered because one-third of the patients were not included in the final results.

Maquet Cardiovascular has received FDA 510(k) clearance and CE mark for its new Cardiosave intra-aortic balloon pump.

The FDA has extended the comment period for a draft guidance for industry and FDA staff on 510(k) modifications including how to decide when to submit a 510(k) for a change to an existing device.

In "Bleeding Edge Imaging and Therapy in Vascular Disease," one of the worlds leading experts in cardiovascular imaging peers into the future of the field and offers insights into the role of imaging. Next, in "CT Angiography: 20 Years Old and All Grown-Up," an expert considers the past, present and future roles of CT angiography.

U.S. Representative Jim Renacci (Ohio-16) has introduced H.R. 3328, a bill to help those opening advanced medical imaging facilities comply with the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.