Echocardiography

Cardiac ultrasound uses reflected sound waves (echos) to create images of anatomy inside the body. Echocardiograms are the primary cardiac imaging modality used to assess the heart and diagnose or track cardiac issues. Echo is the gold standard imaging modality to assess the heart, particularly with calculating left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), which is a measure of cardiac output. In addition to noninvasive standard transthoracic echo (TTE), invasive transesophgeal echo (TEE) is also used when clearer, more detailed imaging of the heart is needed. Both 3D and 4D echo echo systems are rapidly gaining wider adoption and enable new types of assessments, especially in the structural heart space and in transcatheter procedural guidance. Find news on general ultrasound imaging.

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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. 

Royal Philips X11-4t Mini 3D TEE transducer

FDA clears smaller 3D TEE transducer for imaging children, high-risk adult patients

The newly approved device is much smaller than previous offerings, helping operators capture 3D images during structural heart evaluations. 

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. 

caption health GE healthcare echo ultrasound AI

GE Healthcare to acquire AI imaging specialists Caption Health

Caption Health has been a major player in the cardiac imaging space in recent years, gaining attention for its AI-powered echocardiography solutions. 

6 pointers on POCUS leadership in the ED (and potentially beyond)

Has point-of-care ultrasound outpaced hospitals’ capacity to incorporate the technology without anointing any particular specialty its proper guardian? The case could be made.

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AI-powered platform for heart failure detection gains FDA clearance

According to data submitted to the FDA, the platform has been linked to an accuracy of 90%, sensitivity of 87.8% and specificity of 83%.

A figure from the 2022 CAD non-invasive imaging guidelines showing a comparison of computed tomography angiography (CTA) and a SPECT-CT vs. an invasive angiogram from the cath lab showing the same blockage in a coronary artery.

New multi-society recommendations highlight role of non-invasive imaging in evaluating coronary artery disease

A new, multi-society document, "Non-Invasive Imaging in Coronary Syndromes," focuses on how multiple imaging techniques can evaluate different aspects of coronary artery disease (CAD), all without the need for invasive angiograms.

The mitral valve seen on 3D cardiac ultrasound offers a noninvasive surgeon's view of the valve for better diagnostics and pre-planning of structural heart procedures. Example from the GE Vivid E95 FlexiLight photo-realistic 3D/4D lighting system.

Q&A: William Zoghbi breaks down the future of echocardiography

In a new interview, former ACC and ASE President William A. Zoghbi, MD, reviews some of the biggest trends in cardiac ultrasound.

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Around the web

Health Imaging
Nearly $800,000 settlement offered to family of man who died during MRI exam

The patient, who was being cared for in the ICU, was not accompanied or monitored by nursing staff during his exam, despite being sedated.

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.